GATE vs IIT JAM : What is the Difference? - Electrical Engineering (EE) PDF Download

IIT JAM and GATE are two of the most important national-level entrance exams conducted by the Indian Institutes of Science (IISc) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for post-graduation courses. While IIT JAM is exclusively conducted for admission to MSc courses at IITs and IISc, GATE is conducted for admission to M.Tech/ME programs at IITs, NITs, and other engineering colleges, as well as for PSU recruitments.
In this EduRev article, we will explain the major differences between IIT JAM and GATE exams and help you decide which one is better suited for your career aspirations.

What is GATE Exam?

• GATE is an entrance exam for postgraduate courses in engineering and technology.
• The exam is conducted on a rotational basis by 7 IITs and IISc Bangalore.
• The main purpose of the GATE exam is to test the knowledge of candidates in engineering and technology fields.
• The GATE exam score is used for admission to M.Tech/MS/PhD courses at various institutes including IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other top engineering institutes.
• For the upcoming session in 2024, it is expected that IISc Bangalore will conduct the GATE exam.

What is IIT JAM?

• IIT JAM is an acronym for Joint Admission Test for Masters, which is conducted by participating IITs for science graduates.
• The exam provides a gateway for admission to renowned Indian colleges such as IITs, NITs, and IISc for various courses, including M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-M.Tech., and M.Sc.-Ph.D.
• Students who qualify for the exam can pursue their academic aspirations in top-notch institutions and embark on a successful career path in the field of science.
• As per recent reports, IIT Madras is expected to be the conducting authority for the IIT JAM exam in 2024. This adds to the list of prestigious institutions that have hosted the exam in the past, including IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Bombay.
• The exam is conducted in a computer-based format and tests the candidate's aptitude in subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.
• The IIT JAM exam provides an excellent opportunity for science graduates to further their academic and career goals and gain admission to some of the top institutions in India.

GATE vs IIT JAM :  Main Differences

GATE is primarily for engineering and technology graduates seeking admission to M.Tech. or PhD programs or jobs in PSU's. IIT JAM is for science graduates who wish to pursue M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-M.Tech., or M.Sc.-Ph.D. programs. The exam pattern, subjects, and score validity also differ between the two exams.
Here's a table that outlines the main differences between GATE and IIT JAM exams:

IIT JAM Subjects

• Physics (PH)
• Chemistry (CY)
• Mathematics (MA)
• Geology (GG)
• Mathematical Statistics (MS)
• Biotechnology (BT)
• Economics (EN)

GATE Exam Subjects

• Aerospace Engineering (AE)
• Agricultural Engineering (AG)
• Architecture and Planning (AR)
• Biomedical Engineering (BM)
• Biotechnology (BT)
• Civil Engineering (CE)
• Chemical Engineering (CH)
• Computer Science and Information Technology (CS)
• Chemistry (CY)
• Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)
• Electrical Engineering (EE)
• Environmental Science & Engineering (ES)
• Ecology and Evolution (EY)
• Geomatics Engineering (GE)
• Geology and Geophysics (GG)
• Instrumentation Engineering (IN)
• Mathematics (MA)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME)
• Mining Engineering (MN)
• Metallurgical Engineering (MT)
• Petroleum Engineering (PE)
• Physics (PH)
• Production and Industrial Engineering (PI)
• Textile Engineering and Fiber Science (TF)
• Engineering Sciences (XE*)
• Life Sciences (XL**)
• Statistics (ST)
• Humanities and Social Science (XH**)

GATE vs IIT JAM : Syllabus

Here are some key differences between the syllabus of GATE and IIT JAM exams:

GATE Syllabus

• The GATE syllabus is focused on engineering, technology, and science subjects.
• The syllabus consists of topics related to the student's undergraduate degree program, including core subjects, electives, and general aptitude.
• The GATE syllabus is divided into various sections, including General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and the candidate's chosen subject paper.
• The syllabus for each subject paper varies depending on the discipline, but it generally covers topics such as numerical methods, differential equations, control systems, signals and systems, and digital logic.

Check the GATE syllabus here

• Syllabus - GATE Mechanical Engineering 
• Syllabus - GATE Civil Engineering
• Syllabus - GATE Computer Science and Information Technology
• Syllabus - GATE Electrical Engineering
• Syllabus - GATE Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE)

IIT JAM Syllabus

• The IIT JAM syllabus is focused on subjects in the field of science.
• The syllabus consists of topics related to the candidate's undergraduate degree program in science, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.
• The IIT JAM syllabus covers topics such as Mathematical Methods, Mechanics and General Properties of Matter, Oscillations, Waves and Optics, Electricity and Magnetism, Kinetic theory, Thermodynamics, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and more.
• The IIT JAM syllabus for each subject paper is standardized across all participating institutions and is the same for all candidates appearing for the exam.

GATE vs IIT JAM : Similarities

Here are some similarities between GATE and IIT JAM exams based on the given information:

• Admission in IITs: Both exams provide opportunities for admission to IITs for a Master's degree.
• Exam Duration: The duration of both exams is the same, i.e. 3 hours.
• Mode of Conduct: Both exams are conducted online.
• Career Opportunities: Both exams offer similar career opportunities, including research or scientist jobs, officer jobs, government sector jobs, assistant professor jobs, defense jobs, and teaching jobs.
• Fee Structure: The registration fees for both exams are similar, with different fees for female/SC/ST/PwD candidates and general/OBC candidates. The fees may vary for IIT JAM if a candidate applies for two papers.

GATE vs IIT JAM : Scorecard Validity

Here are some key points to explain the validity of the scorecards of GATE and IIT JAM exams:

• GATE Scorecard Validity: The scorecard of GATE exam is valid for three years from the date of announcement of results. After the expiration of the scorecard, candidates have to reappear for the exam to obtain a new scorecard.
• IIT JAM Scorecard Validity: The scorecard of IIT JAM exam is valid for one year from the date of announcement of results. After the expiration of the scorecard, candidates have to reappear for the exam to obtain a new scorecard.
• Importance of Scorecard: The scorecard is an important document that contains the candidate's rank, score, and other relevant details. It is used for admission to various postgraduate programs in top institutes across India.
• Use of Scorecard: The scorecard of both GATE and IIT JAM exams can be used to apply for admission to various programs in participating institutes, including M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-M.Tech., and M.Sc.-Ph.D. courses.

Also read

• How to calculate GATE 2023 Score?
• Validity of GATE Scores
• Foreign Universities Accepting GATE Score 
• GATE Counselling:Essential Information on Dates, Eligibility, and Document Checklist
• Last month strategy GATE 2024 
• Documents Required For GATE 2024 Registration
• GATE Exam Pattern: Key Details and Information of 2024 Exam Pattern
• Salient features of the Virtual Calculator Provided in GATE Exam
• GATE vs IES : Key Differences
• Can a BSc Student Apply for GATE?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) GATE Vs IIT JAM

Which is better GATE or IIT JAM?

It is not appropriate to say that one exam is better than the other as both GATE and IIT JAM exams serve different purposes and have their unique advantages.
GATE exam is primarily conducted for admission to M.Tech programs and for recruitment in PSUs and other government organizations. On the other hand, IIT JAM exam is conducted for admission to M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-M.Tech., and M.Sc.-Ph.D. courses in IITs, NITs, and IISc.
If a candidate is interested in pursuing a career in engineering or technology, GATE exam is the right choice. On the other hand, if a candidate is interested in pursuing a career in science, then IIT JAM is the better option.

Which is tougher GATE or JAM?

It is not appropriate to compare the difficulty level of GATE and JAM exams as they serve different purposes and have their unique testing criteria.
GATE exam primarily tests the candidates' aptitude and technical knowledge in their respective engineering or technology disciplines. The exam is considered to be of moderate difficulty level, with a mix of easy and difficult questions.
On the other hand, IIT JAM exam tests the candidates' knowledge and understanding of basic sciences such as Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The exam is considered to be slightly easier than GATE but still requires thorough preparation and conceptual understanding of the subject matter.

Is IIT JAM and GATE syllabus same?

The syllabus for IIT JAM and GATE exams is not the same. While there may be some overlap in certain topics, the two exams primarily test different subject areas.
GATE exam primarily tests the technical knowledge and aptitude of the candidates in their respective engineering or technology disciplines. The syllabus for GATE exam includes topics such as engineering mathematics, general aptitude, and core subjects of the respective engineering or technology discipline.
On the other hand, IIT JAM exam primarily tests the candidates' knowledge and understanding of basic sciences such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biological Sciences, and Geology. The syllabus for IIT JAM exam includes topics such as mathematical statistics, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, solid-state physics, and geological mapping, among others

Is GATE required for MSc?

No, GATE is not required for admission to MSc programs in most colleges and universities in India.