GATE 2026 Virtual Calculator - How to Use it

GATE 2026 Virtual Calculator - How to Use it

Gandubilli UnnatiUpdated on 10 Nov 2025, 02:14 PM IST

GATE 2026 Virtual Calculator - Candidates appearing for the GATE 2026 exam must learn how to use the GATE 2026 virtual calculator. The use of personal digital calculators is not allowed during the GATE exam. Instead, candidates will be provided with a GATE virtual calculator. The GATE exam requires candidates to perform multiple complex calculations, and the virtual calculator can assist in solving these problems. The authority will conduct the GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8, 14 & 15, 2026. The GATE exam will be held in online mode.

GATE 2026 Virtual Calculator - How to Use it
GATE Virtual Calculator

GATE virtual calculator will be displayed on the computer screen, beside the exam questions. Aspirants must familiarize themselves with the virtual calculator for GATE 2026. Since candidates are not accustomed to this feature, they can read about how to use GATE 2026 virtual calculator here.

GATE Virtual Calculator 2026- Features

Some of the features are given below so that the candidates can learn how to use GATE 2026 virtual calculator:

  • Candidates appearing for the GATE 2026 exam will be allowed to use the virtual calculator of GATE 2026 by the authorities at the exam centres.

  • This calculator was introduced during the GATE 2016 exam.

  • The keys for simple operations will be available on the right-hand side of the GATE 2026 virtual calculator.

  • For scientific functions and operations, the keys will be placed on the left-hand side of the virtual calculator.

  • Inverse functions will have separate keys so the candidates will not be required to click SHIFT or INV keys.

  • The inverse functions will be below the respective functions. For example, sininv will be available below sin on the calculator.

  • Candidates will be able to find the trigonometric functions grouped.

  • The hyperbolic functions will also be grouped in the virtual calculator of GATE 2026.

  • Candidates can see two display boxes at the top of the virtual calculator. One of the boxes will indicate the sequence of the keys pressed by the candidate for reference.

  • The other box will show the actual entered values or those obtained after the calculation is done.

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Procedure to use GATE Virtual Calculator 2026

How to Calculate

Example for Calculations

Simple Arithmetic Calculations

  • To calculate 60 + 35 x 5 candidates must enter 60, +, 35, *, 5, =

  • To evaluate: 75 x 40-3 candidates must enter 75, *, 40, -, 3, =

  • Similarly to evaluate: 73 x (2+3) candidates must enter 73, *, (, 2, +, 3, ), =

How to evaluate function (value)

  • To evaluate 2 + log(30) x 10 candidates must enter 30, log, *, 10, +, 2, =

  • To evaluate log(20) x 3 - 7 candidates must enter 20, log,*, 3, -, 7, =

  • To evaluate In(15) x 2 + 8 candidates must enter 15, In, *, 2, +, 8, =

  • To evaluate 3 + In(15) x 2 candidates must enter 15, In, *, 2, +, 3,=

How to use sin(Degree), cos(Degree), tan(Degree)

  • To evaluate sin(25) or cos(25) or tan(25) candidates must enter 25, sin or cos or tan

  • To evaluate: tan(35) x 6 + 2 candidates must enter 35, tan, *, 6, +, 2, =

How to find out y root() value

To evaluate 4th root of 8 candidates must enter 8, y√x, 4, =

How to find out cube() value

To evaluate: 483 x 6+9 candidates must enter 48, x3, *, 6, +, 9, =

How to find π value

To evaluate 8 π candidates must enter 8, *, π

How to find cube root()

To evaluate cube root(3) candidates must enter 3,3√

How to find out square root

To evaluate square root(6) candidates must enter 6,√

How to find out factorial (nỊ)

  • To evaluate factorial(5) candidates must enter 5, nỊ

  • To evaluate factorial(8)*5-2 candidates must enter 8, nỊ, *, 5, -, 2, =

How to find exponential (ex )

To evaluate e0 candidates must enter 0, ex

How to find 10x

  • To evaluate 122.5 candidates must enter 2.5, 12x

  • To evaluate 18-0.509 candidates must enter 18, ^, 0.509, +/-, =

  • To evaluate 20-2 candidates must enter 20, ^, 2, +/-, =

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Will I be able to use the keyboard?
A:

No. Candidates will not be allowed to use the keyboard during the examination.

Q: How to represent Complex numbers?
A:

Questions related to any area related to complex numbers such as power systems or any other area, can be solved using the virtual calculator for GATE 2026.

Q: How to do the calculations involving fractions?
A:

The numerical based questions will have answers only in decimal form. Therefore, there will be no provision for fractions.

Q: How to convert polar to rectangular form and vice versa?
A:

Since there are no separate keys for this function, the candidates will have to use the appropriate conversions using the calculator.

Q: How to solve quadratic, cubic or simultaneous equations?
A:

These types of equations cannot be done in the virtual calculator since it is not programmed.

Q: How to carry out Matrix operations like inverse, transpose etc?
A:

Candidates will have to manually do these operations since the virtual calculators are not programmed for it.

Q: How to access the values of constants like Planck’s constant, electron mass etc.?
A:

Any constant needed for solving problems will be present in the question paper of GATE 2026. Wherever the constant is not mentioned, the candidates are required to know it beforehand.

Q: Can a student get a stand-alone calculator app for their mobile or computer?
A:

No, the candidates will not be allowed to access a stand alone calculator since it will be available only in online mode. An internet connection will be required to load the calculator on your computer or mobile.

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Hello,

You can change your category in the GATE application by logging into the GOAPS portal during the correction window and using the "Edit GATE Application Form" option to make the change. You will likely need to pay an additional fee for the change and may need to provide a valid category certificate.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello,

Other than the GATE exam, admission to MTech programs in Data Science/AI for 2026 includes university-specific entrance tests like VITMEE, BITS HD Entrance Test, and SRMJEEE PG, as well as state-level common entrance tests such as Karnataka PGCET and TS PGECET.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-da-data-science-and-artificial-intelligence-question-papers

Just visit the link I am attaching below, so that it will help you to download and practice the papers, so that you can practice well and score well.

Hope it will help you!!!

Hello dear candidate,

You will not receive another rectification mail unless and until there is still an error in your reuploaded signature. if everything is okay your status will change to accepted on the GATE portal.

My advice is that you should keep checking your application status on the official website of GATE 2026.

Thank you.

Hello,

Visit the below website to download the previous 15 years question paper of GATE exam.

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/last-15-years-gate-papers-solutions

You'll also get the solutions from it. These question papers will help you a lot in your preparation.

All the best.