GATE CS Previous Year Question Analysis (2020–2024)

 

Overview: Topic-wise Weight Distribution (Approximate)

Subject Area	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Algorithms	10	8	8	9	10
Data Structures	9	10	7	8	8
Computer Networks	8	9	10	7	9
Databases (DBMS)	8	9	8	10	7
Operating Systems	10	8	8	9	10
TOC (Theory of Comp.)	6	7	7	6	7
Compiler Design	6	5	5	4	5
Computer Organization	8	7	8	9	7
Digital Logic	4	4	5	4	5
Software Engineering	2	1	2	1	2
Discrete Mathematics	6	6	7	7	6
Linear Algebra	3	3	4	3	3
Probability & Stats	3	3	3	4	4
Calculus	1	1	1	1	1
General Aptitude	15	15	15	15	15
Total Marks	100	100	100	100	100

Observation: Core subjects like DS, Algo, OS, CN, DBMS consistently carry the highest weight. Engineering Maths + Aptitude contributes around 30–32 marks.

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Frequently Asked Topics (Must-Prepare)

Data Structures & Algorithms

• Time Complexity (Master's theorem, Big-O)

• Sorting & Searching Algorithms

• Trees (BST, AVL, Heap)

• Graph Algorithms (BFS, DFS, Dijkstra, Kruskal)

• Recursion and Dynamic Programming

Operating Systems

• Process Scheduling

• Deadlocks (Banker’s Algorithm, Detection)

• Paging, Segmentation, Virtual Memory

• Threads and Concurrency (Semaphores)

Computer Networks

• TCP/IP, OSI Model

• IP Addressing & Subnetting

• Congestion Control (TCP)

• Routing Algorithms (DVR, Link-State)

• Application Layer Protocols (HTTP, DNS)

DBMS

• SQL Queries & Joins

• Functional Dependency & Normalization

• Transactions, Concurrency Control (Locks, Serializability)

• ER Model and Relational Algebra

TOC & Compiler Design

• Regular Expressions, DFA, NFA

• Context-Free Grammar

• LR Parsing, Syntax Trees

• Lexical Analysis and Symbol Table

COA (Computer Organization)

• Number Systems and Binary Arithmetic

• Instruction Format and Addressing Modes

• Cache Mapping Techniques

• Pipelining and Performance Calculation

Discrete Mathematics

• Set Theory, Relations and Functions

• Propositional and Predicate Logic

• Graph Theory (DFS, BFS, Trees)

• Combinatorics and Pigeonhole Principle

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Question Type Breakdown

Type	Description	% of Paper
MCQs (Multiple Choice)	One correct option	~50%
MSQs (Multiple Select)	More than one correct option	~25%
NATs (Numerical Answer)	Type-in answers	~25%

Year-wise Difficulty Level (Subjective)

Year	Overall Difficulty	Toughest Sections
2020	Moderate	COA, Networks
2021	Moderate–Tough	OS, Discrete Math
2022	Easy–Moderate	TOC, CN
2023	Moderate	Algorithms, DBMS
2024	Moderate–Tough	OS, Algo, CN

General Aptitude is typically easy and high scoring—don’t ignore it!

Conclusion & Tips

• Focus on core 6–7 subjects: OS, CN, DBMS, DS, Algo, COA, TOC.

• Practice 10 years of PYQs – most concepts repeat in various forms.

• Make short notes of formulas, tricky concepts, and code snippets.

• Use MSQ and NAT practice tests – often neglected but crucial.

• Keep solving subject-wise tests and gradually move to full mocks.