The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, the organizing body for GATE 2024 exams, has released the official response sheets for the national-level engineering entrance test on February 16th, 2023. These response sheets allow over 8 lakh candidates who appeared for the exam between February 3rd to 11th to access and tally their marked responses against the provisional answer keys.
What is GATE?
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering or GATE evaluates the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering and science. High scores in this exam enables candidates to seek admission into Masters and Direct PhD programs across IITs, IISc, NITs and other premium institutes. Additionally, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like ONGC, IOCL, HPCL, GAIL, ISRO rely on GATE qualification and scores to recruit candidates.
Accessing & Using GATE Response Sheets
The step-wise process to check GATE 2024 response sheets is outlined below:
- Visit official website – gate2024.iisc.ac.in
- Click on ‘Candidate Login’ tab
- Log-in using GATE 2024 enrollment ID/ registered email ID and password
- Select the paper code one appeared for
- The response sheet will now be visible with questions, responses marked during exam and correct answers
- Download as PDF for future reference
By comparing responses on their sheets with the provisional answer keys, aspirants can tally the number of accurately marked questions. This gives them an indication of probable exam scores ahead of final results. However, candidates MUST NOTE that their responses CANNOT be challenged or modified at this stage.
Analyzing Expected Scores
The response sheets provide students a way to self-analyze their objective exam performance before official scores are published. By totaling all accurately marked 1-mark or 2-mark questions and deducting penalty for wrong responses, aspirants can determine an approximate score.
Those dissatisfied with their tally can thereafter suitably prepare for GATE 2025 exams – either by honing weaknesses or considering alternative career paths other than M.Tech/PhD admissions.
Provisional Answer Keys Also Accessible
The provisional answer keys for all 29 GATE 2024 subject papers will likewise be issued on the Candidate Login from 21st February 2023 itself, prior to response sheet release. These answer keys are not absolute – candidates spotted any inaccuracies in them pertaining to questions/answers can submit challenges between 22nd and 25th February on payment of a nominal fee.
Post deliberation over such objections, IISc Bangalore will then unveil the final official answer keys by 28th February 2023. Hence before determining estimated scores, check this provisional answer key and watch out for any key changes too during objection window.
GATE 2024 Result Date
While response sheets permit self-assessment, the definitive GATE 2023 Results will be declared by IISc Bangalore on their websites on 16th March 2023 post 6 PM. The scorecards for qualified candidates will be available for download from 21st March 2023 onwards. Scorecards will depict All India Rank, marks secured alongside personal details. These scorecards stay valid for 3 years from result date for utilizing in PSU jobs or PG admissions.
MS/PhD Admissions Through GATE
A significant incentive for over 8 lakh graduates taking this exam yearly is gaining eligibility for Master of Technology (M.Tech) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) admissions into IISc, IITs, NITs, IIITs and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs). For this however, candidates must secure scores higher than institute-specific qualifying marks and thereby, secure a Rank within the pre-defined number of seats per degree program/specialization. The relevant admissions portal is CCMT for Centralized Counselling for M.Tech and other PG admissions.
PSU Recruitment Using GATE Scores
Additionally, for recruitment into coveted Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) jobs, Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering scores are a mandatory benchmark. Various research organizations and public companies specifically use GATE Scorecards for shortlisting candidates for technical roles and responsibilities. Prominent PSUs include BHEL, ONGC, NTPC, PowerGrid, IOCL, BPCL HPCL, GAIL , Coal India etc alongside government research bodies like BARC, ISRO, DRDO and others.
In 2023 itself, over 3000 vacancies across PSUs will specially utilize GATE 2023 marks as preliminary filtering criteria.
In Closing
Therefore, by availing their GATE 2024 response sheets ahead of official announcements, applicants can self-determine probable exam scores and make suitable career decisions. Furthermore, previewing the provisional answer keys allows alert candidates the chance for raising timely objections. Hence releasing these resources demonstrates the transparent, candidate-friendly nature underlying the Indian Institute of Science’s organizing of this national gateway exam for graduate engineers.