Examination Preparation

Archive for May, 2009

Civil Engineering – CE

ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS

Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigen values and eigenvectors.
Calculus: Functions of single variable, Limit, continuity and differentiability, Mean value theorems, Evaluation of definite and improper integrals, Partial derivatives, Total derivative, Maxima and minima, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities, Directional derivatives, Line, Surface and Volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems.
Differential equations: First order equations (linear and nonlinear), Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Initial and boundary value problems, Laplace transforms, Solutions of one dimensional heat and wave equations and Laplace equation.
Complex variables: Analytic functions, Cauchy’s integral theorem, Taylor and Laurent series.
Probability and Statistics: Definitions of probability and sampling theorems, Conditional probability, Mean,
median, mode and standard deviation, Random variables, Poisson, Normal and Binomial distributions.
Numerical Methods: Numerical solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations Integration by trapezoidal
and Simpson’s rule, single and multi-step methods for differential equations.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Mechanics: Bending moment and shear force in statically determinate beams. Simple stress and strain relationship: Stress and strain in two dimensions, principal stresses, stress transformation, Mohr’s circle. Simple bending theory, flexural and shear stresses, unsymmetrical bending, shear centre. Thin walled pressure vessels, uniform torsion, buckling of column, combined and direct bending stresses.
Structural Analysis:Analysis of statically determinate trusses, arches, beams, cables and frames, displacements in statically determinate structures and analysis of statically indeterminate structures by force/ energy methods, analysis by displacement methods (slope deflection and moment distribution methods), influence lines for determinate and indeterminate structures. Basic concepts of matrix methods of structural analysis.
Concrete Structures: Concrete Technology- properties of concrete, basics of mix design. Concrete design- basic working stress and limit state design concepts, analysis of ultimate load capacity and design of members subjected to flexure, shear, compression and torsion by limit state methods. Basic elements of prestressed concrete, analysis of beam sections at transfer and service loads.
Steel Structures: Analysis and design of tension and compression members, beams and beam- columns, column bases. Connections- simple and eccentric, beam–column connections, plate girders and trusses. Plastic analysisof beams and frames.

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
Soil Mechanics:Origin of soils, soil classification, three-phase system, fundamental definitions, relationship and interrelationships, permeability & seepage, effective stress principle, consolidation, compaction, shear strength.
Foundation Engineering: Sub-surface investigations- scope, drilling bore holes, sampling, penetration tests,
plate load test. Earth pressure theories, effect of water table, layered soils. Stability of slopes-infinite slopes, finite slopes. Foundation types-foundation design requirements. Shallow foundations-bearing capacity, effect of shape, water table and other factors, stress distribution, settlement analysis in sands & clays. Deep foundations–pile types, dynamic & static formulae, load capacity of piles in sands & clays, negative skin friction.

WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING

Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics: Properties of fluids, principle of conservation of mass, momentum, energy and corresponding equations, potential flow, applications of momentum and Bernoulli’s equation, laminar and turbulent flow, flow in pipes, pipe networks. Concept of boundary layer and its growth. Uniform flow, critical flow and gradually varied flow in channels, specific energy concept, hydraulic jump. Forces on immersed bodies, flow measurements in channels, tanks and pipes. Dimensional analysis and hydraulic modeling. Kinematics of flow, velocity triangles and specific speed of pumps and turbines.
Hydrology: Hydrologic cycle, rainfall, evaporation, infiltration, stage discharge relationships, unit hydrographs,
flood estimation, reservoir capacity, reservoir and channel routing. Well hydraulics.
Irrigation: Duty, delta, estimation of evapo-transpiration. Crop water requirements. Design of: lined and unlined canals, waterways, head works, gravity dams and spillways. Design of weirs on permeable foundation. Types of irrigation system, irrigation methods. Water logging and drainage, sodic soils.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Water requirements: Quality standards, basic unit processes and operations for water treatment. Drinking water standards, water requirements, basic unit operations and unit processes for surface water treatment, distribution of water. Sewage and sewerage treatment, quantity and characteristics of wastewater. Primary, secondary and tertiary treatment of wastewater, sludge disposal, effluent discharge standards. Domestic wastewater treatment, quantity of characteristics of domestic wastewater, primary and secondary treatment Unit operations and unit processes of domestic wastewater, sludge disposal.
Air Pollution: Types of pollutants, their sources and impacts, air pollution meteorology, air pollution control, air quality standards and limits.
Municipal Solid Wastes: Characteristics, generation, collection and transportation of solid wastes, engineered
systems for solid waste management (reuse/ recycle, energy recovery, treatment and disposal).
Noise Pollution: Impacts of noise, permissible limits of noise pollution, measurement of noise and control of noise pollution.

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

Highway Planning: Geometric design of highways, testing and specifications of paving materials, design of
flexible and rigid pavements.
Traffic Engineering: Traffic characteristics, theory of traffic flow, intersection design, traffic signs and signal
design, highway capacity.

SURVEYING

Importance of surveying, principles and classifications, mapping concepts, coordinate system, map projections, measurements of distance and directions, leveling, theodolite traversing, plane table surveying, errors and adjustments, curves.

Patterns of Question Papers
The patterns of examination papers are described below. This is followed by a description of the various types of multiple choice objective questions.

AE through TF Papers (except GG paper)

There will be a total of 60 questions carrying 100 marks. Q.1 to Q.20 (20 questions) will carry one mark each
(sub-total 20 marks). Q.21 to Q.60 (40 questions) will carry two marks each (sub-total 80 marks).
Q.51 through Q.56 (3 pairs) will be common data questions and question pairs (Q.57, Q.58) and (Q.59,
Q.60) will be linked answer questions. The answer to the second question of the last two pairs will depend
on the answer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly answered
or is un-attempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated.
NEGATIVE MARKING: For Q.1 to Q.20, 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For Q.21 to
Q.56, 2/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. The question pairs (Q.57, Q.58), and (Q.59, Q.60)
are questions with linked answers. There will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first
question of the linked answer question pair i.e. for Q.57 and Q.59, 2/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong
answer. There is no negative marking for Q.58 and Q.60.

All the papers bearing the codes AE, AG, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, ME, MN, MT, PI and TF will contain few
questions on Engineering Mathematics.

GG (Geology & Geophysics) Paper

GG paper will consist of two parts: Part A and Part B.
There will be a total of 60 questions carrying 100 marks. Part A will be common to both Geology &
Geophysics candidates and will contain 20 questions (Q.1 to Q.20) carrying one mark each (sub-total 20
marks). Part B will contain two sections; Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geophysics). In each of these
sections, Q.21 to Q.60 (40 questions) will carry two marks each (sub-total 80 marks).
Q.51 to Q.56 (3 pairs) will be common data questions and question pairs (Q.57, Q.58) and (Q.59, Q.60) will
be linked answer questions. The answer to the second question in these two pairs will depend on theanswer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly answered or is unattempted,
then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated.

NEGATIVE MARKING: For Q.1 to Q.20, 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For Q.21 to Q.56,
2/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. The question pairs (Q.57, Q.58), and (Q.59, Q.60) are
questions with linked answers. There will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first question
of the linked answer question pair i.e. for Q.57 and Q.59, 2/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.
There is no negative marking for Q.58 and Q.60.

XE Paper – Section A (Engineering Mathematics)

There will be 12 questions carrying 20 marks in XE Section A (Engineering Mathematics) paper, which is
compulsory. Q.1 to Q.4 (4 questions) will carry one mark each (sub-total 4 marks). Q.5 to Q.12 (8 questions)
will carry two marks each (sub-total 16 marks).

NEGATIVE MARKING: For Q.1 to Q.4, 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer and for
Q.5 to Q.12, 2/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.

XE Paper Sections (other than Section A)

XE section papers (Sections B through G) will contain 24 questions carrying 40 marks. Q.1 to Q.8 (8
questions) will carry one mark each (sub-total 8 marks). Q.9 to Q.24 (16 questions) will carry two marks
each (sub-total 32 marks).
Q.19 through Q.22 (2 pairs) will be common data questions and question pair (Q.23, Q.24) will be linked
answer question. The answer to the second question of the pair of linked question will depend on the
answer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly answered or is unattempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated.

NEGATIVE MARKING: For Q.1 to Q.8, 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer and for Q.9 to
Q.22, 2/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. The question pair (Q.23, Q.24) will have questions
with linked answers. There will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first question of the linked
answer question pair. For Q.23, 2/3 mark will be deducted for wrong answer. There will be no negative mark
for Q.24.

3.3.5. XL Paper Section H (Chemistry)
There will be 18 questions carrying 30 marks in XL Section H (Chemistry) paper, which is compulsory. Q.1
to Q.6 (6 questions) will carry one mark each (sub-total 6 marks). Q.7 to Q.18 (12 questions) will carry two
marks each (sub-total 24 marks).
Question pair (Q.15, Q.16) will be the common data questions and question pair (Q.17, Q.18) will have
linked answer question.

NEGATIVE MARKING: For Q.1 to Q.6, 1/3 mark will be deducted for wrong answer. For Q.7 to Q.16,
2/3 mark will be deducted for wrong answer. The question pair (Q.17, Q.18) will have questions with linked
answers. There will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first question of the linked answer
question pair. For Q.17, 2/3 mark will be deducted for wrong answer. There is no negative mark
for Q.18.

XL Paper Sections (other than Section H)

XL section papers (Sections I through M) will contain 21 questions carrying 35 marks. Q.1 to Q.7 (7
questions) will carry one mark each (sub-total 7 marks). Q.8 to Q.21 (14 questions) will carry two marks
each (sub-total 28 marks).

NEGATIVE MARKING: For Q.1 to Q.7, 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer and for Q.8 to
Q.21, 2/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.

GATE Examination Papers

A candidate can choose any one of the papers.

Aerospace Engineering
Agricultural Engineering
Architecture & Planning
Civil Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Computer Science & Information Technology
Chemistry
Electronics & Communication Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Sciences
Geology & Geophysics
Instrumentation Engineering
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Mining Engineering
Metallurgical Engineering
Physics
Life Sciences
Textile Engg. & Fibre Science
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Production & Industrial Engineering

Geology & Geophysics paper will consist of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A will be common to both
Geology and Geophysics candidates. Part B will contain two sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2
(Geophysics). Geology candidates will attempt questions in Section 1 only. Geophysics candidates will attempt questions in Section 2 only.

A candidate appearing in XE or XL paper will be required to answer three sections. Engineering Mathematics and Chemistry are compulsory in XE and XL papers, respectively. The candidate can choose any two out of the remaining sections listed against the respective papers.

XE Paper SECTIONS

Engineering Mathematics (Compulsory)
Fluid Mechanics
Materials Science
Solid Mechanics
Thermodynamics
Polymer Science and Engineering
Food Technology

XL Paper SECTIONS
Chemistry (Compulsory)
Biochemistry
Biotechnology
Botany
Microbiology
Zoology