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100+ Free GATE AE Practice Questions

Pass your GATE Aerospace Engineering (Paper Code AE) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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The relation between Young's modulus E, shear modulus G, and Poisson's ratio ν for isotropic materials is:

A
B
C
D
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: GATE AE Exam

65 questions / 100 marks

GATE AE 2026 exam pattern (10 GA + 55 subject)

gate2026.iitg.ac.in

180 minutes

Total exam duration (3 hours computer-based test)

GATE 2026 Information Brochure

INR 1800 / 900

Application fee (General-OBC / SC-ST-PwD-Female)

GATE 2026 Official Notification

3 years

Validity of GATE score for PG admissions and PSU recruitment

GATE Committee policy

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

GATE AE 2026 is a 3-hour computer-based test of 65 questions for 100 marks (GA 15 + Subject 85), held by IIT Guwahati in early February 2026. Score is valid 3 years for IIT/NIT PG admissions and PSU recruitment by ISRO, HAL, BARC, and others.

Sample GATE AE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your GATE AE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In the GATE 2026 General Aptitude section, if the ratio of boys to girls in a class is 5:3 and there are 24 girls, how many students are in the class?
A.48
B.56
C.64
D.72
Explanation: If the ratio is 5:3 and 3 parts = 24 girls, then 1 part = 8. Boys = 5 × 8 = 40. Total students = 40 + 24 = 64. Setting up ratio problems by finding the unit value (one part) is the standard GATE GA approach.
2Choose the word that is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the word 'ALACRITY':
A.Eagerness
B.Reluctance
C.Vigour
D.Promptness
Explanation: Alacrity means cheerful readiness or brisk eagerness to do something. Its antonym is reluctance — unwillingness or hesitation. GATE GA verbal questions reward precise vocabulary, especially Latin/French-origin words common in technical English.
3A sum of money doubles itself in 8 years at simple interest. In how many years will it become five times itself at the same rate?
A.20 years
B.24 years
C.28 years
D.32 years
Explanation: If a sum doubles in 8 years at SI, the interest equals the principal in 8 years, so the rate = 100/8 = 12.5% per annum. To become five times, the interest must be 4 × principal. Time = (4 × 100)/12.5 = 32 years.
4In a certain code, FLOWER is written as EKNVDQ. How is GARDEN written in the same code?
A.FZQCDM
B.HBSEFO
C.FZQDCM
D.HBSCFO
Explanation: Each letter shifts back by 1 position in the alphabet: F→E, L→K, O→N, W→V, E→D, R→Q. Applying the same -1 shift to GARDEN: G→F, A→Z, R→Q, D→C, E→D, N→M = FZQCDM. Letter-shift coding-decoding is a recurring GATE GA logical-reasoning pattern.
5The mean of 20 numbers is 18. If 3 is added to each of the first 10 numbers, what is the new mean of the 20 numbers?
A.19.5
B.21
C.18.5
D.20
Explanation: Original sum = 20 × 18 = 360. Adding 3 to each of the first 10 numbers increases the total by 10 × 3 = 30, giving a new sum of 390. New mean = 390/20 = 19.5. Mean shifts predictably when a constant is added to a subset of observations.
6A boat travels 30 km upstream in 3 hours and the same distance downstream in 2 hours. What is the speed of the stream?
A.2.5 km/h
B.12.5 km/h
C.15 km/h
D.5 km/h
Explanation: Upstream speed = 30/3 = 10 km/h; downstream speed = 30/2 = 15 km/h. Stream speed = (downstream − upstream)/2 = (15 − 10)/2 = 2.5 km/h. Boat-stream problems use the relations: still-water speed = (D+U)/2 and stream = (D−U)/2.
7If P(A) = 0.4, P(B) = 0.5 and P(A ∩ B) = 0.2, what is P(A ∪ B)?
A.0.9
B.0.7
C.0.6
D.1.1
Explanation: By the addition rule for two events, P(A ∪ B) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A ∩ B) = 0.4 + 0.5 − 0.2 = 0.7. The subtraction of the intersection avoids double-counting the common outcomes.
8Read the following sentence: 'Despite the heavy rains, the cricket match _____ uninterrupted.' Choose the most grammatical completion.
A.continued
B.has continued
C.is continued
D.continuing
Explanation: The past tense 'continued' agrees with the past context implied by 'Despite the heavy rains' (a past condition). Simple past matches the timeframe and forms a complete independent clause with the subject 'the cricket match'.
9The price of an article is increased by 20% and then decreased by 20%. What is the net percentage change in price?
A.No change
B.4% decrease
C.4% increase
D.2% decrease
Explanation: Successive percentage changes combine as (1+0.2)(1−0.2) = 1.20 × 0.80 = 0.96, a 4% net decrease. The shortcut for ±x% sequences is a net change of −x²/100 percent (here −400/100 = −4%).
10Five people P, Q, R, S, T sit in a row. P is to the immediate left of Q. R is at one of the ends. S is to the right of Q. T is between R and P. Which of the following is the correct seating arrangement from left to right?
A.R T P Q S
B.T R P Q S
C.R P T Q S
D.S Q P T R
Explanation: P-Q adjacency with P left of Q, S to the right of Q, gives ...PQS. T between R and P with R at an end means R T P Q S (R at left end, T between R and P, then P Q S). Option (a) satisfies every constraint.

About the GATE AE Exam

GATE Aerospace Engineering (paper code AE) is the all-India entrance examination for postgraduate aerospace engineering programmes at IITs, IISc, NITs, IIITs, and other CFTIs, and is also used for recruitment by central PSUs such as ISRO, HAL, BARC, NTPC, GAIL, and IOCL. The 2026 edition is conducted by IIT Guwahati. It is a 3-hour Computer-Based Test for 100 marks containing 65 questions: 10 General Aptitude questions for 15 marks, plus 55 subject-related questions covering Engineering Mathematics, Flight Mechanics, Space Dynamics, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Propulsion. The paper mixes MCQ items (with 1/3 or 2/3 negative marking), MSQ items (multiple-select, no negative), and NAT items (numerical answer type, no negative).

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

180 minutes (3 hours)

Passing Score

Qualifying cutoff varies (~25-35/100); valid 3 years for PG admissions and PSU recruitment

Exam Fee

INR 1800 (General/OBC); INR 900 (SC/ST/PwD/Female) (IIT Guwahati (organising institute for GATE 2026) on behalf of the GATE committee (IITs + IISc Bangalore))

GATE AE Exam Content Outline

15%

General Aptitude (GA)

10 questions for 15 marks covering verbal ability, English grammar, quantitative aptitude (numbers, percentages, ratio, time-speed-distance), and analytical reasoning (coding-decoding, seating, data interpretation)

13%

Engineering Mathematics

Linear algebra (matrices, rank, eigenvalues), calculus (limits, derivatives, integrals, partial derivatives, Taylor series), differential equations (first and second order ODEs), and numerical methods (Newton-Raphson, trapezoidal, Simpson, Runge-Kutta)

10%

Flight Mechanics

ISA standard atmosphere, airplane performance (cruise, climb, range, endurance, takeoff, landing, turning flight), static stability (longitudinal, directional, lateral), dynamic stability (phugoid, short-period, dutch-roll, spiral, roll modes)

7%

Space Dynamics

Kepler's three laws of planetary motion, two-body problem, orbital elements (semi-major axis, eccentricity, inclination), circular and elliptical orbits, escape velocity, Hohmann transfer, geostationary orbits

18%

Aerodynamics

Potential flow (sources, doublets, vortex, d'Alembert), thin airfoil theory, finite wing theory (induced drag, AR effect), compressible flow (Mach number, normal/oblique shocks, isentropic relations, Prandtl-Glauert), viscous flow (Reynolds number, boundary layers, Blasius, separation), wind tunnel similarity

17%

Structures

Strength of materials (Hooke's law, Mohr's circle, bending, torsion, buckling, Castigliano, yield criteria), flight vehicle structures (semi-monocoque, shear flow, stiffened panels, fatigue, composites), structural dynamics (SDOF/MDOF natural frequencies, damping, aeroelasticity/flutter/divergence)

20%

Propulsion

Thermodynamics (laws, ideal gas, isentropic relations, Brayton/Otto cycles), axial compressors and turbines (Euler equation, degree of reaction, stage loading, surge/stall), jet propulsion (turbojet, turbofan, ramjet, scramjet, propulsive efficiency, TSFC, nozzles), rocket propulsion (Tsiolkovsky, specific impulse, solid vs liquid)

How to Pass the GATE AE Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Qualifying cutoff varies (~25-35/100); valid 3 years for PG admissions and PSU recruitment
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 180 minutes (3 hours)
  • Exam fee: INR 1800 (General/OBC); INR 900 (SC/ST/PwD/Female)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

GATE AE Study Tips from Top Performers

1Start with the official GATE 2026 AE syllabus from gate2026.iitg.ac.in — many candidates lose marks studying tangential topics not on the syllabus
2Allocate study hours by weightage: Propulsion (20%) + Aerodynamics (18%) + Structures (17%) together carry 55% of subject marks — make these your strongest areas
3Solve at least the last 10 years of GATE AE past papers; concept repetition is high and pattern recognition saves time in the exam
4Practice NAT questions extensively — they carry no negative marking and a fast NAT-solving habit can secure 25-30 marks of safe scoring
5Build a formula sheet for compressible-flow relations, beam deflections, orbital-mechanics constants, and thermodynamic cycle efficiencies; revise it daily in the last 30 days
6Take at least 20-25 full-length mock CATs in the last 3 months to develop a sub-200-second-per-question pacing instinct

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GATE 2026 Aerospace Engineering exam pattern?

GATE AE 2026 is a 3-hour computer-based test with 65 questions for 100 marks. The paper has 10 General Aptitude questions (15 marks) and 55 subject-related questions (85 marks) covering Engineering Math, Flight Mechanics, Space Dynamics, Aerodynamics, Structures, and Propulsion. Questions include MCQ (with 1/3 or 2/3 negative marking), MSQ (multiple select, no negative marking), and NAT (numerical answer, no negative marking).

When is GATE 2026 scheduled and who is the conducting institute?

GATE 2026 is conducted by IIT Guwahati. The exam is held in early February 2026 (typically Feb 7, 8, 14, and 15). The Aerospace Engineering paper will be on one of these days. The official portal is https://gate2026.iitg.ac.in/.

What is the GATE 2026 application fee?

The application fee for GATE 2026 is INR 1800 for General, OBC, and other male candidates. The fee is INR 900 for SC, ST, PwD candidates, and all female candidates. A late application surcharge of approximately INR 500 applies if you register after the regular deadline.

What is the negative marking scheme in GATE AE?

For MCQ questions: 1-mark MCQ has 1/3 mark deducted for a wrong answer; 2-mark MCQ has 2/3 mark deducted. There is NO negative marking on MSQ (multiple-select) and NAT (numerical answer type) questions. Skipping is always safer than guessing on MCQs.

What are the career outcomes after qualifying GATE AE?

Qualifying GATE AE opens three main paths: (1) M.Tech/M.E. admissions at IITs, IISc, NITs, IIITs, and other reputed institutions with MHRD scholarship; (2) Direct PhD admission at top institutes; (3) PSU recruitment by ISRO, HAL, BARC, GAIL, IOCL, NTPC, and other CPSEs. GATE score validity is 3 years.

How much study time do I need for GATE AE?

Most successful candidates spend 400-800 hours of focused preparation over 8-12 months. Final-year B.Tech students should start at the beginning of their 7th semester. Mock tests in the last 3 months are critical — aim for at least 20-25 full-length mocks alongside subject-wise practice.

Which textbooks are commonly used for GATE AE preparation?

Standard references include Anderson's 'Introduction to Flight' and 'Fundamentals of Aerodynamics', Megson's 'Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students', Hill and Peterson's 'Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion', Curtis's 'Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students', and Etkin/Reid 'Dynamics of Flight'. NPTEL aerospace video lectures are also widely used.