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GATE
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
📚 Engineering, Technology, and Science Postgraduate Entrance Computer Based Test (CBT) ⏱ Valid: 3 Years from the date of result announcement. Since 1983 ⚡ High
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
📝 Register Now 🌐 Official Site
›
Score Range
0 to 1000 (GATE Score) and 0 to 100 (Marks out of 100)
Exam Fee
$100.00
Duration
180 minutes
Questions
65 questions
Score Valid
3 Years from the date of result announcement.
Frequency
Once per year
Accepted By
Over 1000 institutions across India and select international universities including NUS, NTU, and TUM.
Pass Rate
Approximately 16% to 18% of the total candidates qualify the exam.
Difficulty
High
📝 Register for GATE 🌐 Official Website ✍️ Need application help? →
Quick Summary

GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is a engineering, technology, and science postgraduate entrance conducted by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB)-GATE.. Scores range from 0 to 1000 (GATE Score) and 0 to 100 (Marks out of 100), valid for 3 Years from the date of result announcement., with a total duration of 180 minutes. Accepted by Over 1000 institutions across India and select international universities including NUS, NTU, and TUM., the exam fee is $100.00, with high difficulty level.

📋 Exam Overview
🎯
Score Range
0 to 1000 (GATE Score) and 0 to 100 (Marks out of 100)
⏱
Duration
180 minutes
💳
Fee
$100.00
📅
Valid For
3 Years from the date of result announcement.
🖥
Mode
Computer Based Test (CBT)
🌍
Accepted By
Over 1000 institutions across India and select international universities including NUS, NTU, and TUM.
🗓
Frequency
Once per year
🏛
Conducted By
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB)-GATE.
❓
Total Qs
65 questions
📑
Sections
General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, Subject-Specific Section
⚡
Difficulty
High
📊
Pass Rate
Approximately 16% to 18% of the total candidates qualify the exam.
Opening Doors to Research and Excellence in Engineering
👤 Who Should Take This Exam?
Undergraduate students in their 3rd year or higher, engineering graduates, and science postgraduates seeking higher education or Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) jobs.
🎓 Education Level
National Level (India)
🌍 Accepted In
India Singapore United Arab Emirates Ethiopia Nepal Bangladesh Sri Lanka Bhutan
📝 Exam Structure & Format
Question Types
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
Language / Medium
English
Total Duration
180 minutes
Retake Policy
Candidates can attempt the exam as many times as they wish, once every year during the official exam cycle.
Total Questions
65 questions
Sections
General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, Subject-Specific Section
⚙️ More format details (timing, marking, equipment)See all ▾
Time Per Section
No sectional time limits; candidates have 180 minutes to distribute across all sections as they see fit.
Negative Marking
Yes
Calculator Allowed
No
Scratch Paper
Yes
Breaks Allowed
No
Home Edition
No
Digital vs Paper
The digital interface includes a color-coded question palette and a scientific virtual calculator, which requires more mouse-based navigation than traditional paper tests.
📑 Section Details
General Aptitude (10 questions, 15 marks), Engineering Mathematics (approx. 13 marks for most papers), and Subject Questions (72 marks).
🎯 Scoring System
Score Range
0 to 1000 (GATE Score) and 0 to 100 (Marks out of 100)
Good / Passing Score
Varies by paper and category; typically ranges from 25 to 35 marks out of 100 for General category candidates.
How Scoring Works
1-mark and 2-mark questions; negative marking of 1/3 for 1-mark MCQs and 2/3 for 2-mark MCQs. No negative marking for MSQ and NAT.
🏆 Minimum Scores for Top Universities
Qualifying marks are specific to each of the 30 papers and are determined by the performing statistics of the candidate pool.
📊 Section / sub-scoresSee all ▾
Writing
Not applicable
Speaking
Not applicable
Listening
Not applicable
Reading
Not applicable
Grammar
Not applicable
Vocabulary
Not applicable
Analytical
Assessed within the General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics sections.
Quantitative
Assessed within the General Aptitude and Subject-specific sections.
Verbal
Assessed within the General Aptitude section (English sub-section).
Subject
Marks out of 100 provided for the specific paper chosen by the candidate.
All Sub-Scores
The scorecard displays marks out of 100, the normalized GATE score out of 1000, and the candidate's All India Rank.
📈 Avg First Attempt
22 to 28 marks
🔼 Score Improvement
15% to 25% for candidates who undergo systematic coaching and revision in their second attempt.
💳 Registration & Fees
Fee (USD)
$100.00
See all ▾
100.00
Fee (INR)
₹1800.00
See all ▾
1800.00
Other
Late fee of 500 INR for Indian centers and 50 USD for international centers applies after the regular deadline.
📝 Register Now →
📋 Policies (rescheduling, cancellation, verification, waivers)See all ▾
⏰ Register in Advance
5 to 6 months before the exam date (typically August/September).
🔄 Rescheduling Policy
Rescheduling to a different session or year is not permitted; a new registration is required for the next cycle.
❌ Cancellation Policy
No refund of application fees is provided upon cancellation of the application.
🔍 Score Verification
Yes
📋 Score Audit
Yes
↩ Reinstatement Policy
Not applicable
🎁 Fee Waiver Criteria
Not applicable
📅 Exam Dates & Schedule
📆 Available Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🔁 Frequency
Once per year
📊 Results Declared
4 to 5 weeks after the examination date.
🔄 Retake Policy
Candidates can attempt the exam as many times as they wish, once every year during the official exam cycle.
⏰ Register By
5 to 6 months before the exam date (typically August/September).
✅ Eligibility & Access
🎂 Age Limit
No age limit
🎓 Education Required
Candidates currently in the 3rd year or higher of any undergraduate degree or those who have already completed any government-approved degree.
🛂 Citizenship
Open to Indian nationals and candidates from other countries.
📍 Test Centers
Over 200 cities in India and 8 international locations.
More on accommodations, ID, and special versionsSee all ▾
🪪 ID Required
Yes
♿ Accessibility
Scribe facility and 20 minutes per hour compensatory time for PwD candidates with valid documentation.
🔀 Special Versions
Not applicable
📐 Subject Variants
30 papers including Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Computer Science, Data Science & AI, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering.
🤝 Disability Accommodations
Extra time and scribe support provided for candidates with benchmark disabilities (40% or more).
🗓 Exam Day Guide
✅ What to Bring
Printed copy of the Admit Card and a valid original government-issued photo identification card.
🚫 Prohibited Items
Mobile phones, wallets, electronic watches, calculators, loose papers, books, and any metallic items.
📋 Exam Day Rules
Strict biometric verification, no personal pens (provided at center), and arrival at least 60 minutes before the session starts.
After the exam: score reporting and deliverySee all ▾
⏱ Score Reporting
Scores are typically released in the third week of March.
📤 Score Sending
Digital scorecards are available for download; candidates must upload these manually to university admission portals.
🎓 Score Recipients
IITs, NITs, IISERs, IIITs, and PSUs like ONGC, IOCL, NTPC, and GAIL.
📚 Preparation Guide
📅 Recommended Prep Time
6 to 12 months
🗓 Avg Prep Months
8 months
Preparation focuses on core undergraduate engineering concepts, mathematical aptitude, and logical reasoning using standard textbooks and practice tests.
💡 Top Tips & Tricks
Focus on high-weightage topics first, master the use of the virtual calculator early in your prep, and solve at least 10 years of previous papers.
Full study plan, resources, and common mistakesSee all ▾
📅 Study Plan
A 6-8 month plan starting with fundamental concepts, followed by branch-specific subjects, and concluding with 2 months of intensive mock tests and revision.
📖 Recommended Books
Made Easy Publications GATE series, ACE Engineering Academy handbooks, and standard university texts like Morris Mano for Digital Logic.
🏫 Popular Prep Courses
Made Easy, ACE Engineering Academy, Unacademy, GATE Academy, Physics Wallah (GATE Wallah).
📱 Popular Prep Apps
EduRev, Unacademy, Made Easy Prime, GATE Forum.
✅ Official Practice Tests
Yes — Free
🆓 Free Online Resources
NPTEL online lectures, GATE Overflow for previous year solutions, and the official mock test links provided by the organizing IIT.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring the General Aptitude section, making rounding errors in NAT questions, and struggling with time management due to lack of mock test practice.
💡 EduAtlasHub Exclusive Insights
🔍 Insider Tips
Accuracy is more important than speed in the NAT section since there is no negative marking; ensure you read the required decimal precision carefully.
⭐ Unique Features
Features a unique normalization process for multi-session papers and provides a 3-year validity for the score which is rare for Indian competitive exams.
🎓 How This Score Impacts Your Application
A high GATE score is mandatory for M.Tech/Ph.D. admissions in IITs/NITs and is a primary shortlisting criterion for high-paying jobs in Indian PSUs.
More insights: country notes, comparisons, myths, examiner tipsSee all ▾
🌍 Country-Specific Notes
While it is an Indian exam, several German and Singaporean universities accept GATE scores for their Master’s programs in engineering.
⚖️ Comparison with Alternatives
GATE is more technical and subject-focused than the GRE; it is also more conceptually rigorous than most university-level entrance exams in India.
🆕 Recent Changes
Introduced Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) as a new paper in 2024 and allowed candidates to appear for two papers from specific combinations.
🔜 Upcoming Changes
Potential introduction of more interdisciplinary papers and expansion of international test centers in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
🧐 Myths vs Facts
Myth: You need to answer all questions to qualify. Fact: Due to negative marking, accuracy on fewer questions is more effective. Myth: Only IITians top the exam. Fact: Many toppers come from local private colleges.
👨‍🏫 Examiner Tips
Practice with the virtual calculator daily to get used to its layout. Never leave NAT questions blank since they have no penalty for wrong answers.
🏆 Success Stories
Thousands of students from rural India have utilized GATE to enter prestigious IITs and secure high-ranking positions in Navratna PSUs.
📋 Post-Exam Steps
Participate in COAP (Common Offer Acceptance Portal) for IITs and CCMT (Centralized Counseling for M.Tech) for NITs/IIITs.
🎯 Score Uses Beyond Admission
Recruitment for Group A level posts in Central Government and eligibility for fellowships like the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the GATE score valid?+
The GATE score is valid for 3 Years from the date of result announcement..
How much does the GATE cost?+
The exam fee is $100.00 (approximately ₹1800.00 in India).
How often can I retake the GATE?+
Candidates can attempt the exam as many times as they wish, once every year during the official exam cycle.
When are GATE results declared?+
4 to 5 weeks after the examination date.
Which universities accept the GATE?+
GATE is accepted by Over 1000 institutions across India and select international universities including NUS, NTU, and TUM..
Is a calculator allowed in the GATE?+
No
How should I prepare for the GATE?+
Preparation focuses on core undergraduate engineering concepts, mathematical aptitude, and logical reasoning using standard textbooks and practice tests.
📝
Register for GATE
Opening Doors to Research and Excellence in Engineering
Register Now →
📊 Quick Facts
Official Site →
Conducted ByIndian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB)-GATE.
Year Started1983
CategoryEngineering, Technology, and Science Postgraduate Entrance
Last UpdatedJune 18, 2026
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