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Engineering postgraduate entrance · IISc Bengaluru & the seven older IITs (rotating)

GATE CS Mock Tests, Syllabus & Complete Exam Guide

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering — Computer Science & IT. Practise 35 full-length mock tests on the official pattern, drill every topic, and get the eligibility, syllabus, cut-off, rank and college details you need — all in one place.

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GATE CS at a glance

Questions
65
Total marks
100
Duration
3 hours
Marking
+1/+2 · −⅓/−⅔
ModeComputer-based test (online)
FrequencyOnce a year
LanguagesEnglish
By the ExamguruX Editorial TeamReviewed for pattern accuracy against IISc Bengaluru & the seven older IITs (rotating)Last updated 14 July 2026

GATE CS full-length mock tests

Attempt 35 full-length GATE CS mock tests built on the official 65-question, 100-mark pattern. The first few are free — every test comes with instant results and a step-by-step solution for each question.

GATE CS Full Mock Test 01

Free
65 Qs · 100 marks180 min7.0K attemptsModerate
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GATE CS Full Mock Test 02

Free
65 Qs · 100 marks180 min9.9K attemptsHard
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GATE CS Full Mock Test 03

Free
65 Qs · 100 marks180 min12.9K attemptsEasy
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GATE CS Full Mock Test 04

65 Qs · 100 marks180 min15.8K attemptsHard
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GATE CS Full Mock Test 05

65 Qs · 100 marks180 min18.8K attemptsEasy
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GATE CS Full Mock Test 06

65 Qs · 100 marks180 min21.7K attemptsModerate
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GATE CS Full Mock Test 07

65 Qs · 100 marks180 min24.7K attemptsHard
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GATE CS Full Mock Test 08

65 Qs · 100 marks180 min27.6K attemptsModerate
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GATE CS Full Mock Test 09

65 Qs · 100 marks180 min30.6K attemptsHard
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Unlock all GATE CS tests

The first tests in each section are free to try. Get the complete GATE CS mock library, every topic test and all available languages for 3 months — a one-time ₹199 / 3 months.

GATE CS — full access

₹199/ 3 months
  • Every full-length mock test
  • All topic-wise tests, every subject
  • All available languages
  • Step-by-step solution for every question
  • Indicative marks-to-rank & cut-offs

Secure payment by Razorpay · one-time ₹199 for 3 months

GATE CS topic-wise tests & syllabus

216 topic tests across 9 subjects — a focused set of 15 tests for every topic in the GATE CS syllabus, tagged with approximate exam weightage so you practise where the marks are.

216 topic-wise tests · 15 per topic across 9 subjects. Pick a subject, expand a topic, and start drilling.

Quantitative Aptitude — Test 01

Free
12 Qs · 12 marks24 min63.1K attemptsModerate
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 02

Free
12 Qs · 12 marks24 min80.8K attemptsEasy
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 03

20 Qs · 20 marks40 min98.5K attemptsHard
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 04

12 Qs · 12 marks24 min116K attemptsModerate
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 05

12 Qs · 12 marks24 min134K attemptsEasy
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 06

20 Qs · 20 marks40 min152K attemptsHard
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 07

12 Qs · 12 marks24 min19.4K attemptsModerate
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 08

12 Qs · 12 marks24 min37.1K attemptsEasy
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 09

20 Qs · 20 marks40 min54.8K attemptsHard
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 10

12 Qs · 12 marks24 min72.5K attemptsModerate
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 11

12 Qs · 12 marks24 min90.2K attemptsEasy
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Quantitative Aptitude — Test 12

20 Qs · 20 marks40 min108K attemptsHard
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GATE CS sample questions

A few real GATE CS questions with answers and step-by-step solutions, in the exact style of the full mock tests.

General AptitudeSample 1

If the average of 5 numbers is 20, what is their sum?

Solution: Sum = average × count = 20 × 5 = 100.

Engineering MathematicsSample 2

What is the determinant of the matrix [[2, 0], [0, 3]]?

Solution: For a diagonal 2×2 matrix, determinant = product of diagonal entries = 2 × 3 = 6.

Programming & Data StructuresSample 3

Which data structure follows the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) principle?

  • A.Queue
  • B.Stack
  • C.Linked list
  • D.Tree

Solution: A stack removes the most recently added element first — LIFO.

AlgorithmsSample 4

The worst-case time complexity of binary search on a sorted array of n elements is:

  • A.O(n)
  • B.O(log n)
  • C.O(n log n)
  • D.O(1)

Solution: Binary search halves the search space each step, giving O(log n).

Theory of Computation & CompilersSample 5

A language accepted by a finite automaton is classified as:

  • A.Context-free
  • B.Regular
  • C.Recursive
  • D.Context-sensitive

Solution: Finite automata accept exactly the regular languages.

Operating SystemsSample 6

Which CPU scheduling policy can cause indefinite starvation of low-priority processes?

  • A.Round Robin
  • B.First-Come-First-Served
  • C.Priority scheduling
  • D.FIFO

Solution: Under priority scheduling, low-priority processes may never run if higher-priority ones keep arriving.

About the GATE CS exam

Admission to M.Tech / M.E. / M.S. and PhD programmes at the IISc, IITs, NITs and other institutes, and recruitment to many public-sector undertakings (PSUs).

What is GATE?

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level examination that tests a candidate's comprehensive understanding of undergraduate engineering and science subjects. It is conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru and seven older IITs on behalf of the National Coordination Board.

A good GATE score is the gateway to M.Tech, M.E. and PhD admissions at the IISc, the IITs, the NITs and other leading institutes — often with a monthly stipend — and is also used by dozens of public-sector undertakings such as NTPC, IOCL, BHEL and PowerGrid for recruitment. The Computer Science & IT (CS) paper is among the most competitive, drawn by both higher-study aspirants and PSU job seekers.

Why concept depth and accuracy decide your rank

Unlike a purely speed-based exam, GATE rewards depth: its 65 questions span the entire CS syllabus, from digital logic and computer organization to algorithms, theory of computation, operating systems, databases and networks, plus engineering mathematics and general aptitude. A thin coverage of any one area leaves easy marks on the table.

The mixed marking — 1-mark and 2-mark questions, with negative marking on MCQs but none on numerical (NAT) questions — makes disciplined attempt strategy essential. Since the GATE score and All-India Rank are computed by normalising across sessions, practising full-length mocks that mirror the real 3-hour interface, on-screen calculator and NAT input is the most reliable way to convert conceptual clarity into a top rank.

GATE CS eligibility & exam pattern

Check whether you meet the GATE CS eligibility criteria and understand exactly how the paper is structured and marked before you plan your preparation.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifying degree
A Bachelor's degree in Engineering / Technology (or a Master's in Science / Maths / Statistics / Computer Applications), or candidates in the final year of such programmes.
Age limit
There is no upper age limit to appear for GATE.
Number of attempts
No limit — a candidate may appear for GATE any number of times.
Papers per session
A candidate may appear in up to two papers from an allowed combination in a single session.
Score validity
A GATE scorecard is valid for three years from the date of announcement of results.
Nationality
Indian nationals are eligible; candidates from a few neighbouring countries may also apply as per the brochure.

Exam pattern & marking

SubjectQuestionsMarks
General AptitudeCommon to all GATE papers1015
Engineering MathematicsPart of the technical section~9~13
Core CS subjectsProgramming, DS, algorithms, OS, DBMS, networks, TOC, DL/CO~46~72
TotalNaN100

GATE has 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours, mixing 1-mark and 2-mark questions. For multiple-choice questions (MCQs), a wrong answer loses ⅓ mark on 1-mark questions and ⅔ mark on 2-mark questions. Numerical Answer Type (NAT) and Multiple-Select (MSQ) questions carry no negative marking. General Aptitude contributes 15 marks and is common to every GATE paper.

Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes).

How to prepare for GATE CS

A proven, focused GATE CS preparation method — from building strong fundamentals to peaking with full-length mocks.

  1. 1

    Master standard textbooks, not shortcuts

    GATE tests depth, so build each subject from a standard reference — Cormen for algorithms, Galvin for operating systems, Korth for databases, Ullman for theory of computation — rather than relying on formula sheets.

  2. 2

    Prioritise the high-weightage subjects

    Algorithms, data structures, theory of computation, operating systems, DBMS and computer networks together carry most of the CS marks. Build unshakeable fundamentals here before polishing lower-weightage topics.

  3. 3

    Do not neglect aptitude and maths

    General Aptitude (15 marks) and Engineering Mathematics (~13 marks) together make up nearly 30% of the paper and are highly scoring. Regular short drills here are among the best returns on your time.

  4. 4

    Practise NAT questions carefully

    Numerical Answer Type questions have no negative marking, so attempt every one you can — but practise typing precise values and rounding as instructed, since silly input errors cost otherwise-earned marks.

  5. 5

    Solve previous years and take full mocks

    Work through previous-year GATE papers topic by topic, then take full-length 3-hour mocks under the real interface. Your analysis of each mock — especially timing and negative-marking decisions — is where your rank is actually built.

  6. 6

    Revise with a formula and concept sheet

    Maintain a concise revision sheet of key results, complexities and standard tricks per subject, and cycle through it in the final weeks so nothing you have studied slips before exam day.

GATE CS marks vs rank & cut-offs

Your GATE CS All India Rank — not just your marks — decides your college. Use this recent-cycle marks-to-rank map and the official category-wise qualifying cut-offs to set a realistic target score.

GATE CS marks vs. rank

Score rangeGATE score (/1000)Indicative AIR (CS)
85+ / 100Score ~950+AIR under ~50 — top IIT M.Tech / PSU calls
70–85Score ~850–950AIR ~50–300 — strong IIT/IISc calls
55–70Score ~750–850AIR ~300–1500 — IITs / top NITs
40–55Score ~600–750AIR ~1500–5000 — NITs, many institutes
30–40Score ~450–600AIR ~5000–15000 — qualifies, wider options
Below ~29Below cut-offTypically below the General qualifying mark

Qualifying cut-offs by category

General~ 25–30

Indicative marks: qualifying marks / 100

EWS~ 22–27

Indicative marks: qualifying marks / 100

OBC (NCL)~ 22–27

Indicative marks: qualifying marks / 100

SC / ST / PwD~ 16–20

Indicative marks: qualifying marks / 100

The exam pattern and marking reflect the current GATE format; dates are indicative of the 2026 cycle. Qualifying cut-offs, GATE-score-to-rank mappings and institute closing ranks vary significantly every year with the applicant pool and paper difficulty, and are shown here only as indicative guidance. Always verify current-year specifics on the official GATE website.

Institutes & PSUs that accept GATE

A valid GATE score (valid for three years) opens M.Tech admissions at the IISc, IITs and NITs, and is used for recruitment by many PSUs. The list below shows premier institutes for CS/IT postgraduate study with indicative All-India Ranks at which General-category candidates typically secure a seat — final cut-offs depend on specialisation, category and the year's applicant pool.

InstituteLocationTypeGATE AIR (indicative, CS)
IISc BengaluruBengaluruInstitute≈ AIR 1–120 (CS)
IIT BombayMumbaiIIT≈ AIR 1–250 (CS)
IIT DelhiNew DelhiIIT≈ AIR 1–300 (CS)
IIT MadrasChennaiIIT≈ AIR 1–350 (CS)
IIT KanpurKanpurIIT≈ AIR up to ~450 (CS)
IIT KharagpurKharagpurIIT≈ AIR up to ~600 (CS)
IIT HyderabadHyderabadIIT≈ AIR up to ~700 (CS)
IIT RoorkeeRoorkeeIIT≈ AIR up to ~800 (CS)
NIT TiruchirappalliTiruchirappalliNIT≈ AIR up to ~1800 (CS)
NIT SurathkalSurathkalNIT≈ AIR up to ~2000 (CS)
IIIT HyderabadHyderabadInstituteOwn GATE-based process
PSUs (NTPC, IOCL, BHEL, PowerGrid…)All-IndiaPSUHigh-score shortlist

A representative set of institutes that admit through GATE CS. Many more institutes participate in the counselling process.

GATE CS important dates

The typical GATE CS timeline, from notification to counselling. Dates are tentative until the official notification is released.

  1. GATE 2026 registration

    August – October 2025

  2. Admit card

    January 2026

  3. GATE 2026 exam

    February 2026 (weekends)

  4. Answer key & objections

    February 2026

  5. Result

    March 2026

  6. Scorecard download

    March 2026 (valid 3 years)

GATE CS — frequently asked questions

Quick, reliable answers to the questions GATE CS aspirants ask most.

What is the GATE exam pattern and marking scheme?

GATE has 65 questions for a total of 100 marks, to be attempted in 3 hours. It mixes 1-mark and 2-mark questions of three types — MCQ, Multiple-Select (MSQ) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT). MCQs carry negative marking (⅓ for 1-mark, ⅔ for 2-mark questions), while MSQ and NAT questions have no negative marking. General Aptitude contributes 15 marks and is common across papers.

What is the eligibility for GATE?

You need a Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology or a Master's in Science/Maths/Statistics/Computer Applications, and final-year students of such programmes may also appear. There is no upper age limit and no cap on the number of attempts, so many candidates take GATE more than once to improve their score.

What is a good GATE CS score and rank?

It varies by year, but marks above roughly 70/100 usually translate to a GATE score around 850–950 and an All-India Rank in the low hundreds, which is competitive for IISc and the top IITs. Scores in the 40–55 range still qualify comfortably and open many NITs and other institutes. Because scores are normalised across sessions, focus on maximising your net marks.

How long is a GATE score valid and where is it used?

A GATE scorecard is valid for three years from the date the results are announced. It is used for M.Tech/M.E./PhD admissions at the IISc, IITs, NITs and many other institutes — often with a stipend — and for recruitment by numerous public-sector undertakings such as NTPC, IOCL, BHEL and PowerGrid.

Which subjects carry the most weight in GATE CS?

In the Computer Science paper, algorithms, data structures, theory of computation, operating systems, databases and computer networks together carry the bulk of the technical marks, alongside digital logic and computer organization. General Aptitude (15 marks) and Engineering Mathematics (~13 marks) are highly scoring and should never be skipped.

How should I use mock tests to prepare for GATE?

Begin with topic tests to build accuracy subject by subject, then move to full-length 3-hour mocks that reproduce the real interface, on-screen calculator and NAT input. Analyse every mock closely — particularly your timing and negative-marking decisions on MCQs — since managing accuracy under the mixed marking scheme is central to a strong GATE rank.

Official sources & references

The GATE CS pattern, marking, eligibility and dates on this page are verified against IISc Bengaluru & the seven older IITs (rotating). Exam details can change each cycle — always confirm current specifics on the official source before you rely on them.

Start your GATE CS preparation today

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