Structure Of Gate Exam

Type of Exam: Multiple Choice Questions
Validity: 2 years
Scheduled (tentatively): February
Pattern: Computer Based Test

Duration and Examination Type

The GATE examination consists of a single paper of 3-hour duration that contains 65 questions carrying a maximum of 100 marks. The question paper will consist of both multiple choice questions (MCQ) and numerical answer type questions.
The examination for all the papers will be carried out in an ONLINE Computer Based Test (CBT) mode where the candidates will be shown the questions in a random sequence on a computer screen. The candidates are required to either select the answer (for MCQ type) or enter the answer for numerical answer type question using a mouse on a virtual keyboard (keyboard of the computer will be disabled). Candidates will be provided with blank paper sheets for rough work and these have to be returned back after the examination. At the end of the 3-hour window, the computer will automatically close the screen from further actions.

DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS:

The three hour GATE exam has 65 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) aggregating to a total of 100 marks:
10 Questions based on General Aptitude carry a total of 15 marks (5 Qs of 1mark each + 5 Qs of 2 marks each)
Remaining 55 questions are based on the syllabus mentioned in the respective paper codes. Each question carries either 1 mark or 2 marks
Question 1 to 25 will carry one mark each(sub-total 25 marks) & 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer
Question 26 to 55 will carry 2 marks each(sub-total 60 marks) & 2/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer

Calculation of GATE 2014 Score

Calculation of Normalized Marks for CE, CS, EC, EE and ME papers:

In 2014, examination for CE, CS, EC, EE and ME papers is being held in multi-sessions. Hence, for these papers, a suitable normalization is applied to take into account any variation in the difficulty levels of the question papers across different sessions. The normalization is done based on the fundamental assumption that “in all multi-session GATE papers , the distribution of abilities of candidates is the same across all the sessions”. This assumption is justified since the number of candidates appearing in multi-session papers in GATE 2014 is large and the procedure of allocation of session to candidates is random. Further it is also ensured that for the same multi-session paper, the number of candidates allotted in each session is of the same order of magnitude.
Based on the above, and considering various normalization methods, the committee arrived at the following formula for calculating the normalized marks, for CE, CS, EC, EE and ME papers.

After the declaration of the results, GATE Score Cards will be issued (mailed to the Correspondence address given in the application) to (a) All SC/ST/PwD candidates whose marks are greater than or equal to the qualifying mark of SC/ST/PwD candidates in their respective papers, and (b) All other candidates whose marks are greater than or equal to the qualifying mark of OBC candidates in their respective papers. There is no provision for the issue of additional GATE Score Cards.
The GATE 2014 Committee has the authority to decide the qualifying mark/score for each GATE paper. In case any claim or dispute arises in respect of GATE 2014, it is hereby made absolutely clear that the Courts and Tribunals in Kolkata and Kolkata alone shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to entertain and settle any such dispute or claim.