The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) of 2015 will see some significant changes with the validity of scores being increased to three years from the existing two years.
Apart from that, all applications will have to be made online on GATE Online Application Processing System (GOAPS) website, and there is no need to submit the hard copy to the concerned authorities as was the case earlier. Minor changes have also come about in the scoring formula. Examination for all the 21 papers will be conducted through the Online Computer Based Test (CBT).
The online application process will start from September 1 and the last date to submit forms is October 1. The exams will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on January 31 and February 1 , 7, 8, and 14 next year. The results will be declared on March 12.
Increasing the period of validity of scores will provide a wider window for application to M.Tech courses, says Amartya Singh, Course Director (GATE), TIME group. With exams in the first week of February instead of all of February and March like last year, students need to finish their preparation earlier than last time around. Aspirants should complete their study preparation by October and their exam preparation by January, he said.
Aditya Reddy of Gateforum says that aspirants may not be allowed to carry calculators into the exam centre and they will be given on-screen calculators. On increasing the validity period, Mr. Reddy said it would enable students to appear for GATE in the final year of engineering itself and then work for two years and use the score in the third year for admission to M.Tech courses.
