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Exams » GATE » GATE Exam Pattern 2021: GATE Paper Pattern, Subject-wise Marking Scheme, Question Types

Written byPritam G | 09-02-2021 | Leave a Comment

GATE Exam Pattern 2021: GATE Paper Pattern, Subject-wise Marking Scheme, Question Types

GATE Exam Pattern 2021 Embibe

GATE Exam Pattern 2021: GATE 2021 is being conducted by IIT Bombay on February 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 2021. Candidates appearing for GATE 2021 must be aware of GATE Exam Pattern 2021, GATE detailed syllabus and GATE exam schedule.

GATE Exam Pattern 2021 consists of all important information, such as a total number of questions, the number of sections, types of questions asked, and marking scheme of the exam. Having an idea about the GATE exam pattern will help candidates in their preparation as it will help them formulate the best strategy required for preparing for the exam successfully.

About GATE: GATE score facilitates admissions to Post Graduate Programmes such as ME, M.Tech, MS, direct PhD in institutes like IIT and IISc along with financial assistance offered by MHRD. Scores from GATE are also accepted by PSUs of the Indian government.

CHECK OUT DETAILED GATE SYLLABUS HERE

GATE Exam Pattern 2021

Here are the changes that has been made in the GATE Paper Pattern 2021:

  • – This year, 2 more subjects have been added to GATE Exam 2021. The new subjects are Environmental Science & Engineering and Humanities & Social Sciences. Now, there are a total of 27 subjects.
  • – Candidates can appear either in ONE (like earlier years) or maximum TWO papers in GATE 2021.
  • – The second paper must be from the given set of combinations that have been provided below. Some branches may NOT get the second paper option.
  • – GATE will be conducted in online mode.
  • – The duration of the GATE exam is 3 hours and the maximum marks are 100.

The highlights of the GATE 2021 exam pattern is tabulated below:

Mode of ExamOnline (Computer-based mode)
SectionsThree
Time Duration3 hours
Total Questions65
Question typeMCQ and NAT (Numerical Answer Type)
Negative MarkingOnly for MCQ’s: 1/3rd for 1-mark questions, 2/3rd for 2 marks questions
Total Marks100

Note:

  • a. General Aptitude acts as a compulsory section for all papers and it carries 15% weightage of the total marks.
  • b. A scribble pad will be provided to the test takers for rough work.
  • c. A virtual calculator will be provided to candidates for calculation.

Also, Check:

GATE ExamGATE Syllabus
GATE Application FormGATE Admit Card
GATE Exam CenterGate Exam Guidelines
GATE Question PapersGATE Books
GATE Cut OffGATE Answer Key
GATE ResultGATE Score Card
GATE Marks vs RankGATE Counselling
CHECK OUT DETAILED GATE EXAM DATE HERE

GATE Exam Pattern 2021: GATE Paper Codes

There are a total of 27 papers in GATE which are as below. A candidate can appear for any one of the following papers.

GATE PaperCodeGATE PaperCode
Aerospace EngineeringAEInstrumentation EngineeringIN
Agricultural EngineeringAGMathematicsMA
Architecture and PlanningARMechanical EngineeringME
Bio-medical EngineeringBMMining EngineeringMN
BiotechnologyBTMetallurgical EngineeringMT
Civil EngineeringCEPetroleum EngineeringPE
Chemical EngineeringCHPhysicsPH
Computer Science and Information TechnologyCSProduction and Industrial EngineeringPI
ChemistryCYStatisticsST
Electronics and Communication EngineeringECTextile Engineering and Fibre ScienceTF
Electrical EngineeringEEEngineering SciencesXE*
Environmental Science and EngineeringESHumanities and Social SciencesXH**
Ecology and EvolutionEYLife SciencesXL***
Geology and GeophysicsGG––

The XE*, XL, and XH** paper codes are of general nature. The list of subjects available under XE, XL and, XH are tabulated below:

*XE Paper SectionsCode
Engineering Mathematics(Compulsory)A
Any two optional sections(2×35 = 70 marks)
Fluid MechanicsB
Materials ScienceC
Solid MechanicsD
ThermodynamicsE
Polymer Science and EngineeringF
Food TechnologyG
Atmospheric and Oceanic SciencesH
**XL Paper SectionsCode
Chemistry (Compulsory)P
Any two optional sections(2×30 = 60 marks)
BiochemistryQ
BotanyR
MicrobiologyS
ZoologyT
Food TechnologyU
**XH Paper SectionsCode
Reasoning and Comprehension (Compulsory) (25 Marks)B1
Any two optional sections (60 marks)
EconomicsC1
EnglishC2
LinguisticC3
PhilosophyC4
PsychologyC5
SociologyC6

Note:

  1. For paper code XE, “Engineering Mathematics” acts as a compulsory section
  2. For paper code XL, “Chemistry” acts as a compulsory section.
  3. Under XL, candidates can select any two of the subjects as optional from code Q to U.
  4. In the case of XE, candidates can select any two subjects as optional from code B to H.

GATE 2021 Exam Pattern: GATE Question Type

The GATE 2021 question paper consists of two types of questions and they are:

  1. Multiple Choice Questions(MCQs): For every question, 4 options will be there out of which one is correct.
  2. Numerical Answer Type:
  • a. All answers to these questions will be real numbers where the candidate must enter the answer with the help of the virtual keyboard.
  • b. No choices will be provided for this type of question.
  • c. No negative marking will be there for NAT questions.

GATE Exam Pattern 2021 For Various Paper Codes

The GATE 2021 exam pattern for various paper codes are tabulated below:

Paper CodeExam Pattern
CE, CS, EC, AE, AG, BT, CH, ME, MN, MT, EE, IN, TF, XE, PE, ST and PIGeneral Aptitude– 15%

Engineering Mathematics – 15%

Subject of the Paper –  70%
AR, CY, GG, EY, XL, PH and MAGeneral Aptitude – 15%

Subject of the Paper – 85%

GATE Marking Scheme

The GATE 2021 Marking scheme will vary from one code to another. The GATE marking scheme is tabulated below:

Paper Code

General Aptitude MarksSubject Marks

Total Marks

CS, CY, EC, EE, CE, CH, AR, AE, AG, EY, BT, GG, IN, ME, MA, PH, PI, TF, MN, MT, PE, ST1585100
XE (Section A + any two sections)1515+2*35100
XL (Section P + any two sections) 1525+2*30100

Note:

  1. The paper codes AE, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN ME, MN, MT, PE, PI, TF and XE  will have Engineering Mathematics (15%) & General Aptitude (15%) as compulsory sections. The rest of the sections will be based on the subject selected by the candidate.
  2. The paper codes AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST and XL will have only 2 sections – 15% will be based on General Aptitude and the remaining 85% of the question paper will be based on the subject which candidate has selected.
  3. For 2-mark questions, 2/3rd marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
  4. For 1-mark questions, 1/3rd marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

GATE Exam Pattern For All Papers

GATE Exam Pattern For General Aptitude

  1. General Aptitude acts as a compulsory section in all GATE papers.
  2. 15% weightage of total marks will be given to the General Aptitude section.
  3. In this section, candidates will be examined based on their language and assessment skills.
  4. The detailed GATE exam pattern for General Aptitude is tabulated below:
Question TypeTotal QuestionsTotal Marks
One Mark questions5 questions5 marks
Two Mark questions5 questions10 marks
Total10 Questions15 marks

GATE 2021 Exam Pattern For All Papers Except GG, XE, XL

  1. For all the papers except for the paper codes GG, XE, XL, the questions will be MCQs and numerical answer type in nature.
  2. There will be a total of  55 questions out of which 25 questions will be of 1 mark and 30 questions will be of 2 marks each.

GATE Exam Pattern For GG

  1. Geology and Geophysics paper consists of two parts. Part A consists of Mulitple Choice Questions and Part B is further divided into 2 sections i.e., Section 1 – Geology and Section 2 – Geophysics.
  2. Part A consists of 25 questions each carrying 1 mark.
  3. Part B consists of 30 questions each carrying 2 marks.

GATE Exam Pattern For Engineering Sciences  (XE)

  1. There will be a total of 55 questions.
  2. Engineering Mathematics (Section A) acts as a compulsory subject.
  3. A total of 11 questions will be asked in Engineering Mathematics.
  4. Now coming to Section B, candidates can select any two subjects as optional from the paper code B to H.
  5. The detailed GATE Exam Pattern for paper code XE is tabulated below:

Section

Total Questions

Total Marks

Section A (Compulsory) 7 (1-mark question) 7
4 (2-mark question) 8
Section B to H (Any two)

9 (1-mark question) in each of the two sections 18
13 (2-mark question) in each of the two sections 52
Total ( 2 Sections) 55 Questions 85 marks

Note – General Aptitude section of 15 marks should also be attempted along with the above sections. 

GATE Exam Pattern For Life Sciences  (XL)

  1. General Aptitude section of 15 marks should be attempted.
  2. Chemistry acts as a compulsory subject in section A.
  3. Now in Section B, aspirants can choose any 2 optional subjects from the paper code Q to U.
  4. The detailed GATE Life Sciences exam pattern is tabulated below:

Section

Total Questions

Total Marks

P or Chemistry Section 5 (1-mark each) 5
10 (2-marks each) 20
Sections Q to U (Any two) 10 (1-mark each) in each section 20
10(2-marks each) in each section 40

GATE 2021 Exam Pattern: Design Of Questions

The GATE 2021 design of questions is picturized below:

GATE Exam Pattern - Design of Questions
Download GATE Previous Year Papers From Here

GATE Exam Date 2021 (Paper-wise)

Here is the branch-wise GATE 2021 Exam Schedule:

Date (Day)Time (IST)Activities/ Paper
5th February 2021
(Friday)
12:00 – 17:00 hrsMiscellaneous Activities*
6th February 2021
(Saturday)
09:30 – 12:30 hrs
(Forenoon Session-FN)
CE-1, IN, CY
6th February 2021
(Saturday)
15:00 – 18:00 hrs
(Afternoon Session-AN)
CE-2, PH, AR, BM, AE, MN
7th February 2021
(Sunday)
09:30 – 12:30 hrs
(Forenoon Session-FN)
EE, GG, AG, EY
7th February 2021
(Sunday)
15:00 – 18:00 hrs
(Afternoon Session-AN)
EC, PE, ES, ST, PI
12th February 2021
(Friday)
12:00 – 17:00 hrsMiscellaneous Activities*
13th February 2021
(Saturday)
09:30 – 12:30 hrs
(Forenoon Session-FN)
CS-1, MA, BT, CH, TF
13th February 2021
(Saturday)
15:00 – 18:00 hrs
(Afternoon Session-AN)
CS-2, XE, XL
14th February 2021
(Sunday)
09:30 – 12:30 hrs
(Forenoon Session-FN)
ME-1, XH
14th February 2021
(Sunday)
15:00 – 18:00 hrs
(Afternoon Session-AN)
ME-2, MT

Note: Miscellaneous Activities include:
(i) Conducting trial (mock) test by zonal GATE IIT/IISc officials (NOT for candidates),
(ii) Briefing to Invigilators,
(iii) Scribes selection (if any),
(iv) Preparation of exam center including Sanitisation
(v) Other activities (display posters, signboard, seating arrangements, etc.), Optional visit by Candidates to check the exam center, etc.

FAQs On GATE 2021 Exam Pattern

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding GATE Exam Pattern 2021 are as under:

Q1. Is GATE conducted offline as well?

Ans. No, GATE is conducted only in the online mode.

Q2. What kind of questions are asked in GATE?

Ans. There are two types of questions asked in GATE – 1) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), and 2) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.

Q3. Is there any penalty for wrong answers in GATE?

Ans. Yes, for 1-mark questions, the penalty is 1/3 marks; for 2-marks questions, the penalty is 2/3 marks. However, there is no negative marking for wrong answers to NAT questions.

Check More About GATE 2021 Here

We hope that this detailed article on the GATE exam pattern 2021 helps you. If you have any queries regarding GATE 2021, drop a comment and we will get back to you.

Stay tuned to Embibe for more updates and news on GATE Exam Pattern 2021.

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