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Hey everyone,
I’m entering my 3rd year at a Tier-3 college. I’ve decided to go full-blown for GATE CSE 2027 with the dream of joining IISc. I have roughly 9 months (starting mid-May) and I need to do this for free (or extremely cheap). My college fees are already high, and I don’t want to burden my parents with expensive coaching fees. I can maybe afford ~3k/month max, but I’d really prefer to exhaust free resources first.
Current Status:
* Lectures: I’ve done some Abdul Bari videos, which are great for basics, but when I try solving PYQs from the Gate Overflow book, I’m only hitting about a 50% success rate. It’s a bit discouraging.
* Timeline: I have a 2-month summer vacation starting mid-May. I want to use this as a "launchpad."
I need advice on:
The "50% Problem": Is it normal to struggle with PYQs after Bari's lectures? Should I switch to more GATE-specific channels like Gate Smashers, Amit Khurana, or Vishvadeep Gothi (Unacademy Computer Science)? Who is best for "IISc level" conceptual depth?
Practice Material: Beyond the Gate Overflow book, where can I find more practice problems? Are there any free platforms or Telegram groups with high-quality DPPs?
Timeline: For an IISc target, by when should I ideally finish the syllabus? I was thinking October so I can spend 3 months on mocks. Is that realistic starting in May?
The "Under 3k" Option: If I absolutely have to buy a course later for the "edge," which one fits a low budget but offers top-tier quality? (PW, Go Classes, etc.?)
I’m ready to put in the hours, just need a clear direction so I don't waste time on the wrong content. Thanks in advance!
TL;DR: Rising 3rd year aiming for IISc via GATE CSE. Starting full prep in May (9 months out). Struggling with PYQs after Abdul Bari. Looking for the best free YouTube faculty for deep concepts and a timeline for syllabus completion. Trying to avoid expensive coaching to save my parents' money.