GATE Pattern

Yes, GATE has negative marking for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) only. In GATE question paper, MCQs will be of one and two marks. Hence, the marking scheme for such questions can be checked below -

• For one mark MCQ - 1/3rd mark will be deducted
• For two mark MCQ - 2/3rd mark will be deducted

GATE Engineering Mathematics carry 11 questions of 15 marks, out of which 7 questions is of one mark and 4 of 2 marks. Candidates must check pattern carefully before attempting GATE question paper. The engineering mathematics section is for following GATE papers: AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, and PI. 

Candidates appearing for GATE 2026 XL paper can check the exam pattern below -

• General aptitude carries 15 marks
• Chemistry (compulsory) section comprises 17 questions carrying a total of 25 marks (9 questions of 1 mark and 8 questions of 2 marks)
• Each optional section (out of 2) in the GATE XL paper contains 19 questions of 30 marks (8 questions of 1 mark and 11 questions of 2 marks)
• Total time duration is three hours. 
• Exam mode is online.

Any candidate who wishes to switch the optional section during exam, must deselect the first one to answer. 

Normally, the duration of the GATE exam is 3 hours. However, the duration for students availing the scribe facility (PwD or dyslexic) will get an hour compensatory time to complete the exam, which is four hours. Candidates have to opt for compensatory time at the time of filling out the application form. After the exam duration is over, the test will terminate automatically. 

No, doing this can be one of the harmful decisions that you are going to make in your GATE preparation. Instead, give attention to all the topics and chapters equally. You can start with the high-weightage topics and chapters in GATE first, but also try to give at least an hour per day to go through the lower weightage topics. Look for what sort of questions are asked in previous years, whether they are theoretical or numerically-based. Prepare according to that. By doing this, you are exercising a balanced GATE preparation. 

Important topics to score 60+ marks in GATE CE are as follows -

• Environmental engineering carry around 10 to 12 marks
• Geotechnical Engineering carry around 13 marks
• Fluid mechanics and OCF carry 7 to 8 marks

Yes, this year IIT Madras has revised the GATE syllabus 2027 for almost all subjects. Many topics and chapters have been simplified. Some chapters and topics have been removed. 

• For CSE, major changes in syllabus have been made in COA, Digital Logic, and Computer Network
• For ECE, 90% of the syllabus remains the same. Few changes are made in the engineering mathematics, signals and systems, etc. 

Candidates are advised to go through the syllabus/compare it carefully before preparing.

The total marks of GATE AR question paper are 100. General aptitude section consists of 15 marks and part A is of 60 marks. On the other hand, part B consists of 25 marks.

The GATE pattern and structure for data Science and artificial intelligence can be checked below -

• The exam mode is online and the question paper will be available in English language.
• The general aptitude section carries 15 marks and the remining 85 marks are reserved for the subject-based questions. 
• The time duration of GATE DA paper is 3 hours. 
• However, PwD or dyslexic candidates will get one hour compensatory time to attempt the GATE exam.