GATE 2012 Analysis
GATE 2012 (CS&IT) largely followed the pattern of last year's paper, as previously announced in the GATE 2012 prospectus. The paper consisted of 65 questions with a maximum score of 100 marks. The questions were MCQ type with 4options. Every wrong answer incurred a negative marking of 1/3.
The question-wise breakup of the CS&IT paper was as follows:
- Engineering Mathematics: 15 marks
- General aptitude (verbal ability & numerical ability): 15 marks
- Core Engineering Subjects: 70 marks
In general, the paper was slightly tougher as compared to GATE 2011. A majority of the questions were from DBMS & Data structure & Algorithm and Computer Network whereas very few questions were seen from Compiler Design. Surprisingly, there were no questions from Software Engineering.
In terms of the difficulty level, questions from TOC & DMGT were toughest and Questions on DBMS and Data structure were the easiest.
GATE 2012 saw the weight-age allotted to Computer Network increase from 6% to 13%, while the weightage allotted to Computer Organization decreased from 16% to 3% as compared to last year. There was little change in the weight-age of subjects like Maths, General Aptitude, Compiler Design & Digital.
Last year the cut-off marks for this branch were: 25.00 for general, 22.5 for OBC & 16.67 for SC/ST candidates. However, this year cut-off is likely to be slightly higher owing to the large number of students appearing for GATE 2012.
| Subject | Difficulty Level |
| MATHS | EASY |
| DMGT | MODERATE |
| DS & ALGO | EASY |
| DIGITAL | EASY |
| CO | EASY |
| DBMS | EASY |
| OS | EASY |
| CN | EASY |
| TOC | TOUGH |
| CD | TOUGH |
| SW ENGG | NOT APPLICABLE |
| GA | MODERATE |
| OVERALL DIFFICULTY | MODERATE |
What is your result?
