Scoring 85+ marks in GATE 2026 can place a candidate in the top 50-100 ranks for courses like CSE, ME, EE and ECE. 85+ marks will help to secure a seat at IISc Bangalore and top IITs. To score 85+ in the GATE 2026 examination, candidates should have a balanced preparation plan on syllabus coverage, practice, and time management.
Based on previous toppers' strategies, candidates need to target 14-15 correct answers out of 15 in core subjects and a full mark in GA and Maths.
“How to Get 85+ marks in GATE 2026”: Candidates need to
- Complete the GATE 2026 syllabus at least 2-3 months before the exam.
- Practice 10+ years of previous year question papers with the proper time limit.
- Take mock tests weekly.
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Key Summary
- IIT Guwahati will organise GATE 2026 in the month of February 2026 over two weekends.
- The exam will be based on 65 questions with a total of 100 marks as follows: General aptitude (15), engineering mathematics (13) and core subject questions (72).
- There are three types of questions involved: Multiple Choice Questions with negative marking, Multiple Select Questions and Numerical Answer Type questions without negative marking
- To secure 85+ marks, work on the high weightage topics in your core subject with a very good base in General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics
- Regular practice on mock tests and old papers will help in identifying weak points.
GATE Exam 2026 Total Marks
The marks distribution remains consistent across all GATE papers to ensure standardised evaluation. All papers will have General Aptitude (GA) common to all papers (15 marks), and the remaining paper will address the test paper syllabus (85 marks).
| Section | Questions | Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 10 | 15 | 15% |
| Engineering Mathematics | Variable | 13 | 13% |
| Core Subject | 55 | 72 | 72% |
| Total | 65 | 100 | 100% |
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GATE Total Marks 2026GATE 2026 Question Types Explained
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) -1 mark or 2 marks each, having negative marks.
- Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) 1 or 2 marks each, no negative marking.
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions are of 1 mark or 2 marks each with no negative marking.
It is best that students need to practice all three types of questions to build both comfort and speed. In 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 marks will be deducted against wrong answers, 2-mark MCQ:2/3 marks will be deducted against wrong answers.
How to prepare for the GATE Exam 2026 to get 85+ marks?
If you are wondering “How to Get 85+ Marks in GATE 2026”, then you need to follow the points below:
1. Establish a study plan
Prepare by going through the syllabus and identifying areas of high weightage and working on them. Use 60-70 per cent of your study time on main subjects, 20-25 per cent on Engineering Mathematics and 10-15 per cent on General Aptitude. Develop a monthly, weekly, and daily objective to keep the goal in mind.
Plan how to do subject-wise, then according to your weaknesses and strengths. With technical topics, think about ideas as opposed to learning formulae. Develop a revision timetable that will have several rounds of vital subjects.
2. Focus on Core Concepts
Build strong fundamentals in your core engineering subjects as they carry the maximum weightage. Practice derivations and numerical problems regularly to develop problem-solving speed.
Take detailed notes that can be revised very fast and never miss the key formulas, theorems and examples. Flowcharts and diagrams are used to illustrate complicated ideas. Chapter-wise examinations at regular intervals help to pinpoint your gap areas.
3. Master Time Management
Solve as many questions as you can within a specific time in order to become fast and accurate. Make an order of questions depending on how difficult or comfortable you feel on various topics. Put time limits on different sections during practice tests.
Learn to recognise when a question has a quick answer as compared to one that needs a lot of calculation. Train in mental arithmetic and quick methods of doing calculations.
4. Effective Practice Strategy
Solve last year's papers to get an idea of the types of questions that are asked and the difficulty levels. Practice mock tests as often as possible and get used to exam-like conditions and 3 hours of stamina. Examine the performance after every test and determine the weak areas that need further attention.
Train with a typical textbook and reference questions. Have a question bank of solved problems that can be revised quickly.
You can also refer to Quora to get different preparation tips for GATE 2026. You can check the discussion on preparation tips for GATE 2026 on Quora: here.
GATE Mock Test 2026
| GATE 2026 Full Mock Test | GATE 2026 Chapter Mock Test |
| GATE Mock Test 1 | GATE 2026 ME Mock Test Advanced |
For more mock tests: Check here
GATE Mock Test 2026- Attempt free online Branch wise, Chapter wise and Subject wise Mock Test Series
Gate Total Marks: Exam Pattern
All GATE papers include a General Aptitude (GA) section, contributing 15 marks (15%), designed to test verbal, numerical, and analytical reasoning skills. Students should aim for 12-13 marks in General Aptitude, 10-11 marks in Engineering Mathematics, and 62-65 marks in core subjects to achieve the 85+ target.
| Subject Category | Target Marks | Preparation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 12-13/15 | Daily practice of quantitative aptitude and English comprehension |
| Engineering Mathematics* | 10-11/13 | Focus on calculus, linear algebra, and probability |
| Core Subject | 62-65/72 | Deep understanding of high-weightage topics |
Note: Some papers (AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, XL) don't have a separate Engineering Mathematics section
GATE Syllabus 2026 Download
| GATE Test Paper | Official GATE Syllabus 2026 PDF |
|---|---|
| GATE Syllabus for GA | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for AE | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for GG | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for AG | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for IN | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for AR | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for MA | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for BM | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for ME | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for BT | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for MN | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for CE | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for MT | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for CH | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for NM | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for CS | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for PE | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for CY | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for PH | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for DA | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for PI | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for EC | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for ST | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for EE | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for TF | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for ES | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for XE | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for EY | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for XH | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for GE | Download PDF Here |
| GATE Syllabus for XL | Download PDF Here |
Understanding GATE Score vs Marks
How to get 55+ marks in GATE: The most important thing is to cover the full marks in General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics (28 marks). A core subject should be 27-30 marks.
How to get 15 marks in GATE aptitude: Do the aptitude (Quantitative aptitude, verbal ability and logical reasoning) every day. Answer at least 20-30 questions in each area per week. Focus on speed and accuracy as aptitude questions are generally straightforward.
How to get 80 marks in GATE mechanical: For mechanical engineering students, prioritise Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and Machine Design as these topics carry high weightage. Solve numerical problems extensively and understand underlying concepts.
How to get 50 marks in GATE CSE: Computer Science students should focus on Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Management Systems, and Computer Networks. Train on solving coding problems and time complexity.
If you are still figuring out “How to Get 85+ Marks in GATE 2026”, then read more: GATE Preparation 2026
GATE 2026 FAQs
Ques. What is the marks distribution for GATE 2026?
Ans. In most papers, a GATE 2026 paper carries 100 marks in three parts: General Aptitude (15 marks), Engineering Mathematics (13 marks), and core subject questions (72 marks). However, in papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL, the distribution is General Aptitude (15) and Subject Questions (85) with no Engineering Mathematics section. The exam consists of 65 questions with both 1-mark and 2-mark questions across all sections.
Ques. How to crack the GATE exam in 2026?
Ans. Prepare an organised study schedule covering every topic in the syllabus with sufficient revision time. Solve previous year papers to understand the question patterns and difficulty level. Begin preparations at least 8-10 months before the exam date, and use online test series or coaching institutes to assess your performance and aim for high scores like 85+ marks.
Ques. Is it possible to get 100 marks in GATE?
Ans. Yes, technically it is possible to score 100 marks in GATE, but it is extremely rare due to the exam's difficulty and time constraints. Even top rankers usually score between 85-95 marks. Achieving a perfect score requires zero mistakes and excellent time management to answer all questions within 3 hours.
Ques. Will GATE 2026 be tough?
Ans. The difficulty level of GATE 2026 cannot be predicted, but the exam generally features a balanced mix of moderate and challenging questions. Previous year trends indicate about 20-25% easy, 50% moderate, and 25-30% difficult questions. Focus on thorough preparation rather than trying to forecast the difficulty.
Ques. Is GATE possible in 3 months?
Ans. Yes, it is possible with disciplined preparation. This requires 8-10 hours of study per day, prioritising high-weightage topics, and extensive practice. Work on previous years' papers and mock tests, and avoid spending too much time on overly difficult topics.
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