GA General Aptitude

Verbal Aptitude
Basic English grammar: tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, and other parts
of speech
Basic vocabulary: words, idioms, and phrases in context, reading and comprehension, Narrative sequencing.

Quantitative Aptitude
Data interpretation: data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing data), 2- and 3-dimensional
plots, maps, and tables Numerical computation and estimation: ratios, percentages, powers, exponents and logarithms,
permutations and combinations, and series Mensuration and geometry Elementary statistics and probability.

Analytical Aptitude
Logic: deduction and induction, Analogy, Numerical relations and reasoning.

Spatial Aptitude
Transformation of shapes: translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, and grouping paper folding, cutting,
and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions.
 Engineering Mathematics
XE - A
(Compulsory for all XE Candidates)

Section 1: Linear Algebra

Algebra of real matrices: Determinant, inverse and rank of a matrix; System of linear equations
(conditions for unique solution, no solution and infinite number of solutions); Eigen values and
eigen vectors of matrices; Properties of eigen values and eigen vectors of symmetric matrices,
diagonalization of matrices; Cayley-Hamilton Theorem.

Section 2: Calculus

Functions of single variable: Limit, indeterminate forms and L'Hospital's rule; Continuity and
differentiability; Mean value theorems; Maxima and minima; Taylor's theorem; Fundamental
theorem and mean value theorem of integral calculus; Evaluation of definite and improper
integrals; Applications of definite integrals to evaluate areas and volumes (rotation of a curve
about an axis).

Functions of two variables: Limit, continuity and partial derivatives; Directional derivative; Total
derivative; Maxima, minima and saddle points; Method of Lagrange multipliers; Double integrals
and their applications.

Sequences and series: Convergence of sequences and series; Tests of convergence of series
with non-negative terms (ratio, root and integral tests); Power series; Taylor's series; Fourier Series
of functions of period 2π.

Section 3: Vector Calculus

Gradient, divergence and curl; Line integrals and Green's theorem.

Section 4: Complex variables

Complex numbers, Argand plane and polar representation of complex numbers; De Moivre’s
theorem; Analytic functions; Cauchy-Riemann equations.

Section 5: Ordinary Differential Equations

First order equations (linear and nonlinear); Second order linear differential equations with
constant coefficients; Cauchy-Euler equation; Second order linear differential equations with
variable coefficients; Wronskian; Method of variation of parameters; Eigen value problem for
second order equations with constant coefficients; Power series solutions for ordinary points.

Section 6: Partial Differential Equations

Classification of second order linear partial differential equations; Method of separation of

variables: One dimensional heat equation and two dimensional Laplace equation.
Section 7: Probability and Statistics

Axioms of probability; Conditional probability; Bayes' Theorem; Mean, variance and standard
deviation of random variables; Binomial, Poisson and Normal distributions; Correlation and
linear regression.

Section 8: Numerical Methods

Solution of systems of linear equations using LU decomposition, Gauss elimination method;

Lagrange and Newton's interpolations; Solution of polynomial and transcendental equations by
Newton-Raphson method; Numerical integration by trapezoidal rule and Simpson's rule;
Numerical solutions of first order differential equations by explicit Euler's method.
 XE - C Materials Science

1: Classification and Structure of Materials

Classification of materials: metals, ceramics, polymers and composites.

Nature of bonding in materials: metallic, ionic, covalent and mixed bonding; structure of materials:
fundamentals of crystallography, symmetry operations, crystal systems, Bravais lattices, unit
cells, primitive cells, crystallographic planes and directions; structures of metals, ceramics,
polymers, amorphous materials and glasses.

Defects in crystalline materials: 0-D, 1-D and 2-D defects; vacancies, interstitials, solid solutions
in metals and ceramics, Frenkel and Schottky defects; dislocations; grain boundaries, twins,
stacking faults; surfaces and interfaces.

2: Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Phase Transformations

Extensive and intensive thermodynamic properties, laws of thermodynamics, phase equilibria,

phase rule, phase diagrams (unary and binary), basic electrochemistry.

Reaction kinetics, fundamentals of diffusion, Fick’s laws, their solutions and applications.

Solidification of pure metals and alloys, nucleation and growth, diffusional solid-state phase
transformations (precipitation and eutectoid), martensitic transformation.

3: Properties and Applications of Materials

Mechanical properties of metals, ceramics, polymers and composites at room temperature;

stress-strain response (elastic, anelastic and plastic deformation).

Electronic properties: free electron theory, Fermi energy, density of states, elements of band
theory, semiconductors, Hall effect, dielectric behaviour, piezo- and ferro-electric behaviour.

Magnetic properties: Origin of magnetism in materials, para-, dia-, ferro- and ferri-magnetism.

Thermal properties: Specific heat, heat conduction, thermal diffusivity, thermal expansion, and
thermoelectricity.

Optical properties: Refractive index, absorption and transmission of electromagnetic radiation.

Examples of materials exhibiting the above properties, and their typical/common applications.

4: Characterization and Measurements of Properties

X-ray diffraction; spectroscopic techniques such as UV-Vis, IR and Raman; optical microscopy,
electron microscopy, composition analysis in electron microscopes. Tensile test, hardness
measurement. Electrical conductivity, carrier mobility and concentrations.

Thermal analysis techniques: thermogravimetry and calorimetry.

5: Processing of Materials
Heat treatment of ferrous and aluminium alloys; preparation of ceramic powders, sintering; thin
film deposition: evaporation and sputtering techniques, and chemical vapour deposition, thin film
growth phenomena.

6: Degradation of Materials

Corrosion and its prevention; embrittlement of metals; polymer degradation.

 XE - F Polymer Science and Engineering

Section 1: Chemistry of high polymers

Monomers, functionality, degree of polymerizations, classification of polymers, glass transition,

melting transition, criteria for rubberiness, polymerization methods: addition and condensation;
their kinetics, metallocene polymers and other newer methods of polymerization,
copolymerization, monomer reactivity ratios and its significance, kinetics, different copolymers,
random, alternating, azeotropic copolymerization, block and graft copolymers, techniques for
polymerization-bulk, solution, suspension, emulsion. Concept of intermolecular order
(morphology) – amorphous, crystalline, orientation states. Factor affecting crystallinity.
Crystalline transition. Effect of morphology on polymer properties.

Section 2: Polymer Characterization

Solubility and swelling, Concept of molecular weight distribution and its significance, concept of
average molecular weight, determination of number average, weight average, viscosity average
and Z-average molecular weights, polymer crystallinity, analysis of polymers using IR, XRD,
thermal (DSC, DMTA, TGA), microscopic (optical and electronic) techniques, Molecular wt.
distribution: Broad and Narrow, GPC, mooney viscosity.

Section 3: Synthesis, manufacturing and properties

Commodity and general purpose thermoplastics: PE, PP, PS, PVC, Polyesters, Acrylic, PU
polymers. Engineering Plastics: Nylon, PC, PBT, PSU, PPO, ABS, Fluoropolymers
Thermosetting polymers: Polyurethane, PF, MF, UF, Epoxy, Unsaturated polyester, Alkyds.
Natural and synthetic rubbers: Recovery of NR hydrocarbon from latex; SBR, Nitrile, CR, CSM,
EPDM, IIR, BR, Silicone, TPE, Speciality plastics: PEK, PEEK, PPS, PSU, PES etc. Biopolymers
such as PLA, PHA/PHB.

Section 4: Polymer blends and composites

Difference between blends and composites, their significance, choice of polymers for blending,
blend miscibility-miscible and immiscible blends, thermodynamics, phase morphology, polymer
alloys, polymer eutectics, plastic-plastic, rubber-plastic and rubber-rubber blends, FRP,
particulate, long and short fibre reinforced composites. Polymer reinforcement, reinforcing fibres
– natural and synthetic, base polymer for reinforcement (unsaturated polyester), ingredients /
recipes for reinforced polymer composite.

Section 5: Polymer Technology

Polymer compounding-need and significance, different compounding ingredients for rubber and
plastics (Antioxidants, Light stabilizers, UV stabilizers, Lubricants, Processing aids, Impact
modifiers, Flame retardant, antistatic agents. PVC stabilizers and Plasticizers) and their function,
use of carbonblack, polymer mixing equipments, cross-linking and vulcanization, vulcanization
kinetics.

Section 6: Polymer rheology

Flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, different flow equations, dependence of shear
modulus on temperature, molecular/segmental deformations at different zones and transitions.
Measurements of rheological parameters by capillary rotating, parallel plate, cone-plate
rheometer. Visco-elasticity-creep and stress relaxations, mechanical models, control of
rheological characteristics through compounding, rubber curing in parallel plate viscometer, ODR
and MDR.

Section 7: Polymer processing

Compression molding, transfer molding, injection molding, blow molding, reaction injection
molding, filament winding, SMC, BMC, DMC, extrusion, pultrusion, calendaring, rotational
molding, thermoforming, powder coating, rubber processing in two-roll mill, internal mixer, Twin
screw extruder.

Section 8: Polymer testing

Mechanical-static and dynamic tensile, flexural, compressive, abrasion, endurance, fatigue,

hardness, tear, resilience, impact, toughness. Conductivity-thermal and electrical, dielectric
constant, dissipation factor, power factor, electric resistance, surface resistivity, volume
resistivity, swelling, ageing resistance, environmental stress cracking resistance, limiting oxygen
index. Heat deflection temperature –Vicat softening temperature, Brittleness temperature, Glass
transition temperature, Co-efficient of thermal expansion, Shrinkage, Flammability, dielectric
constant, dissipation factor, power factor, Optical Properties - Refractive Index, Luminous
Transmittance and Haze, Melt flow index

Section 9: Polymer Recycling and Waste management

Polymer waste, and its impact on environment, Sources, Identification and Separation
techniques, recycling classification, recycling of thermoplastics, thermosets and rubbers,
applications of recycled materials. Life cycle assessment of polymer products (case studies like
PET bottles, packaging bags)