GATE Distribution of Marks 2027: Paper-wise Weightage, Marking Scheme
Ranvijay Singh26 Jul, 2026
As per the official GATE 2027 notification, every paper is conducted for a total of 100 marks in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode with a duration of 3 hours. While General Aptitude (15 marks) is common across all papers, the remaining marks are distributed differently depending on the paper code and examination structure.
Understanding the official marks distribution is an important part of GATE preparation, as the section-wise weightage differs across papers. Knowing how marks are allocated helps candidates plan their preparation based on the structure of their chosen paper instead of treating every paper in the same way.
GATE Distribution of Marks 2027 Overview
The table below highlights the important features of the GATE 2027 marking pattern.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Mode of Examination |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
Language of Examination |
English |
|
Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Number of Papers |
30 |
|
Total Questions |
65 |
|
Total Marks |
100 |
|
Sections |
General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate's Selected Subject(s) |
|
Question Types |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Multiple Select Questions (MSQ), Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
|
Testing of Abilities |
Recall, Comprehension, Application, Analysis & Synthesis |
|
Marking Scheme |
Questions carry either 1 mark or 2 marks |
|
Negative Marking |
Applicable only to MCQs |
GATE Distribution of Marks 2027 Paper-wise
The official GATE 2027 notification specifies different section-wise mark distributions for different paper codes. While every paper carries a total of 100 marks, the allocation of marks across General Aptitude, common sections, Engineering Mathematics, and optional sections varies according to the paper structure.
GATE 2027 Engineering Papers with Engineering Mathematics
The following GATE papers have a common marks distribution pattern. In these papers, General Aptitude carries 15 marks, Engineering Mathematics carries 13 marks, and the remaining 72 marks are allotted to the subject questions.
Applicable Papers: AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE and PI.
|
Section |
Marks |
|
General Aptitude |
15 |
|
Engineering Mathematics |
13 |
|
Subject Questions |
72 |
|
Total |
100 |
Note: The 85 subject marks in these papers include 13 marks of Engineering Mathematics, which are paper-specific.
GATE 2027 Papers Without Engineering Mathematics
The following papers do not have a separate Engineering Mathematics section. The paper consists of 15 marks for General Aptitude and 85 marks for Subject Questions.
|
Paper Code |
Marks Distribution |
|
CY |
General Aptitude (15) + Subject Questions (85) |
|
DA |
General Aptitude (15) + Subject Questions (85) |
|
EY |
General Aptitude (15) + Subject Questions (85) |
|
MA |
General Aptitude (15) + Subject Questions (85) |
|
PH |
General Aptitude (15) + Subject Questions (85) |
|
ST |
General Aptitude (15) + Subject Questions (85) |
GATE 2027 Papers with Special Section-wise Structure
Certain GATE papers have a different section-wise pattern consisting of common and optional sections. The official marks distribution for these papers is given below.
|
Paper |
Distribution of Marks |
|
AR |
General Aptitude (15) + Part A (60) + Part B1/B2 (25) |
|
GE |
General Aptitude (15) + Part A (55) + Part B1/B2 (30) |
|
GG |
General Aptitude (15) + Part A (25) + Part B1/B2 (60) |
|
RA |
General Aptitude (15) + Part A (60) + Part B1/B2 (25) |
|
XE |
General Aptitude (15) + XE0 – Engineering Mathematics (15) + Any Two Optional Sections (35 marks each) |
|
XH |
General Aptitude (15) + XH0 – Reasoning and Comprehension (25) + One Optional Section (60) |
|
XL |
General Aptitude (15) + XL0 – Chemistry (25) + Any Two Optional Sections (30 marks each) |
The optional sections for these papers are as follows:
-
AR: Part B1 – Architecture or Part B2 – Planning
-
GE: Part B1 – Surveying and Mapping or Part B2 – Image Processing and Analysis
-
GG: Part B1 – Geology or Part B2 – Geophysics
-
RA: Part B1 – Electrical or Part B2 – Mechanical
-
XE: XE0 (Engineering Mathematics) is compulsory. Candidates must select any two of the remaining sections.
-
XH: XH0 (Reasoning and Comprehension) is compulsory. Candidates must select one optional section.
-
XL: XL0 (Chemistry) is compulsory. Candidates must select any two of the remaining sections.
GATE Question Types and Marks Distribution
GATE 2027 consists of three types of questions. Depending on the paper, each question carries either 1 mark or 2 marks.
|
Question Type |
Marks |
|
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
1 or 2 Marks |
|
Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) |
1 or 2 Marks |
|
Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
1 or 2 Marks |
The distribution of 1-mark and 2-mark questions differs from one paper to another, but every paper contains a combination of both.
GATE Negative Marking 2027
Negative marking in GATE 2027 applies only to Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). There is no negative marking for MSQ or NAT questions.
|
Criteria |
Marks |
|
Correct Answer (1-Mark MCQ) |
+1 |
|
Correct Answer (2-Mark MCQ) |
+2 |
|
Incorrect Answer (1-Mark MCQ) |
−1/3 |
|
Incorrect Answer (2-Mark MCQ) |
−2/3 |
|
Incorrect Answer (MSQ) |
No Negative Marking |
|
Incorrect Answer (NAT) |
No Negative Marking |
|
Partial Marking in MSQ |
Not Applicable |
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GATE Distribution of Marks 2027 FAQs
How many total marks does GATE 2027 carry?
Is the marks distribution the same for every GATE paper?
Which GATE papers include Engineering Mathematics?
Does GATE 2027 have negative marking?
How many marks are allotted to General Aptitude in GATE 2027?
