GATE Exam 2026: How many questions to attempt to score 40 marks in GATE, Marks vs Rank, and Cutoff Insights

Scoring 40 marks in GATE 2026: One of the most common doubts among GATE aspirants is: “How many questions should I attempt to score 40+ marks in GATE?” The answer depends on three things:  accuracy, the type of questions, and paper difficulty. But you can still follow a smart attempt plan. Let’s break it down in a simple way. Read below to understand in detail about 40 marks in GATE, IITs and NITs accepting 40 marks in GATE, GATE Exam 2026 marks vs rank, etc. 

GATE is one of the most competitive exams in India, opening doors to M.Tech admissions in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and prestigious PSUs. Every year, lakhs of students aim for high scores, but one common question is:

“How many questions should I attempt to score 40+ marks in GATE?”

Scoring 40+ marks in GATE is considered, but not enough for someone who is dreaming of getting into IITs or NITs. As, the GATE mark and rank varies every year depending on the difficulty and normalisation process, achieving 40 marks in GATE can get in you a rank between 2000 to 3000, which can be good for some new NITs and state government colleges. 

Let’s get into it to understand it better -

Latest Updates:

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Firstly, understand the GATE 2026 Exam Pattern

Before knowing how many questions to attempt, you must understand the GATE 2026 exam pattern:

If your Target is 40 Marks in GATE 2026

To score 40+ marks in GATE 2026, you need to aim for at least 42 to 45 raw marks (keeping in mind that silly mistakes may happen). 

Let’s assume -

• If you attempt 30 questions of 2 marks correctly, that fetches you 60 marks in GATE 2026.
• If you attempt 20 questions of 2 marks correctly, and 10 questions of 1 mark correctly, that fetches you 50 marks in GATE 2026. 
• If you attempt 15 questions of 2 marks and 15 questions of 1 mark correctly, that fetches you 45 marks in the GATE exam.

This means you don’t need to solve all 65 questions. Even 22 to 28 correct GATE questions (with good accuracy) can give you 40+ marks.

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• What is the salary of a GATE topper in a month?
• GATE 2026 marks vs rank vs score
• GATE exam VS campus placements: Which is better for aspirants, benefits and more

How many questions are required to attempt to score 40+ marks in GATE Exam

Here’s a brief explanation of the query for how many questions you need to attempt to secure 40 marks in GATE 2026 -

GATE General Aptitude Section

• This section is simple and easy-scoring compared to the core subject section.
• Keep a target of scoring at least 8 to 10 marks out of 15, which means an attempt of 7 to 8 questions. 

The General Aptitude section is included for GATE paper codes AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, GE, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL. 

GATE Engineering Mathematics Section

• Highly formula-based with predictable and predictable questions.
• Keep a target of scoring 10 to 12 marks, which is roughly an attempt of 7 to 8 questions. 

GATE Core Subject

• Most toughest and crucial section of the GATE question paper
• Keep a target of scoring 20 to 25 marks, which is roughly an attempt of 12 to 15 questions. 

Total = 40 to 45 marks in GATE (approximately 25 to 28 correct questions needed with accuracy).

GATE Questions Attempt vs Accuracy

Many aspirants think they must attempt 55 to 60 questions to score well. That’s not true.

What matters most is accuracy. For example:

• If you attempt 40 questions with 80% accuracy, you get 32 correct answers = 50 marks in GATE
• If you attempt 55 questions with 50% accuracy, and 27 are correct, then it will be around 42 marks in GATE.

Smart Strategy: How to attempt questions to score 40+ marks in GATE Exam

• Prioritise GA and Engineering Mathematics sections - These sections are comparatively easy and give a confidence boost. Secure 18 to 20 marks here.
• Pick Easy Questions First - In GATE, at least 20 to 25% of questions are straightforward if you know the basics. Hence, focus on the fundamentals.
• Attempt GATE NATs and MSQs Wisely – Since there’s no negative marking, attempt them even if half sure. There is no partial marking in MSQs.
• Avoid Blind Guessing in MCQs- Negative marking can pull your GATE 2026 score down.

What is the Safe Attempt Range for 40+ Marks in GATE?

• Total Attempts - 40 to 45 questions in GATE (overall)
• Expected Accuracy- 60 to 70%
• Correct Questions Needed - 25 to 28 approx.

If you attempt 40 questions with 70% accuracy in GATE 2026 with 28 correct questions, that fetches at least 42 to 44 marks in GATE 2026. This is a safe score in GATE 2026.

Also Read:

• PSU recruitment through GATE scores
• What is a good rank in GATE: marks vs rank, good rank for IITs and NITs
• Top GATE branches and cutoff trends

Common Mistakes to Avoid while attempting GATE Questions

1. First thing, avoid guess work
2. Ignoring GA and Engineering Maths - Together, they can give you 20+ marks easily.
3. Not Managing Time - Spending too much time on 1 question reduces overall attempts.
4. Skipping Previous Year Papers - Most toppers say that at least 10 to 12 GATE previous year papers are a must.

How to Secure 40+ Marks in GATE 2026

1. Daily 2 Hour Practice of General Aptitude and Engineering Maths - Consistency here ensures 15 to 20 marks.
2. Strengthen Core Fundamentals - Don’t try to mug up; understand concepts.
3. Take GATE Mock Tests- Practice attempting 50 to 55 questions in GATE exam and check your accuracy.
4. Revise Formula Sheets- Many 1-mark questions are direct formula-based.
5. Don’t Panic - Even if the paper feels tough, remember that GATE cutoff and rank depend on relative performance.

Hence, 40+ marks in GATE 2026 = Safely above the cutoff in all branches. However, it might not fetch to top IITs and NITs (category-applicants may get seats in some branches)

Can I get IIT with 40+ marks in GATE?

Getting admission to an IIT with 40 marks in GATE is unlikely for top IITs and popular branches, as it is below average, but it may be possible (with less chance) for newer IITs, interdisciplinary programs, or less competitive branches, as cutoffs vary significantly by institution, branch, category, and the exam's difficulty. However, you can try your luck in state government colleges. 

With 40+ marks in GATE 2026, your admission chances (depending on branch, category, and paper difficulty level) become a little higher. Thus, scoring 40+ marks in GATE can be easy with a determined state of mind and accuracy. Honestly, you do not need to solve all 65 questions, just right strategy you can easily cross the 40+ mark benchmark and open opportunities to good colleges and PSU opportunties.