The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) exam is an entrance examination conducted in India for admission to technical postgraduate programs that tests the undergraduate subjects of engineering and sciences. GATE is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science and seven Indian Institutes of Technology at Roorkee, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Chennai and Mumbai on behalf of the National Coordination Board – GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India. The GATE score of a candidate reflects the relative performance level of a candidate. The score is used for admissions to various post-graduate education programs (e.g. Master of Engineering, Master of Technology, Master of Architecture, Doctor of Philosophy) in Indian higher education institutes, with financial assistance provided by MoE and other government agencies. GATE scores are also used by several Indian public sector undertakings for recruiting graduate engineers in entry-level positions. It is one of the most competitive examinations in India. GATE is also recognized by various institutes outside India, such as Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Financial assistance in post-graduate programs The GATE is used as a requirement for financial assistance (e.g. scholarships) for a number of programs, though criteria differ by admitting institution. In December 2015, the University Grants Commission and MHRD announced that the scholarship for GATE-qualified master's degree students is increased by 56% from ₹8,000 (US$83) per month to ₹12,400 (US$130) per month.
Eligibility The following students are eligible to take the GATE exam:
Bachelor's degree holders in Engineering / Technology / Architecture (3 years after 10+2/ 10+2+3(ongoing)/ 10+2+4(ongoing)/ Post-B.Sc./ Post-Diploma) and those who are in the final year of such programs ( Also prefinal year of B.tech). Master's degree holders in any branch of Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent and those who are in the final year of such programs. Candidates in the second or final-year integrated master's degree programs (Post-B.Sc.) in Engineering / Technology. Candidates in the fourth or higher year of five-year integrated master's degree programs or Dual Degree programs in Engineering / Technology. Candidates with qualifications obtained through examinations conducted by professional societies recognized by UGC/AICTE (e.g. AMIE by IE(India), AMICE by the Institute of Civil Engineers (India)-ICE(I), AMIETE By IETE(India)) as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech. A candidate who is currently studying in the 3rd or higher years of any undergraduate degree program OR has already completed any government approved degree program in Engineering / Technology / Architecture / Science / Commerce / Arts is eligible to appear for GATE 2022 examination. Those who have completed section A or equivalent of such professional courses are also eligible. There is no age limit criterion defined by the exam conducting authority to appear in the GATE exam.
Disciplines, structure, syllabus, and marking scheme
Disciplines At present, the GATE exam is conducted in the following 30 disciplines. A candidate can select any one or two of these subjects relevant to their discipline. From 2022, 2 new papers were introduced: GE (Geomatics Engineering) and NM (Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering).
The paper sections under XE*, XL** and XH*** are defined by some dedicated codes which are mentioned in the following table-
Duration and examination type The examination is 3 hours long, and contains a total of 65 questions worth a maximum of 100 marks. The examination for all the papers is carried out in an online Computer Based Test (CBT) mode where the candidates are shown questions in a random sequence on a computer screen. The questions consist of some Multiple Choice Questions or MCQs (four answer options out of which only ONE is correct, which has to be chosen). The remaining questions may be of Multiple Select Questions or MSQs (four answer options out of which ONE or MORE than ONE is/are correct, hence correct options need to be chosen) and/or Numerical Answer Type questions or NATs (answer is a real number, to be entered via an on-screen keypad and computer mouse).
Syllabus Verbal Ability: English grammar, sentence completion, verbal analogies, word groups, instructions, critical reasoning and verbal deduction. Numerical Ability: Numerical computation, numerical estimation, numerical reasoning and data interpretation. Engineering Mathematics (not for all papers) Technical Ability: Technical questions related to the paper chosen
Questions and marking scheme The examination consists of a total of 65 questions, consisting of one-mark and two-mark questions. Out of 65 questions, 10 questions are from the General Aptitude section, testing verbal and numerical ability, and 55 questions are from the Technical section, with specifics related to the paper chosen. The General Aptitude section will have 5 one-mark questions and 5 two-mark questions, accounting for about 15% of total marks. The Technical section and the Engineering Mathematics section will have a combined total of 25 one-mark questions and 30 two-mark questions, accounting for about 85% of total marks. Further, all the sections may have some Multiple Choice Questions or MCQs, while remaining questions may be Multiple Select Questions or MSQs and/or Numerical Answer Type questions or NATs. The examination awards negative marks for wrong MCQ answers. Usually, 1/3rd of original marks will be deducted for wrong MCQ answers (i.e. -0.33 for wrong one-mark answers and -0.66 for wrong two-mark answers) while there are no negative marks for MSQs and NATs. Also there is no partial credit for MSQs and NATs.
Result and test score GATE results are usually declared about one month after the examinations are over. The results show the total marks scored by a candidate, the GATE score, the all-India rank (AIR) and the cut off marks for various categories in the candidate's paper. The score is valid for 3 years from the date of announcement of the GATE results. The score cards are issued only to qualified candidates.
Normalized GATE Score (new procedure) Calculation of "normalized marks" for subjects held in multiple sessions (CE, CS, EC, EE and ME):
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