GATE 2026 XE Question Paper Analysis OUT: Know Engineering Sciences difficulty Level & Good Attempts
GATE 2026 XE was conducted today. The GATE 2026 XE analysis shows moderate-to-difficult paper. Technical sections like Solid Mechanics were challenging, while Aptitude remained scoring. Official GATE answer keys are expected by late February. Check here the analysis and also expected cut off.
Find Question Paper Analysis here
IIT Guwahati successfully conducted the GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 2026. The morning shift (Shift 1), which ran from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, included key papers such as Engineering Sciences (XE), Life Sciences (XL), and Instrumentation Engineering (IN).
Candidates can check here the GATE 2026 XE Question Paper Analysis to know the difficulty level of the exam, good attempts, and the topics from which the questions were asked.
Also check: GATE 2026 exam hall instructions, last-minute guidelines, and reporting time
GATE 2026 XE Question Paper Analysis
As per the student analysis received by students who appeared in the exam, the Engineering Sciences (XE) paper was moderate to difficult overall.
- The general aptitude section was easier, while core engineering science sections were moderate.
- Mathematics within XE was challenging, ranging from moderate to difficult.
- Question paper focused on conceptual understanding and numerical applications.
- High weightage given to topics like Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics, and Materials Science.
- A new sectional paper, Energy Science (XE-I), was introduced this year.
- Few questions were lengthy
- XE-E was lengthy
- More Statement based questions were asked
- Few questions were (thermos) were lengthy
- XE-D paper was moderate and the GA section was easy.
- GATE XE-D paper reflected mechanical GATE PYQs. The expected cutoff for GATE XE can be high.
GATE 2026 Insights for February 7
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Organizing Institute |
IIT Guwahati |
| Exam Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Marks |
100 (15 for Aptitude + 85 for Subject) |
| Question Types |
MCQ, MSQ, and NAT |
| Negative Marking |
Only in MCQs |
| GATE 2026 Result Date |
March 19, 2026 |
GATE 2026 Upcoming Schedule
The GATE 2026 exam is conducted over four days in February with two shifts daily: Forenoon (9:30 AM - 12:30 PM) and Afternoon (2:30 PM - 5:30 PM).
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