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GATE Previous Year Question Paper

A strategic approach for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering preparation is an important factor. One of the best and most effective ways to have this approach is by solving the GATE previous year question paper​ on the digital platform of SelfStudys.

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With these papers, you will get a number of valuable insights that allow you to get familiar with the exam pattern, understand question trends, as well as develop good time management skills. 

Through our platform, we aim to provide free access to the GATE PYQs​. With the practice of past questions, you can check your level of understanding and achieve a higher score in the actual exam. 

Tentative Schedule For The Upcoming Graduate Aptitude Test In Engineering

For your reference, we have mentioned the list of tentative months in which the upcoming GATE examination might be conducted. 

Schedule For The Upcoming GATE In Engineering
EVENT TENTATIVE MONTHS

GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) opens

August 2025

Closing date of regular online registration/applications

September 2025

End of extended period for online registration/application (with late fee)

October 2025

Last date for change of Category, Paper, and Examination City, adding a new test paper, and change of personal details (additional fee applicable per change)

November 2025

Admit Cards available for download

January 2026

GATE 2026 Examination Month

February 2026

Announcement of results in the GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS)

March 2026

Score Cards available for free download

March to May 2026

Score Cards are available for download by paying a fee of Rs. 500 per test paper 

June to December 2026

Pattern Of The Graduate Aptitude Test In Engineering

Below is a detailed table in which you can find all the important information regarding this examination. 

PARTICULARS DETAILS

Full Name of the Examination 

GATE: Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

GATE 2025 Organizing Institute 

IIT Roorkee

Mode of the Examination

Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Examination Duration

3 hours

Number of Subjects (Papers)

30 test papers

Sections in the Examination 

General Aptitude (GA) + 

Candidate’s Selected Subject(s)

Types of Questions 

  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) 
  • Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) 
  • Numerical Answer Type (NAT)

Test of Abilities 

  • Recall 
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis and Synthesis

Number of Questions

Total: 65 questions 

  • General Aptitude: 10 questions
  • Subject: 55 questions 

Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL

Total: 100 marks

  • General Aptitude: 15 marks 
  • Engineering Mathematics**: 13 marks
  • Subject Questions: 72 marks

(**XE includes an Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 marks) 

Distribution of Marks in Papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH and XL

Total: 100 marks

  • General Aptitude: 15 marks
  • Subject Questions: 85 marks 

Marking Scheme

Questions carry 1 mark and 2 marks

Negative Marking

  • For a wrong answer chosen in a MCQ, there will be negative marking. 
  • For 1-mark MCQ, 1/3mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. 
  • Likewise, for 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. 
  • There is no negative marking for wrong answer(s) to MSQ and NAT questions. 
  • There is no partial marking for any question

GATE Previous Year Papers For Several Years

At SelfStudys, you will get a number of GATE previous year papers for absolutely free practice. When you solve the questions from various past papers, you can check out the concepts that are frequently tested and focus on them during your study sessions. To get direct access to any of these year-wise past papers, you can use the links that are mentioned below. 

Subject-Wise GATE Exam Previous Year Question Paper PDF​ 

As the GATE examination is conducted for various subjects, we provide the GATE previous year question papers with solutions​ for most of them. This enables you to practice the paper on a particular subject that you want to attempt in the real exam. You can choose these subject-wise papers directly from the access links given below. 

GATE Subject-Wise Exam PYQ
SR No Subject-Wise GATE Exam PYQ
1

GATE ME Previous Years Question Papers 

2

GATE EE Previous Year Question Papers

3

GATE ECE Previous Year Question Papers

4

GATE CE Previous Year Question Papers

5

GATE CSE Previous Year Question Papers

GATE Previous Year Question Papers With Solutions

Every GATE exam previous year question paper PDF​ comes with accurate and detailed solutions to the questions. You can find them in the last few pages of the PDF. These solutions are created carefully by our subject-matter experts after analyzing each and every question. Once you have attempted the paper by yourself, you should go through the given solutions to verify your responses. This will help you to notice your weaker areas as well as understand the reasoning behind each solution. 

Eligibility Criteria For Graduate Aptitude Test In Engineering

In this section, we have given the criteria that you need to fulfill to appear in this examination. 

DEGREE/ PROGRAM QUALIFYING DEGREE/ EXAMINATION DETAILS

B.E./ B.Tech./ B.Pharm.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/ Technology (4 years after 10+2 or 3 years after B.Sc./ Diploma in Engineering/ Technology)

Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed.

B. Arch. 

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (5 year course)/ Naval Architecture (4 year course)/ Planning (4 year course)

Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed.

B.Sc. (Research)/ B.S.

Bachelor’s degree in Science (Post-Diploma/ 4 years after 10+2) 

Currently in the 3rd year or higher or already completed.

Pharm. D. (after 10+2)

6 years degree program, consisting of internship or residency training, from the third year onwards

Currently in the 3Rd/ 4th/ 5th/ 6th year or already completed.

M.B.B.S./ B.D.S./ B.V.Sc.

Degree holders of M.B.B.S./ B.D.S./ B.V.Sc. and those who are in the 5th/6th/7th semester or higher semester of such program.

5th/ 6th/ 7th or higher semester or already completed.

M.Sc./ M.A./ M.C.A. or equivalen

Master’s degree in any branch of Arts/ Science/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Computer Applications or equivalent. 

Currently in the first year or higher or already completed.

Int. M.E./ M.Tech. (Post-B.Sc.)

Post-B.Sc.Integrated Master’s degree programs in Engineering/Technology (4 year program).

Currently in the 1st/ 2nd/ 3rd/ 4th year or already completed.

Int. M.E./ M.Tech./ M.Pharm. or Dual Degree (after Diploma or 10+2)

Integrated Master’s degree program or Dual Degree program in Engineering/Technology (5 year program).

Currently in the 3rd / 4th/5th year or already completed.

How To Get The GATE Exam Previous Year Question Paper PDF Download From Our Website?

You need to follow the steps that are mentioned here for easy access to any GATE exam previous year question paper PDF download on our digital platform. A stable internet connection is the only requirement to complete the downloading process. 

  • Firstly, visit our website by either searching for SelfStudys or typing the link www.selfstudys.com on a web browser. 

GATE previous year question paper 

  • Once the homepage is opened, you can simply scroll down and reach the ‘Free Study Materials’ section. 

GATE PYQs​, GATE previous year papers 

  • There you will see the list of all our major categories. You have to select the ‘GATE’ option from this list. 

GATE previous year question papers with solutions 

  • Now, a drop-down menu will be available from where you need to click on the ‘GATE PYQs​’ icon. 

GATE exam previous year question paper PDF

  • On a new web page, you can see the GATE previous year question paper​ for all the years. 

GATE exam previous year question paper PDF download 

  • You can select any of the GATE previous year papers to open its subject-wise list. 
  • Again, you will be directed to a new page where you may choose the GATE previous year question papers with solutions​ for a specific subject that you want to attempt or download.

GATE previous year question paper 

  • Lastly, your chosen GATE exam previous year question paper PDF​ will be visible on the screen. 
  • You can attempt the paper online or save the GATE exam previous year question paper PDF download for later practice. 

Note: The GATE previous year question paper​ downloading will be available after you Log In or Sign Up through Google on SelfStudys.

List Of GATE Papers And Their Corresponding Codes

The latest Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering will be conducted for 30 test papers. In the table given below, you can have a look at the list of the papers in the test as well as their codes. 

TEST PAPER CODE TEST PAPER CODE

Aerospace Engineering 

AE

Agricultural Engineering 

AG

Architecture and Planning 

AR

Biomedical Engineering 

BM

Biotechnology 

BT

Civil Engineering 

CE

Chemical Engineering 

CH

Computer Science and Information Technology 

CS

Chemistry 

CY

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence 

DA

Electronics and Communication Engineering 

EC

Electrical Engineering 

EE

Environmental Science and Engineering 

ES

Ecology and Evolution 

EY

Geomatics Engineering 

GE

Geology and Geophysics 

GG

Instrumentation Engineering 

IN

Mathematics 

MA

Mechanical Engineering 

ME

Mining Engineering 

MN

Metallurgical Engineering 

MT

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering 

NM

Petroleum Engineering 

PE

Physics 

PH

Production and Industrial Engineering 

PI

Statistics 

ST

Textile Engineering and Fibre Science 

TF

Engineering Sciences 

XE*

Humanities and Social Sciences 

XH**

Life Sciences 

XL***

The XE* (Engineering Sciences), XH** (Humanities and Social Sciences), and XL*** (Life Sciences) papers are of a general nature and they comprise different sections that we have listed in the table below. 

XE* PAPER SECTIONS & CODE

XH** PAPER SECTIONS & CODE

XL*** PAPER SECTIONS & CODE

Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory) (15 marks) 

A

Reasoning and Comprehension (Compulsory) (25 marks)

B1

Chemistry (Compulsory) (25 marks) 

P

ANY TWO OPTIONAL SECTIONS (35 marks for each section, Total 70 marks)

ANY ONE OPTIONAL SECTION (60 marks)

ANY TWO OPTIONAL SECTIONS (30 marks for each section, Total 60 marks)

Fluid Mechanics

B

Economics

C1

Biochemistry

Q

Materials Science

C

English

C2

Botany

R

Solid Mechanics

D

Linguistics

C3

Microbiology

S

Thermodynamics

E

Philosophy

C4

Zoology

T

Polymer Science and Engineering 

F

Psychology

C5

Food Technology

U

Food Technology

G

Sociology

C6

Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences 

H

Two Test Papers Combination That Are Allowed In GATE

You are allowed to appear in only ONE or TWO paper combinations in this examination. Also, you can only choose this combination from the given ones below. 

CODE OF THE PRIMARY PAPER

CODES OF PAPERS ALLOWED AS THE SECONDARY PAPER 

CODE OF THE PRIMARY PAPER

CODES OF PAPERS ALLOWED AS THE SECONDARY PAPER 

AE

CE, ME, XE

GE

AR, CE, CS, ES, GG

AG

CE

GG

GE

AR

CE, GE

IN 

BM, EC, EE, ME

BM

BT, IN

MA

CS, DA, PH, ST

BT

BM, XL

ME

AE, DA, IN, NM, PI, XE

CE

AE, AG, AR, ES, GE, NM, XE

MT

XE

CH

ES, PE, XE

NM

CE, ME

CS

DA, EC, GE, MA, PH, ST

PE

CH

CY

XE, XL

PH

CS, DA, EC, EE, MA, XE

DA

CS, EC, EE, MA, ME, PH, ST, XE

PI

ME, XE

EC

CS, DA, EE, IN, PH

ST

CS, DA, MA, XH

EE

DA, EC, IN, PH

XE 

AE, CE, CH, CY, DA, ME, MT, PH, PI

ES

CE, CH, GE

XH

ST

EY

XL

XL

BT, CY, EY

Benefits Of Practicing GATE PYQs

Solving the GATE PYQs​ is not just revising old questions but a strategic method of exam preparation. Some unique benefits that you will gain by solving them are mentioned in the points below. 

GATE PYQs​, GATE previous year papers 

  • Every paper of this test follows a particular structure but there are some changes in topics, framing of questions, and difficulty levels. So, when you solve multiple GATE previous year papers, you can observe the repeated themes and important topics easily. You can also spot any changes in the exam trends and plan properly for the exam. 
  • With the practice of GATE previous year question papers with solutions​ under time conditions, you can replicate the actual environment of the exam. It helps you allot proper time for each section as well as questions. You will also learn how to skip the questions that are very time-consuming or less important. 
  • After solving a few GATE exam previous year question paper PDFs​, you will start seeing the areas where you are losing marks again and again. Then, you can plan a revision strategy on the basis of your actual performance. 
  • In the GATE exam previous year question paper PDF download, you will find some questions that are quite tricky. By attempting them, you can solidify your conceptual understanding to the next level. Additionally, you can learn different methods to solve any specific problem. 
  • Through repeated practice of the GATE previous year question paper​, you will feel more prepared for what to expect in the exam which will ultimately reduce any anxiety. This will also build your mental for the entire exam duration. 

Important Topics That Are Covered In The GATE Previous Year Papers

It is necessary that you are aware of the topics from which the GATE PYQs​ are created. That’s why, we have described the important topics of the past papers in the table below. You should study these topics deeply before attempting the question papers for better results. 

GATE SYLLABUS CONTENT

SECTION/ SUBJECT

IMPORTANT TOPICS

General Aptitude

Verbal Aptitude

  • Basic English grammar: tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, and other parts of speech Basic vocabulary: words, idioms, and phrases in context. Reading and comprehension, Narrative sequencing. 

Quantitative Aptitude

  • Data interpretation: data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing data), 2- and 3-dimensional plots, maps, and tables. 
  • Numerical computation and estimation: ratios, percentages, powers, exponents and logarithms, permutations and combinations, and series Mensuration and geometry Elementary statistics and probability.

Analytical Aptitude

  • Logic: deduction and induction, Analogy, Numerical relations and reasoning. 

Spatial Aptitude 

  • Transformation of shapes: translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, and grouping paper folding, cutting, and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions.

Aerospace Engineering

Engineering Mathematics

Core Topics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations

Special Topics: Fourier Series, Laplace Transforms, Numerical methods for linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, Numerical integration and differentiation. Complex analysis. Probability and statistics

Flight Mechanics 

Core Topics: Atmosphere, Airplane performance, Static stability, 

Special Topics: Dynamic stability: Euler angles; Equations of motion; Decoupling of longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamics; longitudinal modes; lateral-directional modes.

Space Dynamics

Core Topics: Central force motion, determination of trajectory, and orbital period in simple cases. Kepler’s laws; escape velocity.

Special Topics: None

Aerodynamics

Core Topics: Basic Fluid Mechanics, Potential flow theory, Airfoils and wings, Compressible Flows

Special Topics: Wind Tunnel Testing: Measurement and visualization techniques. Shock - boundary layer interaction.

Structures

Core Topics: Strength of Materials, Flight vehicle structures, Structural Dynamics

Special Topics: Vibration of beams. Theory of elasticity: Equilibrium and compatibility equations, Airy’s stress function. 

Propulsion

Core Topics: Basics, Aerothermodynamics of aircraft engines, Engine performance, Turbomachinery, Centrifugal compressor, Axial turbines, Rockets

Special Topics: Aerothermodynamics of non-rotating propulsion components such as intakes, combustors, and nozzles. Turbine blade cooling. Compressor-turbine matching, Surge, and stall.

Agricultural Engineering

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Vector Calculus, Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics, Numerical Methods

Farm Machinery: Machine Design, Farm Machinery

Farm Power: Sources of Power, Farm Power, Tractors and Power tillers

Soil and Water Conservation Engineering: Fluid Mechanics, Soil Mechanics, Hydrology, Surveying and Leveling, Soil and Water Erosion, Watershed Management

Irrigation and Drainage Engineering: Soil-Water-Plant Relationship, Irrigation Water Conveyance and Application Methods, Agricultural Drainage, Groundwater Hydrology, Wells and Pumps

Agricultural Process Engineering: Engineering properties of agricultural produce, Evaporation and Drying, Size Reduction and Material Handling, Processing of agricultural produce, Storage Systems

Dairy and Food Engineering: Heat and Mass Transfer, Preservation of Food

Architecture and Planning

Common

Architecture, Planning, and Design

Construction and Management

Environmental Planning and Design

Urban Design, landscape, and Conservation

Planning Process

Housing

Services and Infrastructure

-

Part B1: Architecture

History and Contemporary Architecture

Building Construction and Structural systems

Building Services and Sustainability

Part B2: Planning

Regional and Settlement Planning

Planning Techniques and Management

Infrastructure Planning

-

Biomedical Engineering

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Analysis of complex variables, Probability and Statistics, Numerical Methods

Electrical Circuits

Signals and Systems

Analog and Digital Electronics

Measurements and Control Systems

Sensors and Bioinstrumentation

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Medical Imaging Systems

Biomechanics

Biomaterials

Biotechnology

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics, Numerical Methods

General Biology: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology,

Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology: Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology

Fundamentals of Biological Engineering: Engineering Principles Applied to Biological Systems, Classical Thermodynamics and Bioenergetics, Transport Processes

Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology: Bioreaction Engineering, Upstream and Downstream Processing, Instrumentation and Process Control

Plant, Animal, and Microbial Biotechnology: Plants, Animals, Microbes

Recombinant DNA technology and Other Tools in Biotechnology: Recombinant DNA technology, Molecular tools, Analytical tools, Computational tools

Civil Engineering

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Ordinary Differential Equation, Partial Differential Equation, Probability and Statistics, Numerical Methods

Structural Engineering: Engineering Mechanics, Solid Mechanics, Structural Analysis, Construction Materials and Management, Concrete Structures, Steel Structures

Geotechnical Engineering: Soil Mechanics, Foundation Engineering

Water Resources Engineering: Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulics, Hydrology, Irrigation

Environmental Engineering: Water and Waste Water Quality and Treatment, Air Pollution, Municipal Solid Wastes

Transportation Engineering: Transportation Infrastructure, Highway Pavements, Traffic Engineering

Geomatics Engineering: Principles of Surveying, Photogrammetry, and Remote Sensing

Chemical Engineering

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Complex Variables, Probability and Statistics, Numerical Methods

Process Calculations and Thermodynamics

Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations

Heat Transfer

Mass Transfer

Chemical Reaction Engineering

Instrumentation and Process Control

Plant Design and Economics

Chemical Technology

-

Computer Science and Information Technology

Engineering Mathematics: Discrete Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Calculus, Probability and Statistics

Digital Logic

Computer Organization and Architecture 

Programming and Data Structures

Algorithms

Theory of Computation

Compiler Design

Operating System

Databases

Computer Networks 

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Probability and Statistics

Linear Algebra

Calculus and Optimization

Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms

Database Management and Warehousing

Machine Learning

AI

-

-

Electronics and Communication Engineering

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Vector Analysis, Complex Analysis, Probability and Statistics

Networks, Signals, and System: Circuit Analysis, Continuous-time Signals, Discrete-time Signals

Electronic Devices: Carrier Transport

Analog Circuits: Diode Circuits, BJT and MOSFET Amplifiers, Op-amp Circuits

Digital Circuits: Number Representations, Sequential Circuits, Data Converters, Semiconductor Memories, Computer Organization 

Control Systems: Basic control system components, Feedback principle, Transfer function

Communications: Random Processes, Analog Communications, Information Theory, Digital Communications

Electromagnetics: Maxwell's Equations, Plane Waves and Properties, Transmission Lines

Electrical Engineering

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Complex Variables, Probability and Statistics

Electric circuits

Electromagnetic Fields

Signals and Systems

Electrical Machines

Power Systems

Control Systems

Electrical and Electronic Measurements

Analog and Digital Electronics

Power Electronics

Environmental Science and Engineering

Mathematics Foundation: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics

Environmental Chemistry: Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry, Principles of Water Chemistry, Soil Chemistry, Atmospheric Chemistry

Environmental Microbiology: Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Microorganisms, Cell Chemistry and Cell Biology, Microbial Metabolism, Growth and Control of Microorganisms, Microbiology and Health

Water Resources and Environmental Hydraulics: Global Water Resources, Surface Water Resources, Groundwater Resources, Environmental Hydraulics

Water and Wastewater Treatment and Management: Water and wastewater quality parameters, Water treatment methods, Kinetics and reactor design

Air and Noise Pollution: Particulate Pollutants, Gaseous Pollutants, Air Quality Management, Noise Pollution

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management: Municipal solid waste management, Hazardous waste management, Management of biomedical waste, plastic waste, and E-waste

Global and Regional Environmental Issues: Global effects of air pollution, Ecology, and various ecosystems

Environmental Management and Sustainable Development: Environmental Management Systems; ISO14000 series; Environmental Auditing, Environmental Law and Policy, Energy and Environment, Sustainable Development

Ecology and Evolution

Ecology: Fundamental Concepts, Population Ecology, Interactions, Community Ecology, Ecosystems Structure and Function

Evolution: History of Evolutionary Thought, Fundamentals, Diversity of Life, Life History Strategies, Interactions, Population and Quantitative Genetics, Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics, Macroevolution

Mathematics and Quantitative Ecology: Mathematics and Statistics in Ecology, Statistical Hypothesis Testing

Behavioral Ecology: Classical Ecology, Sensory Ecology, Foraging Ecology, Reproduction, Social Living 

Applied Ecology and Evolution: Biodiversity and Conservation, Disease Ecology and Evolution, Global Climate Change

Instrumentation Engineering 

Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Analysis of Complex Variables, Probability and Statistics, Numerical Methods 

Electricity and Magnetism

Electrical Circuits and Machines 

Signals and Systems

Control Systems 

Analog Electronics

Digital Electronics

Measurements 

Sensors and Industrial Instrumentation 

Communication and Optical Instrumentation 

Note: In the table below, we have added only a few of the subjects and their topics. For detailed information on other subjects' syllabi, you should visit the official website of the GATE exam. 

Distribution Of Marks In Various Test Papers For GATE

Every test paper in this examination is of 100 marks. All the papers of this exam have a General Aptitude section which is for 15 marks. The remaining 85 marks depend on the subject that you choose. In the table below, we have described the distribution of marks regarding all the test papers. 

PAPER CODE

GENERAL APTITUDE MARKS

SUBJECT: COMPULSORY SECTION

SUBJECT: OPTIONAL SECTION

TOTAL MARKS 

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

CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST

15

85

-

100

AR: Part A is Common and Compulsory. Part B1/B2 can be selected during the exam. 

B1 - Architecture 

B2 - Planning

15

60

25

100

GE: Part A is Common and Compulsory. Part B1/B2 can be selected during the exam. 

B1 - Surveying and Mapping 

B2 - Image Processing and Analysis

15

55

30

100

GG: Part A is Common and Compulsory. Part B1/B2 must be chosen at the time of application. 

B1 - Geology 

B2 - Geophysics

15

25

60

100

XE: Section A (Engineering Mathematics) is Common and Compulsory. Applicants must select any TWO of the other sections during the exam.

15

15

2 Into 35

100

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

XL: Section P (Chemistry) is Common and Compulsory. Applicants must select any TWO of the other sections during the exam.

15

25

2 Into 30

100

Mistakes Students Make While Solving The GATE Previous Year Question Paper

There are many common mistakes that aspirants make when they are solving the GATE PYQs​. Through these mistakes, your preparation might be affected and not provide you with success in the real examination. We have created a table for these mistakes and how you can avoid them to score higher in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering.

GATE previous year question papers with solutions​ 

MISTAKE 

WHY IT MATTERS

HOW TO AVOID IT

Not Solving in a Timed Environment 

Without the pressure of time, you can get a wrong sense of preparedness. The stress that you get from improper time management affects your skills in making decisions as well as accuracy. 

It is advised that you always solve the GATE previous year papers in the 3-hour duration. For this, you can use a stopwatch or an online timer. 

Not Doing Detailed Analysis 

If you just solve the GATE previous year question papers with solutions​, then it might not be enough. Not analyzing your mistakes means that you will repeat them again. 

After every attempt at the question papers, you should review your answers and note patterns in your errors. 

Solving the GATE Exam Previous Year Question Paper PDF Randomly

Going through different years or subjects PYPs can break your learning. 

You must follow a proper plan like starting with year-wise or subject-wise papers. Then, you should track your performance timely to check for any improvement. 

Not Reviewing Answer Explanations

Just guessing the answers or ignoring the logic behind them can lead to improper understanding. 

You should use the solutions that are provided in the GATE exam previous year question paper PDF download to understand why an answer is correct. Through this process, you can enhance your conceptual clarity. 

Ignoring NAT-Type Questions

You don’t get any opinions to choose from in the Numerical Answer Type questions of the GATE previous year question paper​. This is a common area for mistakes as they require accurate calculations. 

For such questions, you should separate practice sessions. Make sure that you get used to entering precise numerical answers as well as understand the rules. 

Zone-Wise Examination Centers For Graduate Aptitude Test In Engineering

There are different cities across the country where you can take the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. You may select up to three cities from the list of exam cities that are mentioned in the table below.

ZONAL GATE OFFICE 

LIST OF EXAM CITIES/ TOWNS

Zone 1

IISc Bengaluru

Bengaluru- 560012

Email: helpdesk.gate@iisc.ac.in Phone nos.: 080-22932644 080-22932392/ 3333

  • Andaman and Nicobar: Port Blair
  • Andhra Pradesh: Ananthapuramu, Kurnool
  • Karnataka: Bagalkot, Ballari, Belagavi, Bengaluru, North, Bengaluru South, Bidar, Chikkamagaluru, Chikkballapur, Davanagere, Hassan, Hubbali/ Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Kolar, Mandya, Mangaluru, Manipal- Udupi, Mysuru, Puttur, Shivamogga, Tumakuru
  • Kerala: Angamaly, Kannur, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Payyanur, Thrissur, Vatakara, Wayanad
  • Telangana: Hyderabad, Medak, Nalgonda

Zone 2

IIT Bombay

Powai, Mumbai- 400076

Email: gateoffice@iitb.ac.in Phone no.: 022-25767068 022-25767022 

  • Goa: Goa
  • Gujarat: Ahmedabad, Anand, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Vapi
  • Maharashtra: Ahmednagar, Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Baramati, Chandrapur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Navi Mumbai- Thane, Panvel- Raigad, Pune, Ratnagiri, Sangamner- Loni- Shirdi, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Vasai- Palghar, Wardha, Yavatmal

Zone 3

IIT Delhi

Hauz Khas, New Delhi- 110016

Email: gate@admin.iitd.ac.in Phone no.: 011-26591749

  • Haryana: Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar
  • Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu- Samba, Srinagar
  • Ladakh: Leh
  • Madhya Pradesh: Indore, Ujjain
  • New Delhi: New Delhi
  • Rajasthan: Ajmer, Alwar, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Dausa, Hanumangarh, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur
  • Uttar Pradesh: Greater Noida, Mathura

Zone 4

IIT Guwahati

Guwahati- 781039

Email: gate@iitg.ac.in 

Phone nos.: 0361-2582751/ 2582755

  • Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar
  • Assam: Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur
  • Bihar: Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea
  • Jharkhand: Bokaro Steel City, Dhanbad
  • Manipur: Imphal
  • Meghalaya: Shillong
  • Mizoram: Aizawl
  • Nagaland: Dimapur- Kohima
  • Sikkim: Gangtok
  • Tripura: Agartala
  • West Bengal: Asansol- Durgapur, Burdwan, Kalyani, Siliguri

Zone 5 

IIT Kanpur

Kanpur- 208016

Email: gate@iitk.ac.in

Phone nos.: 0512-2596962/ 2596963

  • Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna
  • Uttar Pradesh: Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi

Zone 6

IIT Kharagpur

Kharagpur- 721302

Email: gateonline@adm.iitkgp.ac.in Phone nos.: 03222-282091/ 282095

  • Andhra Pradesh: Eluru, Kakinada- Surampalem, Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry), Srikakulam, Tadepalligudem, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram
  • Chhattisgarh: Bhilai, Bilaspur, Raipur
  • Jharkhand: Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi
  • Odisha: Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Kakatpur (Puri), Rourkela, Sambalpur
  • West Bengal: Bankura, Berhampur- Murshidabad, Hooghly, Howrah, Kharagpur- Midnapur, Kolaghat, Kolkata, Suri (Birbhum)

Zone 7

IIT Madras

Chennai- 600036

Email: gate@iitm.ac.in

Phone no.: 044-22578200

  • Andhra Pradesh: Chirala, Chittoor, Guntur, Kadapa, Nandyala, Nellore, Ongole, Tirupati
  • Kerala: Alappuzha, Aluva- Ernakulam, Attingal, Chengannur, Kanjirapally, Kollam, Kothamangalam, Kottayam, Muvattupuzha, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Pondicherry: Puducherry
  • Tamil Nadu: Chennai South, Chennai West, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dindigul, Erode, Kanyakumari- Nagercoil, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Namakkal, Pollachi, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Thanjavur, Theni, Thoothukudi, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Virudhnagar
  • Telangana: Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kodad, Kothagudem, Nizamabad, Suryapet, Warangal

Zone 8

IIT Roorkee

Roorkee- 247667

Website: https://gate2025.iitr.ac.in 

Email: gate@iitr.ac.in

Phone no.: 01332-284531 

OI for GATE 2025

  • Haryana: Ambala, Kurukshetra
  • Himachal Pradesh: Baddi, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Palampur, Shimla- Solan, Una
  • Punjab: Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali= Chandigarh, Patiala, Pathankot
  • Uttarakhand: Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee
  • Uttar Pradesh: Ghaziabad, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Noida, Saharanpur 

Best Books To Study For Graduate Aptitude Test In Engineering

It is important to have a good collection of books for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering preparation. Below are some books that we recommend you to study for this examination. 

SUBJECT

BOOKS 

General Aptitude

  • Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agrawal
  • Quantitative Aptitude Test by T.S. Jain
  • English Grammar by Wren and Martin

Engineering Mathematics 

  • Higher Engineering Mathematics by B.S. Grewal
  • Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreyszig
  • Advanced Engineering Mathematics by H.K. Dass
  • Advanced Engineering Mathematics by R.K. Jain and S.R.K. Iyengar

Some Subject-Specific Books

Computer Science and Information Technology

  • Computer Organization and Architecture by Carl Hamacher
  • Discrete Mathematics and its Applications by Kenneth Rosen

Electrical Engineering

  • Fundamentals of Electric Circuits by Charles K. Alexander
  • Control Systems Engineering by Norman S. Nise

Electronics and Communication Engineering

  • Electronic Devices and Circuits by Millman and Halkias
  • Microelectronic Circuits by Sedra and Smith

Mechanical Engineering

  • Fluid Mechanics by R.K. Bansal
  • Heat Transfer by Yunus A Cengel

Conclusion

Practice of the GATE previous year papers is a great strategy that can build your confidence, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and help you understand the requirements of the exam. These papers also give you great insights into the question pattern, weightage of topics, exam trends, etc. In order to simplify your preparation, we provide you with free and easy access to a wide range of past papers. They are further categorized into year-wise and subject-wise PYPs. You should use these papers well, analyze your performance, and let them bring you one step closer to success in the examination. 

FAQs
Need answers? Find them here...
By solving the GATE exam previous year question paper PDF​, you can make yourself familiar with the exam pattern, understand the types of questions that are asked, as well as find the topics that are tested again and again. Through this practice, you will be able to enhance your problem-solving skills, boost your confidence, and improve your time management for the real exam.
The subject-matter experts at SelfStudys advise you to solve around 5 to 10 years of GATE previous year question paper​. With this range, you can get a proper knowledge of the exam trends, repeated topics, difficulty levels, etc. It will help you in preparation for the actual Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering in an effective manner.
Yes, on our platform, you will see that the solutions are included in the GATE previous year papers to each question. By referring to these provided solutions, you can understand and enhance your approach to solving problems.
In your study plan, you should include the GATE previous year question papers with solutions​ and solve them with a timer. In this way, you will be able to replicate the exam environment. Furthermore, you should analyze your performance to check your strong and weaker areas. Then, you must focus on improving the areas where you are weak.
We recommend you have a basic understanding of the syllabus first before you solve the GATE exam previous year question paper PDF download. However, with early solving of the papers, you can find the areas where you need more focus and guide your study plan properly.
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