FAQ
GATE preparation — frequently asked questions
Common questions about the GATE exam and how Zen Alpha helps you prepare with free previous-year papers, solutions and mock tests.
What is the GATE exam?+
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is a national-level entrance exam in India, jointly conducted by IISc Bengaluru and seven IITs. GATE scores are used for admission to M.Tech/MS programmes at IITs, NITs and IIITs and for recruitment by many PSUs. Each paper is 3 hours long, with 65 questions for a total of 100 marks.
Which GATE papers and subjects does Zen Alpha cover?+
Zen Alpha focuses on GATE Computer Science (CS/CSE) and also supports Data Science & AI (DA), Electronics (EC), Electrical (EE) and Instrumentation (IN). The CS preparation covers Algorithms, Programming & Data Structures, Operating Systems, Databases, Computer Networks, Theory of Computation, Compiler Design, Computer Organization & Architecture, Digital Logic, Discrete Mathematics, Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude.
Are the GATE previous-year papers (PYQ) on Zen Alpha free?+
Yes. The full previous-year question papers are free to read at zenalpha.me/gate-pyq with no login required. Each paper lists every question along with the official answer key and a detailed step-by-step solution.
Which GATE CS years are available with solutions?+
Zen Alpha has the complete GATE Computer Science papers from 2021 to 2026, including both sets (Set 1 and Set 2) for 2021, 2024, 2025 and 2026, and the single CS paper for 2022 and 2023 — each a full 65-question, 100-mark paper with worked solutions.
How is a GATE CS paper structured?+
A GATE CS paper has 65 questions for 100 marks in 3 hours: 10 General Aptitude questions (15 marks) and 55 Computer Science questions (85 marks). Questions are of three types — MCQ (one correct option), MSQ (one or more correct options, with no partial marking) and NAT (a numerical answer to be typed in).
Is there negative marking in GATE?+
Yes, but only for MCQs: 1/3 mark is deducted for a wrong 1-mark MCQ and 2/3 mark for a wrong 2-mark MCQ. MSQ and NAT questions carry no negative marking.
Does Zen Alpha offer mock tests and a test series?+
Yes. Along with free PYQ practice, Zen Alpha offers topic-wise (chapter-wise) and full-length mock tests in a GATE-style exam interface, with instant evaluation and a detailed analysis that highlights weak subjects and chapters to revise.
Can I practise GATE questions chapter-wise?+
Yes. In the PYQ section you can pick a subject and then select one or more chapters to build a custom practice set from past GATE questions, so you can focus on specific topics.
Who teaches at Zen Alpha?+
Zen Alpha's mentors are educators from IIT, NIT and ex-ISRO backgrounds. They provide concept classes, notes, mock tests and one-to-one doubt support.
Besides GATE, what else does Zen Alpha teach?+
Zen Alpha also covers Computer Fundamentals and School education for Classes 8 to 12 (CBSE), including notes, practice tests and Olympiad preparation.