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QUESTION PAPER PATTERN

GATE-2026

Particulars Details
Mode of Examination Computer Based Test (CBT)
Language of examination English
Duration 3 Hours*
Number of papers (Subjects) 30 test papers
Sections General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate's Selected Subject(s)
Type of Questions (a) Multiple Choice Question (MCQ)
(b) Multiple Select Question (MSQ)
(c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
Testing of abilities (a) Recall
(b) Comprehension
(c) Application
(d) Analysis & Synthesis
Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL General Aptitude: 15 marks
Engineering Mathematics**: 13 marks
Subject Questions: 72 marks
Total: 100 marks
(**XE includes Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 marks)
Distribution of Marks in papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL General Aptitude: 15 marks
Subject Questions: 85 marks
Total: 100 marks
Marking Scheme Questions carry either 1 mark or 2 marks
Negative Marking For a wrong answer chosen in an MCQ, there will be negative marking.
For a 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.
For a 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.
There is no negative marking for wrong answer(s) to MSQ or NAT questions.
There is no partial marking in MSQ.
Paper Code General Aptitude (GA) Marks Subject: Compulsory Section Subject: Optional Section(s) Total Marks Total Time* (Minutes)
AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF; Subject marks in these papers include questions on Engineering Mathematics (13 marks), which are paper-specific. 15 85 -- 100 180
CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST 15 85 -- 100 180
AR: Part A is Common and Compulsory. Part B1/B2 can be selected during the exam. B1 - Architecture or B2 - Planning 15 60 25 100 180
GE: Part A is Common and Compulsory. Part B1/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. Part B1/B2 must be chosen at the time of application. B1 - Geology or B2 - Geophysics 15 25 60 100 180
XE: Section A (Engineering Mathematics) is Common and Compulsory. Applicants must select any TWO of the other sections during the exam. 15 15 2 x 35 100 180
XH: Section B1 (Reasoning and Comprehension) is Common and Compulsory. Applicants must select any ONE of the other sections at the time of application. 15 25 60 100 180
XL: Section P (Chemistry) is Common and Compulsory. Applicants must select any TWO of the other sections during the exam. 15 25 2 x 30 100 180

*Following the O.M. F. No. P-13013/75/2023-Policy-DD-III dated August 01, 2025, a PwD candidate, in the category of blindness, locomotor disability (both arms only) and cerebral palsy, can request for the compensatory time of one hour upon production of valid disability certificate/UDID card. In case of all other specified disabilities the compensatory time will be allowed on production of a certificate to the effect that the person concerned has a functional limitation to write, caused by the specified disability. Please refer to Appendix-B1.

JAM-2026

The JAM 2026 Examination for all the seven Test Papers will be Computer Based Test (CBT) where the candidates will be shown the questions in a random sequence on a computer screen. For all the seven Test Papers, the duration of the examination will be of 3 hours*. The medium for all the Test Papers will be only in English. There will be a total of 60 questions carrying a total of 100 marks. The entire paper will be divided into three sections A, B and C. All sections are compulsory. Questions in each section will be of different types as given below: 

Section-A:

Contains a total of 30 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) involving 10 questions of one mark each and 20 questions of two marks each. Each MCQ has four choices out of which only one choice is the correct answer. Candidates can mark the answer by clicking the choice. 

Section-B:

contains a total of 10 Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) carrying two marks each. Each MSQ is similar to MCQ but with the difference that MSQ may have one or more than one correct choice(s) out of the four given choices. The candidate gets full credit only if he/she selects all the correct answer(s) and no wrong answers. Candidates can mark the answer(s) by clicking the choice(s).

Section-C:

contains a total of 20 Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions involving 10 questions of one mark each and 10 questions of two marks each. For these NAT questions, the answer is a signed real number, which needs to be entered using the virtual numeric keypad on the monitor. No choices will be shown for NAT questions.

  • In all sections, questions not attempted will result in zero mark. In Section-A (MCQ), wrong answer will result in negative marks. For each wrong answer to 1-mark questions, 1/3 mark will be deducted and similarly for each wrong answer to 2-mark questions, 2/3 mark will be deducted. In Section-B (MSQ), there are no negative and no partial marking provisions. There is no negative marking in Section-C (NAT) as well.
  • Compensatory time would be given to PwD candidates as per the norms of Government of India. Click here

Instructions:

  • There is a provision for using online virtual calculator. The candidates, therefore, should not bring any calculator with them.
  • Mobile phones and any other electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall. Charts, graph sheets, and tables are also NOT allowed inside the examination hall.
  • A scribble pad will be provided for rough work. The candidate has to write his/her name and registration number before using it. The candidate can possess only one scribble pad at any point of time. A second scribble pad is given only upon returning the first one. The scribble pad has to be returned at the end of the examination.
  • The candidates are required to select the answer for MCQ and MSQ type questions using the mouse.
  • The answer for NAT questions can be entered using a mouse on a virtual numeric keypad (the keyboard of the computer will be disabled).
  • The examination will end automatically after the stipulated time. The candidates have to be careful and submit their answers before the end of the examination.
  • Candidates are required to adhere to the code of conduct specified in Annexure III (Code of Conduct)

Use of unfair means by a candidate in JAM 2026, whether detected at the time of examination, or at any other stage, will lead to the cancellation of his/her candidature as well as disqualification of the candidate from appearing in JAM in future.