GATE 2012 Mechanical Question Paper Analysis - SETA,SETB,SETC,SETD

Overall Paper Snapshot

GATE-2012 Mechanical Engineering paper had the usual element of surprise associated with GATE exam.
Questions asked in the previous years were not repeated and the paper did not have any FAQs or expected
questions. The type of questions were such that only a candidate who has good understanding of the subject
along with an ability to detect the underlying logic involved to solve the problem, can do well in the paper. The
questions asked covered most of the branches of Mechanical Engineering, though manufacturing technology and
Mechanics had a larger share of questions
The General Aptitude section of GATE 2012 provided much need avenues to increase overall GATE Score of the
candidate. Most of the questions were easy or of Moderate Level of difficulty A candidate who has put in the
required effort in practicing General Aptitude can score upto (10-12) marks in this section and this can go a long
way in helping him meet the basic qualifying criteria. The candidates who found the level of difficulty of
Engineering stream and Engineering Maths questions high would have got the much needed relief they were
looking for in their quest to increase the GATE Score.
A candidate who can score (52-55) will have a chance of getting a rank of 1000 and below.
Core
Subjects
Air conditioning
CIM
Design
Engineering Materials
Engineering Mechanics
Fluid machinery
Fluid Mechanics
Heat Transfer
Machining and Machine tools
Metal forming
Metrology and Inspection
Operation Research
Production Planning and Control
Refrigeration
Strength of materials
Theory of Machines
Thermodynamics
Vibrations
Welding
Total Marks
Engineering Maths
Differential Equations
Linear Algebra
Mathematics -Calculus
Probability and Statistics
Total Marks
General Aptitude
Numerical Aptitude
Verbal Aptitude
Total Marks

Core Subjects

1 Mark
Qtns
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1

2 Mark
Qtns
1
3
2
2
2
3
1
2

1
3
2
2

20
1 Mark Qtns

2
2
2
1
2
50
2 Mark Qtns
2
2

5
5
1 Mark Qtns
1
4
5

1
10
2 Mark Qtns
3
2
10

Fluid mechanics and Thermal sciences

Last year in GATE-2011, Thermodynamics got 12 marks of questions but in GATE-2012 it has got only 6 marks of
questions .In this two questions were moderate, one easy and one was difficult. All the questions were based on
steady flow energy equation and its application with nozzle and steam turbine.While solving the exit area of the
nozzle, the variation of density of air is taken into consideration. One easy question was on change in entropy of
gas. This is direct application of second law of thermodynamics.
Last year in Gate-2011, Fluid mechanics and machinery got only 3 marks but in GATE-2012 it has got 6 marks.
Two questions were moderate and one was difficult. The instantaneous velocity to be determined by finding the
head in a tank very carefully. The remaining questions were moderate by using the formulae effectively.
Last year in Gate-2011, heat transfer has got 6 marks and in GATE-2012 also it has got 6 marks. The difficult
question was to determine the LMTD of a heat exchanger by using effectiveness method. The remaining were
based on principles of heat transfer.
In overall, the thermal engineering weighatage was come down compares to Previous GATE 2011 paper. At the
same time the applied mechanics and design weighatage was improved a lot.

Appled Mechanics and Design

In this ,the theory of machines, strength of materials, vibrations and design questions were more complex
compares to last year. In this part, lot of computatation is required. While solving these problems, the concepts
to be applied very carefully. This the most difficult part in GATE-2012. While solving a problem on flywheel, the
student should know the moment of inertia of a solid circular disc. The question on columns was easy. This is
direct application of formulae involved in it. The formulae for a circumferential stress to be known by the student
otherwise it is a nightmare.
The formula for crossed helical gears to be known, then this problem become simple. While solving the design of
a shaft, the factor of safety to be applied very carefully.
And at the same time, the braking torque for a brake to be determined very carefully, otherwise it becomes
wrong.

Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering.

In Manufacturing engineering, the weighatage is same compares to previous year. The degree of toughness is
also the same but some questions are very difficult.These questions also need lot of computation.
The value of shear yield stress to be determined by using von mises theory of failure and in machining, the shear
strain cannot be determined directly. The suitable formulae to be known and apply them to get the unknown
answer.
The drilling time also to be determined very carefully by applying suitable formulae. This also needs lot of
computational effort. Some problems need more time. The quickness is required.
In industrial engineering, the weighatage is same compares to previous year. The degree of toughness is also the
same but all the questions are moderate.
The critical path to be determined by drawing the line diagram very carefully and the duration to be determined
in an easy way.
The question on production planning and control is moderate and to be answered very carefully.This part does
not require much time.
Mark
Distribution
based on
Difficulty
Level
Subject
Air conditioning
CIM
Design

Easy Moderate Difficult Total Marks

2
2
0
1
0
1
2
2
3
7

Engineering Materials
Engineering Mechanics
Fluid machinery
Fluid Mechanics
Heat Transfer
Machining and Machine tools
Metal forming
Metrology and Inspection
Operation Research
Production Planning and Control
Refrigeration
Strength of materials
Theory of Machines
Thermodynamics
Vibrations
Welding
Total Marks

0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0

1
0
1

1
5
1
3
3
3
2
1
4
1
4
3
1
4

43

0
0
0
2
2
4
0
0
0
3
1
1
2

18

1
5
1
5
6
8
3
1
4
1
4
7
2
6
2
4
70

Engineering Maths
Mark
Distribution
based on
Difficulty
Level
Topic
Mathematics -Calculus
Linear Algebra
Probability and Statistics
Differential Equations
Total Marks

Easy
2
0
0
0
2

Moderate
2
2
2
2
8

Difficult
1
2
0
2
5

Total Marks
5
4
2
4
15

General Aptitude
Mark
Distribution
based on
Difficulty
Level
Topic
Verbal Aptitude
Numerical Aptitude
Total Marks

Easy
4
2
6

Moderate
4
2
6

Difficult
0
3
3

Total Marks
8
7
15