Engineering Services Exam 2013: Preparation Plan and Question Paper Analysis

Union Public Service Commission will be holding the Engineering Service Examination 2013 to fill up the GROUP A category posts like Assistant Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers in different departments at national level. There is an ample scope to reach the highest position with promotions in these departments.

The Engineering services examination is conducted in the specializations of • Electronics and Telecommunication, • Electrical and Electronics Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Civil Engineering Selected candidates are posted in the Department of Railways, Central water, Central Engineering, Military Engineering, Department of Telecom, Indian Ordnance Factories, Geological Survey of India and many others. Educational Qualifications: Degree in Engineering (Electrical, Electronics & Communications, Civil, Mechanical) or equivalent degree from recognized universities. Students of final year Engineering or equivalent degree are also eligible. M.Sc degree or equivalent with Wireless Communication, Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as a special subject is also acceptable for certain posts. Age Limit: Not less than 21 years and not more than 30 years (upper age limit is relaxable for SCs/ STs, OBCs and certain others). Exam Procedure: Candidates are tested in two phases I. Written test (1000 marks) Paper - I (Objective): • General Ability Test 120 Questions • Part - A General English (100 Marks) • Part - B General Studies (100 Marks) • Total 200 Marks Paper II & III (Objective): • Electronics & Communication or Electrical or Mechanical or Civil Engineering. • Every paper contains 120 questions having 200 marks. Paper IV and V (Conventional papers): • In any one of the above mentioned Engineering specialization. • Each paper is of 200 marks. 2. Personality Test (Interview) - 200 Marks Paper - I (General ability test analysis): This paper is for 200 marks. Allotted time is two hours. In part A of paper I, 60 questions for 100 marks are given to test candidate’s basic ability in English language. Usually candidates are supposed to answer questions on Synonyms, Antonyms, Articles, Prepositions, Spotting errors Comprehension Passages etc. Candidates whose background are from vernacular medium up to intermediate and are from rural areas have to pay enough attention on this section. Current Affairs a Lion's share: In Part B of paper I, 60 questions for 100 marks are given to test candidate’s general ability on Indian history, Geography, Indian Politics, Science& Technology, Public Administration, Current Affairs etc. The questions on Current Affairs will have a lion’s share. Questions on Census, Corporate Governance, Election Commission, World Bank, Terrorism, recent Environmental Summit, and formation of new States, Sports awards and other latest events are likely to be asked. Questions under Science and Technology may be on Diseases, Vaccines, Agriculture, Space research are also important. Last ten years previous papers: Previous papers for the last ten years can give you an insight into the nature of questions. Solving old papers can really be helpful for the preparation of this exam. Reading News papers like The Hindu, Times of India every day and making notes on important events and news can be handy to tackle this section. Candidates should focus on the news from Jan.- 2009 to April 2010 period. Paper II & III (Objective): These two papers are related to Engineering subjects. Every question paper carries 200 marks for 120 questions. Time allotted is two hours. It means every objective question is to be answered in an average time of one minute. Hence, speed and accuracy is very important in these two papers. Calculators are not allowed in the examination centers. So there will not be complicated numerical questions. The problems can be solved by hand with little bit of mathematical IQ. The trend of questions will be as follows: • Primary and basic concepts - 40% • Application oriented - 40% • Formulae, facts and figures - 15% • Assertion & Reasoning - 5% Candidates reasoning ability and in-depth knowledge of his subject are tested through matching questions, picking up correct and incorrect statements etc. Be aware of Negative Marks:Every wrong answer costs you 1/3 of the marks allotted to each question. Every objective question paper contains 200 marks for 120 questions. It means every question caries 5/3 marks. Every wrong answer is considered to cut 1/3 of allotted marks. Candidates can answer certain questions by using process of elimination. If candidates don't get any clue to answer a particular question, it is better to avoid answering such question. Paper IV & V: These two papers are completely conventional and calculators are permitted. Generally every paper contains seven to eight questions. Out of them candidates are supposed to answer five to six questions. The number of questions to be answered varies depending on the Engineering discipline. In certain conventional papers question 'one' is compulsory with higher weightage. Hence, Candidates should read the instructions carefully. Questions are generally based on Theoretical concepts and Derivations. Minimum Qualifying Marks: The commission has discretion to set minimum qualifying marks for one or all papers. So it is advised to pay equal attention to all the papers. Many students try to ignore general ability paper. This is not the correct way. Especially candidates from rural background should be more careful in this regard. Be aware that the conventional papers will be evaluated only if certain minimum marks are obtained in objective papers I, II & III. Advantages of serious preparation: If a candidate prepares seriously at least once for Engineering Services Examination, there is every guarantee that he/she will be certainly successful in any other Engineering Competitive Examination in India. A salary of Rs. 35000/- per month is guaranteed in the very first month. A candidate who joins these services at the age of 21 or 22 will reach the top most position of that department. The job security is an added attraction in Central Government postings. Personal Test (Interview) Candidates are generally called for an interview in 1: 2 ratio based on their performance in written exam. Candidates are observed and tested for their leadership qualities, physical and mental fitness, personal discipline, responsible behavior, honesty and integrity. Candidates with ME / MTech Can expect questions based on their specialization. Questions related to the subject concerned and latest national and local news events are expected. Questions are asked on BTech/MTech Projects too. If candidates are already working there is a chance of asking questions based on their duties. Mode of preparation:  Candidates are advised to study standard books written by internationally renowned writers. It is also advantageous to go through text books followed in IIT's. Candidates can understand different ways of questions by practicing previous papers. In addition to that they are also advised to practice other question papers of Civil Services, Forest Services etc., which are conducted by UPSC relevant to the syllabus. Practicing GATE papers conducted by IIT boosts the candidates self confidence. By doing so the candidates can understand the number of ways in which questions can be asked. If candidates gradually improve their subject knowledge and analyze questions that are expected in the exams undoubtedly they come out with flying colors in the exam. 4 ½ months for Preparation:  Candidates have almost 4 ½ months to give Engineering Services - 2013. If they start their preparation immediately nothing can stop them from reaching their goal. They need to have a proper planning. Every day 1 hour should be given to the preparation for General Ability. Every Engineering subject contains some simple topics. At the same time every subject has some complicated topics. Every person has a unique life style. Interestingly depending on his life style he possesses higher energy and lower energy levels at different times of the day. Candidates should plan their study hours in such a way that they should study difficult and complicated topics when they have higher energy levels. Candidates should get involved in subject discussions with their friends. They are also advised to take help from their seniors and professors to clear their doubts. Effective Revision is the key factor:  Candidates should revise their subjects every week and every month. It is of course important that how much syllabus a candidate studies but it is more important that how many times one properly revises and studies the syllabus. Time management is an important factor in attempting ES exam. If candidates practice time-taking derivations and numerical problems before hand and become well versed with them they can save a lot of time in the examination hall. While practicing model papers, candidates should maintain timings. With this kind of practice, they can get rid of examination fear.