GATE XL Syllabus 2027
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering — Life Sciences
Exam Pattern
| # | Subject / Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry (mandatory) | 22 | 33 |
| 2 | General Aptitude (mandatory) | 22 | 33 |
| 3 | 2 Optional Sections from: Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Food Technology | 22 | 33 |
| Total | 65 | 100 | |
Syllabus by Subject
Chemistry (mandatory)
Key topics covered as per the official GATE XL syllabus, including fundamental concepts, applications, and recent exam trends for Chemistry (mandatory).
View Chemistry (mandatory) Syllabus →General Aptitude (mandatory)
Key topics covered as per the official GATE XL syllabus, including fundamental concepts, applications, and recent exam trends for General Aptitude (mandatory).
View General Aptitude (mandatory) Syllabus →2 Optional Sections from: Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Food Technology
Key topics covered as per the official GATE XL syllabus, including fundamental concepts, applications, and recent exam trends for 2 Optional Sections from: Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Food Technology.
View 2 Optional Sections from: Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Food Technology Syllabus →Eligibility & Attempts
EEligibility Criteria
BSc/BTech in Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, or related
ANumber of Attempts
No limit
Exam Schedule
Frequency
Annual (February)
Next Exam Date
February 2027
Registration Opens
September 2026
Preparation Tips
- 1Chemistry (mandatory 15 marks) covers BSc-level Physical, Organic, and Inorganic — a solid 3-4 week review is sufficient
- 2Choose optional sections based on your BSc specialisation — depth matters more than breadth
- 3Biochemistry section focuses on Metabolic Pathways, Enzyme Kinetics, and Protein Structures — use Lehninger/Berg as reference
- 4General Aptitude (mandatory 15 marks) is straightforward — practise basic verbal and numerical reasoning daily
Frequently Asked Questions
Practice with Free Mock Tests
Now that you know the GATE XL syllabus, put your preparation to the test. Attempt free mock tests that mirror the real exam pattern.