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GATE score calculator
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A GATE score is worked out from your marks M with the formula Score = 350 + 550 × (M − Mq) / (Mt − Mq). Mq is the General qualifying mark of your paper, and Mt is the average marks of the top 0.1% of candidates (or the top 10, whichever is larger). Enter your numbers below to see whether you qualify and what your score is out of 1000.
The formula and its inputs
The formula comes from the GATE 2027 Information Brochure: Score = Sq + (St − Sq) × (M − Mq) / (Mt − Mq), with Sq = 350 and St = 900. The gap between them is 550.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| M | Your marks out of 100. Raw marks for a paper held in one session, normalised marks for a paper held in several |
| Mq | The qualifying mark for the General category in your paper |
| Mt | The mean marks of the top 0.1% of candidates or the top 10 candidates, whichever is larger, across all sessions |
| Sq, St | Fixed values: 350 and 900 |
The organising institute sets Mq and Mt after the exam, so you cannot know them in advance. Before the result, try a few values of Mt to see how much your score moves.
Qualifying marks by category
The General qualifying mark is max(25, min(40, μ + σ)), where μ is the mean and σ the standard deviation of marks in the paper. It always lies between 25 and 40. Older articles that say "25 or μ + σ, whichever is higher" leave out the cap of 40.
| Category | Qualifying mark |
|---|---|
| General | Mq |
| OBC-NCL and EWS | 0.9 × Mq |
| SC, ST and PwD | 2/3 × Mq |
Only candidates who reach their category's mark get a scorecard and a GATE score. For scale, IIT Guwahati's GATE 2026 cut-off table gave General qualifying marks of 25.2 for Mechanical, 26.4 for Electronics and Communication, 30.0 for Computer Science and 40.0 for Architecture and Planning.
Worked examples
These use made-up values to show the arithmetic, not real cut-offs.
Example 1: General category. M = 60, Mq = 30, Mt = 80. The fraction is (60 − 30) / (80 − 30) = 0.6, and 0.6 × 550 = 330, so the score is 350 + 330 = 680.
Example 2: an SC candidate below the General mark. M = 22, Mq = 30, Mt = 80. The SC qualifying mark is 2/3 × 30 = 20, so 22 qualifies. The score is 350 + 550 × (22 − 30) / (80 − 30) = 350 − 88 = 262.
What the calculator cannot do
- Normalise marks. In a multi-session paper, such as Computer Science and Civil Engineering in GATE 2026, the organisers normalise each session first. This tool needs the normalised M, and raw marks give only an approximation.
- Predict admission. Qualifying does not guarantee an M.Tech seat, a scholarship or a job. The score is valid for 3 years from the result date, and the after-GATE guide covers what to do with it.
To find M, count 1-mark and 2-mark questions. A wrong MCQ costs one-third of its marks, and MSQ and NAT questions carry no negative marking. See the GATE exam pattern and the score and normalisation guide for the details behind the formula.
PrepMatic starts with a free assessment of where you stand in your branch, then builds a study plan around your hours. Its mock tests apply negative marking where the exam has it.
Frequently asked questions
How is the GATE score calculated?
With Score = Sq + (St − Sq) × (M − Mq) / (Mt − Mq), where Sq = 350 and St = 900. M is your marks, Mq the General qualifying mark and Mt the average of the top candidates.
How long is a GATE score valid?
Three years from the date of the result. GATE scores are reported on a scale of up to 1000.
Can an SC or ST candidate get a score below 350?
By the formula, yes. A candidate who qualifies under the category mark but is below the General Mq has a negative M − Mq, so the score falls under 350, as in Example 2.
Official sources
Each GATE year's brochure sets the method and the values, so check the one for the year you appear.
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- GATE score & normalisationHow the GATE score is calculated from your marks: the formula with a worked example, normalisation across sessions, qualifying marks by category and validity.
- GATE exam patternGATE 2027 pattern: 65 questions, 100 marks, 3 hours, MCQ, MSQ and NAT, negative marking, marks split by paper, 30 papers and two-paper combinations.
- GATE cut-offGATE cut-off explained: the qualifying-marks formula with its 25 floor and 40 cap, official 2026 cut-offs by paper and category, and admission or PSU cut-offs.
- GATE resultThe GATE 2027 result is scheduled for 19 March 2027. See who gets a scorecard, the download fee and deadline, score validity and what to do after the result.