GATE

Honestly, textbooks are not enough for GATE preparation (especially if you are targeting IITs and top colleges). 

Besides your college books, look out for top GATE books recommended by toppers, mentors, and professors. Pick at least one standard book for each subject and start studying it side by side. Apart from that, also practice solving GATE question papers of last 5 to 10 years to get hands on the question difficulty and pattern. 

Stay consistent, prepare a practical timetable and religiously follow it. At the end, it's all upto how you prepare for the exam. 

No, there is no change in GATE 2026 syllabus. However, a new sectional paper has been added under Engineering Sciences, XE, which is Energy Science and GATE paper code is XE-I. Candidates can download GATE syllabus 2026 PDF from official website- gate2026.iitg.ac.in.

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. 

NAT are Numerical Answer Type questions, where candidates have to enter a numerical value using GATE virtual calculator. There is no negative marking for GATE NAT questions.

The GATE 2026 exam pattern for CS, EC, EE, and ME can be checked below. The general aptitude section (GA) carries 15 marks, while the subject-based questions carries 85 marks, out of which engineering mathematics section consists of 13 marks. The GATE question paper will be in English language and the time duration is three hours. 

GATE exam duration is three hours. It will be conducted in two shift timings. GATE exam slot timings are-

• Forenoon - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
• Afternoon - 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm

The GATE 2026 exam pattern of Life Sciences (XL) is as follows -

• General aptitude  - 15 marks
• B1 section (reasoning and comprehension) carries 16 questions of 25 marks
• Optional section from C1 to C6 carries 39 questions of 60 marks. 

Candidates must go through the GATE pattern and marking scheme before attempting the questions.