Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering and National Eligibility Test are national level entrance examinations. Though both are entrance examinations, they differ in exam pattern, purpose of exam etc. GATE exam is conducted for admission of candidates to Master of Technology (M.Tech) programs. NET is conducted for assessing eligibility of students to take up lectureship jobs.

Details of Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

Eligibility Criterion for GATE

Candidates having Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology/ Architecture and Master’s degree holders in any branch of Science/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Computer Applications are eligible to apply for GATE. Those who are in the final year of such programmes are also eligible for this exam. Candidates who have passed through examinations conducted by professional bodies recognized by UGC/AICTE are eligible to apply for this exam. Pre-final year students are not eligible to write GATE.

Exam pattern for GATE

The GATE examination consists of a single paper of 3 hours duration. The question paper consists of only multiple choice objective type questions. There will be negative marking for wrong answers. Candidates can expect general questions, and questions from general aptitude and engineering mathematics.

The GATE score has a validity of two years. Those who have cleared GATE exam can opt for higher studies and even go for job with their under graduation background. Public sector firms such as BHEL and ONGC BARC, NPCIL, HAL etc. give importance to GATE scores for various job positions in their organizations.

Details on National Eligibility Test

Eligibility Criterion for NET

Candidates who have secured at least 55 % marks in Master’s Degree OR equivalent examination from universities/ institutions recognised by UGC are eligible for this test. Final year candidates can also apply. Candidates are advised to appear in the subject in which they have done their post-graduation.

Exam Patten for NET

The NET exam consists of three papers which are of multiple choice objective types. There will be 60 questions in Paper-I and the candidates have to attempt only 50 of them. Paper-II and Paper-III will be having 50 and 75 questions respectively. Candidates are required to attempt all these questions. The total marks for the three papers are 100, 100 and 150, respectively.

Candidates who have cleared NET exam are eligible for Lectureship, Junior Research Fellowship, Senior Research Fellowship, etc. NET is considered for recruitment to some government sector jobs.