GATE Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-wise Paper Pattern | Marking Scheme
If you are aiming for the GATE 2026 exam, it is important to familiarize yourself with the GATE exam pattern beforehand. The GATE exam is 3 hours long and consists of 65 questions, divided into general aptitude, engineering mathematics, and the core disciplines.
It is crucial for candidates to check the syllabus along with the GATE exam pattern to prepare for the exam effectively. The GATE paper pattern details the exam mode, the types of questions asked, the marking scheme, and the number of questions in each section. Understanding and knowing these details can help you better prepare for your exam and improve your chances of success.
GATE Exam Pattern 2026: Key Points to Remember
- GATE 2026 will be conducted online (Computer-Based Test mode).
- The GATE exam duration will be 3 hours.
- The total score for the GATE exam is 100.
- The GATE exam will contain 65 questions.
- All of the questions in the GATE will be related to the GATE test 2026 syllabus.
- According to the GATE question paper pattern 2026, two categories of questions are expected: multiple-choice and numerical answer questions.
- In the case of MCQs, candidates must select one response from four possibilities, whereas in NAT questions, students must input the correct answer using the virtual keyboard.
- Candidates will be given a scribbling pad for rough work.
Read More: GATE Mechanical Engineering Syllabus 2026
GATE Syllabus For CSE 2026
GATE Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
| Feature | Description |
| GATE Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| GATE Exam Language | English |
| GATE Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| GATE Sectional Time Limit | None |
| GATE Total Marks | 100 |
| GATE Total Number of Questions | 65 |
| GATE Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ);
Multiple Select Questions (MSQ); Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
| GATE Number of Sections | Two/ Three (depending on the paper) |
| GATE Section-wise Number of Questions | General Aptitude- 10 questions,
Core Discipline- 55 questions |
| GATE Section-wise Weightage | General Aptitude- 15 marks, Core Discipline- 85 marks |
| GATE Marking Scheme | 1 or 2 marks for each correct answer |
| GATE Negative Marking | For 1 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer;
For 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 marks will be deducted for a wrong answer; No negative marking for MSQs and NATs |
*In place of Engineering Mathematics, Chemistry will be compulsory for the Life Science (XL) Paper. In XH, Reasoning & comprehension will be a compulsory subject.
Based on the GATE exam pattern for 2025, all papers will contain various question types, including (i) Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) worth 1 or 2 marks in all sections. Candidates will have four answer choices and must select the correct response. (ii) Numerical Answer Questions worth 1 or 2 marks in all sections. These questions require candidates to enter a real number using the virtual keypad, with no answer choices provided.
Read More: GATE Admit Card
GATE Exam Pattern 2026: Paper Code Wise Subject Weightage
| Paper Code | GA Marks | Compulsory Section | Subject Marks | Total Marks | Total Time* (Minutes) |
| AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF
Subject marks in these papers include questions on Engineering Mathematics (13 marks), which are paper-specific. |
15 | — | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST | 15 | — | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| AR
Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B1 or Part B2 can be selected during the Exam. B1: Architecture or B2: Planning |
15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 |
| GE
Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B1 or B2 can be selected during the Exam.  B1 – Surveying and Mapping or B2 -Image Processing and Analysis. |
15 | 55 | 30 | 100 | 180 |
| GG
Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B can either be Geology (B1) or Geophysics (B2) — which must be chosen at the time of Application. |
15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XE
Section A (Engineering Mathematics) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any TWO additional Sections during the Exam. |
15 | 15 | 2 x 35 | 100 | 180 |
| XH
Section B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any ONE additional Section at the time of Application. |
15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XL
Section P (Chemistry) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any TWO additional Sections during the Exam. |
15 | 25 | 2 x 30 | 100 | 180 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2026: Types of Questions
Candidates preparing for the GATE exam need to know the types of questions to understand the exam mode and pattern. There will be different types of questions in the GATE 2025 exam, which are mentioned below:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
In multiple-choice questions, the student is given four options to choose the correct one. There will be negative markings for every wrong answer.
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
These will be multiple-choice questions, each with four possibilities for applicants to choose one or more. There will be no negative markings in MSQ questions.
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
When answering numerical questions, candidates must put their responses in digits. There will be no negative marking on these types of questions.
Read More: GATE Syllabus for Instrumentation Engineering 2025 | GATE Aptitude Syllabus
What Skills Will Be Assessed in the GATE Exam Pattern 2026?
The GATE exam thoroughly evaluates the capabilities of all registered candidates through a diverse range of assessment criteria.
- Recall: The question papers are carefully created to follow the GATE 2025 format, guaranteeing that each candidate’s knowledge is thoroughly examined. The recall portion of the exam asks questions directly about principles, facts, formulas, or laws related to the candidate’s chosen paper.
- Comprehension: There will be questions to assess the candidates’ basic comprehension of their particular fields of study. As a result, applicants must emphasise basic concepts to reach simple conclusions.
- Application: Candidates will need to use their computational and logical reasoning abilities.
- Analysis and Synthesis: The questions include data, diagrams, and images. Candidates can answer them by studying the information provided.
Studying the GATE exam pattern 2026 thoroughly is the right way to begin your prep for GATE 2026. The second step would be to sign up for the IMS GATE Academy Live Online program, where you’ll get not only access to over 750 hours of mentor-led classes but also 24/7 doubt-solving, post-GATE guidance, interview prep, and access to the entire cache of previous years’ GATE papers with video solutions. Just click on the banner above to get in touch with one of our education advisors and take this journey ahead.
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