Exam Pattern for GATE CE:

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) for Civil Engineering (CE) is conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) on a rotational basis. GATE CE exam pattern has remained consistent over the years, with a few minor changes. Here is the detailed exam pattern for GATE CE:

1. Mode of Examination:
The GATE CE exam is a computer-based test (CBT) that is conducted online. Candidates have to answer the questions using a virtual keyboard and mouse.

2. Duration:
The exam duration for GATE CE is 3 hours (180 minutes). There is no provision of breaks during the exam.

3. Total Marks:
The total marks for the GATE CE exam is 100.

4. Types of Questions:
The GATE CE exam consists of two types of questions:

- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): These questions have four options, out of which only one option is correct.
- Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions: These questions require candidates to enter the numerical answer using a virtual keypad.

5. Sections:
The GATE CE exam consists of the following sections:

- General Aptitude: This section is common for all GATE papers and tests the candidate's language and analytical skills.
- Engineering Mathematics: This section tests the candidate's knowledge of mathematical concepts relevant to civil engineering.
- Subject-specific Questions: This section tests the candidate's understanding of core civil engineering subjects such as structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, transportation engineering, etc.

Changes in Recent Years:

In recent years, there have been a few changes in the GATE CE exam pattern:

1. Introduction of Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions: Earlier, the exam consisted only of multiple-choice questions. However, in 2014, the exam pattern was revised to include NAT questions, where candidates have to enter the numerical answer using a virtual keypad.

2. Increase in the Number of NAT Questions: Over the years, the number of NAT questions has increased. Initially, there were only a few NAT questions, but now approximately 20-25% of the total questions are NAT type.

3. Introduction of Virtual Calculator: In 2016, the physical calculator was replaced with a virtual calculator, which candidates can use during the exam. This change aimed to ensure fairness and eliminate the possibility of cheating.

Despite these changes, the overall structure and difficulty level of the GATE CE exam have remained consistent, with a focus on testing the candidate's conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities in civil engineering.