The GATE examination is attended by lakhs of students all over the nation. GATE 2027 exam is conducted for 30 papers. As GATE 2027 has become crucial for entering into PSUs, and to pursue higher education at NITs, IITs, IIITs, and few other deemed universities, it's very important to have a clear idea about the GATE 2027 exam paper pattern, number of questions, etc and plan accordingly to crack this prestigious examination. Understanding the GATE 2027 exam pattern is essential for effective preparation.
GATE 2027 Exam Pattern Overview
- Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Language: English
- Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes) for all papers
- Total Questions: 65 questions (10 General Aptitude + 55 subject)
- Total Marks: 100 marks
- Sections: General Aptitude (GA) + candidate's selected subject(s)
- Papers: 30 test papers (including new RA – Robotics & Automation)
- Question types: MCQ, MSQ, and NAT (questions carry 1 or 2 marks)
Since the examination is an ONLINE computer-based test, at the end of the stipulated time (3 hours), the computer will automatically close the screen inhibiting any further action.
Special paper structures
- RA: GA (15) + Part A Common (60) + Part B (25). Part B1 Electrical or Part B2 Mechanical can be selected during the exam.
- AR: GA (15) + Part A Common (60) + Part B (25). Part B1 Architecture or Part B2 Planning during the exam.
- GE: GA (15) + Part A Common (55) + Part B (30). Part B1 Surveying and Mapping or Part B2 Image Processing and Analysis during the exam.
- GG: GA (15) + Part A Common (25) + Part B (60). Part B1 Geology or Part B2 Geophysics must be chosen at application.
- XE: GA (15) + XE0 Engineering Mathematics (15, common) + any two optional sections from XE1–XE9 (2 × 35). Sections chosen during the exam.
- XH: GA (15) + XH0 Reasoning and Comprehension (25, common) + one optional section (60) chosen at application.
- XL: GA (15) + XL0 Chemistry (25, common) + any two optional sections (2 × 30) chosen during the exam.
GATE Exam Pattern of Questions for 2027
GATE 2027 would contain questions of three different types in all the papers:
1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Carrying 1 or 2 marks each in all the papers and sections. These questions are objective in nature, and each will have a choice of four answers, out of which the candidate has to select (mark) the correct answer.
Negative Marking for Wrong Answers:
- 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
2. Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)
Carrying 1 or 2 marks each in all the papers and sections. These questions are objective in nature, and each will have choice of four answers, out of which ONE or MORE than ONE choice(s) is / are correct.
Important Notes:
- There is NO negative marking for a wrong answer in MSQ questions
- There is NO partial credit for choosing partially correct combinations of choices or any single wrong choice
Example: Which of the following is/are state(s) in India? (A) Maharashtra (B) Gujarat (C) Mumbai (D) Goa. The correct answer is (A), (B) and (D). Candidates will get full marks only if this exact combination is selected.
3. Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
Questions carrying 1 or 2 marks each in all the papers and sections. For these questions, the answer is a signed real number, which needs to be entered by the candidate using the virtual numeric keypad on the monitor (keyboard of the computer will be disabled).
Key Points:
- No choices will be shown for these type of questions
- The answer can be a number such as 10 or -10 (an integer only)
- The answer may be in decimals: 10.1 (one decimal), 10.01 (two decimals), or -10.001 (three decimals)
- There is NO negative marking for a wrong answer in NAT questions
GATE Exam Pattern of Marks for 2027
In all papers, there will be a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks, out of which 10 questions carrying a total of 15 marks will be on General Aptitude (GA).
Papers with Engineering Mathematics (13 marks)
All papers except AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, RA, ST, XH, and XL:
AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI (Engineering Mathematics is paper-specific within the 85 subject marks).
- General Aptitude: 15 marks
- Engineering Mathematics: 13 marks
- Subject Questions: 72 marks
- Total: 100 marks
Note: XE includes Engineering Mathematics as section XE0 of 15 marks (not 13).
Papers without Engineering Mathematics (13 marks)
AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, RA, ST, XH, and XL:
- General Aptitude: 15 marks
- Subject Questions: 85 marks
- Total: 100 marks
| Paper | GA | Common / Subject | Optional | Total | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI | 15 | 85 (incl. EM 13) | - | 100 | 180 min |
| CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST | 15 | 85 | - | 100 | 180 min |
| AR / RA (Part A + Part B) | 15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 min |
| GE (Part A + Part B) | 15 | 55 | 30 | 100 | 180 min |
| GG (Part A + Part B) | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 min |
| XE (XE0 + two sections) | 15 | 15 (XE0) | 2 × 35 | 100 | 180 min |
| XH (XH0 + one section) | 15 | 25 (XH0) | 60 | 100 | 180 min |
| XL (XL0 + two sections) | 15 | 25 (XL0) | 2 × 30 | 100 | 180 min |
PwD candidates may be eligible for compensatory time of one hour as per the applicable guidelines and valid disability documentation.
The Design of Questions
The questions in a paper may be designed to test the following abilities:
1. Recall
Based on facts, principles, formulae or laws in the discipline. The candidate is expected to obtain the answer either from memory or at most from a one-line computation.
2. Comprehension
Tests the candidate's understanding of the basics by requiring him/her to draw simple conclusions from fundamental ideas.
3. Application
The candidate is expected to apply his/her knowledge either through computation or by logical reasoning.
4. Analysis and Synthesis
Questions present data, diagrams, images, etc. that require analysis. Synthesis questions might require comparing two or more pieces of information, recognizing unstated assumptions, or separating useful information from irrelevant information.