Is Calculator Allowed in GATE 2026 Exam?
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
Admit Card - 2 Jan '26
Is calculator allowed in the GATE exam: One of the most commonly asked questions among GATE aspirants is that, whether a calculator is allowed in the GATE exam or not? Since GATE is known be one of the competitive exam nation-wide, understanding the GATE exam guidelines is highly important. Read below to know more.
Since GATE is conducted by IITs and IISc on a rotational basis, and this year, IIT Guwahati is conducting GATE 2026 exam, knowing the exam day guidelines and instructions beforehand is essential. It can help you stay away from the confusion and perform better on the exam day.
In this article, we have explained a few things -
- Is calculator allowed inside GATE exam hall?
- What type of calculator one can use for calculations?
- Important instructions one must follow inside GATE exam hall.
Latest Update: GATE 2026 admit card release date, check steps to download, and other details
- Is Calculator allowed in GATE 2026 Exam?
- Use of Virtual Calculator in GATE 2026 Exam
- Is it mandatory to use GATE 2026 Virtual Calculator in the exam?
- Can we carry rough sheet to the GATE 2026 Exam?
- How to use Virtual Calculator in the GATE Examination?
Is Calculator allowed in GATE 2026 Exam?
Yes, calculators are allowed in the GATE examination, but only virtual calculators. The GATE virtual calculator will be implemented by default in your system that is provided in the exam hall. Physical calculators, such as scientific or non-scientific are not allowed inside the exam hall. The GATE 2026 exam conducting authorities provide on -screen calculator and students have to use it for all numerical and mathematical calculations.
Explore colleges based on GATE
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
What type of Calculators are not allowed in GATE Exam?
The following types of calculators are strictly prohibited in the GATE exam -
- Scientific
- Non-scientific
- Programmable
- And Mobile phones with calculator apps
Candidates will be checked thoroughly before entering inside the GATE examination centre. Any form of electronic gadget is not allowed.
There are two shift timings for the GATE exam. Candidates can find the details of the shift timing on the official website. The GATE shift timings are as follows -
- Forenoon - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Afternoon - 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Candidates can also find the exam timing details mentioned in the GATE admit card. Candidates are advised to appear for the GATE 2026 exam on the date prescribed in the hall ticket.
IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15 in two shifts. The exam timings are Forenoon - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and afternoon - 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Branch-wise dates have been announced at gate2026.iitg.ac.in
Use of Virtual Calculator in GATE 2026 Exam
GATE authorities provide virtual scientific calculator to perform calculations, such as
- Basic arithmetic operations
- Trigonometric functions
- Logarithmic calculations
- Square root and power functions
Students who are appearing for GATE 2026 exam, conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026, must be aware of the functions provided by GATE scientific calculator. One must start practising and get well-acquainted with its features to solve questions in accuracy. The GATE 2026 admit card will be released on January 2, 2026.
Explore more Engineering exams with upcoming dates
15 Feb '26 - 19 Feb '26
3 Feb '26 - 3 Mar '26
7 Mar '26
31 Mar '26
15 Feb '26
12 Mar '26
1 Apr '26 - 30 Apr '26
7 Jun '26 - 23 Jun '26
Is it mandatory to use GATE 2026 Virtual Calculator in the exam?
Yes, as physical calculators are prohibited in GATE exam, therefore using virtual calculator is mandatory for solving numerical problems available in GATE question paper. The on-screen calculator will appear on the system/dashboard and can be opened whenever required.
Note: Students are advised to develop strong mental calculation skills and simplify equations whenever required in the examination.
The main objective of implementing GATE virtual calculators is to ensure that all students work under the same conditions.
The GATE scorecard 2026 is valid for three years, which means the scorecard can be used till 2029. Candidates can download the scorecard using their enrollment ID and password. Candidates can use the scorecard for M.Tech or PhD admissions, or PSU recruitment.
The GATE 2026 paper code of XE stands for Engineering Sciences, XH stands for Humanities and Social Science, and XL stands for Life Sciences.
For GATE Paper "XE"
- General aptitude carries a total of 15 marks
- Engineering mathematics contains 11 questions of 15 marks
- Sectional option papers (from B to I) - contains 22 questions carries a total of 35 marks
For GATE Paper "XH"
- General aptitude section carries 15 marks
- Section B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension) carries 16 questions of 25 marks.
- Option section (from C1 to C6) - contains 39 questions of 60 marks.
For GATE Paper "XL"
- The general aptitude section carries 15 marks.
- Chemistry (compulsory) section contains 17 questions of 25 marks.
- Optional section (Q through U) - contains 19 questions of 30 marks.
Candidates who have applied for GATE 2026 must check event datesheet so they don't miss out on any dates. IIT Guwahati has released GATE 2026 exam dates along with branch-wise schedule at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Can we carry rough sheet to the GATE 2026 Exam?
No, candidates are not allowed to carry a rough sheet to the GATE examination centre. A scribble pad will be provided inside the exam hall. After receiving the GATE scribble sheet, students have to write their name and roll number first and start doing their calculations. Once the exam is completed, students will have to return it to the invigilator.
How to use Virtual Calculator in the GATE Examination?
Here’s how one can use the GATE virtual calculator effectively -
- Start solving questions using GATE scientific calculator in advance.
- Try accessing the virtual calculator only for the tricky questions only, this will save a lot of time.
- Learn shortcuts and approximation techniques using GATE scientific calculator.
- Use scribble pad to solve easy questions.
In short, students are advised to practise solving numerical questions using GATE virtual calculator right before the exam. It will help to improve accuracy and time management in the exam.
Also read:
Upasana Pradhan is an Mtech graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from DTU who specialises in curating postgraduate and undergraduate engineering entrance exam content, such as GATE, TS PGECET, KCET,
Read Full BioNews & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jan '26 | JEE Main 2026 City Intimation ... |
7 Jan '26 - 8 Jan '26 | JEE Main 2026 photo verificati... |
May '26 | TS EAMCET 2026 (Engineering) |
Feb '26 | KCET Notification 2026 |
Sep '26 | DTU LEET 2026 Application Form... |
Oct '26 | DTU LEET 2026 Exam Date |
Jan '26 | OJEE 2026 registrations |
Mar '26 | OJEE 2026: Last date of fee pa... |
May '26 | AISECT Joint Entrance Exam 202... |
May '26 | AISECT Joint Entrance Exam 202... |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati will release GATE admit card 2026. The hall ticket will be released at GOAPS 2026. Candidates have to enter their enrollment ID and password to obtain admit card of GATE exam.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 days ago
GATE admit card release date is January 2, 2026. However, the release time for GATE 2026 admit card has not yet announced by authorities.
H
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, the TS PGECET and GATE syllabus remains the same for M.Tech admission. However, GATE questions are trickier and conceptual compared to TS PGECET. Students who want to appear both TS PGECET and GATE must prepare accordingly-
- Go through pattern of both exams and syllabus
- Solve mock test and questio
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Candidates can check their offer status using their login ID and password obtained during COAP registration. GATE COAP offers will be displayed on given date and time only, where students have to confirm their choices.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
The COAP counselling is done online only. For registrations, students need to keep the following details ready-
- GATE application details
- Scores secured in GATE exam
- Mobile number and email address
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Candidates who have qualified GATE exam will be eligible for GATE COAP counselling. The counselling offer admission to IITs. The admission counselling registration is online and is done in multiple rounds depending on seat availability.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
GATE CCMT counselling is expected to start in June/July. Students who have qualified in GATE exam 2026 and want to take admission in NITs and other engineering colleges must register and participate in CCMT. The dates will be updated here for each round.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
GATE 2026 COAP counselling dates will be released in June/July after the announcement of results. Students who want to take admission in IITs must register through COAP for counselling.
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
GATE 2026 Electronics and Communication paper will be conducted on February 15 in the first shift. Students who have regsitered for EC paper must download their admit card on January 2.
H
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
IIT Guwahati will conduct GATE CSE exam on February 8, 2026 in two shifts. The CS1 will be held in first shift and CS2 in second shift. The exam timings can be checked below-
- CS1 paper - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
- CS2 paper- 2:30 am to 5:30 pm
A
Contributor-Level 7
The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, will be conducting the GATE 2026 exam. The dates are OUT now. IIT Guwahati last conducted the GATE exam in 2018. Candidates who want to apply for M.Tech or any research programmes can apply for GATE. The application window is available till October 7 without late fees (revised), till October 13 (with late fee) and the exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15.