GATE

HOW TO PREPARE
FOR MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Contents
Foreword 

Introduction to GATE 

GATE exam pattern 

Mechanical Engineering Syllabus 

Important topics & books for Mechanical Engineering 

Important tips 

Mechanical Engineering topper interviews

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GATE Cutoff for ME

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Useful links for GATE 

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Foreword
Dear GATE Mechanical Engineering aspirants,

E is one of the most popular branches with GATE registrations for the same
being one of the highest. GATE 2016 saw around 2,34,727 test-takers; the highest
number of registrations for any branch. A large number of jobs are announced by
PSUs for Mechanical engineering students who qualify the entrance test.
Careers360 has brought this e-book aimed at aiding the preparation efforts of the GATE
ME aspirants. The e-book lists out the important topics, reference books and important
guidelines for preparation for GATE Mechanical Engineering paper.

A word of caution here- the topics listed in this e-book is based on the analysis from previous GATE papers. In no way it is meant to authoritative about the expected questions or
the topics that may be asked in the exam. We would advise students to study and cover the
complete GATE Mechanical Engineering Syllabus for their exam preparation.
All the Best!
Team Careers360

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Introduction to GATE

ATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is an

all India examination that is used to screen applicants from across the country for admissions to various Post Graduate courses in Engineering in the IITs, IISc
Bangalore, NITs, some CFTIs and many private institutes
as well as many state universities.
GATE is an entrance test designed to test the comprehensive understanding of the various subjects in Engineering
and Technology of the applicants. Candidates can apply to
the PG courses like M.Tech/M.E/Integrated courses like
M.Tech-Phd and even M.Des at some IITs on the basis of
their GATE scores. GATE qualified candidates are given
preference over other candidates in many state conducted
entrance exams.

application has been successfully accepted can download

it.
The GATE 2017 Papers will be online and candidates
have to use the virtual calculator which is now a part of
the online test system for their calculations.
The GATE 2017 Result will be again displayed through
GOAPS on March 27, 2017.
The GATE 2017 Score Card can be downloaded only
in March 2017. Only candidates who have qualified in
GATE 2017 will be able to download the GATE 2017
Score Card.
GATE 2017 Score will be valid for a period of three years
from the date of the declaration of the result- March 27.
It may be noted that this validity is only for the M.Tech
admissions and not for PSU recruitment.

Salient Features of GATE 2017

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GATE 2017 will be held for 23 papers through online

tests to be held on February 4 & 5, 11 & 12.
GATE 2017 Admit Card has to be downloaded through
GOAPS from January 5, 2017. Candidates whose

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

GATE Exam Pattern

General Details
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The GATE exam consists of a single paper of 3-hour duration that contains 65
questions carrying a maximum of 100 marks.
The GATE question paper consists of both multiple choice questions (MCQ) and
numerical answer type (NAT) questions.
The test is carried out in an Online Computer Based Test (CBT) mode where the
candidates are shown the questions in a random sequence on a computer screen.
Candidates are required to select the answer (for MCQ type) and enter the answer for
numerical answer type question using a mouse on a virtual keyboard (keyboard of the
computer is disabled).
Each candidate is provided with a scribble pad for rough work. The scribble pad has to
be returned after the examination.
At the end of 3-hour window, the computer automatically closes the screen from further
actions.

Types of questions in GATE: GATE contains questions of two different types.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ):

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These carry 1 or 2 marks each in all papers and sections.

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

These questions are objective in nature, and each has a choice of four answers, out of
which the candidate has to mark the correct answer(s).

Numerical Answer Questions:

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These carry 1 or 2 marks each in all papers and sections.

For these questions, the answer is a real number, to be entered by the candidate using
the virtual keypad.
No choices are shown for this type of questions.

GATE Marking Scheme:

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ME question paper has 65 questions for 100 marks in total.

It has a compulsory section on General Aptitude with 10 questions carrying a total of
15 marks.
The question paper has a compulsory Engineering Mathematics section that carries
around 15% of the total marks. The remaining 70% of the total marks is devoted to the
subject of the paper.
Negative Marking is only for the multiple choice questions (MCQs). For 1-mark
multiple choice questions, 1/3 mark is deducted for a wrong answer. Likewise, for
2-mark multiple choice questions, 2/3 mark is deducted for a wrong answer.
There is no negative marking for a wrong answer in numerical answer type questions.
ME question paper contains 25 questions carrying 1 mark each (subtotal 25 marks) and
30 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub-total 60 marks).

Design of questions in GATE ME paper:

The questions in the paper may be designed to test the following abilities:
Recall: These questions are based on facts, principles, formulas or laws of the discipline of
the paper and test the candidates on their memory or deductions skills.
Comprehension: These questions test candidates understanding of the basics concepts
of their field and require them to derive the answers by drawing simple conclusions from
fundamental ideas.
Application: In these questions, candidates are expected to apply their knowledge either
through computation or by logical reasoning.
Analysis and Synthesis: For these questions, candidates are presented with data, diagrams, and images. They must analyze these and answer the questions.

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Mechanical Engineering Syllabus

GATE Syllabus for Mechanical Engineering is divided into following four sectionsSection 1: Engineering Mathematics
Section 2: Applied Mechanics and Design
Section 3: Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences
Section 4: Materials, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Important Topics and Books for

GATE Mechanical Engineering
Topics

Books

Engineering Mechanics

Engineering Mechanics by Bhavikatti

Engineering Mechanics by Beer and Johnston,
Engineering Mechanics by R K Rajput

Strength of Materials

Strength of Materials - Gere & Timoshenko

Design of Machine Elements

Machine design-V.B. Bhandari

Theory of Machines

Theory of machines by Ratan

Fluid Mechanics

Fluid Mechanics by R K Bansal

Fluid & Hydraulics- Modi and seth

Thermal Science
Heat Transfer

Heat and Mass Transfer by J P Hollman and R C Sachdeva

Heat Transfer by Cengel and Holman

Manufacturing Engineering
Industrial Engineering

Industrial Engineering by O P Khanna, Buffa and Sarin

Vibrations

Mechanical Vibration by Grover

Strength of Materials

Strength of Materials by Gere and Timoshenko, B C Unamia,

Sadhu Singh, Ramamrutham

Thermo Dynamics

Engineering Thermodynamics by P K Nag and Rajput

Thermodyanmics by Cengel.

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Important Tips
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Nobody knows better than you about what works for you. So chart your own preparation
plan and schedule.
Make it mandatory to prepare a handbook containing the formulae that need to be
learnt and their gist. This handbook is useful during the last days before the exam as a
quick reckoner for calculations.
Also, make it a habit of preparing short notes on all topics that you have been studying.
These will be useful to revise faster during the last days of the exam.
Make sure you also give equal weightage to Mathematics and General Aptitude. Each
constitutes 15% of the total marks in the question paper. These sections are scoring and
go well to add up to your overall score in GATE exam.

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Mechanical Engineering topper interviews

GATE 2016 Topper Interview - Amit

Srivastava (AIR 20, ME) - Consistency,
Hard Work and Persistence are the keys to
success

GATE 2016 Topper Interview Sayeesh TM

(AIR 4 ME) - Make a plan and have the
dedication to follow it

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

GATE Cutoff for ME

GATE 2016 Qualifying Cutoff for ME
Candidates can check below total number of candidates, who appeared for GATE 2016 Mechanical Engineering
exam, highest marks secured by candidate, minimum cutoff marks and average & standard deviation.

Number of candidates

Maximum marks Minimum marks Average marks

(out of 100)
(out of 100)

Standard Deviation

32670

94.66

41.65

13.04

General

OBC

SC/ST/PH

32.73

29.46

21.82

19.67

GATE 2015 Qualifying Cutoff for ME:

GATE 2015
Paper
ME

Total number of
candidates
1,85,758

Category

GATE 2015 Cutoff for Mechanical Engineering (ME) for IIT Bombay:
Specialization

Qualifying Discipline*

Specialization ME1
(Thermal & Fluids
Engineering)

CH,AU,AE,ME

Specialization ME2
(Design Engineering)

AU,AE,PI,MC,ME

Specialization ME3
(Manufacturing
Engineering)

PI,MC,ME,IE

GATE Discipline*

All eligible GATE

discipline

All eligible
GATE discipline

Cut Off (GN)

Cut Off (OBC- Cu t Off (SC/

NC) (.9 of
ST) (.6666 of
GN)
GN)

600

540

400

600

540

400

600

540

400

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

GATE 2015 Cutoff for Mechanical Engineering (ME) for IIT Kanpur:
Category

GATE Score Cutoff

GN

639

OBC

574

SC/ST

416

GATE 2015 Cutoff for Mechanical Engineering (ME) for IIT Delhi:
Category

GATE Cutoff ME or
P&I

B.Tech %

B.Tech CGPA

Gen

750

85

9.0

OBC

700

75

8.0

SC

600

70

7.5

ST

550

65

PH

550

65

GATE 2015 Cutoff for Mechanical Engineering (ME) for IIT Kharagpur:
Category

GATE Cutoff ME1

GATE Cutoff ME2

GATE Cutoff ME3

Gen

823

830

840

OBC

795

798

806

SC

649

658

650

ST

486

520

510

PH

458

693

500

GATE 2015 Cutoff for Mechanical Engineering (ME) for IIT Madras:

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Category

GATE Cutoff ME1

GATE Cutoff ME2

GATE Cutoff ME3

Gen

450

400

720

OBC

405

350

648

SC

300

266

480

ST

300

266

480

PH

300

266

480

Note: Cutoffs for IIT Madras are based on 2013 details.

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GATE 2015 Cutoff for Mechanical Engineering (ME) for IIT BHU:
Discipline

Gen

OBC

SC

ST

PwD

Mechanical
Engineering

756

722

562

426

374

GATE 2015 Cutoff for Mechanical Engineering (ME) for IIT Roorkee:
Discipline

Gen

OBC

SC

ST

PwD

Mechanical
& Industrial
Engg

70.88

63.84

47.63

47.78

47.78

GATE 2015 Cutoff for Mechanical Engineering (ME) for IIT Hyderabad:
Categories

Mechanics and
Design Engineering

Fluids and Energy Integrated Design

Systems Engiand Manufacturneering
ing Engineering

Gen

809

788

795

OBC

784

761

758

SC

645

628

611

ST

527

482

NA

GATE qualifying Cutoff for ME in 2013 and 2014

Details

General

OBC (NL)

SC/ST/PD

GATE 2014 Cutoff

for ME

28.86

25.97

19.24

GATE 2013 Cutoff

for ME

25

22.25

16.67

Note: A total number of 1, 85,578 candidates appeared in GATE 2014 for Mechanical
Engineering.

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Useful Links for GATE

GATE 2017

What's new in GATE 2017

GATE 2017 Syllabus for

Mechanical Engineering

GATE 2017 Sample Papers

GATE 2017 Mock Test

PSU Recruitment through GATE

2017

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

GATE 2017 Official Website

GATE 2016 Student Analysis Mechanical Engineering (ME) Session 1

GATE 2016 Analysis (ME Session 1)

by GATE Forum

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GATE HOW TO PREPARE FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

GATE 2016 ME Session 1 Analysis

by The GATE Academy

GATE 2015 Mechanical Engineering Analysis

Paper 2 by GATE Forum

GATE 2015 Mechanical Engineering Paper 3

Analysis by GATE Forum

GATE 2014 Analysis for ME (Mechanical

Engineering)

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