Examination

The GATE 2008 examination consists of a single paper of 3 hours duration.

1. The question paper will consist of only objective type questions. Each question will have four choices for the answer. Only one choice is correct. Wrong answers carry negative marks. 

2. Each paper is for a maximum of 150 marks. 

A candidate will have to choose any one of the papers listed below:

PAPER	CODE	PAPER	CODE
Aerospace Engg.	AE	Information Technology	IT
Agricultural Engg.	AG	Mathematics	MA
Architecture and Planning	AR	Mechanical Engg.	ME
Civil Engg.	CE	Mining Engg.	MN
Chemical Engg.	CH	Metallurgical Engg.	MT
Computer Science and Engg.	CS	Physics	PH
Chemistry	CY	Production and Industrial Engg.	PI
Electronics and Communication Engg.	EC	Pharmaceutical Sciences	PY
Electrical Engineering	EE	Textile Engg. and Fibre Science	TF
Geology and Geophysics	GG	Engineering Sciences	XE*
Instrumentation Engg.	IN	Life Sciences	XL*

*Papers XE and XL are of general nature and will comprise the following sections:

XE paper sections (Engineering Sciences)		XL paper sections (Life Sciences)
SECTIONS	CODE	SECTIONS	CODE
Engg. Mathematics (Compulsory)	A	Chemistry (Compulsory)	J
Computational Science	B	Biochemistry	K
Electrical Sciences	C	Biotechnology	L
Fluid Mechanics	D	Botany	M
Materials Science	E	Microbiology	N
Solid Mechanics	F	Zoology	O
Thermodynamics	G
Polymer Science and Engineering	H
Food Technology	I

Candidates appearing in XE or XL papers are required to answer three sections. Sections (A) and (J) are compulsory in XE and XL papers respectively. Candidates can choose any two out of the remaining sections mentioned against the respective papers.

1. The choice of the appropriate paper is the responsibility of the candidate. However, some guidelines are suggested below: 
   (a) Candidates are expected to appear in a paper (one of the listed papers) appropriate to the discipline of their qualifying degree.  
   (b) However, the candidates are free to choose any paper according to their admission plan, keeping in mind the eligibility criteria of the institutions in which they wish to seek admission.

2. The question paper of GATE 2008 will be fully of objective type.  
   (a) Candidates have to mark the correct choice by darkening the appropriate bubble against each question on an Objective Response Sheet (ORS). 
   (b) There will be negativemarking for wrong answers. The deduction for each wrong answer will be 25% of the allotted marks.