One choice, several choices, or a typed number

Learning outcome

You can tell a single-choice question, a multi-select question, and a typed-number question apart.

Concepts and why

The GATE 2026 information brochure describes three kinds of questions.

A multiple choice question has four answers, and only one of them is correct. A wrong choice is marked down.

A multiple select question has four answers, and one or more of them are correct. Full marks need the complete correct set, with no wrong option in it. A partial set gets no credit. The brochure says a wrong answer on this kind of question is not marked down.

A numerical answer question has no options. The answer is a signed real number, typed on the on-screen keypad. The brochure says a wrong answer is not marked down, and there is no partial credit. Round only at the end of the calculation. The question states how many decimal places to enter.

Worked examples

Which of these divide 12 with no remainder: 2, 3, 4, and 5? 2, 3, and 4 do. 5 does not. On a multi-select question the full answer is 2, 3, and 4 together. Choosing only 2, or adding 5, is not the full answer.

One fourth, written to two decimal places, is 0.25. That number is typed. It is not chosen from four options.

Common mistakes

Choosing just one correct option when more than one is correct. Rounding in the middle of a calculation. Typing a number when the question asks for one of four options.

Practice questions

1. How many options are correct on a multiple choice question?
2. What earns full marks on a multiple select question?
3. How is a numerical answer given?
4. When should the result be rounded?

Answers and explanation

1. Exactly one of the four.
2. The complete correct set, with no wrong option.
3. By typing the number.
4. Only at the end. The question states the decimal places.

Analogy

A fruit stall. A single-choice question is one correct fruit among four labels, and the wrong label costs you. A multi-select question is the whole order: every right fruit in the bag, and no wrong fruit. If the order calls for several fruits, taking only one correct fruit is not enough. A numerical question has no labels. You write the weight yourself, and you round the scale only when you are finished.

Quick reference

Multiple choice: one of four. A wrong choice is marked down. Multiple select: one or more of four. Full set only. No partial credit. A wrong answer is not marked down. Numerical: type a signed real number. No options. Round only at the end.