The Full Form of Gate: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
Gate stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering.
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is an entrance exam for various postgraduate programs in engineering and technology, such as M.E., M.Tech, and PhD. It is conducted at a national level, jointly by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on a rotational basis.
The GATE exam is designed to test the aptitude and knowledge of candidates in various fields of engineering and technology. There are 27 subjects in which the exam is conducted, including Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering, among others. Candidates can choose any one subject, based on their academic background and interests.
The GATE exam is conducted as an online test, and it is three hours long. It consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical answer type (NAT) questions. The exam is held in two sessions per day over a period of a few days. Candidates must prepare thoroughly for the exam to score well.
Based on the performance of candidates, a score is awarded, which is valid for three years. The GATE score is used for admission to postgraduate programs in engineering and technology in various institutes across the country, including IITs and NITs. It is also used for recruitment in public sector undertakings (PSUs) and other organizations.
In conclusion, the GATE exam is a highly competitive and prestigious entrance exam for postgraduate programs in engineering and technology. Candidates must prepare well and perform to the best of their abilities to secure admission to their preferred programs or get recruited by leading organizations.
GATE Exam Pattern and Marking
The GATE exam consists of 65 questions with a total score of 100 marks, which must be completed within a duration of 3 hours. The questions are divided into two categories – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Numerical type.
MCQ questions come with four options, while numerical questions require candidates to provide answers using a virtual keyboard. There is no negative marking for numerical answer type questions.
| mode of examination | Online |
| Question type | Multiple Choice Questions Numerical Based Questions Multiple Select Questions |
| total questions | 65 |
| Marks/Correct Answer | 1 mark / 2 marks |
| total marks | 100 |
| total exam time | 180 minutes |
| digit division | General Aptitude: 15% of the total marks Engineering Mathematics: 13% of the total marks Discipline chosen by the candidate: 72% of the total marks |
The detailed description of the exam pattern of GATE exam 2023 is given in the table below:
| Section | Question number | 1 mark question | 2 mark questions |
| general aptitude | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Technical + Engineering Mathematics | 55 | 25 | 30 |