The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE 2026) exam on February 7, Shift 2, presented a moderate to difficult challenge for candidates, according to immediate student feedback. The examination was conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Exam Difficulty Breakdown
Students reported that the overall paper difficulty ranged from moderate to difficult. This assessment contrasted with the General Aptitude (GA) section, which was widely considered easy and solvable. Topics covered in GA included dice problems, paper folding, Venn diagrams, permutations, combinations, analogies, and direction sense questions.
The Biotechnology (BT) subject paper was identified as particularly challenging. Some concepts appeared that had not been previously featured in GATE exams. Engineering Mathematics also posed difficulties, with questions on differentiation, integration, eigenvalues, and simultaneous equations.
The Agriculture (AG) section was rated as moderately difficult. It featured statement-based questions.
Biotechnology Paper Details
Specific topics within the Biotechnology section included monod growth kinetics, transfer functions, sterilization and thermal action, volumetric mass transfer, translation inhibitors, and polymers.
GATE 2026 Exam Structure
The GATE 2026 February 7, Shift 2 exam covered seven papers: Aerospace Engineering (AE), Biotechnology (BT), Chemical Engineering (CH), Chemistry (CY), Environmental Science and Engineering (ES), Engineering Sciences (XE), and Humanities and Social Sciences (XH). The GATE exam is a three-hour online test worth 100 marks, comprising 65 questions.
The exam is divided into two sections. General Aptitude accounts for 15 marks, and the chosen subject paper contributes 85 marks. The question paper format includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Negative marking applies only to MCQs.