IIT JAM and GATE Exam are national-level entrance exams conducted for post-graduation courses to get admissions in IITs, NITs, and IISc Bangalore.
IIT JAM is a common entrance test for admissions in master’s courses such as MSc, Integrated Ph.D., Joint MSc-PhD, MSc-PhD Dual Degree. In comparison, the GATE is a national level exam that provides admissions in the master of technology such as ME, MTech, Ph.D. courses.
Now you must be thinking, if both exams are conducted for masters, how are they different?
So here, we are sharing 6 major differences between the IIT JAM and GATE Exam in terms of Subjects, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, etc. It will help you clear your confusion and select the best suitable exam for you.
Differences Between IIT JAM & GATE Exam
Total Number of Subjects Under JAM Exam & GATE Exam
Differences in Eligibility Criteria
Syllabus IIT JAM and GATE Exam
Test Schedule of IIT JAM and GATE
Similarities Between JAM Exam and GATE Exam
What is IIT JAM?
IIT JAM stands for Joint Admission Test for Masters conducted by participating IITs for science graduates. It allows you to take admission in renowned Indian colleges like IITs, NITs, and IISc for the following courses:
M.Sc.
Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D.
M.Sc.-M.Tech.
M.Sc.-Ph.D
As per the news website, it is expected that IIT Guwahati will conduct the IIT JAM 2023 Exam.
What is the GATE Exam?
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is an entrance exam conducted by 7 IITs and IISc on a rotational basis. It is organized primarily to test candidates' knowledge in engineering & technology.
It is expected that IIT Kanpur will conduct the exam for the upcoming session 2023.
Differences Between IIT JAM and GATE
Both the exams are conducted at the same level, but these exams are quite different in terms of subjects, pattern, validity, and eligibility. Below, we have provided the differences between IIT JAM and GATE to clear your confusion:
Number of Subjects in IIT JAM and GATE Exam
IIT JAM Exam is conducted for 7 subjects, and the GATE Exam is conducted into 29 subjects.
You can apply for any two subjects in IIT JAM (If both subjects have different sessions), but you have to choose only one subject to appear in the GATE Exam. Below you can check the list of total subjects for the IIT JAM and GATE Exam.
IIT JAM Subjects
Physics (PH)
Chemistry (CY)
Mathematics (MA)
Geology (GG)
Mathematical Statistics (MS)
Biotechnology (BT)
Economics (EN)
Download the Free Study Kit for GATE Exam now!
GATE Exam Subjects
Aerospace Engineering (AE)
Agricultural Engineering (AG)
Architecture and Planning (AR)
Biomedical Engineering (BM)
Biotechnology (BT)
Civil Engineering (CE)
Chemical Engineering (CH)
Computer Science and Information Technology (CS)
Chemistry (CY)
Electronics and Communication Engineering (EC)
Electrical Engineering (EE)
Environmental Science & Engineering (ES)
Ecology and Evolution (EY)
Geomatics Engineering (GE)
Geology and Geophysics (GG)
Instrumentation Engineering (IN)
Mathematics (MA)
Mechanical Engineering (ME)
Mining Engineering (MN)
Metallurgical Engineering (MT)
Petroleum Engineering (PE)
Physics (PH)
Production and Industrial Engineering (PI)
Textile Engineering and Fiber Science (TF)
Engineering Sciences (XE*)
Life Sciences (XL**)
Statistics (ST)
Humanities and Social Science (XH**)
Download IIT JAM Previous Years' Question Papers Free PDF
Eligibility Criteria for IIT JAM and GATE Exam
You can appear in the Joint Admission Test or GATE Exam only after completing the eligibility criteria. For this, you need to satisfy the minimum qualification and age limit to apply for both exams.
You can check the complete details of eligibility for IIT JAM and GATE exam below:
IIT JAM Eligibility Criteria
3 years bachelor’s degree in science (Physics/ Chemistry/ Biology/ Mathematics) from a recognized University.
If you have appeared or are going to appear in the final year examination of a bachelor’s degree.
There are no age limit criteria.
Note:
The qualified percentage may be different for different IITs, so you should be aware of the eligibility criteria for all the participating organizations.
Engineering candidates can also apply for IIT JAM, but they have to follow the eligibility of the engineering branch in which they have completed their graduation.
Eligibility for GATE
You should have a 4 years BE/ B.Tech degree (after 10+2) or a 3-years diploma in Engineering/ Technology/ Architecture/ Commerce/ Arts.
Candidates who have completed a 5 years degree program in B.Arch. can also apply for the GATE Exam.
The organizing IIT also allows other degrees such as Integrated degree in B.S./ M.S./ MSc or MSC/ M.Tech.
Download IIT JAM Model Test Papers Free PDF
Exam Pattern for IIT JAM and GATE Exam
As you know, the GATE exam is conducted for technology and engineering, while the JAM is conducted for pure science. So, both exams may have a different paper pattern.
The exam pattern is different in the number of sections, questions, and marking scheme.
Check the complete exam pattern for both exams from the following table:
IIT JAM Paper Pattern
| Sections |
Total Number of Questions |
Types of Questions |
Negative Marking |
| Section A |
30 |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
For 1 mark ques - 1/3 marks will be deducted. For 2 marks ques - 2/3 marks will be deducted. |
| Section B |
10 |
Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) |
No negative marking |
| Section C |
20 |
Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
No negative marking |
| Total Questions |
60 |
||
| Total Marks |
100 |
||
GATE 2023 Exam Pattern
| Total Number of Questions |
65 |
| Total Marks |
100 |
| Type of Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
|
| Sections |
General Aptitude |
| Engineering Mathematics (for XL papers, it is Chemistry) |
|
| Subject – Specific section |
|
| Marking Scheme |
For 1 mark ques - 1/3 marks will be deducted. For 2 marks ques - 2/3 marks will be deducted. |
| No negative marking will be done for Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. |
Check the complete details about the GATE Exam Pattern and JAM Pattern here.
Syllabus of IIT JAM Exam and GATE Exam
The syllabus of the IIT JAM Exam and GATE Exam is different on the basis of their subjects. If you have applied for any of these subjects, you should check the complete syllabus & important topics.
Below, we have provided the link to the complete IIT JAM and GATE exam syllabus:
IIT JAM Syllabus for All 7 Subjects
GATE Exam Syllabus for All 29 Subjects
If you are going to appear for the IIT JAM Exam, you’ll need to prepare with more focus & dedication. For this, you need to understand the syllabus with the best study material and expert advice which you can get from Educnle.
You can get the free study kit for the Joint Admission Test from the table given below: -
| Download Free IIT JAM Study Material for All Subjects [Trusted & Recommended by 4600+ Selected Students] |
| Updated Syllabus for All Subjects |
| Sample Theory Notes |
| Model Test Papers with Solution (Section 1, 2 & 3) |
| 5 Previous Exam Papers with Answer Keys |
| Complete Study Plan for all 3 Sections |
| Paper Analysis by Eduncle Experts |
| Personalized Guidance by Subject Experts |
| Get Free Demo Class |
Validity of Score Card
The validity of the JAM Score Card is 1 year, while the GATE Exam scores are valid for 3 years from the date of announcement of the result.
Note: GATE scores are valid for postgraduate admissions and not for PSU recruitment.
Test Schedule for JAM and GATE Exam
The Joint Admission Test for Masters is organized in two sessions, while the GATE Exam is conducted for eight sessions. You can check the exam schedule for both the exams in the table below:
Test Schedule of IIT JAM
| Sessions |
Test Papers and Codes |
| I |
Mathematical Statistics (MS) Physics (PH) Biotechnology (BT) |
| II |
Chemistry (CY) Geology (GG) Mathematics (MA) Economics (EN) |
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GATE Exam Schedule 2023
| Session No. |
Time (IST) |
Test Paper Code |
| S1 |
09:30 AM - 12.30 PM (Forenoon Session) |
CE-1, IN, CY |
| S2 |
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Afternoon Session) |
CE-2, PH, AR, BM, AE, MN |
| S3 |
09:30 AM - 12.30 PM (Forenoon Session) |
EE, GG, AG, EY |
| S4 |
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Afternoon Session) |
EC, PE, ES, ST, PI |
| S5 |
09:30 AM - 12.30 PM (Forenoon Session) |
CS-1, MA, BT, CH, TF |
| S6 |
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Afternoon Session) |
CS-2, XE, XL |
| S7 |
09:30 AM - 12.30 PM (Forenoon Session) |
ME-1, XH |
| S8 |
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Afternoon Session) |
ME-2, MT |
Similarities Between IIT JAM and GATE
The GATE and JAM Exams have some common factors. They are similar in their duration, mode of conduct, career opportunities, and fee structure. Following are some common factors among both exams:
Both exams allow admission in IITs for a Master's degree.
The time duration for both the exams is the same i.e. 3 hours.
Both exams are conducted online.
Same Career Opportunities
The career opportunities under both exams are similar. Below, we have mentioned the list of career scopes in the Joint Admission Test and GATE.
Research or Scientist Job
Officer Jobs
Government Sector
Assistant Professor
Defense Job
Teaching Field
Similar Fees Structures
The Registration fees for both exams are the same, but they may be varied if you apply for 2 subjects in IIT JAM.
| Category |
JAM Exam |
GATE Exam |
| Female/SC/ST/PwD Candidates |
Rs 750 (for one paper), Rs 1050 (for two papers) |
750 INR |
| General/ OBC Candidates |
Rs 1500 (for one paper), Rs 2100 (for two papers) |
1500 INR |
This blog has covered all the differences between the IIT JAM and the GATE Exam. We hope it will help you choose which exam you should take for your master’s.
If you find the above information helpful, share it with other aspirants.
If you have any doubts regarding the individual exam, you can ask your queries through the comment box below. We will solve your queries as soon as possible.
You can also join India’s No.1 Learning Community for the Joint Admission Test, where you will get doubt solutions for all your exam-related queries with the guidance of experts from all over India. To join the community, you can download the Eduncle App now.
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