What is GATE Exam?
The official notification for the GATE 2023 exam, along with the schedule and 2023 GATE exam pattern, has been released by IIT Kanpur. Before creating a study schedule, candidates applying for one of the 29 papers are advised to review the GATE exam pattern. Additionally, before preparing for the upcoming exam, candidates must comprehend the format of the exam.
Aspirants will learn about changes to the GATE exam format and scoring system in this article because they need to know what kinds of questions will earn them high scores and where they should watch out for silly errors. In the following sections, let's examine the GATE exam pattern
GATE Exam Pattern 2023
The table given below is a list of GATE Exam Pattern 2023 :
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Examination Mode |
Computer Based Test (CBT) |
|
Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Number of Subjects (Papers) |
29 |
|
Sections |
General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate's Selected Subject(s) |
|
Type of Questions |
(a) Multiple Choice Questions (b) Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and/or Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
|
Questions for testing these abilities |
Recall, Comprehension, Application, Analysis & Synthesis |
|
Number of Questions |
10 (GA) + 55 (subject) = 65 Questions |
|
Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT papers AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, XH and XL |
General Aptitude: 15 Marks + Engineering Mathematics: 13 Marks + Subject Questions: 72 Marks = Total: 100 Marks |
|
Distribution of Marks in papers AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, XH and XL |
General Aptitude: 15 Marks + Subject Questions: 85 Marks = Total: 100 Marks |
|
Marking Scheme |
Questions carry 1 mark and 2 marks |
|
Negative Marking |
There will be negative marking. For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. For 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. NO negative marking for MSQ & NAT. |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023: Highlights
The table below are the key highlights of GATE Exam Pattern 2023:
|
Feature |
Description |
|
GATE Examination Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
GATE Exam Language |
English |
|
GATE Duration |
3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
|
GATE Sectional Time Limit |
None |
|
GATE Total Marks |
100 |
|
GATE Total Number of questions |
65 |
|
GATE Type of Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ); Multiple Select Questions (MSQ); Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
|
GATE Number of Sections |
Two/ Three (depending on the paper) |
|
GATE Section-wise Number of Questions |
General Aptitude- 10 questions, Core Discipline- 55 questions |
|
GATE Section-wise Weightage |
General Aptitude- 15 marks, Core Discipline- 85 marks |
|
GATE Marking Scheme |
1 or 2 marks for each correct answer |
|
GATE Negative Marking |
For 1 mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer; For 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer; No negative marking for MSQs and NATs |
*Chemistry will be required instead of Engineering Mathematics for the Life Science (XL) Paper. In XH, reasoning and comprehension will be compulsory subjects.
- The GATE exam consists of 65 questions totaling 100 marks on a single paper that can be completed online in three hours.
- There will be multiple-choice (MCQ), multiple-selection (MSQ), and numerical answer type (NAT) questions on the exam.
-
The weighting of the marks is broken down into three sections for the AE, AG, BT, BM, CE, CH, CS, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PE, PI, TF, ST, and XE papers in accordance with the GATE exam pattern.
- Thirteen points, or roughly 13% of the total, will be assigned to engineering mathematics.
- 15% of the total points, or 15 points, will come from the General Aptitude section.
- The remaining 72 marks, or 72% of the total, are allocated to the paper's subject (technical section).
-
The weighting of the marks is divided into two sections in accordance with the GATE exam pattern for the AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, XH, and XL papers.
- The General Aptitude section is a total of 15% ,that is 15 marks.
- The remaining 85 marks, or 85% of the total, are devoted to the topic of the paper.
GATE Exam Pattern 2023: Marking Scheme
According to the GATE exam pattern 2023, the marking scheme for the exam is set up so that students receive 1-2 marks for each accurate response on the paper.
The marking scheme of DATE Exam Pattern 2023 is mentioned in detailed in the table below:
|
Paper Code |
General Aptitude (GA) Marks |
Subject Marks |
Total Marks |
Total Time (Minutes ) |
|
AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, CY, EC, EE, ES, EY, IN, MA, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PH, PI, TF, ST |
15 |
85 |
100 |
180 |
|
AR [Part A + Part B1 (Architecture) OR Part B2 (Planning)] |
15 |
60 + 25 |
100 |
180 |
- Engineering and general intelligence In GATE 2023, mathematics will be a required section, accounting for 15% of the total points in papers with the following codes: AE, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PE, PI, TF, and XE. The remaining 70% will be weighted toward the student's chosen subject.
- For AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, and XL, a General Aptitude section will be required in the GATE 2023 question papers, accounting for 15% of the total marks. The remaining 85% will be applied to the selected topic
GATE Exam Pattern 2023: Negative GATE Marking
The GATE exam pattern 2023 states that Multiple-Select Questions (MSQ) do not have negative marking. However, in an MCQ, there will be a penalty for selecting the incorrect response.
The marking scheme of DATE Exam Pattern 2023 is mentioned in detail in the table below.
|
Type of Questions |
Marking Scheme |
|
Multiple-choice questions (MCQ) |
A wrong answer will result in a 1/3 mark deduction for a 1-mark MCQ. A wrong answer will result in a deduction of 2/3 marks for MCQs worth 2 marks. |
|
Multiple-select questions (MSQ) |
No negative marking |
|
Numerical-answer type questions |
No negative marking |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023: Detailed Pattern of Every Subject
Every paper in the GATE Exam Pattern 2023 varies depending on the parts and the allocation of the marks.
- All GATE exams include a section on general aptitude. 15% of the total scores are evaluated in this section. The questions in GA are built on the foundations of verbal, numerical, and quantitative abilities. There are a total of 10 questions, 5 of which are worth 1 point and 5 of which are worth 2 points, each holding two marks.
- For the papers with the codes AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, PE, PI, TF, and XE, general aptitude will be given 15% of the marks, engineering mathematics will be given 13% of the points, and the remaining 72% of the marks will go to the subject paper.
- General aptitude will account for 15% of the total marks on papers with the codes AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL, while the subject paper will account for the remaining 85% of the total marks.
|
Subject |
Number of questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
General Aptitude |
5 |
1 |
5 |
|
5 |
2 |
10 |
|
|
Total |
10 |
- |
15 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for Architecture and Planning (AR)
This year's GATE Exam Pattern for the paper on architecture and planning has been updated. The updated exam format specifies that the paper will include three sections: GA (General Aptitude), Part A, and Part B. All applicants must complete Part A of the exam, while Part B is further separated into Sections B1 (Architecture) and B2 of the exam (Planning). During the exam, students must select one of the sections.
|
Sections |
Number of questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
GA |
10 |
(5 x 1) + (5 x 2) |
15 |
|
Part A (mandatory) |
39 |
(18 x 1) + (21 x 2) |
60 |
|
Part B: Part B1 (Architecture) or Part B2 (Planning) |
16 |
(7 x 1) + (9 x 2) |
25 |
|
Total |
55 |
- |
100 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for Geomatics Engineering in (GE)
IIT Kharagpur is introducing a brand-new paper for GATE Exam Pattern 2022 called Geomatics Engineering. The question paper for geomatics engineering has three sections: GA, Part A, and Part B. This is in accordance with the test structure.
|
Sections |
Number of questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
GA |
10 |
(5 x 1) + (5 x 2) |
15 |
|
Part A (mandatory) |
36 |
(17 x 1) + (19 x 2) |
55 |
|
Part B: Section I or Section II |
16 |
(8 x 1) + (11 x 2) |
30 |
|
Total |
55 |
- |
100 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for Naval Architecture & Marine Science (NM)
Three sections make up the General Aptitude, Part A, and Part B of the GATE GG paper. The remaining sections of Part B are Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2. (Geophysics). Part A and the General Aptitude part are required to be completed, and candidates must select either Section 1 or Section 2 from Part B.
|
Sections |
Number of questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
GA |
10 |
(5 x 1) + (5 x 2) |
15 |
|
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering |
55 |
(25 x 1) + (30 x 2) |
85 |
GATE Exam Pattern for Mechanical Engineering (ME)
The table below is the exam pattern for Mechanical engineering:
|
Particulars |
Specifications |
|
Exam duration |
3 hours |
|
Exam mode |
Online (Computer-based test) |
|
Type and total number of Question |
Total 65 Questions MCQs and MSQs and/or Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions |
|
Total marks of the exam |
100 |
|
Total number of sections |
Aptitude Engineering Mathematics Subject-specific questions |
Gate Exam Pattern for Computer Science Engineering (CSE)
The list below is the GATE Exam Pattern for CSE
|
Feature |
Description |
|
GATE Examination Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
GATE Sectional Time Limit |
None |
|
GATE Total Marks |
100 |
|
GATE Total Number of questions |
65 |
|
GATE Type of Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ); |
|
GATE Number of Sections |
Two/ Three (depending on the paper) |
|
GATE Section-wise Number of Questions |
General Aptitude- 10 questions, |
|
GATE Section-wise Weightage |
General Aptitude- 15 marks, |
|
GATE Marking Scheme |
1 or 2 marks for each correct answer |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for Engineering Science (XE)
There are three components of the GATE XE exam. Sections A (Engineering Mathematics) and General Aptitude are required, and applicants must select TWO sections from Sections B through H of the GATE XE test.
10 general aptitude questions totaling 15 marks.
11 questions totaling 15 marks are included in Section A of the engineering mathematics section.
There are 22 questions in Section B-H, each worth 35 points.These two sections cover a range of topics, including:
- XE-B – Fluid mechanics
- XE-C – Material Science
- XE-D – Solid mechanics
- XE-E – Thermodynamics
- XE-F – Polymer Science and Engineering
- XE-G – Food technology
- XE-H – Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
The detailed marking scheme for XE paper is listed below:
|
Section |
Total Number of 1 mark questions |
Total Number of 2 mark questions |
Total Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|
GA |
5 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
|
Section A (Engineering Sciences) |
7 |
4 |
11 |
15 |
|
Section B (Any two of these) |
9+9 |
13+13 |
22+22=44 |
35+35= 70 |
|
Total |
30 |
70 |
65 |
100 |
GATE 2023 Exam Pattern for Geology and Geophysics (GG)
Three sections make up the General Aptitude, Part A, and Part B of the GATE GG paper. The remaining sections of Part B are Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2. (Geophysics). Part A and the General Aptitude part are required to be completed, and candidates must select either Section 1 or Section 2 from Part B
|
Sections |
Sub-section |
Number of questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
GA |
- |
10 |
1 or 2 |
15 |
|
Part A |
- |
25 |
1 |
25 |
|
Part B (either one based on candidates selection) |
Geology |
30 |
2 |
60 |
|
Geophysics |
30 |
2 |
60 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for Humanities & Social Scicne (XH)
Students with a background in the humanities can now apply for GATE according to the GATE XH paper, which was launched in 2021. The essay is divided into three pieces. The sections of General Aptitude and B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension) are required, and candidates must select ONE out of C1 through C6.
The table below consists of the subjects from C1-C6:
- XH–C1: Economics
- XH–C2: English
- XH–C3: Linguistics
- XH–C4: Philosophy
- XH–C5: Psychology
- XH–C6: Sociology
|
Section |
Total Number of 1 mark questions |
Total Number of 2 mark questions |
Total Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|
GA |
5 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
|
B1* (Reasoning and Comprehension) |
5 |
10 |
15 |
15 |
|
C1-C6(Any one of these) |
20 |
20 |
40 |
60 |
|
Total |
30 |
70 |
65 |
100 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for Life Science (XL)
The GATE XL paper is divided into three portions and covers the disciplines C1–C6. Candidates must attempt Section P (Chemistry) and General Aptitude, and they must select two questions from Sections Q through U.
- XL-Q – Biochemistry
- XL-R – Botany
- XL-S – Microbiology
- XL-T – Zoology
- XL-U – Food Technology
The table below shows the GATE Exam Pattern for XL:
|
Section |
Total Number of 1 mark questions |
Total Number of 2 mark questions |
Total Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|
GA |
5 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
|
Section P(Chemistry) |
5 |
10 |
15 |
25 |
|
Section Q-U(Any two of these) |
10+10 |
10+10 |
20+20=40 |
30+30=60 |
|
Total |
30 |
70 |
65 |
100 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF, and ST
There are three sections in the question paper for paper codes AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF, and ST. Which are:
|
Sections |
Marks Weightage |
|
General Aptitude |
15% |
|
Engineering Mathematics |
13% |
|
Core Discipline |
72% |
There will be 55 questions from core subjects and engineering mathematics, in addition to the 10 questions in the section on general aptitude. Each of the first 25 questions will be worth one mark, while the latter 30 will be worth two each.
|
Subjects |
Number of questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES , IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF, and ST |
25 |
1 |
25 |
|
30 |
2 |
60 |
|
|
Total |
55 |
- |
85 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for CY, EY, MA, and PH
General Aptitude and Core Discipline are the two sections that are included in each of the GATE exams for the codes CY, EY, MA, and PH.
|
Sections |
Number of Questions |
Marks Weightage |
|
General Aptitude |
15 |
15% |
|
Core Discipline |
55 |
85% |
Below is a summary of the detailed marking criteria for the GATE AR, CY, EY, MA, and PH papers:
|
Subjects |
Number of questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
AR, CY, EY, MA, PH |
25 |
1 |
25 |
|
30 |
2 |
60 |
|
|
Total |
55 |
- |
85 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for Paper Subject Codes
There will be 29 subjects (papers) covered in the GATE exam. The examination list of papers and paper codes are displayed in the table below. A candidate may take the upcoming GATE exam's one or two papers of their choice. The table that is provided below includes codes for the various exam papers.
|
GATE Paper |
Code |
GATE Paper |
Code |
|
Aerospace Engineering |
AE |
Instrumentation Engineering |
IN |
|
Agricultural Engineering |
AG |
Mathematics |
MA |
|
Architecture and Planning |
AR |
Mechanical Engineering |
ME |
|
Bio-medical Engineering |
BM |
Mining Engineering |
MN |
|
Biotechnology |
BT |
Metallurgical Engineering |
MT |
|
Civil Engineering |
CE |
Petroleum Engineering |
PE |
|
Chemical Engineering |
CH |
Physics |
PH |
|
Computer Science and Information Technology |
CS |
Production and Industrial Engineering |
PI |
|
Chemistry |
CY |
Statistics |
ST |
|
Electronics and Communication Engineering |
EC |
Textile Engineering and Fibre Science |
TF |
|
Electrical Engineering |
EE |
Engineering Sciences |
XE |
|
Environmental Science Engineering |
ES |
Humanities Social Sciences |
XH |
|
Ecology and Evolution |
EY |
Life Sciences |
XL |
|
Geology and Geophysics |
GG |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023: Paper Two
A candidate can select any one or two subjects before taking the test, per the GATE exam pattern 2023. The candidate must choose those according to the disciplines in which he or she has earned a graduate degree. One or two subject papers may mention a candidate. Candidates who select two tests are limited to a list of approved combinations based on infrastructure and date availability.
The table below shows a list of allowed combinations along with first paper:
|
Codes of First Paper |
Codes of Second Paper |
Codes of First Paper |
Codes of Second Paper |
|
AE |
NM/ XE |
IN |
BM/ EC/ PH/ EE |
|
AG |
ES/ GE/ XE/ XL |
MA |
CS/ GE/ PH/ ST |
|
AR |
CE/ GE |
ME |
AE/ CH/ NM/ PI/ XE |
|
BM |
BT/ EC/ IN/ XL |
MN |
GE/ GG/ XE |
|
BT |
BM/ XL |
MT |
PH/ XE |
|
CE |
AE/ AR/ ES/ GE/ NM/ XE |
NM |
AE/ CE/ XE |
|
CH |
PE/ XE |
PE |
CH/ GG/ XE |
|
CS |
EC/ GE/ MA/ PH/ ST |
PH |
EC/ GE/ GG/ IN/ MA/ MT/ ST/ XE |
|
CY |
XE/ XL |
PI |
ME/ MT/ XE |
|
EC |
IN/ PH/ EE/ CS/ GE |
ST |
MA/ PH |
|
EE |
EC/ IN/ PH |
TF |
XE |
|
ES |
AG/ CE/ GE |
XE |
AE/ AG/ CH/ ME/ MN/ MT/ PE/ PI/ TF/ NM |
|
EY |
XL |
XH |
ST |
|
GE |
CE/ GG/ ES/ MN |
XL |
BM/ BT/ CY/ EY |
|
GG |
GE/ MN/ PE/ PH/ XE |
GATE Exam Eligibility
Candidates who are enrolled in any undergraduate degree program's third or later years will be taken into consideration. A candidate is eligible to take the GATE 2022 exam if they have already finished any degree program in engineering, technology, architecture, science, or commerce that has been approved by the government.
However, candidates who have earned certification from one or more professional societies must make sure that the exams those societies hold have been recognized by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC as being equivalent to B.E./B.Tech/B.Arch/B.Planning, etc.
Candidates from nations other than India who have earned or are pursuing their qualifying degree: They must either be in their third or higher year of study or have already finished their Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Science, Arts, or Commerce, which must have taken at least three years to complete.
|
Degree/Program |
Qualifying Degree/Examination |
Description of Eligible Candidates |
Expected Year of Completion |
|
B.E. / B.Tech. / B. Pharm. |
Bachelor's degree in Engineering / Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc. / Diploma in Engineering / Technology) |
Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
2023 |
|
B. Arch. |
Bachelor's degree of Architecture (5- year course) / Naval Architecture (4- year course) / Planning (4- year course) |
Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
2024 (for 5-year program), 2023 (for 4-year program) |
|
B.Sc. (Research) / B.S. |
Bachelor's degree in Science (Post-Diploma/4 years after 10+2) |
Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
2023 |
|
Pharm. D. (after 10+2) |
6 years degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, during third year onwards |
Currently in the 3rd/4th/5th/6th year or already completed |
2025 |
|
M.B.B.S./B.D.S. |
Degree holders of M.B.B.S./B.D.S. and those who are in the 5th/6th/7th semester or higher semester of such programme. |
5th, 6th, 7th or higher semester or already completed |
2023 |
|
M. Sc. / M.A. / MCA or equivalent |
Master's degree in any branch of Arts/Science/Mathematics/Statistics/ Computer Applications or equivalent |
Currently in the first year or higher or already Completed |
2023 |
|
Int. M.E./ M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.) |
Post-B.Sc Integrated Master's degree programs in Engineering/ Technology (4-year program) |
Currently in any year |
any year |
|
Int. M.E./ M.Tech./M.Pharm or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2) |
Integrated Master's degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering/Technology (5-year program) |
Currently in the 3rd /4th/5th year or already completed |
2024 |
|
B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. |
Bachelor degree in any branch of Science / Arts / Commerce (3 year program) |
Currently in the 3rd year or already completed |
2022 |
|
Int. M.Sc. / Int. B.S. / M.S. |
Integrated M.Sc. or 5-year integrated B.S.-M.S. program |
Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed |
2024 |
|
Professional Society Examinations (equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Arch.) |
B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognized by MoE/UPSC/AICTE (e.g. AMIE by Institution of Engineers-India, AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers-India and so on) |
Completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses |
NA |
GATE Exam Pattern: Exam Fees
The table below is a list of Gate Exam Fees:
|
Category |
Normal Application Fee |
Late Application Fee |
|
Women |
INR 850 |
INR 1350 |
|
SC/ ST/ PwD |
INR 850 |
INR 1350 |
|
All Other Candidates |
INR 1700 |
INR 2200 |
|
International Students – Dubai and Singapore |
US$ 200 |
US$ 250 |
|
Students From – Dhaka and Kathmandu |
US$ 100 |
US$ 150 |