GATE Total Marks for CSE 2026 is a total of 100 marks, consisting of 65 questions. It includes 10 questions from General Aptitude (15 marks) and 55 questions from the core Computer Science subject (85 marks). The GATE CSE exam pattern contains MCQs that will be 1 or 2 marks, MSQs that will be 2 marks, and NAT questions that will be 1 or 2 marks.
| Section | Total Questions | Marking Per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 10 (NAT / MSQ / MCQ) | 1 or 2 | 15 |
| Computer Science and Engineering | 25 (NAT / MCQ) and 30 (NAT / MSQ) | 1 and 2 | 85 (25 + 60) |
| Total | 65 | 100 |
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Key Summary
- The GATE Exam total marks for CSE 2026 for CSE is 100.
- The GATE CSE 2026 is a 3-hour paper that has no sectional time limits, and the students can approach all sections freely.
- The paper will have Multiple Choice Questions, MSQs and Numerical Answer Type questions.
- The General Aptitude section has 15 marks, and the Computer Science subjects and the Engineering Mathematics add up to 85 marks.
- The GATE CSE topic weightage would be beneficial in understanding where to focus your preparation and achieve a high score.
- The qualifying cutoff is normally 25-35 marks out of 100 in the general category for most engineering streams.
GATE CSE Subject Wise Weightage 2026: Previous Year Analysis
By understanding the GATE CSE subject-wise weightage, previous year’s analysis, students can prepare for the GATE Exam 2026 and focus on the maximum weightage topics. This will help them to achieve a good score out of 100, which is the GATE Exam total marks for CSE.
GATE CSE Subject-wise weightage 2025
| Subjects | Weightage (Marks/%) |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 14-15% |
| Engineering Mathematics | 6-13% |
| Digital Logic | 5-6% |
| Computer Organization and Architecture | 8-12% |
| Discrete Mathematics | 6-9% |
| Programming and Data Structures | 13-15% |
| Algorithms | 5-7% |
| Theory of Computation | 6-8% |
| Compiler Design | 4-5% |
| Operating Systems | 9-10% |
| DBMS (Databases) | 7-8 |
GATE CSE Subject-wise weightage 2024
| Subjects | Weightage (Marks/%) |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 14-15% |
| Engineering Mathematics | 6-7% |
| Digital Logic | 5% |
| Computer Organization | 12% |
| Discrete Mathematics & Graph Theory | 9% |
| Programming & Data Structures | 13% |
| Design & Analysis of Algorithms | 5% |
| Theory of Computation | 8% |
| Compiler Design | 5% |
| Operating Systems | 9% |
| DBMS | 7% |
| Computer Networks | 7% |
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What will be the Validity of GATE Score?Most Scoring Topics and Chapters in GATE CSE 2026 Papers
To good score out of the GATE Exam total marks for CSE, students need to know about the most scoring topics and chapters in the GATE CSE 2026 Papers. The table below provides the previous year's weightage (Number of Questions) of important topics for GATE CSE.
| Topics | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algorithms | 6 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| Data Structures and Programming | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Computer Organization | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Digital Logic | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Computer Network | 4 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Theory of Computation | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Databases | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Compiler Design | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Operating Systems | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Discrete Mathematics | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Engineering Mathematics | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| General Aptitude | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
What is the GATE 2026 Exam Syllabus?
The GATE CSE syllabus is divided into basic and advanced areas of computer science. The main subjects are programming, data structure, algorithms, computer organisation, operating systems, databases, computer networks and software engineering. Mathematical backgrounds include discrete mathematics, linear algebra, and probability theory.
Machine learning, artificial intelligence, theory of computation and compiler design are advanced subjects. Students should deeply grasp every topic because questions may include simple concepts up to complex problem-solving situations. The curriculum is detailed in nature and needs a systematic preparation, which takes months.
GATE CSE Marking Scheme 2026
| Question Type | Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) - 1 mark | +1 | -1/3 |
| Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) - 2 marks | +2 | -2/3 |
| Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) | +2 | No negative marking |
| Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions | +1 or +2 | No negative marking |
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GATE CS Exam Pattern 2026GATE 2026 Exam Preparation Strategy
GATE CSE 2026 exam preparation has to be strategic, with a focus on the topics of high weightage. Computer science subjects must be taken very seriously because they account for 85 percent of the GATE exam total marks for CSE.
- General Aptitude often determines the qualifying status for many candidates. This section covers verbal ability, numerical ability, and reasoning skills.
- To prepare well, the students are expected to solve past paper questions of every section of the year.
- Mock tests will assist in getting used to the real exam situation and the time problems.
- Avoid memorising learning and concentrate more on the concept understanding, as GATE takes the application-based questions.
Quick Links:
GATE Books for Computer Science (CSE)
| Book Name | Author | Price | Buy Book Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algorithms | Cormen | INR 801 | Buy Here |
| Operating System | Galvin | INR 865 | Buy Here |
| Computer Networks | Tanenbaum | INR 770 | Buy Here |
| Computer Organisation | Carl Hamacher | INR 653 | Buy Here |
| Database System | Korth | INR 681 | Buy Here |
| Compiler Design | Aho & Ull Man | INR 344 | Buy Here |
| Digital Logic | Morris Mano | INR 640 | Buy Here |
| Software Engineering | Pressman | INR 876 | Buy Here |
Read More:
GATE Books 2026 PDF DownloadGATE Exam total marks for CSE FAQS
Ques. What is the total score of the CSE GATE exam?
Ans. Every given GATE 2026 paper has a total of 100 marks, with a specified division of marks by sections.
- Each of the 30 GATE papers has the same pattern of 100 marks.
- The duration remains 3 hours for all papers regardless of the discipline.
- General Aptitude is allocated 15 marks, and technical subjects 85 marks.
Ques. What is the rank of 40 marks in GATE CSE?
Ans. A typical 40 score has a rank that ranges between 5000-15000 relative to the difficulty of the exam. This mark will be 80-85 percentile.
- The precise rank depends on the entire performance of all the candidates on an annual basis.
- The students graded 40 marks usually gain admission to multiple NITs and state universities.
- Private institutions and some specialised programs accept candidates with this score range.
Ques. What are 750 marks in GATE CSE?
Ans. GATE CSE follows a normalised scoring model in which a good score is 750. This typically corresponds to 60-65 raw marks out of 100, depending on exam difficulty and normalisation.
- GATE score is calculated using a normalisation formula considering session difficulty and average performance.
- A score of 750 generally ensures admission to decent NITs and several IIITs.
- The computer science programs in the top IITs usually need an average of above 800-900 score.
Ques. What is the rank for 70 marks in GATE CSE?
Ans. The student with the 70 marks credentials usually gets ranks between 50-200 in GATE CSE. This performance usually places them in the 98+ percentile category.
- Such scores open opportunities in top NITs and several IIT programs.
- Many PSU companies prefer candidates with 70+ marks for recruitment.
- Research opportunities and fellowships become accessible with this performance level.
Ques. Is GATE tougher than JEE?
Ans. GATE and JEE differ in their patterns of difficulty and can not be directly compared. GATE is more oriented towards deep knowledge of engineering principles, whereas JEE is more oriented towards swiftness and correctness of problem solving.
- GATE involves an understanding of 4 4-year of undergraduate engineering curriculum.
- The JEE is a highly competitive competition and encompasses 12th standard physics, chemistry and mathematics.
- GATE does not have an age limit, and multiple attempts can be made, whereas JEE has a limit of attempts.
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