GATE Marking Scheme 2025: Subject Wise Paper Pattern
Summary: To prepare for the GATE exam 2025, you must understand the GATE marking scheme and create a well-structured study plan.
IIT Roorkee has released the GATE Exam Pattern for 2025 on the official website gate2025.iitr.ac.in. It includes information about the marking scheme, test duration, types of questions, and more. Each paper for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering will be 3 hours in duration. You can find the updated GATE 2025 exam pattern on this page.
The GATE exam will have questions divided into general aptitude and core disciplines. Candidates should go through the GATE syllabus and paper pattern to prepare. IIT Roorkee will conduct the GATE 2025 exam for 30 papers on February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025. Read the full article to learn more about the GATE 2025 marking scheme.
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GATE Marking Scheme: Exam Pattern 2025 Highlights
The given highlights of the GATE exam include details such as the exam mode, duration, GATE marking scheme, and more, which can help aspirants create a well-structured preparation strategy.
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Examination | Test Papers-English.
Computer Based Test (CBT) [ at selected city centres]. |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Number of Subjects (Papers) | 30 |
| Sections | General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate’s Selected Subjects |
| Type of Questions |
(a) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) (b) Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and/or (c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
| Questions for testing these abilities | (a) Recall
(b) Comprehension (c) Application (d) Analysis & Synthesis |
| Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL | General Competency: 15 marks
Applied Mathematics: 13 marks Subject Questions: 72 marks Overall total: 100 marks (Note: The Engineering Mathematics section( XE-A )contributes 15 marks and is included in XE.) |
| Distribution of Marks in papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL | General Aptitude: 15 marks
Subject Questions: 85 marks Total: 100 marks |
| Marking Scheme | Questions carry 1 mark or 2 marks |
| GATE Negative Marking Scheme | In the case of selecting an incorrect option in a multiple-choice question (MCQ), a system of negative scoring will be applied.
For an MCQ of one mark, incorrect answers will result in a deduction of 1/3 of a mark. Similarly, for an MCQ carrying two marks, choosing wrongly will lead to a loss of 2/3 of a mark. However, it is important to note that wrong responses to Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) or Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions will not have any negative marking. Additionally, MSQs do not have partial marking for answers. |
Read More: GATE Registration 2025: Exam Date Out, Eligibility Criteria, Admit Card
GATE Exam Syllabus
GATE Marking Scheme in Detail:
| Paper Codee | General Aptitude (GA) Marks | Compulsory Section | Subject Marks | Total Marks | Total Time (Minutes) |
| AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF; The subjects covered in these exams include topics on Engineering Mathematics, allocating 13 marks to paper-specific questions. | 15 | – | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST | 15 | – | 85 | 100 | 180 |
| AR [Section A is mandatory for everyone; applicants must choose between Section B1 or Section B2 when taking the exam. Option B1 is for Architecture, and option B2 is for Planning.] | 15 | 60 | 25 | 100 | 180 |
| GE [Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B1 or B2 can be selected during the Exam. B1 – Surveying and Mapping or B2 -Image Processing and Analysis.] | 15 | 55 | 30 | 100 | 180 |
| GG [Part A is Common and Compulsory for all; Part B can either be Geology (B1) or Geophysics (B2) — which must be chosen at the time of Application.] | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XE [Section A (Engineering Mathematics) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any TWO additional Sections during the Exam] | 15 | 15 | 2 x 35 | 100 | 180 |
| XH [Section B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any ONE additional Section at the time of Application] | 15 | 25 | 60 | 100 | 180 |
| XL [Section P (Chemistry) is Common and Compulsory for all; Applicants must select any TWO additional Sections during the Exam] | 15 | 25 | 2 x 30 | 100 | 180 |
PwD candidates with a benchmark disability greater than 40% are eligible for compensatory time of one hour. PwD candidates with less than 40% disability who have difficulty in writing are also eligible for compensatory time, provided they produce a certificate as stated in the guidelines: Appendix-I of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Read More: GATE 2025 Important Dates: Eligibility Criteria, Registration process, official website
GATE Marking Scheme: Key Takeaway:
Understanding the GATE exam marking scheme is crucial for candidates preparing for the exam. It not only helps in strategising the preparation effectively but also helps in improving time management skills during the exam.
By grasping the details of the GATE marking scheme, candidates can focus on accuracy to minimise negative marking and maximise their overall score. Thus, a thorough understanding of the marking system is necessary for anyone aiming to achieve a high rank in the GATE examination.
For GATE 2025, there will be 30 test papers, including both full papers and sectional papers. Candidates will have the option to choose one or two test papers from the available two-paper combinations. The GATE score obtained by the candidates will be valid for three years from the date of the result announcement.
Read More: 10 months study plan for GATE Civil Engineering
GATE Negative Marking
GATE Cutoff – Check Paper & Category Wise CutOff
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): GATE Marking Scheme
- What is the GATE 2025 marking scheme?
The GATE 2025 marking scheme details how marks are allocated across various types of questions in the exam. It includes the negative marking for incorrect answers in Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and specifies the marks distribution between General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and the subject-specific sections.
- How does negative marking work in the GATE 2025 exam?
In GATE 2025, incorrect answers in MCQs attract negative marking. For a 1-mark question, 1/3 mark is deducted, and for a 2-mark question, 2/3 mark is deducted. There’s no negative marking for Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
- Are there any sections in the GATE exam without negative marking?
Yes, Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions do not have negative marking. Making an incorrect choice in these types of questions will not lead to any deduction of marks.
4. Is there any compensatory time provided for PwD candidates in the GATE 2025 exam?
Yes, PwD (Persons with Disability) candidates with a benchmark disability of more than 40% are eligible for one hour of compensatory time. PwD candidates with less than 40% disability who have difficulty writing can also request compensatory time, provided they produce the necessary certificate as per the guidelines.
5. How can I use the GATE marking scheme to prepare for the GATE 2025 exam?
Understanding the GATE marking scheme helps you prioritise topics based on their weightage, prepare a study schedule, and focus on accuracy to avoid negative marking, especially in MCQs.
