Proven Tips To Prepare For GATE Electrical Engineering

Out of the total 29 papers in the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering), Electrical Engineering is the most popular stream. Many GATE aspirants opt for this as a core technical subject and accordingly plan their GATE exam preparation to bag a dream seat in India's premier engineering institutes (IISc and IITs) for admission to postgraduate courses such as M.E, M.Tech, Ph.D & to grab lucrative job opportunities with many other benefits in PSUs.

Electrical engineering is a discipline in engineering where aspirants study/analyse/design electrical circuits, electric motors & generators, Various Signals & the Systems associated, Control systems, and power generation, transmission and distribution equipment. Having technical expertise is paramount if you want to excel in this field.

With its consistent prominence and a high competition level, aspirants are always looking for ways to prepare for Electrical Engineering effectively. In this article, we will share some essential tips that will assist you in Electrical Engineering preparation.

GATE 2022 Electrical Engineering Exam Pattern

Particulars	Details
Exam Duration	3 hours
Number of Questions	65
Total Marks	100
Types of Questions	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
Sections	General Aptitude Engineering Mathematics Core Subject (EE)
Marking Scheme	For 1 mark questions, 1/3 mark will be deducted every wrong answer. 2 marks questions, 2/3 mark will be deducted for every incorrect response. There is no negative marking for Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions

Also read: Tips To Prepare Engineering Mathematics For GATE 2022

Before we jump to the preparation tips, let’s first have a look at the Electrical Engineering syllabus.

GATE Electrical Engineering Syllabus

Name	Topics
Engineering Mathematics	Linear Algebra Calculus Differential Equations Complex Variables Probability and Statistics Numerical Methods Transform Theory
Network Theory	Network graph KCL, KVL, Node and Mesh analysis Transient response of DC and AC networks Sinusoidal steady‐state analysis Resonance Passive filters Ideal current and voltage sources Thevenin’s theorem Norton’s theorem Superposition theorem Maximum power transfer theorem Two‐port networks Balanced Three-phase circuits Power and power factor in AC circuits.
Electromagnetic Fields	Coulomb's Law Electric Field Intensity Electric Flux Density Gauss's Law Divergence Electric field and potential due to point, line, plane and spherical charge distributions Effect of dielectric medium Capacitance of simple configurations Biot‐Savart’s law Ampere’s law Curl Faraday’s law Lorentz force Inductance Magnetomotive force Reluctance Magnetic circuits Self and Mutual inductance of simple configurations.
Signals and Systems	Representation of continuous and discrete‐time signals Shifting and scaling operations Linear Time Invariant and Causal systems Fourier series representation of continuous periodic signals Sampling theorem Applications of Fourier Transform Laplace Transform and z-Transform.
Electrical Machines	Single-phase transformer: equivalent circuit, phasor diagram, open circuit and short circuit tests, regulation and efficiency Three phase transformers: connections, parallel operation Auto‐transformer Electromechanical energy conversion principles DC machines: separately excited, series and shunt, motoring and generating mode of operation and their characteristics, starting and speed control of dc motors Three phase induction motors: principle of operation, types, performance, torque-speed characteristics, no-load and blocked rotor tests, equivalent circuit, starting and speed control. Operating principle of single phase induction motors Synchronous machines: cylindrical and salient pole machines, performance, regulation and parallel operation of generators, starting of synchronous motor, characteristics. Types of losses and efficiency calculations of electric machines.
Power Systems	Power Generation Concepts, AC and DC transmission concepts Models and performance of transmission lines and cables. Series and Shunt compensation Electric field distribution and insulators Distribution systems Per-unit quantities Bus admittance matrix Gauss-Seidel and Newton-Raphson load flow methods Voltage and Frequency control Power factor correction Symmetrical Components Symmetrical and unsymmetrical fault analysis Principles of over-current, differential and distance protection. Circuit Breakers System stability concepts Equal area criterion
Control Systems	Mathematical modeling and representation of systems Feedback principle, transfer function Block diagrams and Signal flow graphs Transient and Steady-state analysis of linear time invariant systems Routh-Hurwitz and Nyquist criteria Bode plots Root loci Stability analysis LagLead and Lead-Lag compensators P, PI and PID controllers State Space Model State transition matrix
Electrical and Electronic Measurements	Bridges and Potentiometers Measurement of voltage, current, power, energy and power factor Instrument transformers Digital voltmeters and multimeters Phase, Time and Frequency measurement Oscilloscopes Error analysis
Analog and Digital Electronics	Characteristics of diodes BJT MOSFET Simple diode circuits: clipping, clamping, rectifiers Amplifiers Biasing Equivalent circuit and Frequency response Oscillators and Feedback amplifiers Operational amplifiers Characteristics and applications Simple active filters VCOs and Timers Combinational and Sequential logic circuits Multiplexer Demultiplexer Schmitt trigger Sample and hold circuits A/D and D/A converters.
Power Electronics	Characteristics of semiconductor power devices Diode Thyristor Triac GTO, MOSFET, IGBT DC to DC conversion Buck, Boost and Buck-Boost converters Single and three-phase configuration of uncontrolled rectifiers

Read more: How To Prepare For GATE General Aptitude?

Pro Tips  to Ace GATE Electrical Engineering

To expedite your Electrical Engineering preparation, below listed are some pro tips that will help you to crack the exam with utmost ease:

Know What to Study

Know Syllabus, Know Study. It is crucial for GATE aspirants to properly understand the Electrical Engineering syllabus and its important topics. If you are thorough with the syllabus and know what to study, you will be able to utilize your time smartly. We have already discussed the syllabus and exam pattern for the paper in the article. Refer to the below-mentioned important topics:

• Ideal current and voltage sources
• Network Theorems
• Transient response of DC and AC networks
• Sinusoidal steady‐state analysis
• Gauss’s Law
• Ampere’s Law
• Faraday’s Law
• Dielectrics
• Linear Time Invariant and Causal systems
• Fourier series representation of continuous periodic signals
• Sampling theorem
• Single-phase transformer: equivalent circuit, phasor diagram, open circuit and short circuit tests
• Auto‐transformer
• Three phase induction motors: principle of operation, types, performance, torque-speed characteristics, no-load and blocked rotor tests, equivalent circuit
• Operating principle of single phase induction motors
• cylindrical and salient pole machines, performance, regulation and parallel operation of generators
• speed control of dc motors
• Models and performance of transmission lines and cables.
• Series and Shunt compensation
• Per-unit quantities
• Power factor correction
• Principles of over-current, differential and distance protection.
• Symmetrical and unsymmetrical fault analysis
• System stability concepts
• Routh-Hurwitz and Nyquist criteria
• Bode plots
• Root loci
• Stability analysis
• State Space Model
• Measurement of voltage, current, power, energy and power factor
• Error analysis
• Operational amplifiers
• Combinational and Sequential logic circuits
• Multiplexer
• Characteristics of semiconductor power devices
• Buck, Boost and Buck-Boost converters
• Single and three-phase configuration of uncontrolled rectifiers

Know How to Study

Once you are aware of what to study, it is equally important to know how to study. Managing EE preparation is not difficult if we have a proper study plan. By saying proper study plan, we mean a timetable which we expect you will follow till the end. Your daily study schedule should consist of at least 10-12 hours of quality study time. Don’t overburden yourself, though. One should consider taking breathers and sometimes a power nap to recharge for a more productive preparation. 

Refer to the Right Electrical Engineering Books

Make sure to head in the right direction with the right books for Electrical Engineering preparation. Here is a list of books that will assist you in the exam preparation:

1. Advanced Engineering Mathematics by E.Kreyszig (for Electrical Engineering Mathematics)

2. Signals and Systems- Simon Haykin (for Signals and Systems)

3. Signals and Systems by Oppenheim and Wilsky (for Signals and Systems)

4. Power Electronics by P.S.Bimbhra (for Power Electronics)

5. For Beginners- Power Electronics by Ned Mohan(for Power Electronics)

6. Engineering Circuit Analysis by Hayt and Kemmerly (for Electric Circuits)

7. Electrical Machinery by D P Kothari (for Electrical Machines)

8. Control Systems Engineering by Katsuhiko Ogata (for Control Systems)

9. Power Systems by J B Gupta & CL Wadhwa (for Power Systems)

10. Power Systems Engineering by Nagrath and Kothari (for Power Systems)

11. For Digital Electronics, refer to Digital Design by M.Morris Mano (for Digital Circuits)

12. Electrical and Electronic Measurement and Instrumentation by AK Sawhney (for Measurement)

14. William .H.Hayt – Engineering Electromagnetics (for ElectroMagnetics)

15. Mathew N. O. SADIKU-Elements of Electromagnetics (for ElectroMagnetics)

16. Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory by Boylestad (for Analog)

17. Transient Analysis of Electric Power Circuits by Arieh L Shenkmann and also Chakraborty (for Circuit Analysis)

Manage your Time Efficiently

The lost time is never found again’. As a GATE aspirant, you will relate to it. We understand that there is a lot to study and retain during GATE exam preparation and that is why cracking the GATE and becoming an Electrical Engineer is not everyone’s cup of tea. What differentiates brilliant students from other students is their time management. They smartly manage their time and always keep their goals in mind. It is vital to give yourself time not only for studies, but also for co-curricular activities like physical exercise, meditation, yoga, or socializing with friends and family.  

Practice solving Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers

Solving practice papers such as MTPs, RTPs, and PYPs while preparing gives you a tremendous amount of confidence. You get a fair bit of idea about how to present the answers in your exam. Attempting practice papers gives you a reality check so that you can direct your preparation accordingly. The number of practice papers attempted during preparation is directly proportional to getting a good score in the GATE.

Don’t Neglect Revision

It is very important to revise what has been studied. It is a human tendency to forget things with time and the GATE EE syllabus is no exception to it. The syllabus is vast, time-consuming, and complex. So, it is strongly recommended to devote time to your revision. However, revision should not be done in a haphazard manner. Without proper and efficient revision, the entire study effort goes to waste. 

Besides implementing these tips, it is your dedication and consistency in GATE preparation that will help you reach closer to your dream score in Electrical Engineering. 

If you are currently preparing for EE and want free lectures along with well-researched study material to clear the exams, you can download the PrepLadder app. It is an excellent source of quality and reliable learning material for GATE aspirants and has everything you need to ace GATE on one single platform. 

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All the best for your exam.

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