GATE EC Mock Test 1 (20 Questions, Free)

A free GATE Electronics and Communication mock test with 20 original questions on networks, signals, devices, analog, digital, control, communications and EM.

This mock test has 20 original GATE-style questions across the electronics and communication syllabus. Give yourself 60 minutes, write your answers on paper, then open each question to check. Score +1 per correct answer and −1/3 per wrong MCQ.

Networks and signals

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

A series RLC circuit has R = 10 Ω, L = 1 mH and C = 1 µF. What is its quality factor at resonance?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 3.16

Q = (1/R)√(L/C) = (1/10)√1000 ≈ 3.16.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

The impulse response of an LTI system is h(t) = e^(−2t) u(t). What is its DC gain H(0)?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 0.5

H(s) = 1/(s + 2), so H(0) = 1/2.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

A 1024-point FFT (radix-2) needs how many complex multiplications, using (N/2) log₂ N?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 5120

(1024/2) × log₂ 1024 = 512 × 10 = 5120.

GATE-styleMSQ · one or more correct answers

Which of these systems are linear? (Select all that apply.)

Show answer and explanationAnswer: A, B

Scaling and delay are linear. Squaring is not, and adding a constant breaks additivity (zero input gives non-zero output).

Devices and analog circuits

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

A BJT has collector current 2.6 mA and V_T = 26 mV. What is its transconductance in mA/V?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 100

g_m = I_C/V_T = 2.6 mA/26 mV = 100 mA/V.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

A MOSFET in saturation has k = 2 mA/V², V_GS = 3 V and V_T = 1 V. Using I_D = (k/2)(V_GS − V_T)², what is I_D in mA?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 4

I_D = 1 × 2² = 4 mA.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

An intrinsic semiconductor has n_i = 10¹⁰ cm⁻³. After doping, n = 10¹⁶ cm⁻³. What is the hole concentration in cm⁻³?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 10000

p = n_i²/n = 10²⁰/10¹⁶ = 10⁴ cm⁻³.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

A non-inverting op-amp amplifier has R_f = 90 kΩ and R₁ = 10 kΩ. What is its gain?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 10

Gain = 1 + R_f/R₁ = 1 + 9 = 10.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

An op-amp has gain–bandwidth product 1 MHz. What is the bandwidth in kHz when it is used with a closed-loop gain of 20?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 50

Bandwidth = GBW/gain = 1000 kHz/20 = 50 kHz.

Digital circuits

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

How many flip-flops are needed for a mod-12 counter?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 4

2³ = 8 < 12 ≤ 16 = 2⁴: 4 flip-flops.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

How many select lines does a 32:1 multiplexer have?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 5

2⁵ = 32, so 5 select lines.

GATE-styleMCQ · one correct answer

What is the output of an XOR gate with inputs A and B when A = B?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: A

XOR is 1 only when the inputs differ, so A ⊕ A = 0.

Control systems

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

The characteristic equation s³ + 2s² + 3s + 10 = 0 has how many roots in the right half-plane?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 2

Routh column: 1, 2, (6 − 10)/2 = −2, 10. Two sign changes: two right-half-plane roots.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

A unity-feedback system has G(s) = 9/(s(s + 3)). What is the natural frequency ω_n in rad/s of the closed loop?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 3

Closed loop 9/(s² + 3s + 9): ω_n = 3 rad/s.

Communications

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

A voice signal is sampled at 8 kHz with 8 bits per sample. What is the PCM bit rate in kbit/s?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 64

Bit rate = n × f_s = 8 × 8 = 64 kbit/s.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

A source has symbols with probabilities 1/2, 1/4 and 1/4. What is its entropy in bits per symbol?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 1.5

H = 0.5 × 1 + 0.25 × 2 + 0.25 × 2 = 1.5 bits.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

In AM with modulation index 0.5, what fraction of the total power is in the sidebands? (Give 3 decimal places.)

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 0.111

Sideband share = (μ²/2)/(1 + μ²/2) = 0.125/1.125 ≈ 0.111.

Electromagnetics

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

A rectangular waveguide has a = 2.5 cm. What is the TE₁₀ cutoff frequency in GHz (c = 3 × 10⁸ m/s)?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 6

f_c = c/(2a) = 3 × 10⁸/0.05 = 6 GHz.

GATE-styleMCQ · one correct answer

A line with Z₀ = 50 Ω is terminated in 50 Ω. The reflection coefficient is:

Show answer and explanationAnswer: A

Γ = (50 − 50)/(50 + 50) = 0: a matched load reflects nothing.

GATE-styleNAT · numerical answer

A plane wave travels in a lossless medium with ε_r = 4 and μ_r = 1. What is its speed in units of 10⁸ m/s?

Show answer and explanationAnswer: 1.5

v = c/√(ε_r μ_r) = 3 × 10⁸/2 = 1.5 × 10⁸ m/s.

Your score

Score (out of 20)What it means
16 and aboveStrong: move to full-length papers
10 – 15Revise the subjects where you lost marks
Below 10Go back to the lessons, then retake after two weeks

Revise with the formula sheet and follow the study plan.