This is really a nice question at the right time. We have several months to go for GATE and probably the same amount of time for GRE, if we decide to take a master degree abroad. I will try to shad light on both the options and let you decide what is good for you. We are trying to understand them because both lead to Master degree in Engineering.
Let me start with GATE, it based on the subject we learned during graduation (BE or B.Tech). GATE exam helps in getting admission in M.Tech (master of Technology degree) in Indian universities.
The basic advantage with GATE is that if you do well you will get to see most prestigious engineering institutes in the world. You get a scholarship to support education and get wonderful two years of life that you are going to remember for rest of you life. Even if you little less scores it will take you to some college where you will enjoy scholarship and time.
The real daunting task comes when the master degree is finished. IITs, NITs and some good universities have placements and everyone have to face huge competition. Even top multinational companies one or two candidates out few hundred bright candidates.
Another disadvantage, because of high competition, is that somehow one need to remove few candidates to make selection procedure to finish in given time, and usually CGP or percentage will come into picture as a short listing criteria killing many bright students who didn’t cared much about scores and marks.
Now let’s move on to GRE, it’s really exciting to go aboard, specially for Indian students. That motivates many students for preparing for GRE. The biggest advantage studying abroad is that the exposure and huge confidence one gain in life. It also depends on where you study. Given a chance to me I would try studying abroad at the earliest age at a best place 
Preparing for GRE need extra effort as English is not our first language, though most of Indian student do good, but one the average we don’t do good in English. Apart from this, after GRE, one has to run around a lot to fulfill many other admission requirements. This may discourage few students from taking this option.
The other disadvantages are, if you don’t get a scholarship you may land up serving tables in an Indian Restaurant. If your university is not well ranked and you don’t have a scholarship then it’s totally a mess, one or the other day you will land in India for good too.
Now, if you ask me what I did, when I was standing as a B.Tech final year student? I opted for GATE. But on the same time I tried a lot to understand the admission procedure in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. I did it because there was a useless procedure for paying GRE and TOFEL Fee, I was not good at English and was from a small town and was afraid to go to a metro city and talk to consultancies.
On the other hand, I was good at engineering subjects that made me very comfortable with GATE. Scholarship, and the energy to see IITs was enough for me to opt for GATE. I know my country well and I know the English they speak so all these made GATE easy and best possible option for me.
The most important factor for not going ahead with GRE was lack of guidance and motivation for studying abroad. Paying fee for master degree and managing living in US or other countries was considered as failure at my home. Most of my friend went there either paid full fee, or got some weaver from university and I never saw anyone got scholarship that pay their living there.
After doing M.Tech I started thinking of PhD abroad, but there was again lack of guidance and this time I approached few consultants and they shown a lengthy procedure, which was almost infeasible for me to try. I left that option in their offices and moved on with simple and long loved dream of IITs. The more trouble I saw going abroad the more I loved IITs and became disparate to join there for PhD. Long back I wrote about it How do you feel to be at IIT.
I know where I was going and know what I want to do, and was doing it happily, because of the freedom it offered me. If we don’t know what IITs are for then we will end up in books and finally feel that there is always some smarter than you. I got a huge advantage being an IITian. I also, got a chance to visit Singapore and Korea for research without spending a single penny from my pocket.
After spending several years abroad, I feel its better we start early in life. If possible go abroad for engineering degree itself, gain that exposure and try to be best and learn how common people use resources to build big business. Make a point to learn how opportunities come and how to grab them to grow higher.
The conclusion is wherever you go, try to reach excellence and try to be best. Not just say that work like that. Raise above all excuses and work hard to the human capacity and expect the best of it. All Indian you see on the top are because of their hard work and too much competitive and never give up attitude. Let’s work hard and chase our dreams.
There are few other articles related to M.Tech you may find useful. Please subscribe for updates and become a fan on facabook to gain feeds in facebook. Don’t hesitate to drop a comment for a question or suggestion.
Wish you all a wonderful luck ahead.
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I have been a quiet and silent admirer of your blog since last 6 months or so, i have have been promoting this to quite an extend among my friends circle. Its really mice and very helpful. Its quite a novel approach too.. Not many would like to share information as you would do.
sir,
I have been admitted in NITTTR, kolkata (a institute established by MHRD) in M.Tech in Multimedia & Software Systems this year. My GATE score is CS- 7418(obc) and an MCA pass out this year. I want to move ahead with research career.
What will be better for me – entry into IIT through GATE’2011 or complete M.Tech here and PhD abroad through Subject GRE.
Sujay: Try both
If you get scholarship abroad that best. But be sure you select a good university.
thanks
sir,
its very good that you gave us an idea of both ways of doing M.tech.,
but you never mentioned other options like MS in european countries.,i heard that european countries are offering free education..though they offer free education i know its expensive to make living there…but if you know any good german universities or any other universities please let me know…i would be more happy if you can give me approximate figure (money) needed for doing MS…
i’m also working hard on gate and i’m considering plan to go abroad as the second option..so if you know anything regarding this subject please let me know..
thanks in advance….
Sriram: Thanks for a nice question. I working for a guide for MS education and I wish to complete all those titles in that. Please give me some time and keep a watch on the blog
Dear Sir,
I am a Mechanical Engineer working with 10 + years of Experience in Kuwait.I started my preparation towards cracking GATE 2011.It is really a tough time to start preparation after a long gap from Graduation.
Mean while i read your article Titled GRE or GATE . I found that after completing M.Tech still placements in IITs and NITs will be highly competitive.My question is whether all students of IITs and NITs will get 100 % placements?
What is your suggestion for those who didn’t get placements after M.tech.
Please advise me.
Thanks and Regards,
J.Ubayadullah
Ubayadullah: Almost all the students in IITs and NITs get placements. But I m talking about getting into top companies in specific domains. For the student who didnt get placements need to look ahead and hunt for the jobs. Dont miss out a single opportunity.
i have confusion about GMAT & GATE.
where the gate score is useful other than getting admission to IIT?
can i get admission for MBA through GMAT in INDIA becoz i can’t afford expenditure abroad? how much min. work experiance is required
thanks.
btw the link :
How do you feel to be at IIT
is not working.
Vivek: Thank dude
I modified the link, thank you.
sir ,
my gate score is 430(cse). i selected for NIT RAIPUR.sir, i want to know that which is better option for me in long run
1) take admission or
2)prepare for gate 2010 && try for iit
plz reply sir.if possible then clear why which one is better.
thnx
Sir,
i m attempting GATE in final of my Mech Engg…with the help of some Coaching….
I m very inspiret n now ignited to pursue my dream of IIT…
My engg acedemics r very poor…
But i am very confident to secure a good score….
Ready to do any possible help… Hope ur knolege stays like a Lighthouse in a thunder-storm…
Really thankful of u from bottom of heart..
how many seat are in gate for computer science & IT
thanxx alott sir for ur information !! i m planning to do m.tech at one of the reputed insititutes in india . can u tell me what is is difference between studying b .tech and m tech ? i mean we hav to attend classes or we r expected to do research ??? i m really confused in this matter . please help me clarify what m tech students do in two years ??? traditional classroom studies as i did in my b.tech or something different ?
This page is my first hit of google in search of difference between opting for GATE and
GRE . Let me introduce myself ,I am doing my final year B.tech in BITS GOA(computer science) . I am confused to opt for GATE or GRE . I wanted to go to IITS but already i
am from one of the best colleges . I dont know anything about MS in foreign .
can you give any advice to me….
What is the scope after MTech from IIT BOMBAY CS
if do iit’s all the iits students get job’s(in top level companies)
Dear sir
I passed out my engineering in July 2010 in mechanical branch.Being strict no no to software companies and IT field,am still jobless. Am also a Gate aspirant with miossing preparation.During engineering i was not keen on higher studies immediately so never thought about GATE or GRE.
Thanks a ton for your indirect inspiration.
Ankur Kumar
Hello sir,
I scored 98.2 % in CS with rank 1900 . Do I have a fare chances of getting MS(R) from IITS /IISc? If so, can U please list out IITs colleges name?
Thanking u in anticipation.
With regards,
ASC.
To above comment I wanted to add, that I gave GATE last year 2010.
With regards.
hum to g.r.e karenge.
thank u sir,you solved my problems
The effort you take to share with us the knowledge you have gained through experience is commendable. Thank you
sr im pursuing my b.tech in biochemical engineering.what are the option fr me in gate fr m.tech and which is better?
must check Replica Purses online shopping
Please Sir “U GOT TO REPLY THIS” ,
i have been reading ur blog continously for past one year.. someone in the queries above also pointed that u havent discussed about EUROPEAN UNIVs at all.. after that gentleman’s query u posted something lyk ” admission in GERMAN UNIV and NUS/ NTU SINGAPORE through GATE”.. Is it a rumour or a fact that German univ and NUS/NTU take students from GATE score too??
i searched a lot of websites but didnt find any relation b/w GATE and SINGAPORE.. did a lot of research on GERMAN UNIVs but only i found was “that they do not accept GRE/GMAT/IELTS scores for their POST GRADUATION courses… Instead they want full academic record of a student and then they call him. There is a shortage of man-power in Europe specially GERMANY that is why they ‘ve started this policy of FREE EDUCATION TO FOREIGN STUDENTS.. THEY DO NOT CHARGE TUTION FEE( biggest advantage)…. but no info regarding admission procedure..??
I ‘m still seriously confused over “HOW TO GET INTO GERMAN UNIVs/ SINGAPORE through GATE”..?? plzz blog down a post something regarding that..
if i do mtech in computers….do we have chance to get jobs in big companies like microsoft,google…etc??????..
Sir ,
i really like your blogs .
I am doing my B.E Electrical and working in Wilo M & p .
After reading this it really motivates me to Do MS in germany .
Hi,
I am a Mtech (Structural Engg.) Student from Nagpur University. I am into my second yr and by the end of next July. My further plan is to opt for PhD but want to do it in good reputed institute. And my aim is to go abroad for further studies. But , for my further plans I am lacking a proper approach. Can you help to guide me for a proper approach for Phd from abroad in my subject?
Regards,
Omkar