GATE Normalisation Process: Know formula to calculate marks and score

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2025 ( GATE )

DeskCalelnderExam On - 15 Feb '25

Updated on Mar 19, 2021 12:28 IST

Appeared in GATE 2021? Read the article below to know GATE Normalisation Process and how marks are calculated.

GATE Normalisation Process- With the GATE exam round the corner, the biggest query among students after the exam is about how the marks are calculated and what is GATE Normalisation Process? 

The Normalisation process is used to evaluate the performance of GATE Candidates who appeared for the GATE 2021 on February 6-7 and February 13-14. Shiksha.com brings you this article to know the details of the GATE Normalisation Process and how marks are calculated.

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Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) exam is conducted for MTech admissions and PSU recruitments. Most of the GATE papers are conducted in one session. However, few of the papers are held in multiple sessions/shifts. That is why the exam authority uses the GATE Normalisation process to find out the final scores that are obtained by the students according to the difficulty level of the exam held in multiple sessions. 

Also Read:

GATE 2021 Normalisation Process

Before understanding the GATE normalisation process, it is important to understand why it has been incorporated by the exam authority IIT Delhi. As the difficulty level of every paper is different and the exam conducted in multiple slots and time on scheduled dates. The normalisation process helps in bringing all the candidates on the same level as far as awarding them marks is concerned.

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GATE 2021 Marks Vs Scores

Candidates must keep in mind that GATE Marks and GATE Score are two totally different and the method of their calculation as well. Candidates can check below how marks and score are calculated for GATE:

Marks Out of 100

For papers conducted in a single session: For applicants who appeared in the single session papers/subjects of the GATE exam, actual marks obtained in the subject will be displayed in this field.

For papers conducted in multiple sessions: Applicants who appeared in the single session papers/subjects will get their normalised marks will be displayed in this field. The formula is in the image below:

 

GATE Score

For papers conducted in a single session: For all the GATE papers for which there was only one session, actual marks obtained by the applicants will be used for calculating the GATE 2021 Score.

For papers conducted in multiple sessions: For papers in multi-session, the GATE 2021 Score will be calculated based on the normalised marks. For all candidates (including single and multiple sessions) GATE Score will be calculated using the below formula:

The reason why are GATE Marks Normalised?

  • The GATE exam authorities use this Normalisation process due to the fact that the examination is conducted in multiple sessions for some of the papers. 
  • Exams held in multiple sessions because most PSU recruitments are for these particular branches.
  • Some of the major streams are preferred by candidates for MTech specialisations.
  • This process is used to stabilise the difficulty level of the various sessions. 
  • The exam authorities also keep in mind that the number of candidates allotted in each session is of the same magnitude for the same multi-session paper.

The candidates can calculate their probable scores in the exam after understanding the GATE normalisation process. Candidates are required to go through the GATE 2021 Answer key and match it with responses marked by them.

FAQs regarding the GATE normalisation Process

What is the gap between normalised marks and actual marks in GATE?

Normalisation depends on various factors such as the number of candidates who appeared in a paper, difficulty level of the exam and highest marks by a candidate in the paper. For papers conducted in multiple shifts, one shift’s difficulty level is compared with another paper and then the normalisation formula is applied.

Does the normalisation process affect GATE marks and the score of a candidate?

It depends upon the difficulty level of a shift. If it was too difficult, then the score will be high against low marks. The opposite will be the case if it was too easy relative to the other sessions. 

How effective is the normalisation policy of GATE?

The normalisation process of GATE is very effective as it brings every aspirant on the same level despite the fact that a candidate appeared in an easier question paper or tougher one. 

Is there a negative normalisation on an easier set in GATE?

There is no such term as negative normalisation. It is a relative term when the score of a candidate is calculated with respect to the topper of that paper’s shift.

Is the GATE exam considered to be one of the toughest exams?

GATE exam can be considered as one of the toughest exams in India due to the number of applicant and the difficulty level of the questions.
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