Exam Pattern for GATE Electronics and Communications Engineering

GATE EXAM PATTERN

The GATE exam is a 3-hour computer-based test that consists of 65 questions. The questions include both objective type and numerical answer type (NAT) questions. The total score for GATE is 100 and this is divided into 3 sections, namely Aptitude Engineering, Mathematics, and Subject-Specific Questions.

Candidates appearing for GATE must answer the general aptitude section. For numerical answer type section – there is no negative marking; for unanswered questions – no marks will be deducted. All disciplines in GATE exam includes 3 sections except for AR, CY, GG, EY, XL, PH, and MA.

The paper code for Electronics and Communication Engineering is EC and given below is the marks distribution for each section:

1. General Aptitude – 15% of the total marks

2. Engineering Mathematics – 15% of the total marks

3. Subject Questions (Electronics and Communication Engineering) – 70% of the total marks

TYPES OF QUESTIONS

As mentioned previously, the first 2 sections in the GATE exam include both multiple-choice and numerical answer type questions. The multiple-choice questions include 4 options and only one is the right option. In the numerical type questions, candidates must enter the numerical value as the answer.

Since this is a computer-based exam, candidates are expected to use the mouse and virtual keyboard to answer these questions. Given below is the list of various types of questions that a candidate is expected to answer:

Recall – This section consists of questions based on known facts, principles, formulae or proven laws of the Electronics and Communication Engineering discipline. Students can answer the question either by recollecting the content from his/her memory or from a single-line computation.

Comprehension – Questions in this section test the candidate’s understanding of the electronics and communication engineering discipline. Candidates must derive simple conclusions from fundamental principles and ideas.

Application – This section tests the application skills of the candidates – they are expected to apply their knowledge either through logical reasoning or by computation.

Analysis and Synthesis – Questions in this section are given in a linked format, means the answer to the 1st question of the pair is mandatory in order to answer its successor or next question in the sequence.

Common Data Questions – This section consists of multiple questions that are linked to a common data problem or a comprehension passage. Two or three questions are formed based on the given input data. Each question in this section is independent of each other and answers can be derived separately. Questions in the section carry 2 marks each.

Linked Answer Questions – This section includes a problem-solving type of questions. Candidates are given with a problem statement followed by which they have 2 questions to answer. The questions are inter-linked, means the second question depends on the answer to the first question. Each question in this section carries 2 marks.

PAPER WEIGHTAGE

General Aptitude

SECTION 1: Engineering Mathematics

SECTION 2: Networks

SECTION 3: Signals & Systems

SECTION 4: Electronic Devices & Circuits

SECTION 5: Analog Circuits

SECTION 6: Digital Circuits

SECTION 7: Control Systems

SECTION 8: Communications

SECTION 9: Electromagnetics

MARKING SCHEME

In Objective Type questions:

• 1 & 2 marks for each correct answer according to the assigned marks.
• -1/3 & -2/3 mark for each incorrect answer according to the assigned marks.

There is no negative marking for Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions.