The GATE examination consists of a single paper of 3 hours duration, which contains 65 questions carrying a maximum of 100 marks. The question paper will consist of only multiple choice objective questions. Each question will have four choices for the answer. There will be negative marking for each wrong answer, as explained in the question paper pattern. GATE Life Sciences (XL) paper consists of 3 sections: Chemistry (Compulsory). Biochemistry, botany, microbiology, zoology, and food technology & General Aptitude.