What is a GATE Virtual Calculator and How to Use It?

Abhik Das

Updated On: August 21, 2024 05:19 PM

Because the GATE candidates are not allowed to carry physical calculators, the officials allow the use of virtual calculators to assist the candidates to solve complex equations. Check out everything about the GATE virtual calculator from the article below. 

GATE Virtual Calculator

GATE Virtual Calculator: One of the most important parts of getting a good score in GATE is utilizing the Virtual Calculator effortlessly during the test. Because applicants are not permitted to bring a real calculator to the GATE test, they must solve numerical-based problems using a virtual calculator. As a result, every GATE aspirant must be familiar with utilising a Virtual Calculator and must use it frequently during GATE test preparation . The online virtual calculator for GATE is a calculator that has all of the functions and operators needed to carry out operations. On the GATE exam day, applicants can use the virtual calculator. The online calculator will only be available through the mouse and no keyboard will be required. GATE exam dates are February 3, 4, 10 and 11. Candidates will be able to appear for the exams in two shifts. Forenoon session, i.e. 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, and Afternoon session, i.e.  2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

LATEST: GATE Admit Card Released: Download link activated

Also read: GATE Syllabus

The GATE virtual calculator was first introduced during the 2016 exam. The calculator is a bit complex and the aspiring candidates must have a good idea regarding how to use the GATE virtual calculator. Here are some important pointers regarding the same and the detailed instructions regarding how to use the calculator.

Detailed Procedure to Operate the GATE Virtual Calculator

The detailed procedure to operate the GATE virtual calculator and pointers regarding the functions of the same has been discussed in this section -

Function

Input

Clear all inputs

Press “C”

Delete values entered in the input box

Press “←”

Arithmetic operators

Press “+/-/*/➗”

Logarithmic functions

log, ln, log2x, logyx

Trigonometric operations using degree

Sin/Cos/Tan (0)

Trigonometric operations using radians

Sin (π)

Cube operations

X3

Square operations

X2

Power of ten

10x

Exponential

ex

Factorial

n!

Modulus or Absolute Function

(I x I)

Percent operator

%

Modulo function

(mod)

Reciprocal

1/x

Constants

(π = 3.14; e=2.71)

Exp

a*10b

Unary plus and minus

  • Or -

Power roots

Examples

Arithmetic operators

To calculate 1+2*3, press “1”, “+”, “*”, “3” and “=”

Logarithmic functions

To calculate 1* ln (20) +3, press “1”, “*”, “20 log”, “+”, “3” and “=”

Trigonometric operations using degree

To calculate 1* Sin (40)+55, press “1”, “*”, “(,40, sin,)”, “+”, “55” and “=”

Trigonometric operations using radians

To calculate 1 * sin π, press “1”, “*”, “π”, “sin” and “=”

Cube operations

To calculate 1 * 23, press “1”, “*”, “2”, “x3 “ and “=”

Square operations

To calculate 1 * 22, press “1”, “*”, “2”, “x2 “ and “=”

Power of ten

To calculate 1 * 210, press “1”, “*”, “2”, “10x “ and “=”

Exponential

To calculate 1 * e5 , press “1”, “*”, “5”, “ex “ and “=”

Factorial

To calculate 2!, press “2”, “n!” and “=”

Modulus or Absolute Function

To calculate I (-10) I, press “(, -, 10,)”, “I x I” and “=”

Percent operator

To calculate 10 % of 100, press “10”, “%”, “100” and “=”

Modulo function

To calculate 10 mod 2, press “10”, “mod”, “2” and “=”

Reciprocal

To calculate 1/10, press “10”, “1/x” and “=”

Constants

To calculate 2π, press “2”, “*”, “π”, and “=”

Exp

To calculate 2 * 103 , press “2”, “exp”, “3”, and “=”

Unary plus and minus

To calculate -2*10, press “2”, “-”, “*”, “10” and “=”

Power roots

To calculate 10 * √21, press “10”, “*”, “21”, “√”, and “=”

Important Pointers Regarding the GATE Virtual Calculator

Some important pointers regarding the GATE virtual calculator are mentioned in this section -

  • The officials at the exam centres will authorize candidates taking the GATE entrance examination to utilise the virtual calculator

  • Simple operation keys will be present on the right side of the GATE virtual calculator

  • The keys for scientific functions and operations will be located on the virtual calculator's left side

  • Inverse functions will have their own keys, so applicants will not need press the “Shift” or “Inv” keys and the inverse functions will be listed below the corresponding functions

  • Candidates will be able to locate the trigonometric functions that have been grouped together

  • In the virtual calculator, the hyperbolic functions will also be grouped together

  • At the top of the virtual calculator, candidates will see two display boxes in which one of the boxes will show the key sequence pushed by the candidate for reference and the other box will display the actual entered numbers or the results of the computation

  • Because there are no capabilities for doing matrix calculations on the virtual calculator, these must be done manually

  • A drawback of the calculator is that complex numbers cannot be represented on it. Nevertheless, complex numbers linked to power systems or any other field that may be solved can be expressed on the GATE virtual calculator

  • There will be no specific keys for converting polar to rectangular and vice versa so, the candidate must utilise the GATE Virtual calculator to do the necessary conversions

Related GATE Links

GATE answer key

GATE result

GATE subject-wise paper analysis

GATE: List of Top 25 Government & Private Colleges for M.Tech Admission

GATE Response Sheet - PDF Download Here

Why Mock Test is Important for GATE Preparation

GATE Exam Day Instructions - Documents to Carry, Guidelines

GATE syllabus

GATE exam pattern and marking scheme

-

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a bright future!

news_cta

FAQs

How to calculate Exponential using a GATE virtual calculator?

Let us take an example, To calculate 1 * e5 , candidates will have to press “1”, “*”, “5”, “ex “, and “=”.

When is GATE 2023 scheduled to be conducted?

GATE 2023 exam dates are February 4,5, 11, and 12, 2023. Candidates will be able to appear for the exams in two shifts. Forenoon session, i.e. 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, and Afternoon session, i.e.  2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

How to calculate cubic operations using a GATE virtual calculator?

Let us take an example, To calculate 1 * 23,  using a GATE virtual calculator, candidates are required to press “1”, “*”, “2”, “x3 “ and “=”.

What are the inputs for the Logarithmic functions using a GATE virtual calculator?

log, ln, log2x, logyx are the inputs required to do Logarithmic functions using a GATE virtual calculator.

How to do ‘Trigonometric operations using degree’ in the GATE virtual calculator?

For doing Trigonometric operations using degree operating a GATE virtual calculator, candidates are required to input Sin/Cos/Tan (0).

/articles/gate-virtual-calculator/
View All Questions

Related Questions

My gate score is 534 and air is 2362 , general category. Where can I expect my admission. Can I get microelectronics in bits

-dibya das mohapatraUpdated on September 04, 2025 11:57 PM
  • 10 Answers
Aston, Student / Alumni

Due to high competition for Microelectronics at BITS, a GATE score of 534 might be challenging. LPU's M.Tech in VLSI/Microelectronics presents a great alternative. The program features state-of-the-art labs, expert faculty, and an industry-aligned curriculum. With a focus on practical skills and real-world projects, it prepares students for promising careers.

READ MORE...

Which GATE exam have to appear for PG Marine Engineering admission at the Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies?

-Esha ManeUpdated on September 02, 2025 05:55 PM
  • 1 Answer
Falak Khan, Content Team

To get PG Marine Engineering admission at the Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies, you do not need to appear for the GATE exam. The Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies offers postgraduate course admission based on their initial assessment exam, which they conduct. You first need to fill out the application form at the institute's official website, after which you will be notified of the assessment test. You need to give and pass the assessment test. The admissions committee will establish the cut-off score for the exam. If you score above the cut-off score will be invited to an …

READ MORE...

I was allotted a college in tg pgecet phase 1. And I need to pay 30k fee. But I wish to move to phase 2. So is it mandatory to pay fee now to be eligible for phase 2. Or will I get access to phase 2 web options without paying that amount?

-LakshmanUpdated on September 05, 2025 04:51 PM
  • 1 Answer
Rupsa, Content Team

Dear Student,

It is not mandatory to pay the tuition fee for the college allotted in Phase 1 to be eligible for Phase 2 of TS PGECET 2025 counselling. If you wish to upgrade your seat you can participate in Phase 2 web options even if you do not pay the fees or report to the college allotted in the first phase. However, if you have already paid the fee for the Phase 1 college and then get a new seat in the second phase of counselling, the fees paid earlier be transferred to the new college. Any difference …

READ MORE...

Do you have a question? Ask us.

  • Typical response between 24-48 hours

  • Get personalized response

  • Free of Cost

  • Access to community

Recent Articles

Recent News

Subscribe to CollegeDekho News

By proceeding ahead you expressly agree to the CollegeDekho terms of use and privacy policy

Top 10 Engineering Colleges in India

View All