GATE CS 2026 Exam Difficulty Level Prediction: Subject Expert Shares Insights with CollegeDekho

GATE CS 2026 on Feb 8: Expert Vinod Kumar expects a 'Moderate' paper. Focus on your B.Tech CSE syllabus to score 60+. Programming & Data Structures, OS, CN, COA are must-do topics. DBMS & Digital Logic also carry 10-12% weightage. Revise thoroughly, practice, and stay confident!

CollegeDekho News Desk, Vijayawada: CollegeDekho got in touch with Vinod Kumar, a senior CSE faculty member in a private engineering college located in Vijayawada. He shared some insights and tips for upcoming GATE 2026 CS aspirants. Vinod Kumar has more than 5 years' experience in the GATE exam coaching. The CS exam of GATE 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on February 8 in two sessions.

CollegeDekho: What could be the expected difficulty level of the GATE 2026 CS Paper?

Vinod Kumar: This year, the difficulty level of the GATE CS exam could be ‘Moderate’. No surprise questions can be expected, but the test takers must be careful while answering ‘Multiple Select Questions’. If you are thorough with the B.Tech CSE syllabus properly, it would be easy to score 60+ marks. Last year, out of 1,70,825 candidates who appeared for the exam, only 27,518 candidates were able to qualify. The low pass percentage is attributed to a lack of proper revision of the B.Tech syllabus. Almost 50% questions are asked directly from the B.Tech syllabus, while 50% questions are pure application-based.

CollegeDekho: What topics are expected to have maximum weightage in GATE 2026 CS?

Vinod Kumar: Programming & Data Structures, Operating Systems, Computer Networks and Computer Organisation & Architecture are must-do topics. All these topics together almost comprise 35% weightage in the CS question paper. Therefore, maximum focus on revision these topics should be the first priority.

CollegeDekho: What could be the expected weightage for ‘Digital Logic’ and ‘DBMS’ in the GATE 2026 CS paper?

Vinod Kumar: DBMS and Digital Logic are second-priority topics in the GATE CS Syllabus. Both topics contribute to at least 10-12% weightage in the question paper. Overall, the first priority and second priority topics, as mentioned, carry up to 50% weightage.

CollegeDekho: Do previous years’ questions repeat in the GATE 2026 CS Paper?

Vinod Kumar: Usually, previous years’ questions are not repeated in the GATE CS exam. However, these questions can be repeated indirectly. The context of the question might change, but the topic shall remain the same. Topics might get repeated. If you clearly analyse the last 5-6 years’ papers, there were always questions on ‘C programme’, ‘computing system’, ‘byte calculation’, etc. The concepts shall get repeated, but not the exact questions.

CollegeDekho: What is your final suggestion for the GATE 2026 CS aspirants?

Vinod Kumar: Revise B.Tech syllabus thoroughly, practice more questions, analyse CS questions of UGC NET/ state-level SET exams, practice GATE previous papers, and stay confident.

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