
bySonam Rana updated Content Curator updated
GATE 2023 CSE Paper Analysis is now available. IIT Kanpur conducted GATE 2023 CSE paper in the forenoon session (9:30 AM to 12:30 PM) on Feb 4, 2023. According to the initial reaction of the students, GATE CSE 2023 was reported to be of easy to moderate difficulty and was as per the expectations. There were 34 MCQs, 15 MSQs and 16 NATs in GATE 2023 CSE Question Paper.
GATE 2023 CSE Paper Analysis (Out)
- Topics such as Discrete Structures & Programming, Digital Logic, Operating Systems, Discrete Mathematics, etc. had a higher weightage in GATE 2023 CSE question paper.
- 1 mark questions were more time-consuming as compared to 2 marks questions.
Particulars | Paper Analysis |
---|---|
Overall Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
Number of MCQs | 34 MCQs |
Number of MSQs | 15 MSQs |
Number of NATs | 16 NATs |
GATE 2023 CSE Paper Analysis- Weightage of Topics

Subjects | Questions Asked | Total Marks | |
---|---|---|---|
1 Mark | 2 Marks | ||
Databases | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Operating Systems | 3 | 3 | 9 |
Discrete Mathematics | 1 | 4 | 9 |
Digital Logic | 4 | 2 | 8 |
Computer Networks | 2 | 3 | 8 |
Computer Organisation | 3 | 2 | 7 |
Data Structures & Programming | 2 | 4 | 10 |
Algorithm | 2 | 2 | 6 |
Theory of Computation | 3 | 3 | 9 |
Compiler Design | 1 | 3 | 7 |
Engineering Mathematics | 3 | 2 | 7 |
General Apptitude | 15 | 5 | 15 |
GATE 2023 CSE- Highlights
Paper Code | CS |
Shift/Session | Forenoon Session |
No. of Questions | 65 |
Maximum Marks | 100 |
Types of Questions | Objective (MCQs, MSQ, NATs) |
Sections | Engineering Mathematics, General Aptitude & Subject Specific |
GATE CSE Exam Pattern | Check Here |
GATE CSE Syllabus | Check Here |
- GATE 2023 CSE Answer Key will be released on Feb 21, 2023. Check GATE 2023 CSE Answer Key
- Students can use the answer key to calculate their expected score and predict a list of colleges using Collegedunia’s exclusive GATE College Predictor 2023.
- IIT Kanpur will release GATE 2023 Result on March 16 on the official website- gate.iitk.ac.in.
- Based on the analysis provided here, you will also get an idea of the expected GATE CSE 2023 Cut off. Check GATE 2023 Cutoff
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GATE 2022 CSE Paper Analysis
- The overall GATE 2022 CSE paper was moderate to tough.
- The questions were more theoretical and conceptual questions.
- For General Aptitude, the aptitude section was tough.
- Verbal Ability was easy.
- Quant was moderate in terms of difficulty.
- The number of MSQs was high. There were 15 MSQs and 18 NATs.
- Since the number of MSQs and NATs were high, the paper was lengthy.
Type of Questions | Weightage of Questions | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 Mark Questions | 2 Marks Questions | Total Number of Questions | |
MCQs | 40% | 18% | 32 Questions |
MSQs | 7% | 20% | 15 Questions |
NATs | NA | 15% | 18 Questions |
GATE 2022 CSE- Weightage of Topics
- Based on the memory-based questions, the highest weightage was given to topics such as Computer networks, Theory of computation, Computer Organization, Data structure and programming, etc.
- Candidates can check the weightage of all the topics from GATE 2022 CSE Syllabus below-

Topics | GATE 2022 CSE Weightage |
---|---|
General Aptitude | 15 |
Engineering Mathematics | 7 |
Discrete Mathematics | 8 |
Digital Logic | 5 |
Computer Organization and Architecture | 8 |
Programming and Data Structures | 9 |
Algorithms | 9 |
Theory of Computation | 9 |
Compiler Design | 6 |
Operating System | 6 |
Databases | 7 |
Computer Networks | 11 |
GATE 2021 CSE Paper Analysis
GATE 2021 CSE paper was conducted in two slots. The overall difficulty level of the paper was reported to be easy to moderate. Candidates preparing for further iteration of GATE exam can check the previous year paper analysis for CSE in the sections below.
GATE 2021 CSE Paper Analysis- Afternoon Session
- GATE 2021 Computer Science and Information Technology paper was rated moderate in terms of levels of difficulty in the afternoon session.
- There were a total of 13 MSQs and 14 NATs. All aptitude questions were MCQs. The numerical questions were direct concept based.
- The number of questions for each topic in GATE 2021 CSE paper has been listed in the table below-
Topics | Total Number of Questions |
---|---|
Algorithms | 3 |
Digital Logic | 4 |
Computer Network | 6 |
Data Structure | 1 |
Computer Organisations | 5 |
Theory of Computation | 7 |
Databases | 9 |
Compiler Design | 4 |
Operating Systems | 5 |
Discrete Mathematics | 6 |
Engineering Mathematics | 6 |
General Aptitude | 10 |
GATE 2021 CSE Paper Analysis- Forenoon Session
- GATE 2021 Computer Science and Information Technology paper was rated easy to moderate in terms of levels of difficulty.
- There were a total of 12 MSQs and 14-16 NATs. 50% of the questions were direct concept based numerical while 20% were theoretically based.
- The numerical questions were direct concept based.
- The topic-wise number of questions asked in the forenoon session of GATE 2021 CSE has been listed in the table below-
Topics | 1 Mark Questions | 2 Mark Questions | Total Marks |
---|---|---|---|
Algorithms | 4 | 4 | 12 |
Digital Logic | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Computer Network | 2 | 3 | 8 |
Data Structure | 2 | 3 | 8 |
Computer Organisations | 2 | 2 | 6 |
Theory of Computation | 2 | 3 | 8 |
Databases | 2 | 3 | 8 |
Compiler Design | 2 | 3 | 8 |
Operating Systems | 3 | 1 | 5 |
Discrete Mathematics | 3 | 4 | 11 |
Engineering Mathematics | 2 | 2 | 6 |
General Aptitude | 5 | 5 | 15 |
Total | 30 | 35 | 100 |
GATE 2020 CSE Paper Analysis
- GATE 2020 CSE paper was easy to a moderate level where a candidate could easily attempt most of the questions.
- There were 41 MCQs (10 from General Aptitude and 31 from CSE section) and 24 questions were from NAT section. NAT Questions were time-consuming.
- More questions were framed out of Programming and Data structures and Discrete Mathematics topics. Questions from the Database topic were tricky.
- General Aptitude section was Easy and High scoring as well
- Tabulated below is the bifurcation of questions with marking scheme for GATE CSE paper:
Subject | Topics | Marks (1 | 2) | Tot. Marks |
---|---|---|---|
General Aptitude | Venn Diagrams, Speed – time | 10 (5 | 5) | 15 |
Engg. Math | Matrices, Eigen Values | 5 (3 | 2) | 7 |
Discrete Math | Hamiltonian, Mode | 8 (5 | 3) | 11 |
Programming & Data Structures | Array, C Programming (Value based) | 9 (4 | 5) | 14 |
Algorithms | Quicksort, Time Complexity | 4 (2 | 2) | 6 |
Computer Organisation | Cache full associations | 3 (2 | 1) | 4 |
Theory of Computation | Regular, Non-regular | 4 (2 | 2) | 6 |
Databases | B+tree, Functional dependency | 5 (1 | 4) | 9 |
Operating Systems | Synchronization, SRTF, form, deadlock | 5 (2 | 3) | 8 |
Computer Networks | Application Layer, layered application | 5 (1| 4) | 9 |
Compiler Design | First follow | 3 (1 | 2) | 5 |
Digital Logic | Number system | 4 (2 | 2) | 6 |
Total | 65 Ques. | 100 Marks |
GATE 2019 CS Paper Analysis
GATE 2019 CSE paper was seen as a surprise by the students. The authorities had limited the questions based on Engineering Mathematics from 15% to 7%. Even it is reported by many students that the technical questions were somewhat tricky than that of last year.
- Technical Section:
The technical section of GATE 2020 question paper is the core subject as all the B.Tech. graduates would be appearing for the test. So, the questions from this section might carry more weightage from the other two sections. It was time-consuming section with a moderate difficulty level. Subtopics like Data Structure & Algorithms, Theory Computation, Computer Networks and suchlike play a vital role to score high marks in the technical section.
- General Aptitude:
General aptitude is a section that is common in all GATE Question Papers. The difficulty level, however, is expected to be moderate to easy for this section. If practiced and studied well, this section could be less time consuming and easy to attempt.
- Engineering Mathematics:
Engineering mathematics is a subject that is introduced to students in their B. Tech program. It comprises of Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Complex Variables and Numerical Methods Questions. As per the analysis, the questions of this section were moderate. Students are recommended to be very careful with their silly mistakes while attempting this section.
Distribution of questions are from the topics listed below:
- Engineering Mathematics 7%
- Operating System 10%
- Programming and Date Structure 10%
- Desgin and Analysis of Algorithm 7%
- Discrete Mathematics and Graph Theory 12%
- Computer Organization and Architecture 11%
- Theory of Computation 7%
- Digital Logic 4%
- Database Management System 4%
- Computer Networks 7%
- Compiler Desgin 6%
- General Aptitude 15%
GATE 2023 CSE Answer Key
IIT Kanpur will release GATE 2023 Answer Key for CSE on Feb 21, 2023. Candidates will be able to download GATE 2023 CSE Question Papers along with the answer key PDFs from the official website- gate.iitk.ac.in.
Previous Year GATE CSE Answer Key
Year | Link for GATE CSE Question Paper | Link for GATE CSE Answer Key |
---|---|---|
2022 | Check Here | Check Here |
2021 | Check Here | |
Check Here | Check Here | |
2020 | Check Here | Check Here |
2019 | Check Here | Check Here |
2018 | Check Here | Check Here |
How to calculate GATE 2023 CSE Marks using Answer Key?
The total marks equals the count of marks gained in the correct answers and deduct the marks lost in incorrect markings. The marking scheme of GATE 2023 CSE Paper is provided below:
- MCQs carrying 1 marks each, 1/3 marks would be deducted as a penalty of marking the wrong answer.
- For questions carrying 2 marks, 2/3 marks would be deducted for marking an incorrect answer.
- The NAT and MSQ questions doesn’t have the provision of negative marking.
Step 1. NAT Marks = Total marks (1 mark each question) + Total marks (2 marks each question)
Step 2. MSQ Marks = Total marks (1 mark each question) + Total marks (2 marks each question)
Step 3. Total Marks obtained for MCQs = [{+1(for each correct answer carrying 1 mark) – 1/3 (for each incorrect answer carrying 1 mark)} + {2 (for each correct answer carrying 2 marks) – 2/3 (for each incorrect answer carrying 2 marks)}]
Step 4. GATE Marks = Marks obtained for MCQs + Marks obtained for NAT questions + Marks obtained for MSQ questions
Marks obtained in GATE and GATE Scores are two different entities. After the evaluation of answers, the raw marks (actual marks obtained in GATE) will be considered for calculating GATE Score. Check GATE Score Calculation
GATE CSE Cut off- Previous Year Category-wise Cut off
Year | General | OBC-NCL | SC/ ST/ PwD |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
2021 | 26.10 | 23.4 | 17.4 |
2020 | 28.5 | 25.6 | 19.0 |
2019 | 29.5 | 26.6 | 19.7 |
2018 | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
2017 | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
2016 | 25 | 22.5 | 16.6 |
2015 | 25 | 22.5 | 16.67 |
2014 | 25 | 22.25 | 16.67 |
2013 | 25 | 22.25 | 16.67 |
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