GATE CS (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering — Computer Science) — Free Online Mock Test
GATE 2025 CS: 65 Q · 3 hours · 100 marks (GA 15 + Subject 85). +1/-0.33 on 1-mark MCQ, +2/-0.66 on 2-mark MCQ, no negative on NAT. · Official language: English & Hindi.
GATE CS exam at a glance
GATE CS full-length mock tests
Attempt 50 full-length GATE CS mock tests, each a distinct question set built on the real 65-question, 180-minute pattern — with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first 3 are free.
See all 50 GATE CS mock tests →GATE CS key facts & eligibility
| Conducting body | IISc Bangalore and the IITs, on a rotating basis |
|---|---|
| Official website | gate.iitkgp.ac.in ↗ |
| Mode | The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) — a national test of undergraduate-level engineering and science, used for M.Tech, MS and PhD admission and for PSU recruitment. This is the general / Computer Science scope. |
| Frequency | Held once a year as a computer-based test. |
| Scoring & marking | The 3-hour computer-based test has 65 questions for 100 marks — General Aptitude (10 questions, 15 marks) plus the subject section (55 questions, 85 marks) — using multiple-choice, multiple-select and numerical-answer questions. Negative marking applies only to multiple-choice questions (−1/3 for 1-mark and −2/3 for 2-mark questions); there is no negative marking on multiple-select or numerical-answer questions. Normalised marks give a GATE Score on a 0–1000 scale, with an All India Rank. |
| Score validity | The GATE Score is valid for 3 years from the announcement of results. |
| Language | English. |
Who is eligible for GATE CS?
Candidates who have completed, or are in the third or final year of, a qualifying bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, science, arts or commerce; no age limit.
Last verified July 2026 against GATE — official. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.
GATE CS section breakdown
The GATE CS mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. No inter-section breaks — the timer runs continuously.
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General Aptitude (10 Q · 15 marks)
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Computer Science (55 Q · 85 marks)
GATE CS scoring & marking scheme
Strategy: GATE CS penalises wrong answers (-0.5 per mistake). Skip a question if you cannot eliminate at least 2 options — guessing blindly hurts your scaled score more than blanking.
Scale: GATE (out of 100).
How GATE CS is conducted
- Mode
- Test format
- Backtracking
- Mark for review
Tools available during the GATE CS exam
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Calculator
Wrexa Edge renders these tools inside the mock test exactly as they appear on the real GATE CS exam — same shortcuts, same behaviour.
GATE CS time strategy
With 65 questions in 180 minutes, you have about 166 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:
- General Aptitude (10 Q · 15 marks)
- Computer Science (55 Q · 85 marks)
Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.
GATE CS topics covered
Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of GATE CS, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):
General Aptitude (10 Q · 15 marks)
- GATE CS — General Aptitude · Verbal — one-word substitution · 1
- GATE CS — General Aptitude · Numerical — percentages · 1
- GATE CS — General Aptitude · Numerical — ratio and proportion · 1
- GATE CS — General Aptitude · Numerical — averages · 1
- GATE CS — General Aptitude · Numerical — speed, time and distance · 1
- Reasoning — Number Series (arithmetic) · 1
- Reasoning — Number Series (squares) · 1
- Reasoning — Classification (odd one out) · 1
Computer Science (55 Q · 85 marks)
- EngMath — Linear Algebra · 7
- CSE — Context-Free Grammars · 7
- CSE — Turing & Decidability · 7
- CSE — Lexical & Parsing · 7
- CSE — Syntax-Directed Translation · 7
- CSE — Code Optimization · 3
- GATE CS — Databases · functional dependencies · 1
- GATE CS — Databases · normalization — 3NF · 1
GATE CS difficulty calibration
Elite tier. Elite-tier: among the toughest exams in its category. Most successful candidates prepare for 6-12+ months.
GATE 2025 CS: 65 Q · 3 hours · 100 marks (GA 15 + Subject 85). +1/-0.33 on 1-mark MCQ, +2/-0.66 on 2-mark MCQ, no negative on NAT. · Official language: English & Hindi.
Verified content — Wrexa Edge's GATE CS bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).
How Wrexa Edge prepares you for GATE CS
- Real test-day interface
- 50 distinct variants
- Detailed analytics
- Spaced repetition (Notebook)
- Optional proctoring
- Free to start
Expert take: what GATE CS really tests
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), conducted by IISc and the IITs, is a national test of undergraduate engineering and science, used for M.Tech/MS/PhD admission and PSU recruitment. The 3-hour computer-based test has 65 questions for 100 marks — General Aptitude (10 questions) plus the subject section (55) — using multiple-choice, multiple-select and numerical-answer questions. Negative marking applies only to multiple-choice questions, and normalised marks give a GATE Score on a 0–1000 scale valid for 3 years.
Preparation tips
- Attempt numerical-answer (NAT) questions freely — no negative marking.
- Do not neglect the General Aptitude section (15 marks).
- Practise previous-year papers under timing.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Guessing on multiple-choice questions, which carry negative marking.
- Ignoring General Aptitude and engineering mathematics.
GATE CS study plan
A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.
- Core subject topics
- General Aptitude
- Engineering mathematics
- Previous-year questions
- NAT accuracy
- Concept application
- Full 65-question mocks
- MCQ negative-marking care
- Target GATE Score
Where GATE CS can take you
A strong GATE CS result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:
- M.Tech/PhD admission
- PSU recruitment
Best books & official prep for GATE CS
- GATE subject standard textbooks — Various
- GATE previous-year papers — Various
Official practice: Study the GATE subject syllabus with standard textbooks and practise previous-year papers, managing MCQ-only negative marking; the GATE Score is on a 0–1000 scale.
Previous-year papers: The organising institutes release GATE past papers.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the GATE CS exam pattern?
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering — Computer Science contains 65 questions across 2 sections: General Aptitude (10 Q · 15 marks), Computer Science (55 Q · 85 marks). Total duration is 180 minutes (about 166 seconds per question).
- Does GATE CS have negative marking?
- Yes — GATE CS carries negative marking of -0.5 per wrong answer and 1.5 per correct answer. Skipping is safer than guessing blindly.
- How is GATE CS scored?
- Scaled score range: 0 to 100. GATE (out of 100).
- How can I practise GATE CS online for free?
- Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length GATE CS mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 47 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.
- What is the difficulty level of GATE CS?
- GATE CS is rated Elite difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Elite-tier: among the toughest exams in its category. Most successful candidates prepare for 6-12+ months. GATE 2025 CS: 65 Q · 3 hours · 100 marks (GA 15 + Subject 85). +1/-0.33 on 1-mark MCQ, +2/-0.66 on 2-mark MCQ, no negative on NAT. · Official language: English & Hindi.
- How long is the GATE CS exam?
- GATE CS runs for 180 minutes total across 2 sections. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including no inter-section breaks.
- What topics are covered in GATE CS?
- GATE CS is split into: General Aptitude (10 Q · 15 marks), Computer Science (55 Q · 85 marks). Each section is timed and weighted separately. GATE 2025 CS: 65 Q · 3 hours · 100 marks (GA 15 + Subject 85). +1/-0.33 on 1-mark MCQ, +2/-0.66 on 2-mark MCQ, no negative on NAT. · Official language: English & Hindi.
- What tools or aids are allowed during GATE CS?
- On-screen scientific calculator (matches the real exam interface).
- Is the GATE CS test adaptive?
- No — GATE CS is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
- How many GATE CS mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?
- Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct GATE CS variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 3 free for everyone and 47 more with Pro. That's 3250 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.
- Is there a free GATE CS test series 2026?
- Yes. The Wrexa Edge GATE CS test series for 2026 gives you 3 free full-length mock tests (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.
- Are GATE CS previous year question–style papers included?
- Every GATE CS mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 65-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.
- Which is the best free GATE CS mock test online?
- Wrexa Edge's GATE CS mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and negative marking, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.
- Can I take the GATE CS mock test on mobile?
- Yes. GATE CS mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.
- What is the GATE CS syllabus?
- The GATE CS syllabus maps to its 2 sections: General Aptitude (10 Q · 15 marks), Computer Science (55 Q · 85 marks). Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.
- What is the eligibility for GATE CS?
- Candidates who have completed, or are in the third or final year of, a qualifying bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, science, arts or commerce; no age limit. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic GATE CS practice: 3 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
- When is the GATE CS exam and how should I prepare?
- Official GATE CS exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free GATE CS mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.
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