Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) : Examination

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Introduction

Eligibility

Examination

Application Procedure

Exam Date 2024

Useful Contacts

The GATE examination consists of a single paper of 3-hour duration that contains 65 questions carrying a maximum of 100 marks, out of which 10 questions carrying a total of 15 marks will be on General Aptitude (GA). The question paper will consist of both multiple choice questions (MCQ) and numerical answer type (NAT) questions.

(i) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) carrying 1 or 2 marks each in all papers and sections. These questions are objective in nature, and each will have a choice of four answers, out of which the candidate has to mark the correct answer(s).

(ii) Numerical Answer Questions of 1 or 2 marks each in all papers and sections. For these questions the answer is a real number, to be entered by the candidate using the virtual keypad. No choices will be shown for this type of questions. The answer can be a number such as 10 (an integer only). The answer may be in decimals as well, for example, 10.1 (one decimal) or 10.01 (two decimals) or 10.001 (three decimals). Wherever required and possible, it is better to give NAT answer up to a maximum of three decimal places.

The examination for all the papers will be carried out in an ONLINE Computer Based Test (CBT) mode where the candidates will be shown the questions in a random sequence on a computer screen. The candidates are required to either select the answer (for MCQ type) or enter the answer for numerical answer type question using a mouse on a virtual keyboard (keyboard of the computer will be disabled). Each candidate will be provided with a scribble pad for rough work. The scribble pad has to be returned after the examination. At the end of the 3-hour window, the computer will automatically close the screen from further actions.

For the GATE examination, a candidate can apply for only one of the 23 papers listed below :

Aerospace Engineering - Code : AE
Agricultural Engineering - Code : AG
Architecture and Planning - Code : AR
Biotechnology - Code : BT
Civil Engineering - Code : CE
Chemical Engineering - Code : CH
Computer Science and Information Technology - Code : CS
Chemistry - Code : CY
Electronics and Communication Engineering - Code : EC
Electrical Engineering - Code : EE
Ecology and Evolution - Code : EY
Geology and Geophysics - Code : GG
Instrumentation Engineering - Code : IN
Mathematics - Code : MA
Mechanical Engineering - Code : ME
Mining Engineering - Code : MN
Metallurgical Engineering - Code : MT
Petroleum Engineering - Code : PE
Physics - Code : PH
Production and Industrial Engineering - Code : PI
Textile Engineering and Fibre Science - Code : TF
Engineering Sciences - Code : XE*
Life Sciences - Code : XL**

A candidate is allowed to appear in ONLY ONE GATE paper. If a candidate makes more than one application for the same paper, he/she shall be allowed to appear the paper in any one session ONLY. Duplicate/triplicate applications shall be treated as one paper only, with out refund of application fees.

*XE (Engineering Sciences) and **XL (Life Sciences) papers are of general nature and will comprise of Sections :

XE paper sections (Engineering Sciences)

Sections	Code
Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory)	A
Fluid Mechanics	B
Materials Science	C
Solid Mechanics	D
Thermodynamics	E
Polymer Science and Engineering	F
Food Technology	G
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences	H

XL paper sections (Life Sciences)

Sections	Code
Chemistry (Compulsory)	P
Biochemistry	Q
Botany	R
Microbiology	S
Zoology	T
Food Technology	U

All the papers will have a few questions that test the General Aptitude (Language and Analytical Skills), apart from the core subject of the paper.

A candidate appearing in the XE paper has to answer the following

Section A – Engineering Mathematics
GA – General Aptitude
Any two of XE sections B to H

A candidate appearing in the XL paper has to answer the following

Section P– Chemistry
GA – General Aptitude
Any two of XL sections Q to U

The choice of two sections can be made during the examination after viewing the questions. Only two optional sections can be answered at a time. A candidate wishing to change midway of the examination to another optional section must first choose to deselect one of the previously chosen optional sections.

In the papers bearing the codes AE, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PE, PI, TF and XE, the Engineering Mathematics will carry around 15% of the total marks, the General Aptitude section will carry 15% of the total marks and the remaining 70% of the total marks is devoted to the subject of the paper.

In the papers bearing the codes AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH and XL, the General Aptitude section will carry 15% of the total marks and the remaining 85% of the total marks is devoted to the subject of the paper.

Marking Scheme : For 1-mark multiple-choice questions, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. Likewise, for 2-mark multiple-choice questions, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. There is NO negative marking for numerical answer type questions.