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The GATE exam is an online computer-based test that is conducted to assess the knowledge and understanding of undergraduate engineering and science students. This exam is the gateway for admission to postgraduate courses (Master’s and Ph.D.) in engineering and technology, architecture, and science. It is also a crucial exam for engineering graduates who want to secure a job in the public sector.
GATE Exam Pattern
GATE would contain questions of Three different types in all the papers:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) carrying 1 or 2 marks each in all the papers and sections
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions carrying 1 or 2 marks each in all the papers and sections.
- MSQs (Multiple Select Questions ) Simple mean That a question having 4 options might have multiple correct choices & You will need to tick (select) all Correct options. Each Question Carries 1 or 2 Marks in all Sections. (There is NO negative marking for a wrong answer in NAT questions.)
GATE Pattern of Examination
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Language of examination | English |
| Duration | 3 Hours* |
| Number of papers (Subjects) | 30 test papers |
| Sections | General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate’s Selected Subject(s) |
| Type of Questions | (a) Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) (b) Multiple Select Question (MSQ) (c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
| Testing of abilities | (a) Recall (b) Comprehension (c) Application (d) Analysis & Synthesis |
| Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL | General Aptitude: 15 marks Engineering Mathematics**: 13 marks Subject Questions: 72 marks Total: 100 marks (**XE includes Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 marks) |
| Distribution of Marks in papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL | General Aptitude: 15 marks Subject Questions: 85 marks Total: 100 marks |
| Marking Scheme | Questions carry either 1 mark or 2 marks |
| Negative Marking | For a wrong answer chosen in an MCQ, there will be negative marking. For a 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. For a 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. There is no negative marking for wrong answer(s) to MSQ or NAT questions. There is no partial marking in MSQ. |
GATE Examination Pattern Mark Distribution
| Paper Code | Marks | Total Time* (Minutes) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | Common Section | Optional Section(s) | Total | ||
| AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI; Subject marks in these papers include questions on Engineering Mathematics (13 marks), which are paper-specific. | 15 | 85 | — | 100 | 180 |
| CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST | 15 | 85 | — | 100 | 180 |
| AR: Part A is Common. Part B1/B2 can be selected during the exam. B1 – Architecture or B2 – Planning | 15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 |
| GE: Part A is Common. Part B1/B2 can be selected during the exam. B1 – Surveying and Mapping or B2 – Image Processing and Analysis | 15 | 55 | 30 | 100 | 180 |
| GG: Part A is Common. Part B1/B2 must be chosen at the time of application. B1 – Geology or B2 – Geophysics | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| RA: Part A is Common. Part B1/B2 can be selected during the exam. B1 – Electrical or B2 – Mechanical | 15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 |
| XE0 (Engineering Mathematics) is Common. Applicants must select any TWO of the other sections during the exam. | 15 | 15 | 2 x 35 | 100 | 180 |
| XH0 (Reasoning and Comprehension) is Common. Applicants must select any ONE of the other sections at the time of application. | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XL0 (Chemistry) is Common. Applicants must select any TWO of the other sections during the exam. | 15 | 25 | 2 x 30 | 100 | 180 |
*Following the O.M. F. No. P-13013/75/2023-Policy-DD-III dated August 01, 2025, a PwD candidate, in the category of blindness, locomotor disability (both arms only) and cerebral palsy, can request for the compensatory time of one hour upon production of valid disability certificate/UDID card. In case of all other specified disabilities the compensatory time will be allowed on production of a certificate to the effect that the person concerned has a functional limitation to write, caused by the specified disability. Please refer to Appendix-B1.
GATE
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level examination conducted in India that primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering and technology. The exam is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB)-GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India.
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GATE An Overview
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of Exam | GATE |
| Full Name of Exam | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering |
| Exam Conducting Body | IISc Bengaluru |
| Full Name of Body | Indian Institute of Science |
| Scale of Exam | National Level |
| Event Here | Login For gate.iisc.ac.in |
| Official Website for Login | gate.iisc.ac.in |
| Exam Is For Admission to Courses | Master’s programs and direct Doctoral programs in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts; and Doctoral programs in relevant branches of Arts and Science |
| Exam Is For Admission to Colleges | IITs and Other Colleges that Accept GATE Score |
| Similar Exams | Engineering Entrance Exams |