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Which Branch is Tough in GATE?
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023

Which Branch is Tough in GATE? Getting into top IITs and NITs through the GATE examination is a dream of many students who complete their engineering. However, we find aspirants frequently getting concerned with questions like; How tough is the GATE examination?, What is the hardship level of the GATE question paper? Which branch is tough in GATE?
The GATE examination itself is hard to crack. But with the proper practice design & study plan, you can aim for the most suitable IITs, NITs, and other reputable MTech colleges.
We have come up with an analysis of the GATE branch wise difficulty level for all branches so that candidates can analyse Which branch is tough in GATE?. This blog will help you become aware of the toughness of the GATE 2023 exam.
Table of content
Which Branch is Tough in GATE?
Each branch of engineering is tough for a person who wants to crack GATE. It just needs your focus, determination, and hard work to make it easier. Also, everything seems more challenging if you have an inadequate proficiency in that specialisation. So whichever specialisation you belong to or are interested in, go for that field as it will be the easiest for you, but only a few qualify. These are the limited seats available for MTech & ME courses.
Below, you can check the number of candidates who appeared in the last seven years and the number of candidates who appeared for the GATE exam in a particular branch to get an idea about the competition status and which branch is tough in GATE?
Year |
No. of Candidates Appeared in the GATE Exam (Approx.) |
2022 |
7,11,542 |
2021 |
8,82,683 |
2020 |
8,58,019 |
2019 |
7,79,629 |
2018 |
7,81,854 |
2017 |
7,87,141 |
2016 |
8,18,844 |
2015 |
8,04,455 |
How Difficult is GATE from Other Exams?
GATE is a national level exam that provides entrances to the Master of Technology courses. Yet, it is distinct from other exams associated with science and technology courses.
GATE vs IIT JAM
IIT JAM is for MSc courses, whereas the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is conducted for MTech courses. Therefore, GATE is tougher than IIT JAM in terms of difficulty level.
Popularity – Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is a more popular exam than J.A.M.
Number of Candidates Appeared – Only around 60k students appear in J.A.M, whereas more than 8.5 lakh students appear for the exam every year.
Question Paper Difficulty – The questions asked in the Graduate Aptitude Test are tougher and more complex than J.A.M.
IES vs GATE
Indian Engineering Services is the most demanded employment opportunity for engineering graduates in India. UPSC controls the Engineering Services Examination, frequently known as ESE, in four domains: Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Civil, and Telecommunications. Due to the favourably competitive appointment process, IES officials are positively regarded as one of the toughest engineering exams.
Graduate Aptitude Test Engineering (GATE) is a national-level engineering admission test administered on a rotating basis by either IISc Bangalore or seven former IITs. With the GATE scorecard, one can apply for M.Tech programmes or research programmes at famous IITs/NITs, acquire a PSU job, or pursue higher education in a foreign country.
CAT VS GATE
GATE | CAT |
Exam conducted by various IITs situated in India. | Exam conducted by IIMs situated at various locations in India. |
Acts as a gateway for admissions to various M.E/ M.Tech, PSU jobs all over the country. | Acts as a gateway for admissions to MBA (from IIMs, FMS, MDI, SP JAIN, and so on) |
The exam pattern of GATE contains 65 Questions which includes 10 questions in General Aptitude + 55 questions in the subject | 100 Questions (34 Questions in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension + 32 Questions in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning + 34 in Quantitative ability) |
Total marks – 100 marks |
Total marks – 300 marks |
GATE vs JEE
IIT JEE is an undergraduate level exam (BTech), whereas the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is a single round postgraduate level exam (MTech).
GATE is tougher than JEE Mains but easier than JEE Advanced in difficulty level.
GATE vs JEST
JEST Exam is considered a National Eligibility Test by SERB. It provides admission in IISc, IISERs, NISER, and other prestigious colleges for MSc, Integrated PhD & PhD courses.
The JEST Exam’s difficulty level is easier than the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering.
GATE Paper Analysis 2022 All Branches
We have shared your subject wise exam analysis for your reference, and candidates can check what is the difficulty level of each branch and which branch is tough in GATE?
GATE CS Paper Analysis 5th February 2022 |
GATE EE Paper Analysis 5th February 2022 |
GATE ECE Paper Analysis 6th February 2022 |
GATE Civil Paper Analysis 12th February 2022 |
Important Highlights about Difficulty Level of GATE Papers
The Important GATE 2022 highlights as per gate analysis to check the difficulty level of GATE top branches are shared below. Candidates can have an idea about – which branch is tough in GATE? through inspection of these important highlights
Important Highlights about the difficulty level of GATE Civil Paper
- There were 35 MCQ, 7 MSQ, and 23 NAT questions asked on the paper.
- The overall level of the exam was Moderate to Tough, and the paper was calculative.
- The General Aptitude section was Tough & Engineering Mathematics was Moderate to Tough.
Important Highlights about the difficulty level of GATE ME Paper
- Questions asked from the General Aptitude portion were Easy in the first shift.
- The level of questions from Engineering Mathematics was Moderate, which carried 15 marks in the paper.
- The overall difficulty level of the first shift of GATE mechanical paper was Moderate to Tough.
- There were 5 M.S.Qs (Multiple select) questions in the first shift of paper. All these questions were theoretical-type questions.
Important Highlights about the difficulty level of GATE EE Paper
- General aptitude questions were moderately difficult level.
- No MSQ questions, along with 33-MCQ and 22-NAT questions.
- Overall paper was easy to moderate.
Important Highlights of about difficulty level GATE CS Paper
- Engineering Mathematics carried 6 marks, and Discreet Mathematics carried 9 marks.
- The difficulty level of the GATE CS 2022 paper was Moderate to Tough.
- Computer Networks carried the highest marks weightage in the examination.
GATE 2022 Question Papers & Detailed Solutions
BYJU’s Exam Prep experts thoroughly examined the GATE 2022 Question papers, and detailed solutions are provided below.
GATE Papers | Question Papers & Detailed Solutions |
GATE CS Paper | Download Now |
GATE EE Paper | Download Now |
GATE ECE Paper | Download Now |
GATE Civil Paper Forenoon Shift | Download Now |
GATE Civil Paper Afternoon Shift | Download Now |
GATE Mechanical Paper Forenoon Shift | Download Now |
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- Follow Quora profile – Dheeraj Sir Faculty GATE Mechanical at BYJU’S Exam Prep.
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