Insight into the 2018 ECE Paper for ESE Exam
The 2018 ESE (Engineering Services Examination) paper for ECE (Electrical and Communications Engineering) branch exhibited a mix of challenges and opportunities. This analysis delves into the experiences reported by various aspirants, highlighting the key topics, difficulty levels, and potential cutoff predictions.
Overview of Paper 1
As many aspirants noted, Paper 1 for ECE was a blend of questions that required careful selection and a good understanding of the basics. According to several sources, it is possible to secure at least 85 marks, which is achievable with selective answering. The paper included a number of numerical questions from electrical machines, particularly appealing to those with a strong foundation in electrical engineering. However, coverage of some important technical topics was minimal, and the increase in assertion-reason questions to 30 added to the complexity.
Technical Analysis and Difficulties
Electrical machines were a significant focus in the technical section, with approximately 6-7 numerical questions. These questions were challenging for many students, especially those with a background in electronics. The assertion-reason questions, including the 30 at the end of Paper 2, were particularly time-consuming and required careful consideration.
Splits and Predictions
The split between technical and non-technical questions was noted, with some topics showing neglect and others receiving excessive attention. It is expected that the overall difficulty level would result in a slightly lower cutoff, considering the increased vacancies of about 7-8 less than the previous year. Last year, the cutoff for general category students was around 221, which is expected to be around 215 or possibly even 210 this year due to the significant increase in seats.
Category-Specific Insights
For students from the ST (Scheduled Tribe) category, the paper appeared challenging but not insurmountable. One aspirant mentioned that despite the tough questions, their category-specific benefits greatly improved their chances of selection. The statement questions, both in Paper 1 and Paper 2 (with 20 in the first and 30 in the second), were particularly time-consuming and unexpected, adding to the overall difficulty.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The 2018 ESE ECE paper was generally deemed to be tough but not overwhelmingly so. Despite the challenges, students are optimistic about their chances, particularly those from specific category backgrounds. Future aspirants can use these insights to better prepare for the 2019 and subsequent exams, focusing on both the basics and the challenging aspects that often appear on the exam.
Happy learning and all the best to all aspiring ECE engineers!