GATE Test Pattern and analysis

GATE 2014

Pattern of Question Papers and Marking Scheme

Pattern of Question Papers
In all the papers, there will be a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks, out of which 10 questions carrying a total of 15 marks are in General Aptitude (GA).

In the papers bearing the codes AE, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PI, TF and XE, the Engineering Mathematics will carry around 13% of the total marks, the General Aptitude section will carry 15% of the total marks and the remaining percentage of the total marks is devoted to the subject of the paper.

In the papers bearing the codes AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH and XL, the General Aptitude section will carry 15% of the total marks and the remaining 85% of the total marks is devoted to the subject of the paper.

GATE 2014 would contain questions of two different types in various papers:

(i) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) carrying 1 or 2 marks each in all papers and sections. These questions are objective in nature, and each will have a choice of four answers, out of which the candidate has to mark the correct answer(s).

(ii) Numerical Answer Questions of 1 or 2 marks each in all papers and sections. For these questions the answer is a real number, to be entered by the candidate using the virtual keypad. No choices will be shown for this type of questions.

Design of Questions
The questions in a paper may be designed to test the following abilities:

(i) Recall: These are based on facts, principles, formulae or laws of the discipline of the paper. The candidate is expected to be able to obtain the answer either from his/her memory of the subject or at most from a one-line computation.

Note on Negative Marking for Wrong Answers
For a wrong answer chosen for the multiple choice questions, there would be negative marking. For 1-mark multiple choice questions, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. Likewise, for 2-mark multiple choice questions, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. However, there is no negative marking for a wrong answer in numerical answer type questions
Example

Q. During machining maximum heat is produced

(A) in flank face
(B) in rake face
(C) in shear zone
(D) due to friction between chip and tool

(ii) Comprehension: These questions will test the candidate's understanding of the basics of his/her field, by requiring him/her to draw simple conclusions from fundamental ideas.

Example

Q. A DC motor requires a starter in order to
(A) develop a starting torque
(B) compensate for auxiliary field ampere turns
(C) limit armature current at starting
(D) provide regenerative braking

(iii) Application: In these questions, the candidate is expected to apply his/her knowledge either through computation or by logical reasoning.

Example

Q. The sequent depth ratio of a hydraulic jump in a rectangular channel is 16.48. The Froude number at the beginning of the jump is:

(A) 5.0 (B) 8.0 (C) 10.0 (D) 12.0

Examples of each of this design is given in the types of questions above.

The questions based on the above logics may be a mix of single standalone statement/phrase/data type questions, combination of option codes type questions or match items type questions.

(iv) Analysis and Synthesis: In these questions, the candidate is presented with data, diagrams, images etc. that require analysis before a question can be answered. A Synthesis question might require the candidate to compare two or more pieces of information. Questions in this category could, for example, involve candidates in recognising unstated assumptions, or separating useful information from irrelevant information.

Marking Scheme
For 1-mark multiple-choice questions, 1/3 marks will be deducted for a wrong answer. Likewise, for 2-marks multiple-choice questions, 2/3 marks will be deducted for a wrong answer. There is no negative marking for numerical answer type questions.

General Aptitude (GA) Questions
In all papers, GA questions carry a total of 15 marks. The GA section includes 5 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub-total 5 marks) and 5 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub-total 10 marks).

Question Papers other than GG, XE and XL
These papers would contain 25 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub-total 25 marks) and 30 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub-total 60 marks). The question paper will consist of questions of multiple choice and numerical answer type. For numerical answer questions, choices will not be given. Candidates have to enter the answer (which will be a real number, signed or unsigned, e.g. 25.06, -25.06, 25, -25 etc.) using a virtual keypad. An appropriate range will be considered while evaluating the numerical answer type questions so that the candidate is not penalized due to the usual round-off errors.

GG (Geology and Geophysics) Paper
Apart from the General Aptitude (GA) section, the GG question paper consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A is common for all candidates. Part B contains two sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geo-physics). Candidates will have to attempt questions in Part A and either Section 1 or Section 2 in Part B.

Part A consists of 25 multiple-choice questions carrying 1-mark each (sub-total 25 marks and some of these may be numerical answer type questions). Each section in Part B (Section 1 and Section 2) consists of 30 multiple choice questions carrying 2 marks each (sub-total 60 marks and some of these may be numerical answer type questions).

XE Paper (Engineering Sciences)
In XE paper, Engineering Mathematics section (Section A) is compulsory. This section contains 11 questions carrying a total of 15 marks: 7 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub-total 7 marks),and 4 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub-total 8 marks). Some questions may be of numerical answer type questions.

Each of the other sections of the XE paper (Sections B through G) contains 22 questions carrying a total of 35 marks: 9 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub-total 9 marks) and 13 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub-total 26 marks). Some questions may be of numerical answer type.

XL Paper (Life Sciences)
In XL paper, Chemistry section (Section H) is compulsory. This section contains 15 questions carrying a total of 25 marks: 5 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub-total 5 marks) and 10 questions carrying 2-marks each (sub-total 20 marks). Some questions may be of numerical answer type.

Each of the other sections of the XL paper (Sections I through M) contains 20 questions carrying a total of 30 marks: 10 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub-total 10 marks) and 10 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub-total 20 marks). Some questions may be of numerical answer type.
 

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GATE 2013-14 Analysis

Depending upon the number of candidates registered for a particular paper and other logistics, the number of sessions will be decided.

Candidates appearing for a multi-session paper have NO CHOICE as far as the SESSION is concerned. The session allotment will be done on a random basis by GATE 2014. No request for change of session shall be entertained at any point of time.

Exact details on complete examination schedule will be notified at a later date. 

Paper Structure (for CS,EE,ECE, ME) 

The GATE examination consists of a single paper of 3-hour duration, in which there will be a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks.

Section Weightage & Marks

Engineering Mathematics will carry 15 % of the total marks, the General Aptitude section will carry 15 % of the total marks and the remaining 70 % of the total marks is devoted to the subject of the paper.

For 1-mark multiple-choice questions, 1/3 marks will be deducted for a wrong answer. Likewise, for 2-mark multiple-choice questions, 2/3 marks will be deducted for a wrong answer. There is no negative marking for numerical answer type questions.

Question Types:

(i) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) carrying 1 or 2 marks each in all papers and sections. These questions are objective in nature, and each will have a choice of four answers, out of which the candidate has to mark the correct answer(s).

(ii) Numerical Answer Questions of 1 or 2 marks each in all papers and sections. For numerical answer questions, choices will not be given. Candidates have to enter the answer (which will be a real number, signed or unsigned, e.g. 25.06, -25.06, 25, -25 etc.) using a virtual keypad. An appropriate range will be considered while evaluating the numerical answer type questions so that the candidate is not penalized due to the usual round-off errors. Design of Questions

The questions in a paper may be designed to test the following abilities:

(i) Recall:

These are based on facts, principles, formulae or laws of the discipline of the paper. The candidate is expected to be able to obtain the answer either from his/her memory of the subject or at most from a one-line computation.

(ii) Comprehension:

These questions will test the candidate’s understanding of the basics of his/her field, by requiring him/her to draw simple conclusions from fundamental ideas.

(iii) Application:

In these questions, the candidate is expected to apply his/her knowledge either through computation or by logical reasoning.

(iv) Analysis and Synthesis:

In these questions, the candidate is presented with data, diagrams, images etc. that require analysis before a question can be answered. A Synthesisquestion might require the candidate to compare two or more pieces of information. Questions in this category could, for example, involve candidates in recognising unstated assumptions, or separating useful information from irrelevant information.

About Online pattern

The examination for all the papers will be carried out in an ONLINE Computer Based Test (CBT) mode where the candidates will be shown the question s in a random sequence on a computer screen. The candidates are required to either select the answer (for MCQ type) or enter the answer for numerical answer type question using a mouse on a virtual keyboard (keyboard of the computer will be disabled).

GATE 2013-14 Examination Pattern

PATTERN OF GATE QUESTION PAPERS AND MARKING Scheme

Pattern of Question Papers : Total 65 Questions (ALL Objective Type) Total Marks : 100 Each question has ONLY one correct answer. Answer sheet: OMR (ONLY Black Ink Ball Point Pen is allowed to darken the appropriate bubble)

GATE 2013-14 would contain questions of four different types in engineering papers: : 
1.    Multiple choice questions carrying 1 or 2 marks each.

2.    Common data questions, where two successive questions use the same set of input data.

3.    Linked answer questions, where the answer to the first question of the pair is required in order to answer its successor.

4.    Numerical answer questions, where the answer is a number, to be entered by the candidate using the mouse and a virtual keypad that will be provided on the screen.
Note : Sectional cut-off ( Technical / Non-Technical like Engineering mathematics & General Aptitude ) are not applied in GATE exam.
In all the papers, there will be a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks, out of which 10 questions carrying 15 marks in General Aptitude (GA) are compulsory.

NOTE: General Aptitude (GA-15 Marks) is common for all the engineering branch ( Civil-CE, Computer Science-CS, Information technology-IT, CE, Mech, EE, ECE, IN

Engineering Mathematics will carry 15 % of the total marks, the General Aptitude section will carry 15 % of the total marks and the remaining 70 % of the total marks is technical in nature.

Engineering Mathematics Syllabus for Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering & Instrumentation Engineering is same and same question would be asked in the examination of gate 2013.

Engineering Mathematics Syllabus for Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering is same and same question would be asked in the examination of gate 2013.

Engineering Mathematics Syllabus for computer science & IT Engineering: Few Topics are common with Electrical, Electronics, mechanical engineering.

Marking scheme: Negative marking of 1/3rd for One marks question and Negative marking of 2/3rd for Two marks question.

Unattempted question: No Marks

Linked answer question pair: Each question carries 2 marks, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer to the first question only. There is no negative marking for wrong answer to the second question of the linked answer question pair.
If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly answered or is unattempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. There is no negative marking for numerical answer type questions.

Common DATA : Multiple choice type : Equal marks to all related questions.

General Aptitude (GA) Section: Same Question will be asked for Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering & Instrumentation engineering in the examination of gate 2013.

Same Question will be asked for Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering in the examination of gate 2013.
In all papers, GA questions are of multiple choice types, and carry a total of 15 marks. The GA section includes 5 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub-total 5 marks) and 5 questions carrying 2-marks each (sub-total 10 marks)
Question 1 to 25 : One mark each ( Negative marking 1/3rd )
Question 26 to 55 : Two mark each ( Negative marking 2/3rd )
Question 56 to 65 : General Aptitude ( total 15 marks ) : ( Negative marking 1/3rd for One marks & 2/3rd for Two mark )
Question 56 to 60 : One mark each Question 61 to 65 : Two mark each

NOTE : Calculator is allowed whereas charts, graph sheet or Tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall.

Hope above information on the jobs that you can get through GATE 2013 is useful to you.