GATE EXAM 2024
GATE stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, it is a well-known national-level examination in India. It assesses a candidate’s understanding of various subjects in engineering, technology, science, architecture, and even humanities.
GATE is a joint effort by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore and seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) at Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, and Roorkee. They conduct the exam on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB) under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India.
A good score on the GATE exam ascites as a gateway for admission to many postgraduate programs (Master’s, PhD) in engineering, technology, science, and related fields offered by Indian universities, IITs, IISc, and other institutes. Apart from that some PSUs in India use GATE scores as part of their recruitment process for engineers and scientists.
GATE covers a wide range of subjects. Currently, the exam offers 30 disciplines, including engineering, science, and humanities. You can choose one or two subjects based on your background. This article will delve into the important aspects of the entrance exam known as GATE!
GATE Eligibility criteria
In order to be eligible for the exam, there are a few key requirements to ensure a fair and successful program. We’ve outlined some eligibility criteria below to help you determine if this opportunity is the right fit for you. Please review these details carefully to see if you qualify. More about the eligibility criteria can be understood and seen on the official website. Let’s delve deeper into the specific educational qualifications required to appear for GATE.
- There are no restrictions based on age for appearing in the GATE exam.
- You must be currently in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate program in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, or Arts.
- You are also eligible if you have completed a government-approved degree program in any of the fields mentioned above.
GATE Application process
To take the entrance exam, interested candidates need to first apply online for the exam. Following is the process for applying to appear in the examination as followed last year:
- Registration: You’ll need to register online on the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) website. During registration, you’ll create an account and provide basic details.
- Filling the Application Form: After registration, you can access the application form. This form will require information like your educational background, choice of exam paper(s), exam city preferences, and uploading scanned documents.
- Uploading Documents: Make sure you have scanned copies of your passport-sized photograph, signature, valid photo ID proof (like an Aadhaar card, PAN card etc.), and relevant eligibility certificates (degree certificate or provisional certificate) in the specified format.
- Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online using a debit/credit card or net banking. The fees vary depending on your category (General, OBC (Non-creamy layer), SC/ST/PwD). You can find the exact fee structure on the official GATE website closer to the application dates.
Documents Required:
- Candidate’s photograph’s high-quality image,
- Candidate’s signature’s high-quality image,
- If applicable then a scanned copy of the category certificate (SC/ST).
- If applicable then a scanned copy of the PwD Certificate.
- Valid photo Identity document’s (Aadhar-UID (preferable)/ Passport/ PAN Card/ Voter ID/ Driving License) scanned copy.
- For verification at the examination hall, this photo ID must be carried.
GATE Application Fee:
Applying candidates are advised to check the official website before applying for the exam:
Category
Regular Period (Per Paper)
During the extended period (Per Paper)
Female/ SC / ST / PwD candidates
₹ 900
₹ 1400
All other candidates( including foreign nationals)
₹ 1800
₹ 2300
GATE Exam pattern
The GATE exam pattern follows a consistent structure across all disciplines:
- Mode of exam: It’s a computer-based test (CBT) conducted online.
- Duration: The exam lasts for 3 hours (180 minutes).
- Total marks: The entire exam is worth 100 marks.
- Number of questions: There are a total of 65 questions.
Sections of the exam:
The GATE exam is divided into three sections:
- General Aptitude (GA): This section carries 15 marks (10%) of the total weightage. It assesses your reasoning ability, basic numerical skills, and verbal aptitude. There are typically 10 questions in GA, with 5 one-mark questions and 5 two-mark questions.
- Engineering Mathematics: This section is specific to your chosen engineering discipline and carries 13 marks (13%). It tests your understanding of core mathematical concepts relevant to your field.
- Subject-specific questions: This section forms the major part of the exam, carrying 72 marks (77%) for most disciplines. It covers in-depth knowledge and problem-solving skills in your chosen engineering field.
Negative marking:
There’s a penalty for incorrect answers in MCQs only. You lose 1/3rd of a mark for every wrong answer to a one-mark MCQ and 2/3rd of a mark for a wrong two-mark MCQ. There’s no negative marking for NAT questions.
GATE Syllabus
The GATE syllabus consists of two/three main sections:
- General Aptitude (GA): This section is common for all GATE papers and tests your general skills across various areas. It typically carries 15 marks out of the total 100 marks in the exam. The GA section is further divided into:
- Verbal Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Analytical Aptitude
- Spatial Aptitude
- Candidate’s Selected Subjects: The next section contains questions from the subject a candidate has chosen from the 30 subjects given to choose from. It includes subjects like- Aerospace engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Psychology, Sociology etc. Interested candidates can go to the official website to find appropriate syllabi for these subjects.
- Engineering Mathematics: This section is specific to your chosen engineering discipline and carries 13 marks (13%). It tests your understanding of core mathematical concepts relevant to your field. Interested candidates can go to the official website to find the appropriate syllabus for this subject.
Where to find the official GATE syllabus:
The official GATE syllabus for the upcoming exam (GATE 2025) is available on the website of the conducting IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) which rotates each year. As of July 7, 2024, the GATE 2025 website is hosted by IIT Roorkee: https://www.iitr.ac.in/gate/
Here, you can find the syllabus for each of the 30 GATE papers in downloadable PDF format. The syllabus clearly outlines the topics for each section, allowing you to focus your preparation effectively.
GATE Preparation Tips
Planning and Scheduling:
- Start Early: The earlier you begin your preparation, the more time you’ll have to make your understanding of the material strong.
- Make a Schedule: Create a realistic study schedule that divides time for each section of the GATE and follow it as much as possible.
- Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Take a practice test or mock test to identify your strengths and weaknesses in each section. Focus on improving your weaker areas.
Section-Specific Strategies:
- Logical Reasoning & Legal Reasoning: Practice identifying patterns, arguments, and materials.
- Quantitative Techniques: Sharpen your math skills with a focus on areas like percentages, averages, and ratios.
- Current Affairs & General Knowledge: Stay updated on current events by following reliable news sources and reading newspapers. Develop a strong understanding of Indian polity, history, and geography.
- English Language: Improve your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar skills through regular reading and practice exercises.
Additional Tips:
- Develop Good Reading Habits: Extensive reading of newspapers, magazines, and quality literature will improve your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and overall understanding of the English language.
- Stay Focused and Motivated: Preparing for the GATE can be demanding. Stay focused on your goals and find ways to stay motivated throughout your preparation journey.
- Take Care of Yourself: Ensure you get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and take breaks to avoid burnout.
Following these tips and creating a solid study plan, will help you can increase your chances of success in the GATEexam.
GATE Resources to study
There are many resources available to help you study for the GATE exam. Here are a few of the most popular options:
- Books: There are a number of books available that cover the different sections of the GATE exam.
- Online courses: There are a number of online courses available that can help you prepare for the GATE exam. These courses can provide you with structured learning, practice questions, and feedback from instructors.
- Mock tests: Taking mock tests is a great way to get used to the format of the GATE exam and to identify your areas of strength and weakness. There are a number of websites and coaching institutes that offer mock tests for the GATE exam.
- Offline Coaching Centres- If students feel the need for support from a mentor, they can enroll themselves on offline coaching centres that provide this entrance exam aid.
In addition to the resources listed above, there are also many free resources available online. These resources can be a great way to supplement your studies and test your knowledge.
GATE Cutoff
Each year, thousands of students compete in the GATE exam, aspiring for admission to prestigious postgraduate programs and coveted PSU jobs in India. The GATE score you obtain determines your eligibility for these opportunities, and understanding the cutoff scores is crucial. This table will delve into the GATE cutoffs, explaining what they represent and their significance in the overall GATE admission and recruitment process.
| # | Subject | General | SC/ST/PWD | OBC-NCL/EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Aerospace Engineering |
33.3 |
22.1 |
29.9 |
|
2 |
Agricultural Engineering |
25 |
|
22.5 |
|
3 |
Architecture and Planning |
41.5 |
27.6 |
37.3 |
|
4 |
Biomedical Engineering |
25 |
16.6 |
22.5 |
|
5 |
Biotechnology |
38.9 |
25.9 |
35 |
|
6 |
Civil Engineering |
28.3 |
18.8 |
25.4 |
|
7 |
Chemical Engineering |
25 |
16.6 |
22.5 |
|
8 |
Computer Science and Information Technology |
27.6 |
18.4 |
24.8 |
|
9 |
Chemistry |
25.2 |
16.7 |
22.6 |
|
10 |
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence |
37.1 |
24.7 |
33.3 |
|
11 |
Electronics and Communication Engineering |
25 |
|
22.5 |
|
12 |
Electrical Engineering |
25.7 |
17.1 |
23.1 |
|
13 |
Environmental Science and Engineering |
37.9 |
25.2 |
34.1 |
|
15 |
Ecology and Evolution |
35.8 |
23.8 |
32.2 |
|
16 |
Geomatics Engineering |
41.1 |
27.4 |
36.9 |
|
17 |
Geology and Geophysics (Geology) |
42 |
28 |
37.8 |
|
18 |
Geology and Geophysics (Geophysics) |
49 |
32.6 |
44.1 |
|
19 |
Instrumentation Engineering |
32.7 |
21.8 |
29.4 |
|
20 |
Mathematics |
25 |
16.6 |
22.5 |
|
21 |
Mechanical Engineering |
28.6 |
19 |
25.7 |
|
22 |
Mining Engineering |
25 |
16.6 |
22.5 |
|
23 |
Metallurgical Engineering |
41 |
27.3 |
36.9 |
|
24 |
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering |
25.1 |
16.7 |
22.5 |
|
25 |
Petroleum Engineering |
42.6 |
28.4 |
38.3 |
|
26 |
Physics |
32 |
21.3 |
28.8 |
|
27 |
Production and Industrial Engineering |
30.5 |
20.3 |
27.4 |
|
28 |
Statistics |
26.6 |
17.7 |
23.9 |
|
29 |
Textile Engineering and Fibre Science |
28.1 |
18.7 |
25.2 |
|
30 |
Engineering Sciences |
36.2 |
24.1 |
32.5 |
|
31 |
Economics |
37 |
24.6 |
33.3 |
|
32 |
English |
48 |
32 |
43.2 |
|
33 |
Linguistics |
49.7 |
33.1 |
44.7 |
|
34 |
Philosophy |
39.3 |
26.1 |
35.3 |
|
35 |
Psychology |
52.7 |
35.1 |
47.4 |
|
36 |
Sociology |
36 |
24 |
32.4 |
|
37 |
Life Sciences |
29.3 |
19.5 |
26.3 |
FAQs
What is GATE?
GATE stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. It’s a national-level entrance exam in India that assesses a candidate’s understanding of various engineering, science, and related subjects.
Who can take GATE?
GATE is open to students with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, science, or architecture. There’s no upper age limit.
What is the GATE score used for?
GATE scores are primarily used for two things:
- Master’s and PhD admissions: Many universities and IITs use GATE scores for admission to postgraduate programs in engineering, science, and related fields.
- PSU recruitment: Some Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India consider GATE scores during their recruitment process for engineers and scientists.
How long is the GATE exam?
The GATE exam is a computer-based test lasting 3 hours. Students with disabilities exceeding 40% are given an additional hour.
Where can I find more information about GATE?
The official GATE website provides detailed information about the exam, syllabus, registration process, and more.
