What is the meaning of Valid GATE Score and GATE percentile?

Normally every GATE-qualified student who wishes to give GATE exam, asks these types of questions, "What is the meaning of a Valid GATE Score and GATE percentile? ". 

(1) What is the meaning of a Valid GATE Score?

There are a few confusing matters about the GATE score and the Valid GATE score. Normally GATE score is valid for two years. Suppose you have given GATE in 2014, your GATE score (qualified) is valid for the year 2014 and 2015 admission or job. 

Now, still, a question, what is a Valid GATE score? 

If you have obtained/secured marks equal to or greater than the qualifying marks of that year's GATE exam, you are said to have a valid GATE score and you are eligible to apply for a job or admission into masters for the year 2014 as well as that of the year 2015.

For, GATE 2014, Mechanical Engineering, qualifying marks were 28.86 for the General category. So, in order to be a valid GATE score holder, you should have at least 28.86 marks or greater than that (if you are a General category candidate).  If you secured, less than 28.86 marks in ME for the year GATE 2014, you are not qualified for a Valid GATE scorecard. GATE scorecard is valid only if you have at least secured qualifying marks for that year (Normally organizing institute does not send scores to a card that does not qualify!).

For example, if you got 28.55 marks as a general category student in GATE 2014 exam, you are not eligible to get Scorecard and you are called disqualified. Even in the next year GATE 2015, if qualifying marks are less than what you obtained in 2014 i.e. 28.55, your score is INVALID.

(2) What is the meaning of the GATE Percentile?

In simple, words, the GATE percentile gives the idea of exactly where you stand out of the total qualified GATE score holders/candidates.  GATE percentile can be calculated from two pieces of information. (a) Your All India GATE Rank (AIR) (b) Total number of candidates who appeared in that stream

GATE Percentile = (Total number of candidates appeared in that stream)-(Your AIR)/ (Total number of candidates appeared in that stream) x 100

If your AIR is 2112 (in ME) and the total number of candidates who appeared in ME during that year are 188253.

Your percentile is : (188253-2112)/188253 =  98.88 percentile!

This 98.88 shows that you are in the top 1.12 % of students.

So, start preparing for GATE now and aim to get more marks than GATE 2014's qualifying marks.