If you prepare smartly, cracking GATE is no big deal. Solve as much question papers as you can. Study portions based on previous question papers. This worked brilliantly for me.
Most questions in GATE are very basic. Your understanding of the concepts is what they test.
I started preparation right after i applied for the exam. Started solving old question papers. The first 2 paper took me two whole months. By the time they were finished, most of the portions were covered. the next set of papers went quickly. I have collected most material from the internet in the blog, and it will save you some time. Keep a note of all formulae and conversions. You don't have to be a math wizard, just have to know basic math. Try searching for topics on youtube, videos are a quick way to learn
They will mostly ask pritzker prize winning architects. So go through the pritzker prize website. Also go through the tall buildings. Those are some things missed out in the blog.
You can use some elimination techniques with caution for answers you know partly. Do not attempt answers you do not know at all if there is negative marking. Numerical entry questions do not have negative marking, so try to attempt them all (do conform if rules are changed)
for eg
Q.43 Match the features in Group I with their architectural periods in Group II
Group I Group II
P. Caryatids 1. Roman
Q. Hypocaust 2. Gothic
R. Pylons 3. Greek
S. Lofty Pinnacles 4. Egyptian
5. Romanesque
(A) P-1, Q-5, R-4, S-2 (B) P-5, Q-1, R-3, S-2
(C) P-3, Q-2, R-5, S-4 (D) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2
I knew that pylons are egyptian, there are 2 options with R4, a and d.
I was not sure if caryatids are greek P3 or roman P4..., option a has p3 and option d has p4
usually correct matches appear in more than one option, you can see p3 repeats here, so i went with option d, and it turned out to be correct.
Good Luck
former freedom tower