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GATE 2025 QUESTION PAPER PATTERN
Details about GATE 2025 question paper pattern, mode of exam, duration, sections, types and much more
What is the mode of examination?
The test papers will be in English. Computer Based Test (CBT) will be conducted at select centers in select cities.
What is the duration of the exam?
The exam duration is 3 hours.
How many subjects (papers) are there?
There are 30 subjects (papers) available.
What sections are included in the exam?
General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate's Selected Subjects.
What types of questions are there?
Candidate’s Selected Subject(s):
(a) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
(b) Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)
(c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
What abilities are tested in the exam?
(a) Recall
(b) Comprehension
(c) Application
(d) Analysis & Synthesis
How are marks distributed in most papers?
General Aptitude: 15 marks
Engineering Mathematics: 13 marks
Subject Questions: 72 marks
Total: 100 marks
How are marks distributed in papers like AR, CY, DA, EY, etc.?
General Aptitude: 15 marks
Subject Questions: 85 marks
Total: 100 marks
What is the marking scheme?
Questions carry 1 mark or 2 marks each.
Is there negative marking?
Yes, for wrong answers in MCQs:
- For 1-mark MCQs, 1/3 mark will be deducted.
- For 2-mark MCQs, 2/3 mark will be deducted.
There is no negative marking for MSQs or NAT questions.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Examination | The test papers will be in English. Computer Based Test (CBT) [will be conducted at select centers in select cities]. |
| Duration | 3 Hours* |
| Number of Subjects (Papers) | 30 |
| Sections | General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate's Selected Subjects |
| Type of Questions |
Candidate’s Selected Subject(s) (a) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) (b) Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and/or (c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
| Questions for testing these abilities |
(a) Recall (b) Comprehension (c) Application (d) Analysis & Synthesis |
| Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL |
General Aptitude: 15 marks Engineering Mathematics**: 13 marks Subject Questions: 72 marks Total: 100 marks (**XE includes Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 marks) |
| Distribution of Marks in papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL |
General Aptitude: 15 marks Subject Questions: 85 marks Total: 100 marks |
| Marking Scheme | Questions carry 1 mark or 2 marks |
| Negative Marking |
For a wrong answer chosen in an MCQ, there will be negative marking. For a 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. For a 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. There is no negative marking for wrong answer(s) to MSQ or NAT questions. There is no partial marking in MSQ. |
| Paper Code | General Aptitude (GA) Marks | Compulsory Section | Subject Marks | Total Marks | Total Time* (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF; Subject marks in these papers include questions on Engineering Mathematics (13 marks), which are paper-specific.) | 15 | -- | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST | 15 | -- | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| AR [Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B1 or Part B2 can be selected during Exam. B1: Architecture or B2: Planning] | 15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 |
| GE [Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B1 or B2 can be selected during the Exam. B1 - Surveying and Mapping or B2 -Image Processing and Analysis.] | 15 | 55 | 30 | 100 | 180 |
| GG [Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B can either be Geology (B1) or Geophysics (B2) -- which must be chosen at the time of Application.] | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XE [Section A (Engineering Mathematics) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any TWO additional Sections during the Exam] | 15 | 15 | 2 x 35 | 100 | 180 |
| XH [Section B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any ONE additional Section at the time of Application] | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XL [Section P (Chemistry) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any TWO additional Sections during the Exam] | 15 | 25 | 2 x 30 | 100 | 180 |
*PwD candidates with benchmark disability greater than 40% are eligible for compensatory time of one hour. PwD candidates with less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing are eligible for compensatory time subject to production of a certificate as stated in Appendix-I of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
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