Gate Structure

Structure of GATE Examination

The GATE examination consists of a single paper of 3 hours duration, which contains 60 questions carrying a maximum of 100 marks. The question paper will consist of only multiple choice objective questions. Each question will have four choices for the answer. Only one choice will be correct. Candidates have to mark the correct choice on an Optical Response Sheet (ORS) by darkening the appropriate bubble against each question. There will be negative marking for wrong answers, as given in question paper pattern.

A candidate can choose any one of the papers listed below.
Paper Code Paper Code Aerospace Engineering AE Instrumentation Engineering IN Agricultural Engineering AG Mathematics MA Architecture and Planning AR Mechanical Engineering ME Civil Engineering CE Mining Engineering MN Chemical Engineering CH Metallurgical Engineering MT Computer Science and Information Technology CS Physics PH Chemistry CY Production and Industrial Engineering PI Electronics and Communication Engineering EC Pharmaceutical Sciences PY Electrical Engineering EE Textile Engineering and Fibre Science TF Geology and Geophysics GG# Engineering Sciences XE* Life Sciences XL*

#GG (Geology & Geophysics) paper will consist of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A will be common to both Geology and Geophysics candidates. Part B will contain two sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geophysics). Geology candidates will attempt questions in Section 1 only. Geophysics candidates will attempt questions in Section 2 only.

*Papers XE and XL are of general nature and will comprise the following sections:

XE paper sections (Engineering Sciences)		XL paper sections (Life Sciences)
SECTIONS	CODE	SECTIONS	CODE
Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory)	A	Chemistry (Compulsory)	H
Fluid Mechanics	B	Biochemistry	I
Materials Science	C	Biotechnology	J
Solid Mechanics	D	Botany	K
Thermodynamics	E	Microbiology	L
Polymer Science and Engineering	F	Zoology	M
Food Technology	G

A candidate appearing in XE or XL paper will be required to answer three sections. Sections (A) and (H) are compulsory in XE and XL papers, respectively. The candidate can choose any two out of the remaining sections listed against the respective papers.

The choice of the appropriate paper is the responsibility of the candidate. Some guidelines in this respect are suggested below:

• Candidate is expected to appear in one of the papers, listed above appropriate to the discipline of his/her qualifying degree.
• Candidate is, however, free to choose any paper according to his/her admission plan, keeping in mind the eligibility criteria of the institutions in which he/she wishes to seek admission.