GATE 2025 PHYSICS PATTERN
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Table of Contents
GATE Exam Pattern for Physics: Check Question Paper Pattern, Marking Scheme, Preparation Tips
GATE Exam Pattern for Physics: The majority of the questions, 85% are from the core subject, with the remaining 15% coming from general aptitude. A total of 55 questions from core physics and 10 questions from general aptitude will be asked. The exam will last three hours. Check GATE Syllabus for Physics
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a test that assesses a student's overall grasp of numerous undergraduate engineering and scientific disciplines in preparation for entrance to a master's program or a job in the public sector. GATE is administered on behalf of the National Coordination Board - GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, by the Indian Institute of Science and seven Indian Institutes of Technology in Roorkee, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Chennai (Madras), and Mumbai (Bombay).
Table of Contents |
GATE 2023 Physics Exam Pattern
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| GATE Physics Exam Date | January - February 2023 |
| GATE Physics Examination Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| GATE Physics Exam Language | English |
| GATE Physics Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| GATE Physics Sectional Time Limit | None |
| GATE Physics Total Marks | 100 |
| GATE Physics Total Number of questions | 65 |
| GATE Physics Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ); Multiple Select Questions (MSQ); Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
| GATE Physics Section-wise Number of Questions | General Aptitude- 10 questions, Core Discipline- 55 questions |
| GATE Physics Section-wise Weightage | General Aptitude- 15 marks, Core Discipline- 85 marks |
| GATE Physics Marking Scheme | 1 or 2 marks for each correct answer |
| GATE Physics Negative Marking | For 1 mark MCQ, 1/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer; For 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer; No negative marking for MSQs and NATs. |
Marks weightage for the GATE Physics Paper
| Section | Weightage | Marks Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15% | 5 MCQs carrying 1 mark each 5 MCQs carrying 2 marks each |
| Physics | 85% | 25 questions carrying 1 mark each 30 questions carrying 2 marks each |
GATE 2023 Physics Negative Marking
| Type of Question | 1 Mark Questions | 2 Mark Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 1/3 mark | 2/3 mark |
| Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) | No negative marking | No negative marking |
| Numerical Answer Type (NATs) | No negative marking | No negative marking |
GATE Physics Syllabus 2023
General Aptitude and Physics are the two sections of the GATE PH Syllabus. To check the Paper analysis Click Here.
GATE PH Syllabus for General Aptitude (GA)
| Subject | GATE Physics Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Verbal Aptitude | English grammar – articles, verb-noun agreement, tenses, adjectives, conjunctions, prepositions, other parts of speech, etc.; vocabulary – words, phrases, idioms; comprehension & reading; narrative sequencing. |
| Analytical Aptitude | Logic – Induction & Deduction; analogy; number relations & reasoning. |
| Spatial Aptitude | Shape transformation – mirroring, rotation, translation, grouping, assembling, and scaling; Papercutting, folding & 2-D and 3-D patterns. |
| Numerical Aptitude | Elementary statistics & probability; geometry; data and graphs (bar graph, histogram, pie chart, and other data graphs), 2- and 3- dimensional plots, maps, and tables; mensuration; numerical computation & estimation – powers, exponents, percentages, permutations & combinations, ratios, logarithms, etc. |
GATE PH Syllabus for Physics
| Subject | GATE Physics Syllabus |
|---|---|
| MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS | Vector calculus – linear vector space (basis, orthogonality & completeness); linear differential equations (second-order linear differential equations and solutions involving special functions); matrices; basic ideas about tensors: co- and contravariant tensors; Laplace transform, Fourier analysis; similarity transformations, eigenvalues, and vectors, and diagonalization; complex analysis (Cauchy-Riemann conditions, Cauchy’s theorem, singularities, residue theorem, and applications). |
| CLASSICAL MECHANICS | Lagrangian formulation: Euler-Lagrange equation, D’Alembert’s principle, Hamilton’s principle & calculus of variations; Hamiltonian & Hamilton’s equations of motion; symmetry & conservation laws; small oscillations (coupled oscillations & normal modes); central force motion (Kepler problem and Rutherford scattering); rigid body dynamics (Euler angles, inertia tensor, torque-free motion of a symmetric top, orthogonal transformations); Liouville’s theorem; canonical transformations (Poisson brackets, action-angle variables, Hamilton-Jacobi equation).The special theory of relativity (mass-energy equivalence, Lorentz transformations, and relativistic kinematics). |
| ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY | Images method; variables separation; electrostatic & magnetostatics problems solutions including boundary value problems; Coulomb & Lorentz gauges; dielectrics & conductors; Maxwell’s equations; magnetic materials; electromagnetic waves in free space, non-conducting & conducting media; multipole expansion; reflection & transmission at normal & oblique incidences; radiation from a moving charge; scalar & vector potentials; polarization of electromagnetic waves; Poynting vector, theorem, energy, and momentum of electromagnetic waves. |
| QUANTUM MECHANICS | Quantum mechanics postulates; the principle of uncertainty; Dirac Bra-Ket notation, linear vectors & operators in Hilbert space; Schrodinger’s equation; one-dimensional potentials (step potential, tunneling from a potential barrier, finite rectangular well, harmonic oscillator, & particle in a box,); theory of elementary scattering, Born approximation; angular momenta addition; 2 & 3-dimensional systems (hydrogen atom; degeneracy concept; angular momentum & spin); variational method & approximation of WKB, theory of time-independent perturbation; symmetries in quantum mechanical systems. |
| THERMODYNAMICS & STATISTICAL PHYSICS | Thermodynamics laws; partition function, free energy, thermodynamic quantities calculation; ensembles; macro- & microstates; classical & quantum statistics; phase space; Bose-Einstein’s condensation; degenerate Fermi gas; first & second-order phase transitions, phase equilibria, and critical point; black body radiation & distribution law of Planck. |
| ATOMIC & MOLECULAR PHYSICS | One- and many-electron atoms spectra; Zeeman & Stark effects; spin-orbit interaction (LS & JJ couplings; fine- & hyperfine structures; diatomic molecules rotational & vibrational spectra; electric dipole transitions & selection rules; Raman effect; electronic transitions in diatomic molecules, Franck-Condon’s principle; lasers (Einstein coefficients, population inversion, two & three-level systems); ESR, EPR, X-ray, NMR spectra. |
| SOLID-STATE PHYSICS | Theory of free electron; crystallography elements; lattice vibrations & thermal properties of solids; metals, semiconductors & insulators; diffraction methods for structure determination; bonding in solids; solids band theory (nearly free electron & tight-binding models); conductivity, effective mass & mobility; solid’s dielectric properties; Kramer-Kronig’s relation, intraband & inter band transitions; dia-, para-, Ferro-, antiterror- and ferri-magnetism, domains & magnetic anisotropy; solid’s optical properties; solid’s magnetic properties; dielectric function, polarizability, ferroelectricity; superconductivity (Type-I & Type II superconductors, Meissner effect, London equation, BCS Theory, flux quantization). |
| ELECTRONICS | Semiconductors in equilibrium (flip-flops, timers, counters, registers, A/D and D/A conversion, digital logic circuits, combinational & sequential circuits basics; electron & hole statistics in intrinsic & extrinsic semiconductors; Ohmic & rectifying contacts; metal-semiconductor junctions; negative & positive feedback circuits; PN diodes, bipolar junction, and field-effect transistors; oscillators, operational amplifiers, and active filters). |
| NUCLEAR & PARTICLE PHYSICS | Nuclear, liquid drop, and nuclear shell models; nuclear radii & charge distributions, nuclear binding energy, electric & magnetic moments; force & two nucleon problem; alpha- & beta-decay, electromagnetic transitions in nuclei; semi-empirical mass formula; Rutherford scattering, nuclear reactions, conservation laws; quark model; fission & fusion; particle accelerators and detectors; elementary particles; baryons, photons, leptons and mesons; conservation laws, parity & time-reversal invariance, isospin symmetry, charge conjugation. |
GATE 2023 Physics (PH) Preparation
Each candidate's preparation method is unique, based on their learning and retention ability. Candidates that have access to the greatest preparation materials, on either hand, will be able to prepare for the exam more effectively. A few preparation recommendations for GATE 2023 Physics (PH) are in the section below.
Start Early
- Analyze the time and number of days necessary to finish each topic while building a study schedule.
- Make a list of all the relevant subjects, arranged by level of difficulty and number of sub-topics, to ensure that all of the topics receive adequate preparation time.
Know your Exam Pattern and Syllabus well
- Before you begin studying, you must be familiar with all of the major subjects as well as the exam's grading structure.
- Divide your syllabus into sections with increasing levels of difficulty and weighting so that you may devote more time to topics with more weight and complexity.
Gather the Best Study Resources
- Choose appropriate study materials, such as books, modules, online references, articles, videos, and so on.
- You may also watch online videos through NPTEL, which has video lectures from IIT academics. For students, the web also includes video answers to last year's GATE PH Question Papers.
Revision and Solve Mock Tests
- Every day, set aside at least an hour for editing.
- Starting with your GATE 2023 PH preparation, take a variety of practice examinations.
- Solve past years' GATE PH Question Papers and many sample questions in addition to mock examinations.
Books for Preparation of GATE Physics Syllabus 2023
Any competitive test necessitates the use of appropriate literature and study resources. It might be tough to find the finest books for a large GATE curriculum, but we have compiled a list of books that have been recommended by professionals over time.
| Subject | Name of Books | Author/Publication | Description of Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude | Sarvesh K Verma | Provides a different level of questions with proper concepts |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R S Aggarwal | Helps with preparation for General Aptitude based questions. | |
| Physics | Concepts of Physics | H C Verma | Clears all the basic concepts in physics Easily available |
| Introduction to Quantum mechanics | David J. Griffiths | A comprehensive study on Quantum Mechanics Great examples and exercises | |
| Classical Mechanics | Goldstein | Easily available in markets Lucid discussion on classical mechanics | |
| Introduction to Solid State Physics | Charles Kittel | Covers the Solid State Physics portion in the GATE syllabus for PH in great detail | |
| Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering | Ken F. Riley | Gives clarity to mathematical concepts in physics Includes great exercises and problems | |
| Engineering Electromagnetics | William Hayt and John Buck | It Covers the GATE syllabus for electromagnetic theory very well Available in online/ offline market easily | |
| Heat and Thermodynamics | Mark Zemansky and Richard Dittman | Great explanation of concepts Easily available | |
| Introduction to Nuclear & Particle Physics | V K Mittal, R C Verma, S C Gupta | Covers the nuclear and particle physics portion very properly | |
| Physics of Atoms and Molecules | B H Bransden | Easy to understand Comes with solutions and problems | |
| GATE Physics Guide | GK Publications | Comes with practice papers Easily available |
Previous Year Question Papers
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. Does the GATE Physics Syllabus include the Engineering Mathematics section?
Ans. No, the GATE PH paper does not have an engineering mathematics portion. General Aptitude and Physics are the two sections.
Ques. What is the marking scheme in the GATE 2023 Physics (PH) paper?
Ans. There are 1 and 2 mark questions in the GATE 2023 Physics (PH) test, according to the marking scheme. MSQs and NATs do not have any negative markings. Each inaccurate MCQ, on the other hand, results in a mark deduction.
- 1/3 mark is deducted for each incorrect 1 mark question
- 2/3 mark is deducted for each incorrect 2 marks question
Ques. Which subject can be taken along with GATE for Physics 2023?
Ans. Candidates who have chosen GATE Physics as their first subject can choose from EC/ GG/ IN/ MA/ MT/ ST as their second paper.
Ques. How much time is required for the GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023?
Ans. The GATE Syllabus for Physics 2023 takes at least 6 months to complete on average.
Ques. What is the difficulty level of GATE Physics (PH) 2023?
Ans. According to previous years' GATE Paper Analysis, the difficulty level of GATE Physics (PH) 2022 is moderate to difficult.
Ques. Who is eligible for GATE physics?
Ans. Candidates who are enrolled in the third or higher year of any undergraduate degree program OR who have finished any government-approved degree program in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, or Arts are eligible to take the GATE-2023 exam.
Ques. What is the use of GATE Physics?
Ans. GATE certificate for admission and/or financial aid to Master's programs and direct Doctoral programs in Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. Doctoral programs in important fields of art and science are available at universities subsidized by the Ministry of Education and other government bodies.
Ques. Is GATE PH tougher than JEE?
Ans. Yes, the GATE test is more difficult than the JEE (Advanced or Mains) examinations. The JEE papers examine 11th and 12th-grade topics and questions, whereas the GATE exam tests undergraduate subject knowledge as well as the student's general aptitude.
GATE 2025 : 20 Answered QuestionsView All
Ans. An MS from IIT Kanpur is considered to be a highly respected and prestigious degree. The MS program at IIT Kanpur is reputed for its focus on excellent research and its strong focus on practical, hands-on learning. As an MS student, you get to work with some of the most experienced and respected scholars and researchers in their fields, which gives an insight into the latest industry developments and trends. Additionally, not being located near metropolitan areas, IIT Kanpur gives a peaceful learning environment and students don’t spend much time partying or clubbing. Although it is a 2-year program, with the right determination one can complete it in 18 months also. If you are true to your passion you can also complete a Ph.D. under an experienced thesis advisor and won’t have to go to a foreign university for a Ph.D. Overall, an MS from IIT Kanpur is a valuable and highly esteemed program that offers many opportunities in terms of career and professional advancement. Although it is challenging, the learning experience is worth the effort. Read more
Ans. Andhra University M.Tech admission is done in two ways, i.e. through GATE and through AP PGECET. To get admission, you need to have a valid GATE score or you need to score a valid rank in AP PGECET. Soon, Andhra University will release the notification for AP PGECET. Here are the tentative dates. Event Tentative dates Notification release date Second week of July 2022 Application form available Second week of July 2022 Admit card release date Second week of September 2022 Exam date Third week of September 2022 Result Second week of October 2022 Andhra University will release the application form online. Visit the official website of the institute regularly to get the updated information. Read more
Ans. Many GATE toppers leave PSU and join NITIE, instead of IITs because it offers better placements. Usually, students with good scores join ONGC, NTPC, BHEL, IOCL, and others. Despite the good salary, PSU jobs can get monotonous after a few years. So, the top rankers start looking for better career options. If they wish to do an MBA, they need to prepare for CAT. Some do prepare for CAT, but many join NITIE as it is an easier option. NITIE takes admission through GATE and the GATE score is valid for 3 years. So, they can easily get admission based on their GATE score. Also, the institute has a great placement record. During the NITIE Mumbai placement in 2022, the average CTC offered was INR 25.41 LPA. The video below will convince you further to join NITIE Mumbai Overall, its the excellent opportunities offered by NITIE that makes mant GATE toppers leave PSU and join NITIE Read more
Ans. Here are some strategies that can help you prepare for GATE and ESE simultaneously. Compare the syllabus of GATE and ESE. Go through the previous years' questions of both. The technical portion of both examinations overlaps a lot. The major difference is question patterns and styles. Different types of questions are asked on the same topics. GATE tests aptitude for solving technical questions. While ESE puts more emphasis on technical details. Figure out which subjects contribute more to which examinations. If you have less time, start with GATE preparation. The topics can be covered easily and in less time. Once you are through GATE preparation, you can solve ESE questions without much difficulty. Focus on GATE and ESE preparations only. First, go through the syllabus thoroughly. Once you are done with the syllabus, go through your notes and solve previous years' questions. Solve test series, and review hard questions. Analyze the tests you give and work on your mistakes. Read more
Ans. GATE consists mostly of numerical questions. It tests the aptitude for solving questions in less time. BITS HD papers have 10-15 numerical questions usually. The numerical questions aren’t on the same level as GATE and are just formula-based problems. Usually, around 80-90% of BITS HD questions are theory oriented. You need to have a good grasp of your engineering subjects to score well in BITS HD. The questions can come from anywhere in the syllabus. BITS HD usually consists - 15 Mathematics questions (difficulty usually higher than GATE) 15 general English questions 70 Engineering discipline questions Also, note that BITS take admission based on GATE scores as well. Read more
Ans. The required GATE rank depends upon various parameters like The engineering branch Company (PSU) Number of vacancies for the stream People who are graduating in 3-4 years are lucky as both IOCL and ONGC are planning to recruit in bulk because of massive retirements in both the companies. The mechanical and chemical branches are expected to have the most vacancies. Candidates will be called in a 1:5 ratio and thus, interviews will be the major determining factor of your selection. If you are unable to showcase your knowledge and talent during the interview, even a single-digit rank cannot guarantee your admission. A minimum of 40% marks are required to pass the interview. So if you get a call for the interview, don’t let your rank discourage you or even make you overconfident. Read more
Ans. Sikkim Manipal University has been ranked at 17 for Private Engineering by India Today in 2020. The largest department within the institution is the CSE department and it has also won the best department in SMIT multiple times. Admissions: Class 12th with mandatory subjects in Physics, Maths, Chemistry/computer science/biology is the prerequisite for admission to CSE at Sikkim Manipal. SMIT online, MET, JEE Mains is the examinations accepted for BTech admission. The total intake for CSE is 180 and the course fee is 12.20 lakhs. Curriculum: The University offers a well-structured and detailed curriculum with exposure to major areas of computer science like Big data analytics, robotics, cloud computing, ethical hacking, and more. The course structure focuses on providing students with knowledge of the core subjects of computer science in order to strengthen their foundation and make them industry-ready. Faculty: The university has 33 highly experienced and qualified faculties for CS. The faculty members also conduct seminars and workshops with esteemed institutions like ISRO, IIT, and TIFR. Infrastructure: The University offers a great infrastructure for the CSE department as it receives funding from two highly esteemed agencies, AICTE and ISRO. There are nine state-of-the-art practical labs like the Networking lab, digital circuit and microprocessor labs, GIS and remote sensing lab, advanced programming lab, and more. It also has a huge library with over 2500 journals and books dedicated to the CSE branch. It has been updated with modern facilities and infrastructure all across the campus in order to provide students with the best experience. Placements: AGS Infotech, Amazon, Britannia, Cipla, Capgemini are some of the major recruiters at the institute. Placement Rate within CSE 92.5% Lowest CTC 3.5 LPA Average CTC 5 LPA Highest CTC 18 LPA Sikkim Manipal University is a great option for students who want to pursue a BTech degree program in the CSE department. Read more
Ans. It depends on your career goals. GATE offers more options for engineering students. It is an all-around examination. You can go for MTech, PSUs, MS, and FRM. If you want more options, GATE will be better for you. If you want to do an MBA, after graduation, CAT will be the better option. Almost all top B-Schools accept CAT scores for MBA. Read more
Ans. IIT Roorkee admission 2023 hasn’t been wrapped up yet, hence its GATE cutoff too hasn’t been released as of now. M.Tech admission process of IIT Roorkee is conducted on the basis of the GATE cutoff, and all the candidates applying for admission into the M.Tech course under the non-sponsored category will be required to clear the cutoff for admission. The cutoff scores for M.Tech admission at IIT Roorkee for 2022 and 2021 have not been disclosed by the admission authority. Let’s consider GATE 2020 cutoff for a slight idea. Category GATE 2020 Cutoff General 77.1 EWS 79.1 OBC 72.32 SC 58.62 ST 61.33 Read more
Ans. First of all, admission to the IIT Roorkee MTech program is not given on the basis of GATE rank. The final shortlisting is done on the basis of Normalized GATE marks were used which is calculated by IIT Roorkee as follows: Normalized GATE marks = Normalized marks out of 100 or Marks*100\Maximum marks awarded in the paper that year For example if a candidate has scored 64 marks and the maximum marks given that year are 92, the Normalized GATE marks are 64*100/92=69.57. The table below comprises the expected GATE 2023 cut-off for IIT Roorkee based on the previous year's cut-off trends. MTech Course Cutoff Alternate Hydro Energy Centre 760-839 Architecture & Planning 650-844 Biotechnology 570-577 Civil Engineering 656-780 Chemical Engineering 650-657 Computer Science & Engineering 840-844 Disaster Mitigation & Management 700-710 Electronics and Communication Engineering 736-750 Electrical Engineering 760-779 Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 748-785 Read more
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College
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