Allahabad University PGAT Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Sections and Duration

Allahabad University PGAT 2026 (Post Graduate Admission Test) is conducted by the University of Allahabad for admission to postgraduate programmes across arts, science, commerce, law, and professional streams. The exam consists of 150 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for a total of 300 marks and must be completed in 3 hours (180 minutes). PGAT-I is available in both online (Computer-Based Test) and offline (OMR) modes; PGAT-II is conducted online only. The exam is scheduled for June 15–18, 2026.

• Allahabad University PGAT 2026 is a 3-hour test with 150 questions for 300 marks — each question carries 2 marks.
• The paper has 2 sections: Section A (General Studies — 50 questions, 100 marks) and Section B (Subject-Specific — 100 questions, 200 marks).
• Correct answer earns +2 marks; a wrong answer deducts 0.5 mark in PGAT-I and PGAT-II.
• The LLB programme has a separate 2-hour exam with 3 parts and no negative marking — attempt all questions.
• PGAT-I is available in both online (CBT) and offline (OMR) modes; PGAT-II is online only.
• Section B carries 200 out of 300 marks — strong subject knowledge is your primary score driver.
• The PGAT 2026 exam is scheduled for June 15–18, 2026; the admit card is expected to be released shortly before the exam.

Allahabad University PGAT Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

Allahabad University PGAT 2026 is a fully objective (MCQ-based) test — no descriptive or subjective questions appear in any programme’s paper. The exam covers general studies knowledge in Section A and programme-specific subject knowledge in Section B. PGAT-I covers conventional PG programmes (MA, M.Sc, M.Com) while PGAT-II covers professional programmes (MBA, B.Ed, M.P.Ed, MFA, Mass Communication). The LLB programme uses a separate three-part structure with a different duration and no negative marking.

Allahabad University PGAT 2026 is a 150-question, 300-mark MCQ exam — Section B accounts for 200 marks and determines your subject-specific score.

Allahabad University PGAT 2026: Important Dates

The PGAT 2026 exam is scheduled for June 15–18, 2026 — just days away from today (June 8, 2026). You should confirm your admit card and exam centre details from the official portal without delay. Upcoming events are listed first below, followed by completed milestones.

Source: University of Allahabad — PG Admission 2026-27

Allahabad University PGAT 2026: Detailed Exam Pattern

The Allahabad University PGAT 2026 paper follows a two-section structure for PGAT-I and PGAT-II. Section A (General Studies) is compulsory for all students and is identical across all programme types, while Section B is entirely subject-specific and varies based on the postgraduate programme you are applying to. The LLB programme follows a distinct three-part paper of shorter duration.

PGAT-I and PGAT-II: Section-Wise Pattern

Note: Both sections are compulsory — there is no internal choice. You must attempt all 150 questions. No per-section time limit applies; you manage the full 180 minutes across both sections.

LLB Programme: Part-Wise Pattern

Note: The LLB exam has no negative marking — you should attempt all 150 questions without fear of penalty for wrong answers.

Allahabad University PGAT Marking Scheme 2026

Allahabad University PGAT 2026 uses a differential marking scheme depending on the programme type. Students appearing for PGAT-I (conventional PG) and PGAT-II (professional PG) face a penalty of 0.5 marks for every wrong MCQ response, making strategic skipping important. LLB aspirants face no such deduction and should attempt every question.

Negative marking of 0.5 marks applies to all MCQs in PGAT-I and PGAT-II — avoid random guessing when you are unsure.

There is no negative marking for the LLB programme — attempt all 150 questions to maximise your score.

You need a minimum of 33% marks (99 out of 300) to qualify in Allahabad University PGAT 2026 and be eligible for the merit list.

Allahabad University PGAT Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2026

Section A of PGAT 2026 tests general knowledge and aptitude and is common across all programmes. Section B is entirely programme-specific — the subjects you answer depend on the postgraduate programme you are applying for. You do not mix subjects from different streams in Section B.

Section A: General Studies Topics (Common for All — 50 Questions, 100 Marks)

Section B: Arts Stream (100 Questions, 200 Marks)

Section B: Science Stream (100 Questions, 200 Marks)

Section B: Commerce Stream (100 Questions, 200 Marks)

LLB Programme: Part-Wise Subject Distribution (150 Questions, 300 Marks)

Allahabad University PGAT Question Types 2026

All questions in Allahabad University PGAT 2026 are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with four answer options. You must select the single correct option — there are no multi-select, numerical/integer, descriptive, or assertion-reason questions in any PGAT paper.

• All 150 questions follow the MCQ format — there are no descriptive, numerical, or passage-based multi-question sets.
• Each question offers 4 options with exactly 1 correct answer.
• In CBT mode, you can use the on-screen question palette to flag questions for review and return to them before final submission.
• In OMR mode (available for PGAT-I), darken the correct bubble carefully — overwriting or double-marking can cause scanning errors and loss of marks.
• No optional questions exist — all 150 questions from both sections (or all three parts for LLB) are compulsory.

Allahabad University PGAT Exam Pattern: Changes in 2026 vs Previous Year

Allahabad University PGAT 2026 maintains the same structural framework as in 2025. No changes in the total number of questions, total marks, section structure, or marking scheme have been officially notified for 2026. The two-section format (Section A + Section B) for PGAT-I and PGAT-II, and the three-part LLB structure, remain unchanged. The registration portal URL was updated for the new cycle.

How to Prepare Based on Allahabad University PGAT Exam Pattern

The PGAT 2026 pattern gives you a clear roadmap for preparation. Section B (200 marks) is your primary score driver — deep subject knowledge here separates merit-list qualifiers from the rest. With the exam on June 15–18, 2026, these pattern-derived tips are focused on last-minute, high-impact revision.

1. Concentrate on Section B first: Section B carries 200 of 300 marks (67%). If you are short on time, prioritise your subject-specific topics — this is where most of your score comes from.
2. Revise Section A systematically: General Studies contributes 100 marks and rewards consistent preparation. Current affairs, logical reasoning, and English comprehension can be revised quickly and deliver reliable marks across all programme types.
3. Pace yourself at 72 seconds per question: With 150 questions in 180 minutes, you have just over a minute per question. Practice timed MCQ sets to build the speed and accuracy needed to finish the full paper comfortably.
4. Apply strategic skipping in PGAT-I and PGAT-II: A wrong answer costs 0.5 marks. If you are genuinely unsure, skip and move on — unattempted questions are safer than incorrect ones when the probability of guessing right is low.
5. LLB students: attempt every question: There is no negative marking in the LLB exam. Even an educated guess carries no downside — maximise your score by responding to all 150 questions.
6. OMR mode checklist (PGAT-I offline students): Carry a black or blue ballpoint pen as specified. Darken one bubble fully per question — stray marks, double-bubbling, or erasing can invalidate a response during scanning.
7. CBT mode strategy: Use the on-screen question palette to mark difficult questions for review. Attempt the questions you know confidently first, then return to flagged ones with remaining time before final submission.