GATE 2027 Exam Pattern: Sections, Questions, Marks, Duration & Marking Scheme
DeekshaUpdated on 16 Oct 2026, 11:25 PM IST
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The GATE 2027 exam pattern is a 3-hour computer based test of 65 questions for 100 marks, made up of 10 General Aptitude questions and 55 subject questions. Questions carry 1 or 2 marks, and the paper mixes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Negative marking applies only to wrong MCQ answers.
IIT Madras is the organising institute for GATE 2027 and the exam is scheduled for February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027. This guide covers sections, number of questions, paper-wise marks distribution, marking scheme, duration and what has changed this year, based on the official GATE 2027 pattern published by IIT Madras.
GATE 2027 at a Glance
Table
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organising institute | Indian Institute of Technology Madras |
| Conducted on behalf of | National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education |
| Mode of examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Language of examination | English |
| Number of test papers | 30 |
| Exam dates | February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027 |
| Result date | March 19, 2027 (as per the official schedule) |
| Score validity | 3 years |
2 columns · 9 rows
GATE 2027 Exam Pattern: Official Highlights
Table
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Sections | General Aptitude (GA) plus the candidate's selected subject paper |
| Question types | MCQ, MSQ and NAT |
| Abilities tested | Recall, comprehension, application, analysis and synthesis |
| Number of questions | 10 (General Aptitude) plus 55 (Subject) equals 65 questions |
| Total marks | 100 |
| Marks per question | 1 mark or 2 marks |
2 columns · 8 rows
GATE 2027 Marks Distribution by Paper
Table
| Papers | General Aptitude | Engineering Mathematics | Subject questions | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All papers except AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, RA, ST, XH and XL | 15 marks | 13 marks | 72 marks | 100 marks |
| AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, RA, ST, XH and XL | 15 marks | Not separate | 85 marks | 100 marks |
5 columns · 3 rows
For most engineering papers, such as CS, EC, EE, ME and CE, the 85 non-GA marks include 13 marks of Engineering Mathematics that are specific to the paper. XE has its own Engineering Mathematics section (XE0) worth 15 marks.
Paper Code-Wise Section Structure
Table
| Paper code | GA | Common section | Optional section(s) | Total | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI | 15 | 85 | None | 100 | 180 minutes |
| CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST | 15 | 85 | None | 100 | 180 minutes |
| AR (Architecture or Planning) | 15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 minutes |
| GE (Surveying and Mapping or Image Processing and Analysis) | 15 | 55 | 30 | 100 | 180 minutes |
| GG (Geology or Geophysics) | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 minutes |
| RA (Electrical or Mechanical) | 15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 minutes |
| XE (choose any two sections) | 15 | 15 | 2 x 35 | 100 | 180 minutes |
| XH (choose any one section) | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 minutes |
| XL (choose any two sections) | 15 | 25 | 2 x 30 | 100 | 180 minutes |
6 columns · 10 rows
In AR, GE and RA you can select Part B1 or B2 during the exam, in XE and XL you pick the optional sections during the exam, while in GG and XH the choice must be made at the time of application.
Question Types in GATE 2027
Table
| Type | Full form | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ | Multiple Choice Question | Choose one correct option from the choices given |
| MSQ | Multiple Select Question | Choose one or more correct options; no partial marking |
| NAT | Numerical Answer Type | Enter a numerical value as the answer |
3 columns · 4 rows
GATE 2027 Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
Table
| Question type | Correct answer | Wrong answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1-mark MCQ | +1 | Minus 1/3 mark |
| 2-mark MCQ | +2 | Minus 2/3 mark |
| MSQ (1 or 2 marks) | Full marks only if all correct options are selected | No negative marking and no partial marking |
| NAT (1 or 2 marks) | Full marks for the correct value | No negative marking |
3 columns · 5 rows
Because MSQ and NAT carry no penalty, attempt them even when unsure. For MCQs, guess only when you can eliminate options, since each wrong 1-mark MCQ costs 1/3 mark and each wrong 2-mark MCQ costs 2/3 mark.
How Marks Add Up in a Standard Paper
Table
| Part | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 10 (5 questions of 1 mark and 5 of 2 marks) | 15 |
| Subject questions | 55 (25 questions of 1 mark and 30 of 2 marks) | 85 |
| Total | 65 | 100 |
3 columns · 4 rows
The 1-mark and 2-mark split above is worked out from the official totals of 65 questions and 100 marks for a standard paper. Sectional papers can differ in detail, so check the paper-specific structure in the official brochure.
GATE 2027 Exam Duration and Compensatory Time
- Every GATE 2027 paper is 3 hours long, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the forenoon session or 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM in the afternoon session.
- PwD candidates in the categories of blindness, locomotor disability (both arms only) and cerebral palsy can request one hour of compensatory time with a valid disability certificate or UDID card.
- For other specified disabilities, compensatory time is allowed on a certificate stating a functional limitation to write.
- Check Appendix B of the official brochure for the exact process.
What Is New in GATE 2027
- A new test paper, Robotics and Automation (RA), has been introduced.
- Changes have been made to the XE, XH and XL sectional paper codes.
- The syllabi of the GATE 2027 test papers have been revised, so use the updated syllabus.
- Registration through a verified DigiLocker account is mandatory for all Indian nationals.
- Candidates are advised not to delete their DigiLocker account after submitting the application, since future communication will be tied to it.
- There are no international examination centres for GATE 2027.
Can You Appear in Two GATE Papers?
Yes. A candidate can appear in one or two test papers, but only in the permitted two-paper combinations listed on the official GATE 2027 website. Check the combination list before you apply, since not every pair of papers is allowed.
GATE 2027 Important Dates
Table
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opened | September 2, 2026 |
| Regular registration closed | October 5, 2026 |
| Extended registration with late fee closes | October 12, 2026 |
| Admit card | January 4, 2027 |
| GATE 2027 exam | February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027 |
| Result | March 19, 2027 |
2 columns · 7 rows
IIT Madras notes that dates are liable to change, and the organising institute may postpone or cancel the exam in unforeseen circumstances. Regular registration has closed, but the late-fee window is open until October 12, 2026, so apply immediately if you have not yet registered.
How to Use the GATE 2027 Pattern in Your Preparation
- Download the updated GATE 2027 syllabus for your paper and note which topics are new or revised.
- Work out the marks weightage of Engineering Mathematics (13 marks in most engineering papers) and General Aptitude (15 marks) and secure those marks first.
- Practise all three question types, especially NAT and MSQ, since they carry no negative marking.
- Take timed mock tests of 180 minutes and practise choosing which questions to skip.
- Track your accuracy on MCQs, because wrong answers cost 1/3 or 2/3 mark.
- Check your score against likely cutoffs and M.Tech or PSU options once the result is out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Guessing blindly on MCQs without eliminating options.
- Assuming MSQ gives partial marks, when there is no partial marking.
- Ignoring General Aptitude, which is 15 marks in every paper.
- Using an old syllabus even though the GATE 2027 syllabi have been revised.
- Forgetting that DigiLocker registration is mandatory and that the account must be kept active.
- Choosing a paper without checking the permitted two-paper combinations.
In GATE, accuracy beats volume. A clean 45 questions usually scores better than 65 attempted with careless negative marks on MCQs.
Useful Internal Links: GATE Predictor and Engineering College Hubs
- GATE College Predictor
- Engineering colleges in New Delhi
- Engineering colleges in Chennai
- Engineering colleges in Bangalore
- Engineering colleges in Kanpur
- Engineering colleges in Bhubaneswar
- Engineering colleges in Indore
- Engineering colleges in Jaipur
- Engineering colleges in Lucknow
- Engineering colleges in Coimbatore
Official External Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GATE 2027 exam pattern?
GATE 2027 is a 3-hour computer based test in English with 65 questions for 100 marks, made of 10 General Aptitude questions and 55 subject questions. Questions are MCQ, MSQ or NAT and carry 1 or 2 marks.
How many questions and marks are there in GATE 2027?
There are 65 questions and 100 marks in each paper. General Aptitude carries 15 marks, and the remaining 85 marks come from the subject paper, which includes 13 marks of Engineering Mathematics in most engineering papers.
What is the negative marking in GATE 2027?
A wrong answer in a 1-mark MCQ costs 1/3 mark and a wrong answer in a 2-mark MCQ costs 2/3 mark. There is no negative marking for MSQ or NAT questions, and no partial marking in MSQ.
What is the duration of GATE 2027?
Each paper is 3 hours (180 minutes). Sessions run from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Eligible PwD candidates can request one hour of compensatory time with valid documents.
What are the GATE 2027 exam dates?
GATE 2027 will be held on February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2027. The admit card is scheduled for January 4, 2027 and the result for March 19, 2027, subject to change.
Which IIT is conducting GATE 2027?
IIT Madras is the organising institute for GATE 2027, on behalf of the National Coordination Board, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
What is new in GATE 2027?
A new test paper, Robotics and Automation (RA), has been introduced, the XE, XH and XL sectional paper codes have changed, the syllabi have been revised, DigiLocker registration is mandatory for Indian nationals, and there are no international centres.
How many papers can I appear for in GATE 2027?
You can appear in one or two test papers, but two-paper attempts are allowed only in the permitted combinations listed on the official GATE 2027 website.
Is the GATE 2027 registration still open?
Regular registration closed on October 5, 2026. The extended registration with late fee closes on October 12, 2026, so apply immediately through the official application portal if you have not registered.
How long is a GATE 2027 score valid?
A GATE 2027 score is valid for 3 years from the date of the result announcement, and can be used for M.Tech and PhD admissions and for PSU recruitment that accepts GATE scores.