GATE Syllabus 2020/2021 – If you have started preparing for GATE exam, then knowing GATE syllabus is first step. This stands true if you are preparing for future GATE exams as well as GATE 2019 or GATE 2020. As you may be aware, IITs and IISc hold Graduate Admission Test in Engineering on yearly basis to rank aspirants for M.Tech like courses admission. Apart from IITs, a plethora of other colleges also accept GATE score. Hence, syllabus of GATE is important and should be studied completely to get maximum marks. Read on to know more about GATE Syllabus 2020/21 for 25 papers.
| Paper Code | General Aptitude (GA) Marks | Subject Marks | Total Marks | Total Time |
| AE, AR, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, CY, EC, EE, EY, GG, IN, MA, ME, MN, MT, PE, PH, PI, TF | 15 | 85 | 100 | 3 hours |
| XE (Section A + any two sections) | 15 | 15 + 2 x 35 | 100 | 3 hours |
| XL (Section P + any two sections) | 15 | 25 + 2 x 30 | 100 | 3 hours |
Before you proceed to GATE Syllabus, we must establish a few facts.
#1. First of all, IIT Guwahati is going conduct GATE and it has released brochure with syllabus. .
#2. Syllabus of GATE outlines topics from which questions will be asked. A topic could be one you have studied in pre-professional courses, and also professional courses. Since GATE tests students who have completed graduation, level of questions will be that of professional program studied, or what you may refer to as qualifying examination. However, grasp of concepts of same topic you have studied previously is important. Hence if you are starting preparations and find a topic difficult, first see its basics in books that deal with them.
#3. IIT or IISc recommends that you study topics from GATE Syllabus. In a lot of places you will come across GATE exam analysis that portray some topics to be more important that others based on frequency of questions. They can be used to prioritize or schedule when should one study which topic, however by no means must you leave any topic in GATE syllabus just because it was not asked in last Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering.
#4. One subject – General Aptitude (GA) – is common to all papers. Hence General Aptitude syllabus is same on all papers of GATE syllabus. Rest, syllabus is defined tailor made for paper. So you must go through GATE syllabus of that paper which you are going to take and are eligible for.
With above points in mind, you can now check out GATE syllabus.
GATE Syllabus
GATE Syllabus – Exam Pattern
Exam Pattern
| Subject | Number of questions | Maximum marks |
| General aptitude | 10 | 15 |
| Subject syllabus based questions | 55 | 85 |
General aptitude section has 5 questions of 1 mark (sub total 5 marks), and 5 questions of 2 marks (sub total 10 marks). Further explanation of question scheme.
| AE, AG, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PE, PI, TF and XE | Engineering Mathematics is of 15 marks, General Aptitude is of 15 marks, rest of the paper of 70 marks is on subject |
| AR, CY, EY, GG, MA, PH and XL | General Aptitude is of 15 marks, rest of the paper of 85 marks is on subject |
Division of question types on basis of marks per question.
| GA questions | 5 questions of 1 mark (sub total 5 marks), and 5 questions of 2 marks (sub total 10 marks) |
| Papers except GG, XE, XL | 25 questions of 1 mark (sub total 25 marks), and 30 questions of 2 marks (sub total 60 marks) |
| GG | Part A has questions common to all candidates with 25 questions of 1 mark (sub total 25 marks). Part B has section 1 and 2, anyone to be attempted, where both sections have 30 questions of 2 marks (sub total 60 marks). |
| XE | Engineering Mathematics or Section A has 7 questions of 1 mark (sub total 7 marks), 4 questions of 2 marks (sub total 8 marks). Remaining sections B to H have 9 questions of 1 mark (sub total 9 marks), 13 questions of 2 mark (sub total 26 marks) |
| XL | Chemistry or Section P has 5 questions of 1 mark (sub total 5 marks), 10 questions of 2 marks (sub total 20 marks). Remaining sections Q to U have 10 questions of 1 mark (sub total 10 marks), 10 questions of 2 mark (sub total 20 marks) |
Negative marking
For 1 mark multiple choice questions
1/3
For 2 mark multiple choice questions
2/3
For 1 or 2 marks numerical answer type questions
none
After knowing GATE syllabus – Preparation
GATE syllabus is such designed to measure a student’s concept comprehension and problem solving ability. In today’s date when engineering colleges have mushroomed in every part of the country, a common yardstick to measure such abilities is only GATE exam. Thus, Public Sector Companies (PSUs) have also decided to recruit fresh candidates through GATE exam only.
The GATE syllabus also tests candidate’s time management and aptitude. Keeping this in mind, scholarships in Junior Research Fellowships is awarded to those who excel in GATE exam. It is imperative to note that the CSIR JRF scholarships are critical to one’s career advancement.
GATE scoring tips
The GATE syllabus is clearly defined by the IITs and IISC. Before beginning your preparation, take a clear note of the complete syllabus as defined the GATE syllabus. After you have decided upon the paper you wish to appear for, check out the syllabus for that particular paper only. Those topics that you have studied in graduation but are not in GATE syllabus can be left out.
Practice previous year question papers and know where you lack. Gain confidence by studying extensively topics marked in the GATE syllabus and keeping a check on your strengths and weaknesses.
