Structure of GATE 2013

A candidate can apply for only ONE of the 21 papers listed in Table given below. The syllabus for each of the papers is given separately. Making a choice of the appropriate paper during GATE application is the responsibility of the candidate. Some guidelines in this respect are suggested below.

The candidate is expected to appear in a paper appropriate to the discipline of his/her qualifying degree. The candidate is, however, free to choose any paper according to his/her admission plan, keeping in mind the eligibility criteria of the institutions in which he/she wishes to seek admission.

Table: List of GATE papers and corresponding codes

Sl.No	Paper	Code		Sl.No	Paper	Code
1	Aerospace Engineering	AE		12	Instrumentation Engineering	IN
2	Agricultural Engineering	AG		13	Mathematics	MA
3	Architecture and Planning	AR		14	Mechanical Engineering	ME
4	Biotechnology	BT		15	Mining Engineering	MN
5	Civil Engineering	CE		16	Metallurgical Engineering	MT
6	Chemical Engineering	CH		17	Physics	PH
7	Computer Science and Information Technology	CS		18	Production and Industrial Engineering	PI
8	Chemistry	CY		19	Textile Engineering and Fibre Science	TF
9	Electronics and Communication Engineering	EC		20	Engineering Sciences	XE*
10	Electrical Engineering	EE		21	Life Sciences	XL*
11	Geology and Geophysics	GG
	XE Paper Sections	Code			XL Paper Sections	Code
	Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory)	A			Chemistry (Compulsory)	H
	Fluid Mechanics	B			Biochemistry	I
	Materials Science	C			Botany	J
	Solid Mechanics	D			Microbiology	K
	Thermodynamics	E			Zoology	L
	Polymer Science and Engineering	F			Food Technology	M
	Food Technology	G

* XE (Engineering Sciences) and XL (Life Sciences) papers are of general nature and will comprise of the sections listed in the above table.  See further explanation below.

Duration and Exam Type

The GATE examination consists of a single paper of 3 hours duration which contains 65 questions carrying a maximum of 100 marks. The question paper will consist of only objective questions. The pattern of question papers is discussed separately in detail.
The examination for the papers with codes AE, AG, AR, BT, CE, CH, CY, GG, PH, MA, MN, MT, TF, XE, and XL will be carried out as ONLINE  computer based test where the candidates will be shown the questions in a random sequence on a computer screen. The candidates are required to enter the answer for each question using a mouse  (keyboards will be disabled).  Candidates will be provided with blank paper sheets for rough work. At the end of the three hour window, the computer will automatically close the screen from further actions.
For all other papers (CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, and PI), the candidates will be given the questions printed on a paper, and they have to mark the correct choice on an Optical Response Sheet (ORS) by darkening the appropriate bubble against each question using a black ink ball point pen.

General Aptitude Questions

All the papers will contain few questions that test the General Aptitude (Language and Analytical Skills), apart from the core subject of the paper.

XE Paper

A candidate appearing in the XE paper has to answer the following

1. Section A – Engineering Mathematics (compulsory)
2. GA – General Aptitude (compulsory)
3. Any two of XE sections B to G

The choice of two out of the sections B to G can be made at the time of appearing for the exam after viewing the questions.  Only two optional sections can be answered at a time. A candidate wishing to change from one optional section to another optional section during the exam must first choose to deselect one of the previously chosen optional sections (B to G).

XL Paper

A candidate appearing in the XL paper has to answer the following

1. Section H – Chemistry (compulsory)
2. GA – General Aptitude (compulsory)
3. Any two of XL sections I to M

The choice of two out of the sections I to M can be made at the time of appearing for the exam after viewing the questions. Only two optional sections can be answered at a time. A candidate wishing to change from one optional section to another optional section during the exam must first choose to deselect one of the previously chosen optional sections (I to M).