GATE AR previous year question papers
Architecture & Planning · 2007–2026
Free year-wise GATE AR question papers with official answer keys. Solve them under a 3-hour timer to simulate the real exam, then review every wrong answer against the GATE AR syllabus.
Free PDF downloads
We link to established, free sources rather than re-hosting copies. Papers open in a new tab; always cross-check against the official GATE organising institute's site for the current cycle.
How to use these papers
- Finish a subject first, then solve that subject's questions across all years.
- Once the syllabus is covered, switch to full papers under a strict 3-hour timer.
- Log every mistake by cause: concept gap, silly error, or time pressure.
- Re-solve the papers you scored worst on after two weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Does GATE AR actually require hand-drawing or sketching during the exam?
No. GATE AR is a computer-based test like every other GATE paper, so nothing is physically drawn on exam day: questions on architectural graphics, composition and urban design elements are asked as MCQs, MSQs or NATs, often built around a printed sketch or plan that you interpret and answer on screen. The drawing skill is still tested, just through recognition and analysis rather than a studio-style drafting exercise, so practice should focus on reading plans, sections and diagrams quickly rather than on rendering them.
Should I attempt Part B1 (Architecture) or Part B2 (Planning)?
Both are worth 25 marks and only one can be attempted, so the choice should be made early in preparation, not on exam day. B1 goes deeper into architectural history, advanced building technology and design theory, while B2 shifts toward regional and settlement planning, housing policy and infrastructure: candidates from a straight B.Arch background with a planning elective often still choose B1 if their design recall is stronger, so pick based on which set of past-paper questions you solve faster, not on your degree title alone.
How is GATE AR different in structure from a paper like Civil or Mechanical Engineering?
The Part A / Part B1 / Part B2 split is the main structural difference: every candidate answers the same compulsory 60-mark Part A across six common areas, then chooses one 25-mark optional block, so two candidates can sit the same GATE AR paper and answer a noticeably different quarter of it. Most core engineering papers do not offer this kind of track choice within the technical section.
Are pre-2021 GATE AR papers still worth solving given syllabus changes over the years?
Yes, with some judgment. Architecture and Planning has been offered since GATE 2007, and while the exact section labels and B1/B2 split have been refined over the years, the underlying subjects: building construction, structural systems, history of architecture, environmental design, planning and services: have stayed consistent enough that older papers remain useful for concept practice. Cross-check any paper against the current year's syllabus PDF before treating a topic as still in scope.