IITs/IISc (rotating organiser)
GATE for Research Exam Pattern 2027 — Complete Question Paper Structure
Understand the marking scheme, section weights, question distribution and time strategy for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering — for Research Admissions
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Exam Mode
Online (CBT)
Language
English & Hindi
Negative Marking
-0.33
Sections
2
Section-wise Pattern
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks per Q | Total Marks | Time (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (10 Qs) | 32 | +1 | 32 | 90 min |
| Subject-specific (55 Qs — branch-specific) | 33 | +1 | 33 | 90 min |
| Total | 65 | — | 100 | 180 min |
Time is indicative. Candidates can attempt sections in any order in CBT mode.
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer
+1
marks
Wrong Answer
-0.33
marks
Unattempted
0
marks
Marking Scheme
1-mark Q: +1/-0.33; 2-mark Q: +2/-0.66; NAT: no negative
Example Calculation:
If you attempt 39 questions, get 29 correct and 10 wrong:
Score = 29 × 1 − 10 × 0.33 = 25.7 marks
Skip questions you're unsure about — negative marking can reduce your score significantly.
Time Management Strategy
You have approximately 166.2 seconds per question on average.
| Phase | Time Budget | Target Questions |
|---|---|---|
| First pass (attempt easy Qs) | 108 min | 46 Qs |
| Second pass (attempt medium) | 54 min | 13 Qs |
| Review & guess | 18 min | Remaining |
Year-wise Pattern Changes
| Year | Questions | Duration | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 65 | 180 min | Current pattern |
| 2024 | 65 | 180 min | No major change |
| 2023 | 65 | 180 min | Section added |
Pattern history is approximate. Always check official notification.
Difficulty Distribution
Approximate question count: ~13 Easy | ~26 Medium | ~26 Hard
Based on difficulty level: hard. Actual distribution may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Practice GATE for Research?
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