What is the Full Form of GATE?

The full form of GATE is Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. It is one of the most popular and prestigious national-level engineering exams in India. It is conducted annually, GATE serves as a gateway for admission to Master of Engineering (ME), Master of Technology (MTech), and direct Ph.D. programs at top institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other reputed universities.

This comprehensive guide explains the full form of GATE and its significance in detail, with eligibility criteria, exam pattern, marking scheme, and more to help you understand its significance and prepare effectively.

What is GATE?

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an online, computer-based test jointly conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and seven IITs (Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Guwahati, and Roorkee). Held once a year, usually in February, GATE evaluates candidates’ understanding of undergraduate-level engineering and science subjects. In 2025, GATE is expected to be held at more than 200 test centers in India and select international locations.

GATE offers 30 subjects (increased from 27 in previous years, as per the latest update on the official GATE website), giving candidates the opportunity to choose a paper that suits their academic background. The GATE scorecard is valid for three years, making it a versatile qualification for academic and professional opportunities.

Check out the benefits of Clearing the GATE Exam

GATE Eligibility Criteria

GATE is open to candidates from diverse academic backgrounds, and to appear for the GATE exam, candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements. Here is the GATE exam eligibility criteria that will help you determine if you qualify for the exam.

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed or are in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, or Science (B.E./B.Tech/B.Arch/B.Sc.). Those with a Master’s degree in Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Applications are also eligible.
• Minimum Education: Completion of 10+2 (higher secondary education) is required.
• Relaxation for Third-Year Students: Candidates in the third year of a 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 undergraduate program can apply, as per the updated eligibility rules.
• No Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for GATE applicants.
• International Candidates: Candidates from countries like Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE can also apply, provided they meet the educational requirements.

Please note: According to the New relaxation in terms of minimum eligibility, students who are a part of 10+2+3 ongoing science or Engineering courses can also apply for GATE in their 3rd year.

GATE Exam Pattern

Understanding the GATE exam pattern is extremely important for effective preparation. The GATE exam is a three-hour, computer-based test with a total of 100 marks. It consists of two main sections: General Aptitude (GA) and Technical + Engineering Mathematics (or subject-specific questions).

Here is the structure of the GATE exam to help candidates know what to expect.

Total Questions: 65 questions (10 from General Aptitude + 55 from the chosen subject). Question Types:

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): Objective questions with four answer options.
• Multiple Select Questions (MSQs): Questions with one or more correct answers.
• Numerical Answer Type (NAT): Questions requiring numerical answers without options.

Papers Available: 30 disciplines, including new additions like Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) for GATE 2025.

Let’s see the section-wise breakdown too:

Sections	Question Numbers	1 Mark Question	2 Mark Question
General Aptitude	10	5	5
Technical + Engineering Mathematics	55	25	30

GATE Marking Scheme

The GATE marking scheme varies slightly depending on the discipline. Let’s see how marks are distributed and how negative marking works in the GATE exam. Here are the marking Details:

• Total Marks: 100
• General Aptitude: 15 marks (common across all papers).
• Subject-Specific Marks: 85 marks (except for specific papers like Architecture, Geology, etc., as detailed below).
• Negative Marking:
  • For 1-mark MCQs: 1/3 mark deducted for incorrect answers.
  • For 2-mark MCQs: 2/3 marks deducted for incorrect answers.
  • No negative marking for MSQs or NAT questions.

Let’s now take a closer look at the marking scheme for specific papers, focusing on General Aptitude (GA) marks, subject marks, and the total marks distribution according to the paper code:

Paper Code	General Aptitude (GA) Marks	Subject Marks	Total Marks	Total Time (Min)
AG, AE, BT, BM, CH, CS, CE, CY, EE, ES, EC, EY, IN, ME, MN, MA, MT, NM, PH, PI, PE, TF, ST	15	85	100	180
AR [Part A + Part B1 (Architecture) OR Part B2 (Planning)]	15	60 + 25	100	180
GE [Part A + Part B (Section 1 OR Section 2)]	15	55 + 30	100	180
GG [Part A + Part B (Section 1 Geology OR Section 2 Geophysics)]	15	25 + 60	100	180
XE (Section A + Any TWO Sections)	15	15 + (2 x 35)	100	180
XH (Section B1 +Any ONE Section)	15	25 + 60	100	180
XL (Section P+Any TWO Sections)	15	25 + (2 x 30)	100	180

Also Read: Top 7 Ways to do MTech Without GATE

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an important examination for engineering and science graduates in India, providing opportunities for advanced education and rewarding careers. Understanding the full form of GATE, its eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and marking scheme is essential for effective preparation.

FAQs About GATE

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