Motivating yourself for the upcoming Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering exam 2023 is a constructive thing to do. That’s why it is essential to walk through the GATE exam pattern 2023 to uncover some facts about the exam paper, marking scheme, exam mode, etc.
The Indian Institutes of Technology will publish the GATE exam pattern 2023 simultaneously with the official brochure. GATE exam pattern comprises the marking scheme, the mode of examination, question paper, subjects code and more. With the help of the GATE exam pattern, the applicants will be able to unfold many vital details related to the exam that can help them in preparation.
In this Article,
- GATE Exam Pattern 2023 Highlights
- GATE Exam Pattern – Overview
- Detailed GATE Exam Pattern 2023 – Subject Code Wise
- GATE Exam Pattern Marking Scheme 2023
- GATE Exam Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE Exam Pattern 2023: Types of Questions
- Frequently Asked Questions on GATE Exam Pattern
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 Highlights
Students should walk through these highlights to uncover some vital pointers related to the GATE exam pattern:
Feature | Description |
Examination Mode | Online (Computer Based Test) |
Duration of Exam | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
Sectional Time Duration | None |
Total Marks | 100 |
Total Number of questions | 65 |
Number of Subjects (Papers) | 29 |
Number of Sections | It depends on the subjects.
2-3 (GA and Core Discipline or GA, Engineering Mathematics and Core Subject) |
Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
Marking Scheme | 1 or 2 marks for each right answer |
Negative Marking Scheme | For a wrong answer chosen in a MCQ, there will be negative marking. For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. For 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. NO negative marking for MSQ & NAT. |
GATE Exam Pattern – Overview:
Paper Code | Exam Pattern |
For, subject codes, CE, CS, EC, AE, AG, BT, CH, ME, MN, MT, EE, IN, TF, XE, PE, ST, and PI | GA (General Aptitude) – 15
Engineering Mathematics – 13 questions Subject of the Paper – 72 questions |
CY, GG, EY, XL, PH, and MA | GA (General Aptitude) – 15
Subject of the Paper – 85 |
Detailed GATE Exam Pattern 2023 – Subject Code Wise
Candidates need to understand that the GATE exam pattern is not the same for all disciplines. GATE Exam Pattern 2023 changes for each paper depending on the segments and the marks division. However, General Aptitude (GA) is one section that is common in all GATE papers. The GA section comprises 15% of the weightage.
Subject |
Number of questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
General Aptitude |
5 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
10 |
|
Total |
10 |
– |
15 |
The subject with codes, AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, ME, MN, MT, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, PE, PI, TF, and XE contains 15% of GA, 13% Engineering Mathematics, and 72% of the core subject.
Sections |
Marks Weightage |
(GA) General Aptitude |
15% |
(EM) Engineering Mathematics |
13% |
Core Discipline |
72% |
The GA section includes 10 questions. Apart from 10 questions, there will be 55 questions that comprise engineering mathematics and core discipline. 25 questions will carry one mark each, while 30 questions will carry two marks each.
Subject Code |
Number of questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, ME, MN, MT, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, PE, PI, TF, and XE |
25 |
1 |
25 |
30 |
2 |
60 |
|
Total |
55 |
– |
85 |
The subjects with codes AR, CY, PH, ST, EY, GG, MA, XH, and XL comprise 15% of General Aptitude and 85% of the Core Discipline.
Sections |
Number of Questions |
Weightage |
(GA) General Aptitude |
15 |
15% |
Core Discipline |
55 |
85% |
Specific GATE Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2023 for the subjects AR, EY, CY, MA, and PH:
Subjects |
Number of questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
EY, CY, MA, PH |
25 |
1 |
25 |
30 |
2 |
60 |
|
Total |
55 |
– |
85 |
Architecture and Planning (AR) Exam Pattern For GATE 2023
This discipline comprises a total three parts:
- General Aptitude (GA) holds 15 marks
Apart from the GA, this paper contains two parts.:
- Part AÂ is compulsory for all the candidates and it holds 60 marks
- Part B contains two optional sections:Â Part B1 (Architecture) and Part B2 (Planning) and it holds 25 marks.
NOTE: Make sure candidates follow this new pattern for the AR discipline. Check also: GATE 2024
GATE Exam Pattern 2023 For the Geology and Geophysics (GG) Subjects
GATE GG paper includes three sections. General Aptitude, Part A and Part B. The GA section and Part A are mandatory to attempt, while Part B is divided into two segments. Segment 1 is Geology, and segment 2 is Geophysics.
NOTE: Applicants are required to choose either Section 1 or Section 2 from Part B.
Sections |
Sub-section |
Number of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
GA |
– |
10 |
1 or 2 |
15 |
Part A |
– |
25 |
1 |
25 |
Part B (based on the candidate’s preference) |
Geology |
30 |
2 |
60 |
Geophysics |
30 |
2 |
60 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023: Engineering Sciences (XE)
The GATE 2023 XE paper is divided into three segments.
- Segment 1 – General Aptitude
- Segment 2 – Section A (Engineering Mathematics)
- Segment 3 – Candidates have to choose any two from section B-H of the GATE XE paper.
Subjects under B to H:
- XE-B – Fluid mechanics
- XE-C – Material Science
- XE-D – Solid mechanics
- XE-E – Thermodynamics
- XE-F – Polymer Science and Engineering
- XE-G – Food Technology
- XE-H – Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
NOTE: GA and Section A (Engineering Mathematics) are mandatory sections.
Questions and Marks:
- (GA) General Aptitude- 10 questions and 15 marks.
- Section A for (EM) Engineering Mathematics- 11 questions and 15 marks.
- Section B to H- 22 questions and 35 marks.
Detailed GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for XE Paper:
Section |
Total Number of 1 Mark Questions |
Total Number of 2 Mark Questions |
Total Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
GA |
5 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
Section A (Engineering Sciences) |
7 |
4 |
11 |
15 |
Section B (Any two of these. Based on the candidate’s preference) |
9+9 |
13+13 |
22+22=44 |
35+35= 70 |
Total |
30 |
70 |
65 |
100 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023: Humanities and Social Sciences (XH)
GATE XH paper, a new member in the family. It was introduced in 2021. Now students who belong to a Humanities background can also apply for the GATE exam 2023. The paper contains three sections.
- Section 1 – General Aptitude
- Section 2 – B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension)
- Section 3 – Candidates have to choose any two from section C1-C6.
The subjects under C1-C6 include:
- XH–C1: Economics
- XH–C2: English
- XH–C3: Linguistics
- XH–C4: Philosophy
- XH–C5: Psychology
- XH–C6: Sociology
Detailed GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for XH Paper:
Section |
Total Number of 1 mark questions |
Total Number of 2 mark questions |
Total Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
GA |
5 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension) |
5 |
10 |
15 |
15 |
C1-C6 (Any two of these. Based on the candidate’s preference) |
20 |
20 |
40 |
60 |
Total |
30 |
70 |
65 |
100 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023: Life Sciences (XL)
GATE XL paper contains three sections.
- Section 1: General Aptitude
- Section 2: Section P (Chemistry)
- Section 3: Candidates have to choose any two from section Q- U.
The subjects under Q- U include:
- XL-Q – Biochemistry
- XL-R – Botany
- XL-S – Microbiology
- XL-T – Zoology
- XL-U – Food Technology
NOTE: General Aptitude and Section P (Chemistry) are mandatory for the candidates to attempt.
Detailed GATE Exam Pattern 2023 for XL Paper:
Section |
Total Number of 1 mark questions |
Total Number of 2 mark questions |
Total Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
GA |
5 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
Section P(Chemistry) |
5 |
10 |
15 |
25 |
Section Q-U(Any two of these) |
10+10 |
10+10 |
20+20=40 |
30+30=60 |
Total |
30 |
70 |
65 |
100 |
GATE Exam Pattern Marking Scheme 2023
The GATE aspirants 202w need to unfold the marking scheme for the particular subjects. There are 29 subjects, the paper comprises a total of 65 questions of 100 marks.
Paper or Subject Code |
General Aptitude (GA) Marks |
Core Subject Marks |
Total Marks |
Total Time |
AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, CY, EC, EE, ES, EY, IN, MA, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PH, PI, TF, ST |
15 |
85 |
100 |
3 Hours |
AR [Part A + Part B (B1: Architecture or B2: Planning)] |
15 |
60+25 |
100 |
3 Hours |
GE [Part A + Part B (Section I or Section II) |
15 |
55+30 |
100 |
3 Hours |
GG [Part A + Part B (Section 1: Geology or Section 2: Geophysics)] |
15 |
25 + 60 |
100 |
3 Hours |
XE (Section A + Any 2 Sections) |
15 |
15 + (2 x 35) |
100 |
3 Hours |
XH (Section B1 +Any 1 Section) |
15 |
25 + 60 |
100 |
3 Hours |
XL (Section P+Any 2 Sections) |
15 |
25 + (2 x 30) |
100 |
3 Hours |
GATE Exam Subject Wise WeightageÂ
Apart from the GATE Exam pattern, candidates are also required to be familiar with the subject wise weightage of the papers. Knowing the GATE Exam Subject wise weightage will help them to perform in the exams better. Candidates can also prepare for the exams, on the basis of the marks and topic wise weightage, to get better results.
We have also compiled the list of topic or paper wise marks weightage. Candidates can check these interactive links provided below, to get additional details of the marks distribution and topics weightage for the exams. Â
Browse GATE Subject wise Weightage:
- GATE Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE Electrical Engineering (EE) Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME) Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE Chemical Engineering (CE) Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE Civil Engineering (CE) Subject Wise Weightage
- GATE Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) Subject Wise Weightage
Negative Marking in GATE 2023
Candidates need to pay full attention while appearing in the exam as negative marking can affect their results. Before preparing for the exam, applicants should have an idea about the GATE negative marking scheme.
- There is no negative marking in questions under MSQ and NAT
- There is a negative marking for MCQ questions. Any incorrect answer to MCQ will result in a deduction in marks.
Type of Question |
Negative Marking/ Question |
MCQ – 1 mark question |
1/3 |
MCQ – 2 marks question |
2/3 |
GATE Exam Pattern 2023: Types of Questions
Knowing the types of questions and format can help the candidates to understand the exam mode and pattern with ease. Well, the questions in GATE exam 2023 are mainly divided into three segments.
1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Every student is familiar with this category. In multiple-choice questions, applicants are provided with four options out of which they have to choose the right one. There is a negative marking in MCQs.
2. Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)
These are also objective-type questions. Every question contains four options, out of which, one or more than one option(s) is correct. There is no negative marking.
3. Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
Numerical questions need you to enter a number for the answer. It also requires you to enter digits or to specify the correct number of important values. The kind of answer that is expected should be clear from the question. There is no negative marking.
NOTE: Candidates are recommended to go through the GATE previous year’s question papers. This way, they can analyze the exam pattern closely.
Also Explore, GATE Results | GATE Virtual Calculator | GATE Mock Test | GATE Online Coaching | GATE Negative Marking | GATE Marks Vs Rank | GATE 2022 PostponeÂ
Frequently Asked Questions on GATE Exam Pattern 2023
Where can I find the official GATE exam pattern 2023?
The GATE committee will issue the official GATE exam pattern 2023 along with the formal brochure to help students for the exam.
Can I use a physical calculator in the examination?
No. Candidates can use a virtual scientific calculator.
What is the official GATE 2023 exam duration?
The time duration for the GATE exam 2023 is three hours.
May I carry a copy for rough work?
No. The examination centre will provide every student with a supplement for rough work.
Will I get any negative marks for solving a question with a wrong answer in GATE exam 2023?
Yes. There is a negative marking in MCQs. Students will get negative marks for incorrect answers. You can prefer the above article to unfold it in detail. However, there is no negative marking in MSQs and NATs.
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