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GATE Biotechnology (BT) Exam Pattern 2025, Total Marks, Negative Marking, Question Paper

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Sonal Vaid

Content Curator | Updated On - Jul 4, 2024

GATE Biotechnology Exam Pattern 2024 has been framed by IISc Bangalore this year. IISc Bangalore has mentioned the pattern clearly in the official brochure which is released at gate2024.iisc.ac.in. However, you can check the detailed GATE Biotechnology Exam Pattern 2024 mentioned in this article.

IISc Bangalore has not made any changes to GATE Biotechnology exam pattern this year. But to ace this paper, you should understand its pattern first to navigate through the question paper easily. As per the GATE Biotechnology exam pattern 2024, there are two sections - General Aptitude and core discipline subjects opted by candidates.

This exam will be held for 100 marks in total. The General Aptitude, which is compulsory for all, will be of just 15 marks. If you have opted for Biotechnology (BT), you should know that Engineering Mathematics is subject-specific and the total marks for this paper is 17. The core subject which is Biotechnology will be of 72 marks. The total number of questions you will get is 65, including GA questions.
One of the major concerns to students is the negative marking in GATE Biotechnology of the exam. Negative marks is applicable for 1 mark MCQs and 2 marks questions. No negative marks will be deducted for Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT). 

The weightage of each section holds great importance in the exam. Through an analysis of GATE Biotechnology Question Papers, you will get to know the weightage of each section and its associated sub-topicsThis year in GATE 2024, you can expect 25-28 questions from Mathematics, 15-20 from Biochemistry and 10-12 questions from Microbiology. Expected GATE 2024 Biotechnology (BT) Weightage

Candidates appearing for GATE Biotechnology (BT) paper can choose Biomedical Engineering (BM), or Life Science (XL) as their second paper under the revised two paper combination list.

Ques. What is the format of GATE Biotechnology?

Ans. As per the GATE Biotechnology exam pattern, there are three secions- General Aptitude (GA), Engineering Mathematics and Biotechnology subject. General Aptitude will have 10 question of 15 marks. Engineering Mathematics and Biotechnology will have 55 questions for 85 marks.

Ques. What is the mark distribution in GATE Biotechnology?

Ans. In GATE Biotechnology, questions will be of 1 mark and 2 marks. In General Aptitude (GA) section, you will get 10 questions in total; 5 questions of 1 mark and the next 5 questions of 2 marks. But there will be 55 questions for a total of 85 marks in the Engineering Mathematics and Biotechnology section.

Ques. Is there negative marking in GATE Biotechnology?

Ans. Yes, there is negative marking in GATE Biotechnology paper. For 1 mark question, ⅓ of the marks will be deducted for every wrong answer. For 2 marks questions, there will be deduction of ⅔ of the marks for every incorrect answer.

GATE Biotechnology Exam Pattern

GATE Biotechnology (BT) Exam Pattern 2024

Feature Description
Language English
Examination Mode Online
Exam duration 3 Hours
Total Marks 100
Total Questions 65
Number of Sections Three – Core discipline, Mathematics, General Aptitude
Marking Scheme 1 or 2 marks for correct answers.
Negative Marking 1 mark MCQ, 0.33 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer;
2 marks MCQ, 0.66 marks will be deducted for a wrong answer;
No negative marking for MSQs and NATs
GATE Biotechnology Marking Scheme

GATE Biotechnology (BT) Marking Scheme

The marking pattern for the year 2024 will be decided by the GATE which will be released in the official notice. The expected marking pattern is given below:-

Sections No Of Questions Distribution Of Marks Total Marks
General Aptitude 10 (5 x 1) + (5 x 2) 15
Engineering Mathematics 55 (25 x 1) + (30 x 2) 85
Core Subject (Biotechnology)
GATE Biotechnology Negative Marking

GATE Biotechnology (BT) Negative Marking

Type of Questions GATE 2024 Biotechnology (BT) Negative Marks
1 mark questions 2 mark questions
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 1/3 marks will be deducted 2/3 marks will be deducted
Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) No negative marking No negative marking
Numerical Answer Type (NATS) No negative marking No negative marking
GATE Biotechnology Weightage

Expected GATE 2024 Biotechnology (BT) Weightage

Topics Marks Weightage
Mathematics 25-28
Microbiology 10-12
Biochemistry 15-20
Molecular Biology and Genetics 13-18
Cell Biology 5-10
Immunology 15-18
Bioinformatics 11-13
Analytics Techniques 8-10
Plant and Animal Biotechnology 20-25
Bioprocess Engineering and process biotechnology 10-12
Recombinant DNA Technology 14-16
GATE Biotechnology Syllabus

GATE Biotechnology (BT) Syllabus

Topic 1 – Engineering Mathematics

Calculus, differential equations, analysis of complex variables, probability and statistics, numerical methods, Linear algebra

Topic 2 - General biotechnology

Biotechnology, microbiology, immunology

Topic 3 – Genetics, Cellular, and molecular biology.

Genetics and Evolutionary biology, Cell biology, Molecular biology

Topic 4 – Fundamental and Biological Engineering

Engineering principles are applied to biological systems, classical thermodynamics, and bioenergetics, transport processes.

Topic 5 - Plant, Animal, and Microbial Biotechnology

Plants, animals, microbes

Topic 6 - Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology

Bio-reaction engineering, Upstream and Downstream Processing, Instrumentation, and Process Control

Topic 7 - Recombinant DNA technology and Other Tools in Biotechnology

Recombinant DNA technology, Molecular tools, Analytical tools, Computational tools

Topic 8 – General Aptitude

In general aptitude questions comes from verbal ability and numerical ability.

Verbal ability - English grammar, Instruction, sentence completion, verbal deduction, Verbal analogies, Word groups, Critical reasoning

Numerical ability - Numerical computation, Numerical estimation, Data interpretation. Numerical reasonings

Quick Links

GATE Biotechnology Books

GATE Biotechnology (BT) Books

BOOKS AUTHORS/PUBLISHERS
Principles of Biochemistry Lehninger
Molecular Cell Biology Iodish and Baltimore
Biotechnology Pranav Kumar
GATE General Aptitude and Mathematics GK publishers
Immunology Kuby
Gene Cloning and DNA analysis T.A Brown
Frequently Asked Questions

Also Check

GATE Biotechnology Exam Pattern 2024 FAQs

Ques. How many sections will be there in the GATE 2024 Biotechnology (BT) syllabus? What is the marking pattern of the GATE Biotechnology (BT) exam?

Ans. There will be 3 sections in the GATE 2024 Biotechnology (BT) syllabus. General Aptitude with 15% weightage, Engineering Mathematics with 13% and Core Discipline with 72%.

Sections No Of Questions Distribution Of Marks Total Marks
General Aptitude 10 5+10 (5 x 1) + (5 x 2) 15
Engineering Mathematics 55 (25 x 1) + (30 x 2) 25+60 85
Core Subject (Biotechnology)
Total Marks 65 100

Ques. Will be there any negative marking in the GATE 2024 Biotechnology (BT) paper?

Ans. the following negative marks in the GATE 2024 Biotechnology (BT) paper is expected to be in the following ways:-

  • 1/3 mark will be deducted for every 1 mark incorrect answer.
  • 2/3 marks will be deducted for every 2 marks incorrect answer.
  • There will be no negative marking for MSQ questions.
  • There will be no negative marking for NAT questions.

Ques. What are the syllabus for the GATE 2024 Biotechnology (BT) engineering mathematics and core discipline sections?

Ans. The syllabus for GATE 2024 Engineering Mathematics and core discipline sections are as follows:

Engineering Mathematics

  • Linear Algebra
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Differential Equations
  • Calculus
  • Numerical Methods

Core Discipline

  • General Biotechnology
  • Genetics, Cellular, and molecular biology
  • Fundamental of biological engineering
  • Plant, Animal, and Microbial Biotechnology
  • Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology
  • Recombinant DNA technology and Other Tools in Biotechnology

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

GATE 2025 : 13 answered questions

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● Top Answer By Rithvik Singh on 10 Oct 22

In general, a BSc (Hons) in Math is a good course that leads to a variety of career opportunities, including -  Masters: After completing a BSc Hons in Mathematics, one can pursue a MSc in Mathematics, Statistics, Operational Research, Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics and Computing, or Mathematics and Computing. Some prestigious institutes that offer MSc in Mathematics include IITs, IISER, IISc Bangalore, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, University of Hyderabad, and Chennai Mathematical Institute MBA: Following a BSc Hons in Math, an MBA is a good option for starting your career. Actuarial Science: If you want a job right after graduation, pursuing and passing at least three actuarial science exams will get you a good job. MCA / CODING: The IT industry is one of the fastest growing in INDIA, with many job opportunities available after a BSc Hons in Math. You can pursue IT jobs if you know a little coding, or you can pursue MCA, for which you will have to give NIMCET exams. Teaching: After completing your BSc Hons, you can pursue a career in education by taking the B.ED or, if you want to be a professor or lecturer, the JRF or NET exam. There are various other scopes available for students. They can also pursue a career in Research, go for Government Jobs (SSC), DRDO, ISRO, and so on....Read more

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Ques. What is the minimum salary in Italy?

● Top Answer By Neha Pareek on 28 Dec 22

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Ques. What are the cut off marks in gate for iit indore?

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● Top Answer By Abhimanyu Pareek on 28 Dec 22

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Ques. How can I get a scholarship to study in Italy?

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