GATE Marking Scheme 2025 & Exam Pattern – Full Details

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GATE, which stands for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, is a competitive examination that enables engineering and science graduates in India to pursue higher education. The IIT Roorkee has shared the GATE 2025 marking scheme, and with it, the details regarding the GATE 2025 marking scheme, negative marking, and allocation of marks for different subjects. 

Negative marking is a critical factor that needs to be understood in detail before attempting to score higher on the test. With the examination being held on February 1, 2, 15, and 16 in 2025, it becomes increasingly important for the students to gain insight into the marking scheme and the structure of the questions. This blog provides marks distributing breakdown for the exam, types of questioned markings, and some effective examination prep tips.

GATE 2025 Exam Pattern

Before discussing the marking scheme, let’s look at how the exam is structured.

The GATE 2025 examination is conducted via a Computer-Based Test (CBT) in over 30 disciplines. Here are the two main parts of the examination: 

  • General Aptitude: This is GA and this part is the same for all candidates. The mark assigned to this section is 15.
  • Specific Subject Questions: This section contains questions based on the paper selected by the candidate. The total marks allocated for this part is 85.
  • Maximum Marks: 100
  • Duration of the exam: Three hours (180 minutes).

There will be different types of questions in the exam so it is advisable to understand how each of them will be marked.

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GATE Marking Scheme 2025

To maintain impartiality while testing students for the GATE 2025 examination, candidates will have to answer all three types of questions. Each of the types has its own unique pattern of allocation of marks which will be explained afterwards.

1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

These questions are set at a standard that permits one to two marks depending on how challenging the question is at hand.

Negative Marking:

  • For one mark MCQ: There is a reduction of a mark for every answer attempted that is incorrect.
  • For two-mark MCQ: A deduction of two-thirds of a mark is imposed for every question that gets answered incorrectly.

Pro Tip: Using incorrect rash guessing will yield penalties. Exercise caution while attempting these questions.

2. MSQ (Multiple Select Questions)

  • These types of questions like MCQ also carry one or two marks, but there is no negative marking. However, one should select all the correct options for maximum marks.
  • The candidate receives no score If at least one option chosen is incorrect. 

Pro Tip: Test takers make sure to take their time while going through the MSQ as one is not penalized for wrong answering.  

3. Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions

  • These types of questions require participants to provide a solution in a numerical format.
  • Every answer is worth one or two points.
  • Most importantly, wrong answers do not receive negative marks.

Tip: It is better to attempt all NAT questions because there is no negative marking for wrong answers.

GATE 2025 Marks Distribution Across Subjects

Now that we have the grading scheme, let us analyze the marks distribution for GATE papers.

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Paper CodeGeneral Aptitude (GA) MarksSubject MarksTotal MarksTotal Time (Minutes)
AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, NM, PE, PI, TF1585100180
CY, DA, EY, MA, PH, ST1585100180
AR (Part A is Common, Part B1 or B2 can be selected)1560100180
GE (Part A is Common, Part B1 or B2 can be selected)1555100180
GG (Part A is Common, Part B can either be Geology or Geophysics)1525100180
XE (Section A is Common, select any two additional sections)152 x 35100180
XH (Section B1 is Common, select any one additional section)1525100180

Different papers have different marks distribution and candidates should focus on the high-weightage sections.

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How to Prepare Effectively for GATE 2025 Based on the Marking Scheme

Apart from knowing the marking scheme, candidates must plan their preparations accordingly. To have higher chances of passing GATE 2025, here are some effective preparation tips:

1. Focus on High Mark Subjects

  • To be able to convert the General Aptitude (GA) section which has 15 marks, you will need to focus on it.
  • Next, pay greater attention to core subject topics that lead to greater contribution to the other 85 subject-specific marks.

2. Familiarize Yourself with ALL Question Types

  • MCQ: Remember that there is negative marking, so it’s better not to answer questions if you are unsure.
  • MSQ: Guess these without worries as there is no negative mark for it.
  • NAT Questions: Do more numerical problem-solving as the target is great accuracy.
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3. Solve Previous Year Papers

  • This gives you an idea of the common topics and level of difficulty.
  • Knowing how to work on past papers will also aid with time management skills.

4. Attempt Full-Length Mock Tests

  • Simulating the real exam environment is possible through regular mock tests.
  • This allows you to have a better understanding of your weak areas.

5. Minimize Negative Marking

  • Marking without knowledge of an answer will lead to the incorrect answer penalty that you want to avoid. 
  • MSQ and NAT question types don’t have this problem, so feel free to guess as much as you want.

6. Create a Formula Sheet

  • Starting a separate notebook for just formulas and shorthand will go along well.
  • Make it a point to review them regularly so that you do not forget them.

FAQs

Q1: Where can I get the GATE 2025 Marking Scheme?

You can get the marking scheme from the official GATE 2025 portal.

Q2: Are there negative marks in the GATE 2025 examination?

Yes, but only for multiple-choice questions. Other question types like MSQs and NATs have no negative marking.

Q3: What is the penalty for marking an incorrect answer?

  • 1-mark MCQ: 1/3 mark penalty.
  • 2-mark MCQ: 2/3 mark penalty.

Q4: Is there a negative marking for MSQs?

No. If you mark any incorrect option, you will score absolute zero.

Q5: Is it mandatory to attempt all NAT questions?

Yes. There is no negative marking on NATs so you should give them a go.

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Conclusion

The marking criteria of GATE 2025 have been released by IIT Roorkee and this will help the candidates with the patterns of questions, marks distribution and the overall structure of the exam. Following the right preparation will most certainly result in success for the candidates.

For further details, please visit the GATE 2025 official website.

We wish you all the best while preparing for the GATE 2025!!!

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