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GATE Syllabus and Exam Pattern

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (IIT/IISc)

Sections
3
Topics
35
Sub-topics
332
Stages
2

The GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (IIT/IISc)) syllabus is organised into 3 sections: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together they cover 35 topics and 332 sub-topics, tested in GATE Paper 1 / Subject Test and GATE Paper 1 / Paper 2 / Subject Test. Below you will find every section's topics, the exam pattern and answers to common questions.

About the exam and pattern

GATE is conducted jointly by IISc, IITs, and NITs for admission to M.Tech/M.E./PhD and for PSU recruitment. Per GATE notification: 65 Q (MCQ + MSQ + NAT), 100 marks, 3 hours, 29 disciplines. Tests comprehensive understanding of undergraduate engineering subjects.

Exam pattern: Online CBT (3 hrs) — GATE

Where the marks are

Share of total marks by section

GATE Paper 1 / Subject Test

  • Physics50%30 marks · 30 Qs
  • Chemistry50%30 marks · 30 Qs

Tap a sub-topic to start studying it.

  • Mechanics

    Kinematics, Dynamics, Energy, Per GATE Official Notification

    ~1 marks
  • Electrodynamics & Optics

    Electrostatics, Magnetism, Optics, Per GATE Official Notification

    ~1 marks
  • Mechanics (Physics)

    Kinematics, Dynamics, Rotational Motion, Gravitation

    ~4 marks
  • Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics)

    Heat Transfer, Laws, Kinetic Theory

    ~4 marks
  • Optics & Modern Physics

    Light, EM Waves, Relativity, Quantum, Nuclear

    ~4 marks
  • Atomic Structure & Chemical Bonding

    Quantum, Periodic Table, Bonds

    ~4 marks
  • States of Matter & Solutions

    Gas, Liquid, Solid, Solutions, Colloids

    ~4 marks
  • Algebra (Advanced)

    Sets, Relations, Functions, Complex Numbers, P&C

    ~4 marks
  • Trigonometry (Advanced)

    Ratios, Identities, Equations, Inverse, Heights

    ~4 marks
  • Coordinate Geometry (Advanced)

    2D/3D, Conics, Vectors, Transformations

    ~4 marks
Take a mock test

Exam pattern at a glance

Online CBT (3 hrs) — GATE

High-weightage GATE topics

  1. 1Mechanics (Physics)Physics~4 marks
  2. 2Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics)Physics~4 marks
  3. 3Optics & Modern PhysicsPhysics~4 marks
  4. 4Atomic Structure & Chemical BondingPhysics~4 marks
  5. 5States of Matter & SolutionsPhysics~4 marks
  6. 6Algebra (Advanced)Physics~4 marks
  7. 7Trigonometry (Advanced)Physics~4 marks
  8. 8Coordinate Geometry (Advanced)Physics~4 marks

GATE section-wise syllabus

Physics

GATE Paper 1 / Subject Test · 10 topics · 94 sub-topics

  • Mechanics
  • Electrodynamics & Optics
  • Mechanics (Physics)
  • Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics)
  • Optics & Modern Physics
  • Atomic Structure & Chemical Bonding
  • States of Matter & Solutions
  • Algebra (Advanced)
  • Trigonometry (Advanced)
  • Coordinate Geometry (Advanced)
Full Physics syllabus

Chemistry

GATE Paper 1 / Subject Test · 10 topics · 94 sub-topics

  • Physical Chemistry
  • Organic & Inorganic
  • Mechanics (Physics)
  • Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics)
  • Optics & Modern Physics
  • Atomic Structure & Chemical Bonding
  • States of Matter & Solutions
  • Algebra (Advanced)
  • Trigonometry (Advanced)
  • Coordinate Geometry (Advanced)
Full Chemistry syllabus

Mathematics

GATE Paper 1 / Paper 2 / Subject Test · 15 topics · 144 sub-topics

  • Algebra
  • Calculus & Geometry
  • Arithmetic (MBA Quant)
  • Algebra (MBA Quant)
  • Data Interpretation
  • English
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Mechanics (Physics)
  • Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics)
  • Optics & Modern Physics
  • Atomic Structure & Chemical Bonding
  • States of Matter & Solutions
  • Algebra (Advanced)
  • Trigonometry (Advanced)
  • Coordinate Geometry (Advanced)
Full Mathematics syllabus

Frequently asked questions

What is the GATE syllabus?

The GATE syllabus has 3 sections: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together they cover 35 topics and 332 sub-topics.

What is the GATE exam pattern?

Online CBT (3 hrs) — GATE. Stages: GATE Paper 1 / Subject Test, GATE Paper 1 / Paper 2 / Subject Test.

How many questions come from each GATE section?

Physics: 30 questions (30 marks); Chemistry: 30 questions (30 marks); Mathematics: 30 questions (30 marks). Numbers can change with each notification.

Which GATE topics carry the most marks?

By weightage in the syllabus data: Mechanics (Physics) (Physics, ~4 marks), Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics) (Physics, ~4 marks), Optics & Modern Physics (Physics, ~4 marks), Atomic Structure & Chemical Bonding (Physics, ~4 marks), States of Matter & Solutions (Physics, ~4 marks).

How can I prepare for GATE on Topicly?

Open any GATE topic on this page and choose how to study it: step-by-step chat, quizzes, mock tests, formula sheets or a voice call with Sia, your personal teacher. Your progress is saved topic by topic, and it's free to start.

Is this the official GATE syllabus?

It is compiled from the official GATE notification and exam pattern for study purposes. The conducting body can change the syllabus, so always confirm with the latest official notification.

Compiled from official notifications for study purposes. Always confirm with the conducting body's latest notification.