In the GATE exam, achieving a score of 600 generally equates to obtaining raw marks between 50 and 60 out of 100. However, this isn't a fixed figure since the GATE score is a normalized value out of 1000.
- The GATE Score of 600 facilitates admission into M.Tech/MS programs at reputed institutions like NIT Jalandhar, Calicut, and several IITs.
- If you score 600 points or more, you are eligible to apply for most Master of Technology programs at the top NITs in core engineering disciplines, as well as many other master’s in technology programs at IITs, including IIT Delhi and IIT Mumbai.
- Candidates with scores of 600 or higher may receive interview calls from specific Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
Since GATE is scaled and normalised adaptively, the number of marks required for scoring 600 will change each year based on the total marks and the relative ease or difficulty of the paper.
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Key Summary
- Branch – You may require higher marks to score, say, 600 points, in a popular branch like, for instance, computer science or mechanical engineering, than you would to score 600 points in a less popular area of study.
- Difficulty – For example, if the examination is very hard, you will score 600 with low marks as well.
- An average score for all candidates from the top 0.10% of people will help determine what is required to have a score of, for example, 600 points.
Also Read: Predict your admission chances at IITs and NITs with a 600 GATE 2026 score
Understanding Your GATE Score: What 600 Means for Your Career
Scoring 600 in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) can be a great achievement for many aspiring candidates. This is because:
- A score of 600 represents a transition from being a qualified candidate to being a competitive one for getting admission into the top NITs and specialised courses at IITs.
- Scoring 600 in GATE does not mean that you are one of the best candidates, but it indicates a good understanding of the engineering basics.
- IITs usually demand 725+ scores (AIR < 1000). NITs accept candidates in the 600–650 range. For PSUs, 800+ scores are often required.
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Ques: Is the GATE score of 600 good?
Ans: A GATE score of 600 is considered good. Top IITs often require scores of 700–750 (AIR < 800). For NITs, scores between 600 and 650 are usually competitive. PSU cutoffs can go as high as 750–780+. So you have chances of admission with a GATE score of 600.
Ques: What is a good GATE score?
Ans: The GATE Rank vs Marks as per the previous year trend analysis are:
| Marks Range (Out of 100) | Expected Rank Range | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|
| 80 – 85+ | 1 – 50 | Exceptional (Topper Range) |
| 70 – 79 | 50 – 200 | Excellent (IIT Calls Likely) |
| 60 – 69 | 200 – 800 | Very Good (NIT, Top PSUs) |
| 50 – 59 | 800 – 2000 | Good (Mid-NITs, Private PSUs) |
GATE Score 600: Raw Marks Breakdown
A raw score of 50 to 60 marks out of 100 is equivalent to a score of 600. However, since GATE follows a normalized scaling mechanism, the marks required to obtain 600 change every year based on the performance of the topper and the difficulty level of the paper.
- Computer Science (CSE): generally requires between 52 and 58 marks.
- Electronics & Communication (ECE): generally falls somewhere in the 50 to 55 mark range.
- Mechanical Engineering (ME): It falls under the marks 55 to 62, depending on how easy or hard the paper was that year.
- Civil Engineering (CE): Usually falls between 54 and 60 marks.
- Electrical Engineering (EE): Generally falls in the 52 to 58 mark band.
Also Check: What will be the GATE 2026 Expected Cutoff for Top Branches
GATE Score 600: How Many Marks Can You Expect in 2026?
The GATE score of 600 is expected to be equivalent to a raw score of 45 to 60 out of 100 in 2026, depending on the discipline/branch. The exact marks required depend on the difficulty level of the paper and the performance of the top 0.1% of candidates in that particular year, since the GATE score is a normalized score out of 1000.
| Engineering Branch | Expected Marks (out of 100) | Approximate AIR (General) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science (CSE) | 43 - 50 | 1000 - 2,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 45 - 52 | 800 - 1,500 |
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 55 - 63 | 1,500 - 2,500 |
| Electronics (ECE) | 52 - 58 | 1000 - 1,800 |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 54 - 60 | 1,500 - 2,500 |

These bands are indicative, based on past marks‑vs‑score and marks‑vs‑rank trends for GATE; actual 2026 values will depend on that year’s difficulty, topper marks, and cutoffs.
Also Check:
- GATE Score Calculation 2026, Formula, Calculation Method, Normalization, Marks vs Score vs Rank
- GATE 2026 Score Validity: Check for M.Tech Admission at IIT and NIT, PSU, and Government Jobs
Ques: Is GATE harder than IIT?
Ans: IIT JEE (especially Advanced) is generally considered tougher than GATE due to its vast syllabus for younger students, immense competition, and focus on tricky, foundational concepts.
- GATE is tougher in its depth, requiring advanced, applied knowledge at the graduate level for specialized M.Tech/PSU paths.
- JEE tests broad school-level knowledge, while GATE tests deep, specialized engineering/ science skills.
What You Can Do with a 600 GATE Score?
With a GATE score of 600, you are considered great for any academic or professional opportunities in the field of engineering. This is a highly competitive score, which is equal to raw scores ranging from 45-60 out of 100. A score of 600 is seen as a good to very good score, which will help you get into several top-notch colleges:
- IITs: Very bright prospects for M.Tech admission in new IITs (such as IIT Palakkad, IIT Tirupati, and IIT Jammu) and specialised or interdisciplinary streams in mid-tier IITs (such as IIT Indore, IIT Ropar, etc.).
- NITs: Bright prospects for core branches in top-tier NITs like NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, and NIT Surathkal.
- PSUs: Although top-tier PSUs (such as ONGC or IOCL) demand scores of 750-800 or more in the General category, a score of 600 may be adequate for interviews in smaller PSUs or in the reserved categories (OBC/SC/ST).
- IIITs: Extremely bright prospects for admission to top IIITs like IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Bangalore, and IIIT Delhi.
With a GATE score of 600, students can be admitted to a number of colleges. In order to be admitted, individuals must ensure that they meet the GATE cutoff for each category in 2026. Through the GATE 2026 COAP portal, eligible students will have the opportunity to choose their seats.
GATE Score of 600: Student Opinions
Students might wonder What can I do with a GATE score of 600?
Another user, Sourabh Jain, said: You may get call for MS & Ph.d. in some of Old IITs ( there are less chances as scenario changes every year but still keep hopes).
We have also received multiple queries like: What should be the marks out of 100 to get a 600 score in GATE for mtech?
As per Quora: There is no fixed marks-to-score mapping: GATE score is computed from normalized marks using a formula and varies by paper difficulty, session and cohort performance.
Another user, Shashwat Omar: So, as you see there is no definite way to calculate how many marks one should get to score above 600 score. It depends on the difficulty level of GATE exam of that year and how the other students performed.
List of colleges that accept a 600 Gate Score.
A GATE score of 600 is a very solid "mid-range" score. While it might be challenging to get into the most competitive branches (like Computer Science) at the top 3 IITs, it puts you in a strong position for top-tier NITs, newer IITs, and specialised programs at older IITs.
Here is a breakdown of the colleges and branches where a score of around 600 is typically competitive.
| Type | Key Institutes | Sample Programs |
|---|---|---|
| IITs | IIT Delhi IIT Bombay IIT Kharagpur IIT Madras |
Env/Industrial Engg, Water/Earth Sci, Entrepreneurship, Ocean Engg |
| IITs | IIT Roorkee IIT Hyderabad IIT Guwahati |
Metallurgy/Hydrology, Biomedical, Water/Food Sci |
| Top NITs | NIT Trichy NIT Surathkal NIT Warangal NIT Calicut |
Energy/Safety, Metallurgy, Power Systems, Transportation |
| Mid NITs | NIT Jaipur NIT Allahabad NIT Delhi NIT Rourkela |
VLSI/Power, Geotech/Signal, CSE/VLSI, Materials/Comm |
| IIITs/GFTIs | IIIT Allahabad IIIT Lucknow IIIT Gwalior DTU/PEC |
Bioinfo/Microelec, CSE (~600), VLSI, Mech/Civil/CS |
| Private/State | BITS Pilani, Jadavpur, COEP, Anna Univ, CUSAT | Higher Degree programs, various specializations |
Ques. How long is my 600 score valid?
- For M.Tech/Ph.D. Admission: The scorecard is valid for 3 years from the date of result declaration.
- For PSU Recruitment: Most PSUs only accept the current year's score (valid for 1 year).
Ques. Which IITs/NITs for 600 (General)?
Ans. Newer IITs core branches, older IITs interdisciplinary (e.g., IIT Delhi Env Engg); top NITs like Trichy Energy, Surathkal Metallurgy.





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