GATE Exam 2026: How many questions to attempt to score 40 marks in GATE, Marks vs Rank, and Cutoff Insights
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 ( GATE )
GATE 2026 Scorecard (free download)
27 Mar '26 - 31 May '26
Appearing GATE 2026 exam this year? If you are, then this article will guide you in the best way. Get complete information on how many questions is needed to score 40+ marks in GATE. The blog covers GATE expected cutoff marks, number of smart attempts, marks vs rank and more. Read below to know more.
GATE is one of the most competitive exams in India, opening doors to M.Tech admissions in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and prestigious PSUs. Every year, lakhs of students aim for high scores, but one common question is: How many questions should I attempt to score 40+ marks in GATE? Scoring 40+ marks in GATE is considered, but not enough for someone who is dreaming of getting into IITs or NITs.
As, GATE mark and rank varies every year depending on difficulty and normalisation process. Achieving 40 marks in GATE exam can get in you a rank between 2000 - 3000, which can be good for some new NITs and state government colleges. Let’s get into it to understand it better.
| GATE 2026 Exam Live Feb 15: EC and DA Paper Analysis and Question Answer Key | GATE 2026 Feb 14 shift 1 and 2 exam analysis and question paper |
IIT Guwahati has completed GATE 2026 exam. Students appearing for entrance test must be aware of GATE exam and shift timings.
Also read:
Firstly, understand GATE 2026 Exam Pattern
Before knowing how many questions to attempt, you must understand GATE exam pattern:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Mode of the question paper | English |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Number of papers (Subjects) | 30 test papers |
| Sections | General Aptitude (GA) + Candidate's Selected Subject(s) |
| Type of Questions | (a) Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) (b) Multiple Select Question (MSQ) (c) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
| Testing of abilities | (a) Recall (b) Comprehension (c) Application (d) Analysis & Synthesis |
| Distribution of Marks in all Papers EXCEPT papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL | General Aptitude: 15 marks Engineering Mathematics: 13 marks Subject Questions: 72 marks Total: 100 marks (XE includes the Engineering Mathematics section XE-A of 15 marks) |
| Distribution of Marks in papers AR, CY, DA, EY, GE, GG, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL | General Aptitude: 15 marks Subject Questions: 85 marks Total: 100 marks |
| Marking Scheme | Questions carry either 1 mark or 2 marks |
| Negative Marking | For a wrong answer chosen in an MCQ, there will be negative marking. For a 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. For a 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. There is no negative marking for wrong answer(s) to MSQ or NAT questions. There is no partial marking in MSQ. |
Also read:
If your Target is 40 Marks in GATE 2026
To score 40+ marks in GATE 2026, you need to aim for at least 42 to 45 raw marks (keeping in mind that silly mistakes may happen).
| If you attempt 30 questions of 2 marks correctly | It can fetch you 60 marks in GATE 2026 |
| If you attempt 20 questions of 2 marks correctly, and 10 questions of 1 mark correctly | It can fetch you 50 marks in GATE 2026 |
| If you attempt 15 questions of 2 marks and 15 questions of 1 mark correctly | It can fetch you 45 marks in the GATE |
This means you don't have to solve all 65 questions. Even 22 to 28 correct GATE questions (with good accuracy) can give you 40+ marks.
Also read:
- What is the salary of a GATE topper in a month?
- GATE marks vs rank vs score
- GATE exam VS campus placements: Which is better for aspirants, benefits and more
How many questions are required to attempt to score 40+ marks in GATE Exam
GATE General Aptitude Section
- GATE GA section is generally easy and can be scored easily
- Keep a target of scoring at least 8 to 10 marks, which is around 7 to 8 questions (approx).
The General Aptitude section is included for GATE paper codes AR, CY, DA, EY, GG, GE, MA, PH, ST, XH, and XL.
GATE Engineering Mathematics Section
- Highly formula-based with predictable and predictable questions.
- Keep a target of scoring 10 to 12 marks, which is roughly an attempt of 7 to 8 questions.
GATE Core Subject
- GATE specific-branch related discipline section has highest weightage
- Try scoring at least 20 to 25 marks- which is around 12 to 15 questions.
Also check:
GATE Questions Attempt vs Accuracy
Many aspirants think they must attempt 55 to 60 questions to score well. This is not true, check below -
| If you attempt 40 questions with 80% accuracy | You get at least 32 correct answers = 50 marks in GATE |
| If you attempt 55 questions with 50% accuracy and get 27 at least correct | Then you get around 42 marks in GATE |
Smart Strategy: How to attempt questions to score 40+ marks in GATE Exam
| Prioritise GA and Engineering Mathematics sections | These sections are comparatively easy and give a confidence boost. Secure 18 to 20 marks here. |
| Pick Easy Questions First | In GATE, at least 20 to 25% of questions are straightforward if you know basics. Hence, focus on the fundamentals. |
| Attempt GATE NATs and MSQs Wisely | Since there’s no negative marking, attempt them even if half sure. There is no partial marking in MSQs. |
| Avoid Blind Guessing in MCQs- | Negative marking can affect your GATE 2026 scores |
What is the Safe Attempt Range for 40+ Marks in GATE?
| Total attempts | 40 to 45 questions (overall) |
| Expected accuracy | 60 to 70% accuracy |
| Correct number of questions needed | 25 to 28 (approx) |
So, if you attempt 40 questions with 70% accuracy in GATE 2026 with 28 correct questions, that fetches at least 42 to 44 marks in GATE 2026. It is safe score in GATE 2026.
Also Read:
What to avoid while attempting GATE questions?
- Avoid guesswork
- Not focusing on GA and Engineering Mathematics- It can easily give you 20+ marks
- Lack of time management while attempting questions
- Not attempting GATE old question papers, Most toppers say that at least 10 to 12 GATE previous year papers are a must.
Commonly asked questions
IIIT Allahabad accpets JEE Main score for admission to the BTech courses. As per the IIIT Allahabad cutoff 2023, the Last Round closing rank for BTech ranged between 5924 and 9558, among which Information Technology was the most competitive specialisation. The Round 1 closing rank for BTech ranged between 4817 and 8428 for BTech.
So, considering the previous year Round 1 and the Last Round closing ranks, candidates seeking admission to IIIT Allahabad must secure a rank over and above 4800 and 9600 for the General ALL India category candidates.
Candidates can refer to the table given below to check out the 2023 Last Round closing ranks for IIIT Allahabad to get an idea of the ranks required for all the BTech courses offered at this institute:
| Course | Round 1 | Last Round |
|---|---|---|
| B.Tech. in Electronics and Communication Engineering | 8428 | 9558 |
| B.Tech. in Information Technology | 4817 | 5924 |
| B.Tech. in Information Technology (Business Informatics) | 5162 | 6587 |
If you belong to the General AI quota, the maximum required JEE Main cutoff rank was 24515 in 2025. Candidates seeking admission to the BTech course at NIT Trichy are advised to secure a cutoff rank of up to 24515. The lower the cutoff ranks, the higher the probability of the students getting a seat at NIT Trichy. Tabulated below are the JEE Main 2025 first and last round closing ranks in the General AI category.
| Course | R1 (Closing Rank) | Last Round (Closing Rank) |
|---|---|---|
| B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | 1104 | 1605 |
| B.Tech. in Electronics and Communication Engineering | 3221 | 3878 |
| B.Tech. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 5057 | 6783 |
| B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering | 7675 | 9670 |
| B.Tech. in Instrumentation and Control Engineering | 9163 | 12291 |
| B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering | 11454 | 13111 |
| B.Tech. in Production Engineering | 18304 | 21869 |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | 15575 | 22809 |
| B.Tech. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 17800 | 24515 |
Yes, the College of Engineering Pune (COEP) accepts the scorecard of JEE-Main. But the majority of seats are sanctioned for Maharashtra domicile students and are filled through MHT-CET. An additional 25% seats are provided for All India Candidates who are admitted through the JEE-Main score. Apart from UG courses like BTech the College of Engineering Pune also provides a wide range of PG and doctoral courses which have their own specified entrance exams through which students can enroll in the desired course.
NIT Manipur JEE Main cutoff 2024 has been released for admission to the BTech courses. During the Round 1 cutoff, the closing rank for CSE was 25886 for the General category students under the AII India Quota. Among OBC candidates, the closing rank for B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering stood at 8750. Candidates seeking admisison to NIT Manipur can refer to the table below to check out the Round 1 closing ranks for BTech in CSE course for various categories under the AI quota:
Category | JEE Main 2024 Expected Cutoff |
|---|---|
Common Rank List | 90-91 |
Gen-EWS | 75-76 |
OBC-NCL | 73-74 |
SC | 51-52 |
ST | 37-38 |
PwD | 0.0013527 |
Explore more Engineering exams with upcoming dates
23 May '26 - 24 May '26
25 May '26
4 Jun '26
5 Jun '26
10 Jul '26
26 May '26
3 Jun '26
20 Jun '26
How to Secure 40+ Marks in GATE 2026
| Daily 2 Hour Practice of General Aptitude and Engineering Maths | Consistency here ensures 15 to 20 marks |
| Strengthen Core Fundamentals | Don't mug everything, understand concepts |
| Take GATE Mock Tests |
Practice attempting 50 to 55 questions in GATE exam and check your accuracy. |
| Make formula sheets | Many 1-mark questions are direct formula-based |
| Don’t Panic | Even if paper feels tough, remember that GATE cutoff and rank depend on relative performance. |
Hence, 40+ marks in GATE 2026 = Safely above the cutoff in all branches. However, it might not be enough for GATE cutoff for NITs (category-applicants may get seats in some branches)
Can I get IIT with 40+ marks in GATE?
Getting admission to an IIT with 40 marks in GATE is unlikely for top IITs and popular branches, as it is below average, but it may be possible (with less chance) for newer IITs, interdisciplinary programs, or less competitive branches, as cutoffs vary significantly by institution, branch, category, and the exam's difficulty. However, you can try your luck in state government colleges.
With 40+ marks in GATE 2026, your admission chances might become a little higher. Thus, scoring 40+ marks in GATE can be easy with practice and dedication. Honestly, you do not need to solve all 65 questions, just right strategy you can easily cross the 40+ mark benchmark and open opportunities to good colleges and PSU opportunties.
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
5 May '26 | JEE Main 2026 paper 2 result s... |
4 May '26 | JEE Main 2026 paper 2 final an... |
17 May '26 | TS EAMCET 2026 result |
12 May '26 | TS EAMCET 2026 Engineering ans... |
25 May '26 | AP EAMCET 2026 Answer Key Rele... |
25 May '26 - 27 May '26 | AP EAMCET 2026 Answer Key Chal... |
Jun '26 | OJEE result 2026 |
Jun '26 | Special OJEE registrations 202... |
May '26 | AISECT Joint Entrance Exam 202... |
Jun '26 | AISECT Joint Entrance Exam 202... |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
hi,
With a GATE EC 2026 score of 609 under the EWS category, you have a strong profile for M.Tech in VLSI and related specializations. Along with IITs and NITs, Lovely Professional University is also a good option to consider for advanced studies in VLSI and Electronics. LPU offers industry-oriented
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Yes, GATE qualified candidates will also have to appear for the PGET exam held on the scheduled date. The merit list will combine performance of both WBUT and GATE paper.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Yes, WBUT PGET do accept GATE score for admission. The merit list will be prepared considering 70% weightage to GATE scores and 30% to PGET.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Candidates with GATE score of 2026, 2025 or 2024 are eligible for BITS HD 2026 entrance examination.
T
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
No, students can not get direct admission in Cluster Innovation Centre MSc. The college only accepts CUET PG score. Hence, having a GATE scorecard will not come in handy during admissions.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
If you are seeking admission in NIT Surathkal MTech, then GATE is mandatory. Students applying for non-MTech programmes do not need to appear for GATE. For M.Tech however, GATE followed by the centralised counselling is mandatory.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, students can not get admission in IIT Roorkee MSc with GATE scores. The institute accepts IIT JAM score only. No other tests including GATE are accepted. Students also have to appear for the centralised counselling to get a seat.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IISc Bangalore GATE cutoff 2026 for the ECE course for the General AI category was 650 in round 1. For the OBC AI category, the round 1 cutoff for the same course was 600. This difference in the score says that the competiton for the General AI category was higher than the OBC AI quota.
To know the
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IISc Banglore GATE COAP cutoff 2026 was declared for admission to the M.Tech course for various All India categories up to Round 1. For the General AI category, the round 1 cutoff ranged from 480 to 800, wherein M.Tech. in Instrumentation Systems and M.Tech. in Microelectronics and VLSI Design were
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, you can get a seat at IISc Banglore with a GATE score of 542, if you belong to the General AI category. Students can refer to the table beow to know which courses are available with this score based on the IISc Banglore GATE cutoff 2026 for round 1.
| Course | Round 1 |
|---|---|
| M.Tech. in Instrumentation Systems | 480 |
| M.Des. in Product Design and Manufacturing | 500 |
| M.Tech. in Smart Manufacturing | 500 |
| M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering | 525 |
For the OBC AI category, the courses availble
N
Contributor-Level 10
Upasana Pradhan is an Mtech graduate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from DTU who specialises in curating postgraduate and undergraduate engineering entrance exam content, such as GATE, TS PGECET, KCET,
Read Full Bio