GATE Exam Pattern for CSE 2024: IISc Bangalore has released GATE Exam Pattern for CSE on its official website gate2024.iisc.ac.in. GATE Exam Pattern for CSE consists of 65 questions. The question types include - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), and Numerical Answer type Questions (NAT) like other GATE papers.
Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is considered one of the toughest papers in GATE. This subject is also among the most popular choices for students appearing for the GATE exam. Every year, around 1.5 lakh candidates appear specifically for GATE CSE exam making it more challenging.
GATE CSE total marks are 100 with 1 or 2 marks awarded for each correct answer. There is also a negative marking of ⅓ marks in 1 mark questions and ⅔ in 2 mark questions. Check GATE 2024 CSE Marking Scheme
About 72% weightage (of the total marks) is given to GATE CSE Core syllabus, 15% to General Aptitude, and 13% to Engineering Mathematics. You will get questions from 11 major sections - General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, Computer Organization and Architecture, Digital Logic, Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Programming and Data Structures, Operating System, Compiler Design, Databases, and Computer Networks. Check GATE 2024 CSE Syllabus
Candidates appearing for GATE CSE paper can also choose to appear for Mathematics (MA) as their second paper. GATE 2024 Exam Date is February 3, 4, 10, and 11.
Ques. What is the format of CSE GATE exam?
Ans. GATE CSE exam will be conducted for a total of 100 marks containing 65 questions. The questions will be one of the three types - MCQ, MSQ, and NAT. Students will get 1 or 2 marks for each correct answer while there will be negative marking for wrong answers.
Ques. What is a good GATE score for CSE?
Ans. A score above 80 is considered to be a good GATE score for CSE. Between a score of 75-80, students will get a rank from 10 to 50.
Ques. Is GATE exam for CSE tough?
Ans. Yes, GATE CSE exam is one of the toughest papers in GATE. Candidates need to prepare well and practice as many questions as they can to score good marks in GATE CSE paper.
Candidates appearing for GATE CSE Exam must check the article below to know detailed subject-wise weightage and marking scheme.
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GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024: Highlights
The key highlights of GATE CSE 2024 Exam Pattern are given below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online - Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Nature of Questions | MCQ – Multiple Choice Questions, MSQ – Multiple Select Questions, NAT – Numerical Answer Type |
| Number of Questions | 65 Questions |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks |
| Marks Awarded | 1 or 2 marks per correct answer |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd Mark will be deducted for 1 mark question; 2/3rd Mark will be deducted for 2 marks question |
| Medium | English |
GATE CSE Marking Scheme 2024
Candidates appearing for GATE 2024 CSE Exam can check the marking scheme below:
- The paper is of 100 marks and the total number of questions is 65.
- The language of the paper is English.
- MCQs (1 Marks) – For each right answer; 1/3 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
- MCQs (2 Marks) – For each right answer; 2/3 marks will be deducted for each of the wrong answers.
- NAT – There is no negative checking for Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
- MSQ – There is no negative marking for a wrong answer in MSQ questions. However, there are no partial marks awarded for choosing partially correct combinations of choices or any single wrong choice
Here is the table for the summarised section-wise distribution of marks for GATE CSE 2024 -
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering | 25 (MCQ/NAT) | 1 | 25 |
| 30 (MSQ/NAT) | 2 | 60 | |
| General Aptitude | 10 (NAT/MCQ/MCQ) | 1 or 2 | 15 |
| Total | 65 | - | 100 |
GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024: Section-Wise Weightage
With over 10 sections including complex topics like Algorithms, Data logic, Discrete Mathematics, Compiler Design and others, GATE CSE Syllabus definitely requires a long preparation duration of over 8 months to be completed in full. Students can reduce this period significantly by focusing solely on the topics with high weightage in the GATE Exam. A list of topic-wise weightage for each section is tabulated below.
Section 1: General Aptitude
| Section | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical Ability | Numerical Computation | 8 |
| Numerical Estimation | ||
| Numerical Reasoning and DATA Interpretation | ||
| Verbal Ability | English Grammar | 10 |
| Sentence Completion | ||
| Verbal Analogies | ||
| Word Groups | ||
| Instructions | ||
| Critical Reasoning and Verbal Deduction |
Section 2: Engineering Mathematics
There are two subjects under Engineering Mathematics – Discrete Mathematics and Engineering Mathematics.
Discrete Mathematics
| Subject | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Discrete Mathematics | Propositional and first-order logic | 10 |
| Sets, Relations | ||
| Functions | ||
| Partial Orders and lattices | ||
| Groups | ||
| Graphs: connectivity, matching, colouring | ||
| Combinators: counting, recurrence, relations, generating functions |
Engineering Mathematics
| Subject | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | Matrices | 6 |
| Determinants | ||
| The system of linear equations | ||
| Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors, LU decomposition | ||
| Limits | ||
| Continuity and differentiability | ||
| Maxima and Minima | ||
| Mean, Median, Mode & Standard deviation | ||
| Mean value theorem | ||
| Integration | ||
| Conditional Probability and Bayes Theorem | ||
| Uniform, Normal, Exponential, Poisson and Binomial Distributions |
Section 3: Computer Science Subjects
Computer Science focuses on 9 major topics. Candidates can check the marks weightage for each topic below.
Digital Logic
| Section | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Logic | Number Representation and Computer arithmetic (fixed & floating point) | 7 |
| Combinational and Sequential circuits | ||
| Boolean Algebra | ||
| Minimization |
Computer Organization and Architecture
| Section | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Organization and Architecture | Machine instructions and addressing modes | 5 |
| ALU | ||
| Data path and control unit | ||
| Instruction Pipelining | ||
| Memory Hierarchy: cache | ||
| Main Memory | ||
| Secondary Storage | ||
| I/O interface( Interrupt and DMA) |
Programming and Data Structure
| Section | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Programming and Data structure | Programming C | 15 |
| Recursion | ||
| Boolean Algebra | ||
| Arrays | ||
| Stacks | ||
| Linked List | ||
| Queues | ||
| Binary Heaps | ||
| Graphs | ||
| Trees | ||
| Binary search trees |
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Algorithms
| Section | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Algorithms | Searching, sorting & hashing | 5 |
| Asymptotic worst-case time and space complexity | ||
| Algorithm design techniques: greedy, dynamic programming and divide-and-conquer | ||
| Minimum spanning trees | ||
| Graph search | ||
| Shortest Paths |
Theory of Computation
| Section | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Theory of Computation | Regular expressions and finite automata | 6 |
| Context-free grammars and pushdown automata | ||
| Regular and context-free languages | ||
| Pumping Lemma | ||
| Turing Machines | ||
| Undecidability |
Compiler Design
| Section | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Compiler Design | Lexical analysis | 5 |
| Parsing | ||
| Syntax-directed translation | ||
| Runtime Environments | ||
| Intermediate code |
Operating Systems
| Section | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Processes | 8 |
| Thread | ||
| Inter-process communication | ||
| Deadlock | ||
| Concurrency and synchronization | ||
| CPU Scheduling | ||
| Memory management and virtual memory | ||
| File systems |
Database
| Section | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Database | ER-Model | 9 |
| Relational Model: Relational algebra, tuple, calculus, SQL | ||
| Integrity constraints, normal forms | ||
| File organization, indexing (e.g. B and B+ trees) | ||
| Transactions and concurrency control |
Computer Networks
| Section | Topics | Average Weightage of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Networks | Concept of Layering | 9 |
| LAN technologies (Ethernet) | ||
| IPv4/IPv6, routers, and routing algorithms (distance vector, link state) | ||
| TCP/UDP and sockets, congestion control | ||
| Application layer protocols (DNS, SMTP, POP, FTP, HTTP) | ||
| Basics of WiFi | ||
| Network Security: authentication, basics of public key cryptography, digital signatures and certificates, firewalls |
GATE CSE 2024 Expected Subject-Wise Weightage
Here is a table containing the expected subject-wise weightage for GATE 2024 CSE Exam:
| Subject | Expected Weightage |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15% |
| Engineering Mathematics | 5% |
| Computer Organization | 11% |
| Operating System | 10% |
| DBMS | 8% |
| Compiler Design | 4% |
| Computer Network | 6% |
| Design and Analysis Algorithms | 6% |
| Digital Logic | 4% |
| Discrete Mathematics and Graph Theory | 10% |
| Programming and Data Structure | 12% |
| Theory of Computation | 9% |
Check GATE Computer Science Paper Analysis
GATE CSE Previous Year Paper Analysis
The data presented above regarding the weightage of sections has been compiled by the detailed Paper Analysis of the previous years’ question papers. However the data from each year's question paper also has other uses than estimating the ‘general average weightage of sections’, it can also show us the trends of weightage from different sections over the years. Therefore, we have also provided a brief analysis of the previous year’s question papers below.
GATE CSE 2023 Paper Analysis
| Topics | Number of Questions in the Exam |
|---|---|
| Algorithms | 4 |
| Digital Logic | 6 |
| Computer Network | 5 |
| Data Structure and Programming | 6 |
| Computer Organization | 5 |
| Theory of Computation | 6 |
| Databases | 3 |
| Compiler Design | 4 |
| Operating Systems | 6 |
| Discrete Mathematics | 5 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 5 |
| General Aptitude | 10 |
GATE CSE 2022 Paper Analysis
| Topics | Number of Questions in the Exam |
|---|---|
| Algorithms | 6 |
| Digital Logic | 3 |
| Computer Network | 7 |
| Data Structure and Programming | 6 |
| Computer Organization | 5 |
| Theory of Computation | 6 |
| Databases | 5 |
| Compiler Design | 3 |
| Operating Systems | 4 |
| Discrete Mathematics | 6 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 4 |
| General Aptitude | 10 |
GATE CSE 2021 Paper Analysis
| Topics | Number of Questions in the Exam |
|---|---|
| Algorithms | 4 |
| Digital Logic | 3 |
| Computer Network | 4 |
| Data Structure | 2 |
| Computer Organisations | 6 |
| Theory of Computation | 6 |
| Databases | 7 |
| Compiler Design | 4 |
| Operating Systems | 6 |
| Discrete Mathematics | 5 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 8 |
| General Aptitude | 10 |
Previous Years Analysis for GATE CSE: Weightage of Topics (2012-20)
| SUBJECTS | GATE 2012 | GATE 2013 | GATE 2014 | GATE 2015 | GATE 2016 | GATE 2017 | GATE 2018 | GATE 2019 | GATE 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics* | 17% | 12% | 21% | 17% | 13.75% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 5% |
| Discrete Mathematics & Graph Theory | 11% | 10% | 12.7% | 11% | 4.5% | 7% | 11% | 5% | 10% |
| Design & Analysis Algorithms | 9% | 8% | 9% | 8.5% | 9.75% | 6.5% | 7% | 7% | 6% |
| Programming & Data Structure | 18% | 17% | 12% | 16% | 9.75% | 13.5% | 11% | 10% | 12% |
| Digital Logic | 5% | 4% | 6% | 7% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 9% | 4% |
| Computer Organization* | 5% | 11% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 9% | 11% | 3% | 8% |
| Theory Of Computation | 4% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 8.25% | 9.5% | 7% | 8% | 10% |
| Compiler design | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3.5% | 4% | 6% | 6% | 4% |
| Operating Systems* | 8% | 11% | 8% | 8% | 15.5% | 9% | 9% | 11% | 9% |
| DBMS* | 12% | 8% | 8% | 6% | 5.75% | 6% | 5% | 8% | 8% |
| Computer Networks | 9% | 7% | 8% | 8% | 10% | 7.5% | 7% | 11% | 9% |
Must Read:
GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024: Sample Questions from Major Topics
Given below are the 1 & 2 Mark Questions from GATE CS previous years’ papers with solution:
- Ques. What is the worst-case time complexity of inserting n2 elements into an AVL-tree with n elements initially?
Answer. Θ(n2 log n)
Explanation: Since the AVL tree is a balanced tree, the height is O(log n). So, time complexity to insert an element in an AVL tree is O(log n) in the worst case.
- Ques. A processor has 64 registers and uses a 16-bit instruction format. It has two types of instructions: I-type and R-type. Each I-type instruction contains an opcode, a registered name, and a 4-bit immediate value. Each R-type instruction contains an opcode and two register names. If there are 8 distinct I-type opcodes, then the maximum number of distinct R-type opcodes is _______.
Answer: 14 (Note – This question was Numerical Type.)
- Ques. Consider a database implemented using a B+ tree for file indexing and installed on a disk drive with a block size of 4 KB. The size of the search key is 12 bytes and the size of the tree/disk pointer is 8 bytes. Assume that the database has one million records. Also, assume that no node of the B+ tree and no records are present initially in the main memory. Consider that each record fits into one disk block. The minimum number of disk accesses required to retrieve any record in the database is ___________?
Answer: 4 (Note – This question was Numerical Type)
- Ques. Raman is confident of speaking English _______ six months as he has been practicing regularly _______ the last three weeks.
Answer: within, for
Download GATE Computer Science Practice Paper
GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024: Important Instructions For Candidates
Provided below are some important instructions for the candidates appearing for GATE 2024 CSE paper:
- To be on the safer side, try to reach the test center an hour before the exam.
- Do not take any prohibited items such as mobile, notes, electronic watches, etc. inside the test center. In case one does carry them inside by mistake, promptly deposit them at the exam center itself. A candidate will be outright banned from taking the GATE Exam if found in possession of such items after the exam has begun.
- After taking your appointed seat do check that the computer allotted is working fine. Reach out to the administration quickly if there is any problem in the system.
- Make sure that one has occupied his allotted seat by confirming his photograph which will be displayed on the allotted system.
- Do read the important instructions before the exam to get an idea of the marking and pattern.
- Do write GATE registration number on the rough/scribble pad provided.
Must Read:
GATE CSE 2024 Exam Pattern FAQs
Ques. Are there any changes in GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024?
Ans. No. There are no changes in the marking scheme, weightage of sections, total number of questions, etc. The only change in the exam pattern is that from this year candidates can sit for a maximum of two papers.
Ques. How many sections are there in GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024 and what is the weightage of each section?
Ans. There are three sections in the GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024:
- General Aptitude
- Engineering Mathematics
- Core subject syllabus
General Aptitude carries 15% of the total marks, Engineering Mathematics carries 13% of the total marks, and Computer Science Subject Questions carries 72% of the total marks.
Ques. Will there be any negative marking as per GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024?
Ans. Yes. For wrong answers, marks will be deducted depending on the total marks of that question.
The marking scheme is given below:
| Type of Question | Negative Marking for Wrong Answer | Marking for Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|
| MCQs |
| +1 or 2 marks |
| MSQs, NATs | No negative marking | +1 or 2 marks |
Ques. What is the standard duration of the exam as per GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024?
Ans. The duration of the exam is 3 hours. No extra time would be allotted to any candidate under any circumstances even if the candidate manages to acquire permission for delayed entry into the examination hall.
Ques. Many questions would be asked from the General Aptitude section in the exam as per GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024?
Ans. 10 Questions will be asked from the General Aptitude section comprising 15 marks in total. The rest of the 55 questions and 85 marks would be from Core CSE subjects and Engineering Mathematics.
Ques. How many 1 mark and 2 mark questions would be asked in the exam as per the GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024?
Ans. The table below details the 1 and 2 marks questions asked in the GATE exam:
| Section | Marks per Question | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Engineering | 1 | 25 (MCQ/NAT) |
| 2 | 30 (MSQ/NAT) | |
| General Aptitude | 1 or 2 | 5 |
| Total | - | 65 |
Ques. How many questions from Theory of Computation are asked in the exam as per the GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024?
Ans. There is no official statement/ provision regarding the inclusion of a set number of questions from a particular topic. Only 10 questions are to be asked from the General Aptitude section and the rest 55 Questions can be asked from any topic in the GATE CSE Syllabus. However, through the Computer Science Paper Analysis we are able to determine that Questions of 4-6 marks from Theory of Computation are asked in the paper each year.
Ques. How many questions from Digital logic are asked in the exam according to GATE CSE Exam Pattern 2024?
Ans. There is no official statement/ provision regarding the inclusion of a set number of questions from a particular topic. Only 10 questions are to be asked from the General Aptitude section and the rest 55 Questions can be asked from any topic in the GATE CSE Syllabus. However, through the Computer Science Paper Analysis we are able to determine that Questions of 4-7 marks from Discrete mathematics are asked in the paper each year.
Ques. Does the CSE Exam Pattern 2024 have provisions for undertaking the exam in Hindi?
Ans. No. GATE exam is carried out in English language only. There is simply no provision for carrying out GATE in Hindi or any other regional language- Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, etc. Since English is the medium of instruction across several engineering institutes, any applicant even slightly familiar with the language would not face any problem in comprehending the questions.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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