GATE — Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

Status checked: 15 Oct 2026. Official site: gate2027.iitm.ac.in

Quick Facts

2027 Dates (official)

• DigiLocker-based registration is mandatory for Indian nationals from 2027.

Eligibility

• Students in the 3rd year or higher of any UG degree (B.E., B.Tech, B.Sc, B.Arch, B.Pharm, B.Com, B.A., and others), or graduates. No age limit.
• You can take up to 2 papers, from the permitted combinations.

Exam Pattern

• Duration: 3 hours.
• Question types: MCQ (negative marking: −1/3 for 1-mark and −2/3 for 2-mark questions), MSQ (multiple-select, no negative), NAT (numerical answer, no negative).
• Engineering papers usually include about 13% Engineering Mathematics.
• A virtual on-screen calculator is provided.

Syllabus — Topics

General Aptitude (all papers)

• Verbal: grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, verbal analogies
• Quantitative: data interpretation, ratios, percentages, mensuration, sequences, probability basics
• Analytical: deduction, induction, analogy, numerical relations
• Spatial: transformation of shapes, paper folding and cutting, patterns

Engineering Mathematics (most engineering papers)

Linear Algebra · Calculus · Differential Equations · Probability & Statistics · Numerical Methods · Complex Variables / Transform theory (depends on the paper)

Popular papers and their main subjects

• CS (Computer Science): Discrete Maths, Digital Logic, COA, Programming & DS, Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Compiler Design, OS, DBMS, Computer Networks
• DA (Data Science & AI): Probability & Stats, Linear Algebra, Calculus & Optimisation, Programming/DS/Algorithms, DBMS & Warehousing, Machine Learning, AI
• EC (Electronics): Networks, Signals & Systems, Electronic Devices, Analog & Digital Circuits, Control Systems, Communications, Electromagnetics
• EE (Electrical): Electric Circuits, EM Fields, Signals & Systems, Electrical Machines, Power Systems, Control, Measurements, Analog & Digital Electronics, Power Electronics
• ME (Mechanical): Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Theory of Machines, Vibrations, Machine Design, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering
• CE (Civil): Structural Engg, Geotechnical, Water Resources, Environmental, Transportation, Geomatics
• Others: CH, IN, PI, BT, XE, XL, MA, PH, CY, ST, AE, AG, AR, BM, ES, GG, GE, MN, MT, NM, PE, TF, XH, RA (new)

When to Start Preparing

Strategy tips

• GA + Engineering Maths is about 28 marks, the easiest to score. Don't skip them.
• MSQ and NAT questions have no negative marking, so always attempt them.
• Past GATE papers are the best resource, since concepts repeat a lot.
• Practise with the virtual calculator, not a physical one.

Recommended Resources

• NPTEL lectures (free, by IIT professors)
• GATE previous years' papers (Made Easy / ACE Academy compilations)
• Subject standard texts, e.g., CS: Cormen (Algorithms), Galvin (OS), Korth (DBMS), Peter Linz (TOC)