GATE 2023 XE Paper Analysis: Solutions, Difficulty level & Answer Key
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: October 17th, 2023

IIT Kanpur conducted the GATE 2023 exam for XE (Engineering Sciences) branch on 11th February 2023 in the Forenoon Session FN (09:30 am to 12:30 pm). Aspirants can now check the GATE 2023 XE paper analysis on the page below. This GATE 2023 XE paper analysis will also cover the subject-wise analysis and marks distribution. The GATE XE paper (Engineering Sciences) is a comprehensive examination that covers a wide range of topics from engineering disciplines, including Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mathematics, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Materials Science, and Electrical Engineering.
BYJUS Exam Prep also conducted a YouTube live session, whose link is shared on the page below. In addition, candidates can review the page for XE paper section-wise marks and difficulty, reasonable attempts, expected cutoff and questions as per GATE 2023 XE p per analysis. The paper tests the candidate’s understanding of the fundamental principles and their applications in engineering practices. The XE paper is considered one of the most challenging papers in the GATE examination and is known for its challenging and diverse questions.
Also, Check GATE 2023 Rank Predictor Tool, Check to get Notified.
Table of content
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1.
GATE 2023 XE Paper Analysis Highlights
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2.
GATE 2023 XE Question Paper Exam Pattern
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3.
GATE 2023 XE Subject-wise Marks Distribution
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4.
GATE 2023 XE Paper Analysis: Engineering Mathematics
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5.
GATE 2023 XE Paper Analysis: Fluid Mechanics
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6.
GATE 2023 XE Question Paper Analysis: Fluid Mechanics
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7.
GATE 2023 XE Question Paper Analysis: Strength Of Materials
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8.
GATE 2023 XE Paper Analysis: Youtube session
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9.
GATE 2023 XE Answer Key PDF
GATE 2023 XE Paper Analysis Highlights
The highlights of the GATE 2023 XE paper analysis are shared below in the following points and table.
Question Type |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
MCQ |
39 |
45 |
51 |
52 |
MSQ |
4 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
NAT |
22 |
36 |
35 |
35 |
- The Overall Difficulty Level of the GATE XE 2023 paper was Moderate.
- There were 4 MSQ questions in the GATE 2023 XE exam.
- There were 39 NAT questions in the GATE 2023 XE exam.
- In addition, there were 22 MCQ questions per GATE 2023 XE paper analysis.
- The Thermodynamics portion was easy to moderate.
- A few questions were asked from the previous year questions papers of XE and ME.
- Fluid Mechanics Weightage:22 Qs. (1 Mark – 9 Qs., 2 Marks – 13 Qs.)
- Strength of Materials Weightage:22 Qs. (1 Mark – 9 Qs., 2 Marks – 13 Qs.)
- Engineering Mathematics Weightage:15 Qs. (1 Mark – 7 Qs., 2 Marks – 4 Qs.)
GATE 2023 XE Question Paper Exam Pattern
The number of one and two marks questions are shared in the GATE 2023 XE paper analysis. The Question paper and examination pattern are shared below in the table. Candidates could solve any two portions among A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H portions.
Section/Subject | 1 Mark Qs | 2 Mark Questions | Total Questions | Total Marks | Type |
General Aptitude | 5 (1 to 5) | 5 (6 to 10) | 10 | 15 | Compulsory |
Engineering Mathematics (XE-A) | 7 (11 to 17) | 4 (18 to 21) | 11 | 15 | Compulsory |
Fluid Mechanics (XE-B) | 9 (22 to 30) | 13 (31 to 43) | 22 | 35 |
Any two Sections
|
Material Science (XE-C) | 9 (44 to 52) | 13 (53 to 65) | 22 | 35 | |
Solid Mechanics (XE-D) | 9 (66 to 74) | 13 (75 to 87) | 22 | 35 | |
Thermodynamics (XE-E) | 9 (88 to 96) | 13 (97 to 109) | 22 | 35 | |
Polymer Science and Engineering (XE – F) | 9 (110 to 118) | 13 (119 to 131) | 22 | 35 | |
Food Technology (XE – G) | 9 (132 to 140) | 13 (141 to 153) | 22 | 35 | |
Atmospheric and Ocean Science (XE – H) | 9 (154 to 162) | 13 (163 to 175) | 22 | 35 |
GATE 2023 XE Subject-wise Marks Distribution
The subject-wise marks distribution as per GATE 2023 XE paper analysis is shared below in the table.
Section/Subject | Total Marks |
General Aptitude | 15 |
Engineering Mathematics (XE-A) | 15 |
XE – B/C/D/E/F/G/H (Any One) | 35 |
XE – B/C/D/E/F/G/H (Any One) | 35 |
TOTAL Marks | 100 |
GATE 2023 XE Paper Analysis: Engineering Mathematics
The Engineering Mathematics section of the XE paper consisted of 11 questions, of which seven were of 1 mark each and four were of 2 marks each. Other highlights of the Engineering Mathematics section are shared in the points and table below:
- The questions covered differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Complex Analysis, and Numerical Methods.
- The difficulty level of the questions was moderate to difficult, with some requiring a good understanding of the mathematical concepts and their applications.
- The questions were designed to test the candidate’s ability to apply mathematical principles to real-life engineering problems.
Chapters |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
|||
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
|
Linear Algebra |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Calculus |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
– |
Vector Calculus |
0 |
0 |
– |
– |
1 |
– |
Complex Variables |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
– |
Ordinary Differential Equations |
1 |
0 |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
Partial Differential Equations |
1 |
0 |
– |
1 |
1 |
– |
Probability and Statistics |
1 |
0 |
1 |
– |
– |
2 |
Numerical Methods |
0 |
1 |
1 |
– |
1 |
– |
TOTAL Qs. |
7 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
GATE 2023 XE Paper Analysis: Fluid Mechanics
The highlights of the fluid Mechanics sections as per the GATE 2023 XE paper analysis are shared in the points and table below:
- The questions covered topics such as Hydrostatics, Fluid Dynamics, and Thermodynamics of Fluids.
- The difficulty level of the questions was moderate to difficult, with some requiring a good understanding of the fluid mechanics’ concepts and their applications.
- The questions were designed to test the candidate’s ability to analyze fluid flow problems and apply the relevant principles.
Chapters |
||||||
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
|
Flow and Fluid Properties |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
Kinematics of Fluid Motion |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
Integral Analysis for a Control Volume |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Differential Analysis |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
Dimensional Analysis |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Internal Flows |
1 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Bernoulli’s Equation and its Applications, Potential Flows |
2 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
External Flows |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
TOTAL Qs. |
9 |
13 |
9 |
13 |
9 |
13 |
GATE 2023 XE Question Paper Analysis: Fluid Mechanics
The highlights of the Thermodynamics section as per the GATE 2023 XE paper analysis are shared in the points and table below:
- The questions covered topics such as the First Law of Thermodynamics, the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and the Thermodynamics of Ideal Gases.
- The difficulty level of the questions was moderate, with most being direct.
- The questions were based on applying the fundamental principles of Thermodynamics, and the candidates were required to demonstrate their understanding of the subject.
Chapters |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
|||
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
|
Basic Concepts |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
First Law of Thermodynamics |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
Second Law of Thermodynamics |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Properties of Pure Substances |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
Thermodynamic Relations |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Thermodynamic Cycles |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
Ideal Gas Mixtures |
0 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
TOTAL Qs. |
9 |
13 |
9 |
13 |
9 |
13 |
GATE 2023 XE Question Paper Analysis: Strength Of Materials
The questions were based on the Mechanics of Rigid Bodies, Mechanics of Deformable Bodies, and Vibrations. The candidates were required to demonstrate their understanding of the subject.
Chapters |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
|||
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
1 Mark |
2 Marks |
|
Mechanics of Rigid Bodies |
4 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
Mechanics of Deformable Bodies |
5 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
4 |
10 |
Vibrations |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
TOTAL Qs. |
9 |
13 |
9 |
13 |
9 |
13 |
GATE 2023 XE Paper Analysis: Youtube session
The BYJU’S Exam Prep will conduct the live session on Youtube for GATE 2023 XEpaper analysis on 11th February 2023, just after the exam is organized.
GATE 2023 XE Answer Key PDF
Candidates can find the memory-based answer key pdf for the XE branch from the link below.