Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering and National Eligibility Test are national level entrance examinations. Though both are entrance examinations, they differ in exam pattern as well as the purpose of exam etc.

GATE exam is conducted for admission of applicants to Master of Technology (M.Tech) programs where as NET is conducted for assessing eligibility of students to take up lectureship jobs.

Eligibility Criterion for GATE

applicants 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. applicants 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.

Eligibility Criterion for NET

applicants 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 applicants can also apply. applicants are advised to appear in the subject in which they have done their post-graduation.

Exam pattern for GATE

The GATE examination consists of a solitary paper of 3 hours duration. The question paper consists of multiple choice objective type questions. There will be negative marking for incorrect answers.

Exam Patten for NET

The NET exam consists of 3 papers which are of multiple choice objective types. There will be total of 60 questions in Paper-I and the applicants have to attempt only 50 of them. Paper-II and Paper-III will have 50 and 75 questions respectively.