GATE exam pattern & marking rules
Understand how the paper is structured, how each answer is scored, and what to check before a timed attempt.
Duration
3 hours
Computer-based test
Questions
65
In one candidate’s paper
Total marks
100
1- and 2-mark questions
Question types
3
MCQ · MSQ · NAT
01 · THE PAPER
Know what your paper includes
The GATE 2026 format is a computer-based test. Questions carry either 1 or 2 marks; the mix of question types varies by paper.
General Aptitude
Common to all test papers
15 marks
Practise verbal, quantitative, analytical and spatial aptitude alongside your branch subjects.
Paper-specific subjects
Follow the instructions for your paper code
85 marks
Engineering Mathematics coverage and compulsory or optional sections depend on the selected paper. Check its syllabus and section-choice rules.
Taking XE or XL?
Read the compulsory and optional-section instructions first. Our XE and XL archives contain multiple optional sections, so their combined question and mark totals exceed one candidate’s 65-question, 100-mark attempt.
02 · ANSWERING
Three question types, three ways to respond
Check the question type before answering. The marks printed against a question determine the reward for a correct response.
Choose one option
Exactly one option is correct. Select one answer from the choices.
A wrong answer costs marks. Recheck your reasoning and avoid treating a guess as a confirmed answer.
Select the complete set
One or more options may be correct. Select every correct option and no others.
Evaluate each option independently. One missing or extra choice makes the entire response incorrect.
Enter a numerical answer
Enter a number; there are no answer choices. The key specifies an accepted value or range.
Follow the question’s units, sign and rounding instructions. Use the accepted range from the source key.
03 · MARKING
When do you gain or lose marks?
An unanswered question earns zero for every type. There is no partial credit for MSQ responses; NAT answers must match the accepted value or range.
| Question type | Correct answer | Wrong answer | Partial credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ | Full marks | −⅓ or −⅔ mark | No |
| MSQ | Full marks | 0 marks | No |
| NAT | Full marks | 0 marks | No |
MCQ deductions depend on question marks
1-mark MCQ: correct +1; wrong −⅓.
2-mark MCQ: correct +2; wrong −⅔.
04 · EXAMPLES
Apply the rules to an answer
These teaching examples illustrate the marking scheme. The numerical interval is not an answer key for an archived question.
MCQ scoring example
Three correct 1-mark MCQs and one wrong 1-mark MCQ:
3 − ⅓ = 2⅔ marks
MSQ scoring example
For a 2-mark question whose correct options are A and C:
A + C → 2 marks · A alone → 0 · A + B + C → 0
NAT scoring example
For a 2-mark question with an illustrative accepted range of 1.49–1.51:
1.50 → 2 marks · 1.52 → 0 marks
Ready for a timed paper?
Use the format in your practice
- Choose your branch and read the paper’s section instructions.
- Practise a few questions to learn the MCQ, MSQ and numeric input controls.
- Start a timed previous paper, then review mistakes and skipped questions.
Practice scores use imported question types, marks and answer keys. Check pending-review answers against the source PDF.
Version and official sources
GATE 2026 reference
Archived format · upcoming exam rules require confirmation
This guide describes the published 2026 format. Confirm the current organizing institute’s brochure, paper-specific rules and any later changes before using it for an upcoming exam.