GATE 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme: The Definitive Guide for Aspirants
Planning to appear for GATE 2026? Understanding the exam pattern and marking scheme is crucial for effective preparation and to maximize your score. This comprehensive guide provides all the essential details about the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026, ensuring you're well-equipped with the knowledge you need.
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| GATE 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme |
Key Highlights of GATE 2026 Exam Pattern:
- Exam Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Language: English
- Total Papers: 30 test papers available
- Question Types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions
- Sections: General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate’s Selected Subject
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Total Marks: 100 Marks
Detailed GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
The GATE 2026 examination will be conducted as a Computer Based Test (CBT) across various centers in India. The entire paper will be in English, testing a candidate's abilities in recall, comprehension, analysis, synthesis, and application.
Mode and Medium:
- Exam Mode: GATE 2026 will be held as a Computer Based Test (CBT), providing a standardized and efficient testing environment.
- Language Medium: The entire examination paper will be conducted in English, ensuring a consistent format for all candidates.
Number of Papers & Subjects:
- Number of Papers/Subjects: There will be a total of 30 test papers available, catering to a wide range of engineering and science disciplines. Candidates must choose their desired paper during the application process.
Types of Questions:
The GATE 2026 paper will feature a diverse set of question types to thoroughly assess a candidate's understanding and problem-solving skills:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ): These questions will have four options, with only one correct answer.
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQ): These questions may have one or more correct options among the choices provided. Candidates must select all the correct options to earn full marks.
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT): For these questions, candidates need to enter a numerical value as the answer using a virtual keypad.
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| GATE 2026 Registration |
Sections and Abilities Tested:
- Sections: The paper will typically consist of two main sections:
- General Aptitude (GA): This section assesses a candidate's verbal ability and numerical ability.
- Candidate’s Selected Subjects: This section comprises questions from the engineering/science discipline chosen by the candidate.
- Testing Abilities: The GATE paper is designed to evaluate various cognitive abilities, including:
- Recall: Remembering facts, principles, and concepts.
- Comprehension: Understanding the meaning of information.
- Analysis and Synthesis: Breaking down information into components and combining elements to form a new whole.
- Application: Using knowledge in new and practical situations.
Duration and Marking:
- Duration of Paper: Students will be provided with 3 hours to complete the entire examination paper. Time management will be key to success.
- Marking: Questions in the paper will carry either 1 or 2 marks, depending on their complexity and weightage.
GATE 2026 Negative Marking Scheme
It is crucial for candidates to understand the negative marking policy to avoid unnecessary deductions:
- Negative Marking for MCQs: Yes, there will be negative marking for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- For 1-mark questions, 1/3 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
- For 2-mark questions, 2/3 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
- No Negative Marking for MSQ & NAT: There will be no partial marking or negative marking for Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. This means you should attempt these questions even if unsure, as there's no penalty for incorrect answers.
Subject-Wise Marking Scheme for GATE 2026
The distribution of marks between General Aptitude (GA), compulsory sections, and subject-specific sections varies across different GATE papers. Below is a detailed breakdown:
| Paper Code | General Aptitude (GA) Marks | Compulsory Section Marks | Subject Marks | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR: Part A is Common and Compulsory. Part B1 (Architecture) / B2 (Planning) can be selected during the exam. | 15 | 60 (Part A) | 25 (Part B1/B2) | 100 |
| EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, PE, PI, TF: Subject marks in these papers include questions on Engineering Mathematics (13 marks), which are paper-specific. | 15 | – | 85 | 100 |
| ST, DA, CY, EY, PH, MA | 15 | – | 85 | 100 |
| GE (Geomatics Engineering): Part A is common & compulsory. B1 (Surveying & mapping) & B2 (Image processing & analysis) can be selected during exam. | 15 | 55 (Part A) | 30 (Part B1/B2) | 100 |
| XE (Engineering Sciences): Section A (Engineering Mathematics) is Common and Compulsory. Applicants must select any TWO of the other sections during the exam. | 15 | 15 (Section A) | (2 × 35) = 70 | 100 |
| GG (Geology and Geophysics): Part A is common & compulsory. Part B can either be Geology (B1) or Geophysics (B2) which must be chosen at the time of application. | 15 | 25 (Part A) | 60 (Part B1/B2) | 100 |
| XL (Life Sciences): Section P (Chemistry) is Common and Compulsory. Applicants must select any TWO of the other sections during the exam. | 15 | 25 (Section P) | (2 × 30) = 60 | 100 |
| XH (Humanities and Social Sciences): Section B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension) is Common and Compulsory. Applicants must select any ONE of the other sections at the time of application. | 15 | 25 (Section B1) | 60 | 100 |
Note: For papers like XE and XL, candidates have the flexibility to choose specific sections, allowing them to specialize and showcase their expertise.
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| GATE CSE & IT Previous Year Questions With Answer Key |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
Q1: What is the mode of the GATE 2026 exam?
A1: The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted as a Computer Based Test (CBT).
Q2: Will there be negative marking in GATE 2026?
A2: Yes, there will be negative marking only for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). For 1-mark MCQs, 1/3 mark will be deducted, and for 2-mark MCQs, 2/3 mark will be deducted. There is no negative marking for MSQ and NAT questions.
Q3: What are the types of questions asked in GATE 2026?
A3: The GATE 2026 paper will consist of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
Q4: What is the total duration of the GATE 2026 exam?
A4: The total duration of the GATE 2026 exam is 3 hours.
Q5: How many sections are there in the GATE 2026 paper?
A5: The GATE 2026 paper typically has two main sections: General Aptitude (GA) and the Candidate’s Selected Subject section.
Q6: Are Engineering Mathematics questions included in all papers?
A6: For most engineering papers (EC, EE, ME, CE, CS, etc.), Engineering Mathematics questions (13 marks) are included within the subject marks. For XE, Engineering Mathematics is a compulsory common section (Section A).
Q7: Can I choose my sections in papers like XE or XL?
A7: Yes, for papers like XE (Engineering Sciences) and XL (Life Sciences), there are common compulsory sections, and applicants must select a certain number of other sections from the available options during the exam or application.
