The GATE total marks is 100 for all 30 subjects. Out of 100 marks, General Aptitude (GA) is allocated 15 marks, and the remaining 85 marks are for the subject-specific questions.
Usually, GA constitutes 15 marks, Engineering Mathematics 13 marks, and Subject Questions 72 marks. But for papers like AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL, marks for Engineering Mathematics do not exist, while the subject section is for 85 marks. Therefore, a clear distribution of the GATE total marks would help candidates plan their study schedule accordingly and maximise scoring potential.
- For each GATE paper, total marks are fixed at 100, irrespective of the subject.
- Marks allocated vary little between technical and non-technical papers based on subject weightage.
Candidates must analyse the marks distribution pattern for their chosen paper, then draw a study plan. Giving weightage priority to the highest sections increases the chance of scoring in the GATE total marks framework.
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GATE Exam Pattern: Total Marks Distribution
The GATE 2026 exam pattern will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT) with a total time of 3 hours allotted. The GATE Exam has a total of 30 papers, and each paper will have GATE total marks 100.
Each paper will have the following two sections: (1) General Aptitude (GA) and (2) the subject chosen by a candidate.
- Each paper includes different types of questions, i.e., MCQs, MSQs, and NATs, where negative markings are applied only in the MCQ section.
- In most of the papers, the marks of GA, Engineering Mathematics, and Subject questions are distributed as 15, 13, and 72 marks in the respective sections.
- In some of the papers, like AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, and MA. PH, ST, XH, and XL, there was no Engineering Mathematics section and subject question, which were allotted the same marks as GA (15 marks), with the subject questions being allotted 85 marks.
| Details about GATE 2026 Examination | Information |
|---|---|
| Mode of Examination | Online Computer-Based Test |
| Duration of Test | Three Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Total Number of Papers | Thirty Exams |
| Question Sections | General Aptitude (GA) - Candidate's Selected Subject |
| Question Types MCQ | Multiple Choice QuestionMSQ - Multiple Select QuestionNAT - Numerical Answer Type |
| Total Maximum Marks | 100 Marks |
| Marks for MCQs (1 Mark Question) | One mark will be awarded for the correct answer; In case of wrong selection, 1/3 mark will be deducted from the total score. |
| Marks for MCQs (2-Mark Questions) | Two marks for the correct answer; In case of a wrong selection, 2/3 marks will be deducted from the total score. |
| Marks for MSQs and NATs | No Negative Marking Mark |
| Mark Distribution in Most of the Papers | General Aptitude (GA): 15 Marks - Engineering Mathematics: 13 Marks - Subject Questions: 72 Marks |
| Marks Mark Distribution in Papers (AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, XL) | General Aptitude (GA): 15 Marks Subject Questions: 85 Marks |
GATE Total Marks Negative Marking
The GATE exam has a total of 100 marks. Negative marking is applicable only for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). For 1-mark MCQs, 1/3 mark is deducted for a wrong answer, and for 2-mark MCQs, 2/3 mark is deducted.
There is no negative marking for Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) or Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions
GATE Total Marks 1000
The GATE exam has a total of 100 marks, but the GATE score is calculated out of 1000. The score is normalised to a scale of 1000 as per the difficulty levels across different exam sessions.
GATE Total Marks vs Rank Analysis
The GATE ranking vs marks analysis shows that an almost perfect score above 85 should usually see candidates in the top 10 rank bracket, marks somewhere in between 70 and 75 can attract a rank in the range of 2000.
Even a few marks here and there, 2-3 marks, can change ranks by hundreds; thus, accuracy in GATE is very much required
| Range of GATE Ranks | Expected Range of GATE Marks |
|---|---|
| Rank 1 - 10 | 85 - 100 Marks |
| Rank 11 - 50 | 82 - 90 Marks |
| Rank 51 - 100 | 80 - 86 Marks |
| Rank 101 - 200 | 78 - 85 Marks |
| Rank 201 - 500 | 76 - 81 Marks |
| Rank 501- 1000 | 74 - 78 Marks |
| Rank 1001 - 2000 | 70 - 75 Marks |
Also Read
GATE Score CalculationFactors Affecting Marks vs Rank
Several factors influence marks vs rank conversion, varying from year to year:
1. Difficulty Level of the Paper: Harder papers usually bring about fewer marks, yet better normalised scores.
2. Normalisation Process: The GATE paper conducts normalisation across sessions to ensure fairness.
3. Number of Candidates Appearing: Fair competition occurs when a larger number of candidates appear for a particular stream.
4. Branch-specific competition: Marks versus rank margins are tighter for popular streams like CS, ECE, and ME as opposed to niche ones.
5. Accuracy & Attempt Strategy: With negative scoring, accuracy is vital when aiming to secure the maximum GATE total marks.
Also Read
What is the Good Score in GATE
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