10 papers · 2015–2024
GATE CS Previous Year Papers
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (Computer Science)
GATE CS papers from 2015–2024 are a treasure trove — each 65-question paper tests both theoretical depth and algorithmic thinking. Unlike JEE/NEET, GATE questions are rarely repeated verbatim but concepts cycle every 3–5 years.
Year-by-Year Paper Details
| Year | Sessions / Format | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 2024Latest | Single session | 65 |
| 2023 | Single session | 65 |
| 2022 | Single session | 65 |
| 2021 | Single session | 65 |
| 2020 | Single session | 65 |
| 2019 | Single session | 65 |
| 2018 | Single session | 65 |
| 2017 | Single session | 65 |
| 2016 | Single session | 65 |
| 2015 | Single session | 65 |
High-Frequency Topics
Topics ranked by average questions per paper across 2015–2024.
CS Core
Data Structures (Trees, Graphs, Hashing)
Algorithms (Sorting, DP, Greedy)
Operating Systems (Scheduling, Memory)
Discrete Mathematics
Database Management Systems
Computer Networks (TCP/IP, Routing)
Theory of Computation
General Aptitude
General Aptitude (Verbal + Quant)
How to Use PYQs Effectively
- GATE has 15 marks of General Aptitude — start each timed practice with GA section (easy marks)
- After solving a paper, sort your errors by subject — this reveals your weakest GATE topic
- For 1-mark questions: work backwards — eliminate obviously wrong options, saves 30 seconds each
- For 2-mark questions: never guess — –2/3 negative marking makes blind guessing costly
- Note which year each concept was tested — 3-year gaps often signal the concept is "due" again
- GATE Overflow (community site) has detailed solutions for every paper from 2015+ — use it for explanations
Common PYQ Practice Mistakes
- Ignoring General Aptitude — 15 marks that can be scored 100% with 2 weeks of practice
- Spending 90% of time on algorithms while neglecting DBMS, CN, or Compiler Design
- Not practising NAT (Numerical Answer Type) questions — they require exact answers, no options
- Rushing through 1-mark questions — they are intentionally tricky; slow down
- Using solutions without understanding — GATE tests deep understanding, not pattern matching
Phase-wise Strategy
- Months 1–4: Complete each subject, then solve all PYQs for that subject topic-wise
- Months 5–6: Full GATE mock papers twice per week under 3-hour conditions
- Score 50+ on mock papers consistently before attempting real papers from 2023/2024
- Track your General Aptitude accuracy separately — it should be 90%+ by exam day
- GATE rank < 500 formula: DS+Algorithms (A) + OS+DBMS (A) + 2 other subjects (B) + GA (A)
Need a personalised PYQ practice plan?
A SkillMonster Guide will build a topic-wise PYQ schedule based on your weak areas, available time, and exam date — and track your improvement weekly.