Analysing previous GATE papers is vital for efficient exam preparation. By reviewing past question papers, candidates can understand the exam structure, identify key topics, assess question difficulty, refine study strategies, practice under timed conditions, and spot common question patterns.
Why Solve Previous Year Question Papers for GATE AR Exam 2026? How Early can One Start?
Why analyzing previous year GATE previous year question papers is crucial for efficient prep. for GATE 2026 AR Exam? Here's why:
- Understanding Exam Structure: Past papers provide insight into the test format, aiding in study optimisation.
- Identifying Key Topics: They highlight recurring themes, focusing study efforts on essential areas.
- Assessing Difficulty: Practice with past papers helps gauge question complexity, refining prep strategies.
Download Previous Year Question Papers for GATE AR Exam 2026
Here are GATE previous year question papers for your GATE 2026 Exam preparation:
GATE Previous Year Question Paper (2021)
GATE Previous Year Question Paper (2022)
GATE Previous Year Question Paper (2023)
GATE Previous Year Question Paper (2024)
GATE Previous Year Question Paper (2025)
Download Question Papers and other resources in bulk from IIT Guwahati Official Website 's link.
Download 20+ years of solved papers from Kaarwan’s Free Resource Library. Sign up to download more such free resources from Kaarwan's Dashboard.
GATE Architecture Preparatory Masterclass: Plan before you prepare to score All India Rank.
GATE Architecture and Planning Crash Course Exam 2026: Learn directly from an AIR topper and a gold medalist — your mentors for GATE success.
Types of Questions and the Marking Scheme in GATE 2026
Your go to strategy to attempt paper (Unless anything changes on official website around marking scheme, so stay tuned with official IIT Guwahati GATE 2026 Website):
MCQ (Multiple Choice Question): These questions have one correct answer among the given options.
Students will have something to loose here, if they choose the wrong answer. Why? Because
1 Mark MCQ = 1/3rd marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
2 Mark MCQ = 2/3rd marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
MSQ (Multiple Select Question): These questions require selecting all the correct options from a set of choices.
In GATE 2026, if an MSQ question has 3 correct answers, and you choose only 2 correct answers. You won't receive any marks for your two correct answers. You will get a zero. No negative marking, but also no partial marks given for half or part of the answer to be correct.
NAT (Numerical Answer Type): These questions require a numerical answer to be entered by the candidate after he solves the question on rough paper/answer sheet given to him/her. No negative marking here also.
Candidates can safely attempt all the MSQs and NAT questions(more marks, ex. 5marks question). So it is adviced to start practicing NAT questions as you begin your practice for the GATE 2026 AR Exam.
Marking Scheme for GATE 2026 AR Exam
1. General Aptitude : 10 Questions of 15 marks will be there.
5 Questions x (for) 1 marks = 5 marks
5 Questions x (for)2 marks = 10 marks
Architecture and Planning : Comprises of Section A (Common - compulsary to attempt), and Section B, have a choice. Either you attempt B1 - Archtiecture or B2 Planning along with Section A.
It is adviced to study the complete syllabus in GATE 2026, Section A Common, and Section B both B1 & B2. Then you can decide in exam which will you give.
Why so?
Because some questions from B2 planning can come in Section A Common questions. The questions are often seem to be lightly mixed in paper, and you wouldn't want to compromise on gaining any marks. This shouldn't come as suprise to you so prepare for the complete syllabus.
2. Section A - Common comprises of 39 Questions for 60 marks.
18 Questions x (for) 1 marks - 18 marks
21 Questions x (for) 2 marks = 42 marks
3. Section B - Archtiecture/Planning will comprise 16 Questions for 25 marks
7 Questions x (for) 1 marks - 7 marks
9 Questions x (for) 2 marks - 18 marks
Learn from top mentors, AIR 1, AIR 14, and a Gold Medalist Architect, in our GATE Crash Course for Architecture and Planning 2026.
GATE 2026 Syllabus
1. General Aptitude Syllabus (15 marks):
Verbal Aptitude
Quantitaive Aptitude
Analytical Aptitude
Spatial Aptitude
2. Part A : Common (60 marks)
Section 1: Archtiecture, Planning and Design
Section 2: Construction and Management
Section 3: Environmental Plannign and Design
Section 4: Urban Design, Landscape and Conservation
Section 5: Planning Process
Section 6: Service and Infrastructure
3. Part B1 : Archtiecture (25 marks)
Section B1.1: History and Contemporary Archtiecture
Section B1.2: Building Construction and Structural Systems
Section B1.3: Building Services and Sustainability
OR
Part B2 : Archtiecture (25 marks)
Section B2.1: Regional and Settlement Planning
Section B2.2: Planning Techniques and Management
Section B2.3: Infrastructure Planning
Bonus Tip: Watch YouTube videos where it shows experts solve previous year question papers. Start from day 1 and watch, learn and repeatedly solve papers available to you, N number of times. This will help you highlight the important parts in your brain when you sit down to theoretically cover your syllabus.
Your Previous Year Question Paper Checklist - for GATE AR 2026 Preparation
You can also check out Complete guide to GATE Exam 2026
Kaarwan is launching GATE 2026 Exam crash course for those who will attempt the Architecture and Planning AR code. Upcoming Batches start from September, and the course will be undertaken by the mentor who has AIR 14 rank in GATE AR Exam. Meet our mentor, Farha Siddiqui, a dedicated architect and Urban Designer who has also worked with the World Bank as an Assistant Urban Planner on the National Urban Development Strategy (2045) in GATE AR 2026 1-Day Preparatory Masterclass on 30th August,2025.
Details for GATE 2026 Batch will be shared in the masterclass itself!
FAQs
Q1. What is the best way to use previous year papers for GATE AR 2026 preparation?
The best way is to solve papers in exam-like conditions, analyse mistakes, and revise concepts regularly. Track your progress and improve speed with consistent practice.
Q2. Can I clear GATE AR 2026 by practicing only previous year papers?
Practising previous year papers is crucial, but not sufficient. You should also revise the complete GATE AR syllabus, focus on weak areas, and take mock tests for better exam readiness.
Q3. How many previous year question papers should I practice for GATE AR 2026?
Ideally, you should solve at least the last 10 years of GATE AR papers to cover a wide range of topics, understand difficulty trends, and refine your problem-solving approach.
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