GATE Engineering Sciences Exam Pattern 2026 (Released) - Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Mode of Exam

GATE Engineering Sciences Exam Pattern 2026 (Released) - Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Mode of Exam

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Team Careers360Updated on 11 Oct 2025, 01:00 PM IST

GATE Engineering Sciences Exam Pattern 2026 - IIT Guwahati has uploaded the GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences exam pattern on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can check the GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences exam pattern on this page. This year, a new optional paper of Energy Science has been introduced. As per the GATE XE exam pattern 2026, the paper includes two mandatory sections: Engineering Mathematics (XE A) and General Aptitude, along with two optional subjects. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering aspirants must check the GATE paper pattern for XE. The question paper will be prepared based on the GATE 2026 syllabus and the exam pattern. The GATE 2026 exam will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026.

This Story also Contains

  1. GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences Exam Pattern
  2. GATE Engineering Sciences Marking Scheme 2026
  3. Syllabus for GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences XE Section A Exam
  4. Books Recommendation for GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences Exam
GATE Engineering Sciences Exam Pattern 2026 (Released) - Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Mode of Exam
GATE Engineering Sciences Exam Pattern

The GATE exam pattern 2026 will provide the subject-wise distribution of marks. The General Aptitude section will carry 15 marks, while Engineering Mathematics and the two optional papers will account for a total of 85 marks. Read the article to know more about the GATE XE 2026 exam pattern.

GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences Exam Pattern

The authority has released the GATE Engineering Sciences 2026 exam pattern on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The Engineering Sciences (XE) is one of the 30 subjects offered in the GATE exam. Candidates can find the exam pattern for GATE Engineering Sciences 2026 below.

GATE Exam Pattern 2026 for Engineering Sciences

Particulars

Details

Examination Mode

Computer-Based Test (Online)

Duration

3 Hours

Section

General Aptitude (GA)

Engineering Mathematics

2 Optional Subjects

Type of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)

Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions

Total Marks

100 Marks

Marking Scheme

All of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks

GATE Negative Marking

Two types of MCQs:

MCQs - 1 mark for each correct answer; 1/3 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.

MCQs - 2 marks for each correct answer; 2/3 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response. There are no negative marking for Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions

NO negative marking for MSQ & NAT.

List of Topics of GATE Engineering Science (XE) with Subject Codes

The following is the list of topics in the GATE 2026 XE syllabus along with the subject codes:

  • GATE Engineering Mathematics(XE-A) -Compulsory section

  • ANY TWO OPTIONS from XE-B to XE-G

    • GATE Fluid Mechanics(XE-B)

    • GATE Materials Science(XE-C)

    • GATE Solid Mechanics(XE-D)

    • GATE Thermodynamics(XE-E)

    • GATE Polymer Science and Engineering(XE-F)

    • GATE Food Technology(XE-G)

    • GATE Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences(XE-H)

    • GATE Energy Science (XE-I)

GATE Engineering Sciences Marking Scheme 2026

The GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences exam pattern includes a detailed marking scheme, which is crucial as it outlines how marks are allocated across different question types. Understanding the marking scheme helps candidates plan how many questions to attempt in each section strategically. Below are the marking schemes for the three sections as per the GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences exam pattern.

GATE 2026 Engineering Science Marking Scheme

Subject

Number of QuestionsMarks Distribution

Marks Allotted

General Aptitude (GA)

10(5x1) - 5
(5x2) - 10

15

Engineering Mathematics (XE A)

11(7x1) - 7
(4x2) - 8

15

2 choice Subject Questions (B-I)

442 papers each with
(9x1) -9
(13 x 2) - 26

70

Total

65

100

Syllabus for GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences XE Section A Exam

-XE SECTION A: Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory)

  • Section 1: Linear Algebra
  • Section 2: Calculus
  • Section 3:Vector Calculus
  • Section 4:Complex variables Vector Calculus
  • Section 5:Ordinary Differential Equations
  • Section 6: Partial Differential Equations
  • Section 7: Probability and Statistics
  • Section 8: Numerical Methods
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Books Recommendation for GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences Exam

The best books to prepare the GATE XE Syllabus 2026 are given below. Candidates preparing for the upcoming exam can follow the books to give their best shot at the exam. These books for GATE Engineering Sciences 2026 will help the students prepare for the upcoming exam.

  • GATE Engineering Mathematics by Abhinav Goel and Suraj Singh

  • Material Science and Engineering by William F. Smith

  • Elements of Polymer Science and Engineering by Alfred Rudin

  • Atmospheric Science by John M. Wallace

GATE Previous Year Question Paper's
Download GATE previous year question papers to understand exam pattern and difficulty level. Practice with these papers to boost your preparation and improve your score.
Check Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the GATE XE exam pattern 2026 released?
A:

Yes, the GATE 2026 XE exam pattern has been released on the official website. A new optional paper, Energy Science (XE-I) has been introduced this year.

Q: What will be the total duration of GATE Engineering Sciences Exam 2026?
A:

The total time duration will be 180 minutes.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello,

No,For Mtech you are not eligible to give GATE examination in 2nd year diploma and after completing your diploma degree

Only bachelor's degree holders can give GATE examination

Thank you

Hello

If you're in 2nd year right now, you can’t register for GATE 2026 just yet.
The exam is only open to students in the 3rd year or beyond in their degree.
It’s mainly because the GATE tests subjects that are usually taught later in your course.
But don’t worry, you are in a great position to start preparing early!
Focus on your basics, practice problem-solving, and build strong concepts now.
By the time you reach 3rd year, you’ll be well ahead of the game.

Hello,

If your GATE 2026 application shows "under scrutiny," continue to monitor your applicant portal and registered email for updates, as this is a routine process where officials verify your details.  An "under scrutiny" status does not mean your application is rejected; you may be notified of discrepancies and given a chance to correct them during the application correction window, which opens later. Keep your application details accurate and prepare for the exam while waiting for the correction window to open.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,

In the GATE application form , you should enter your name exactly as it appears in your official ID proof , even if the order is different.

For example:

  • If your ID proof shows Surname + First Name , enter it in the same way in the form.

  • Do not change the order to First Name + Surname.

This is important because your GATE admit card and scorecard will match your ID proof.

Keep it exactly the same to avoid any issues later.

Hope it helps !

Hello,

Yes, you as a Bachelor of Science graduate in home science can appear for the GATE 2026 exam, as the eligibility criteria include graduates from "Science" and other fields, as well as those in the 3rd year or higher of an undergraduate program.

I hope it will clear your query!!