IIT Madras M.S. (by Research) Admission Test and Interview in EE1 (Communication)

[This post dates back to 2011, and so some of the information might be outdated; however, you will still get an essence of what is assessed in the entrance test.]

If you think you are a bit passionate towards your subject at the end of your engineering, perhaps the easiest way to get into an IIT is to get an MS admission. It doesn’t require a very high GATE score. You are eligible to write the admission test if you just meet the norms (For us, it was 65% in UG and 550 GATE score; and a very good score in one can offset a poor score in the other).
It is to be noted that MS needs a research oriented mind. This doesn’t mean that MS is only for those who want to do a Ph.D. after its completion. An MS student will have as good the opportunities for joining industry as for continuing his/her research.
Here, I will be concentrating on EE1 (Communication and Signal Processing) test and interview.

SYLLABUS
The test will be in the areas of Signals and Systems (All of the Transform Theory, Fourier Series and Sampling), some concepts of Signal Processing (mainly DFT) and Probability Theory and Random Variables. (The website also mentions Electromagnetic Field Theory, but I have never heard of questions coming from that subject in the exam).

THE QUESTION PAPER
The question paper will be of problems, some on signals and a relatively fewer on probability concepts. Answers should be written in description. Each of the question will be simple, and generally would not require much time to finish, if the idea of what to apply just strikes in mind. Note that the evaluation is based on what method we have used to solve the problem. Any calculation mistake will be ignored, if the procedure we adopted is correct. So, in our solutions, we need to be clear in mentioning the steps involved to get the answer.

PREPARATION
  1. Best book for Signals and Systems is Oppenheim. Solving exercise problems would help. In the exam, much importance is given to the following:
    • Properties of transforms: The question will be very easy; we need to use one or two properties of transform to get the answer. If we get to know which property to apply, it is done.
    • Relation between Fourier Series and Fourier Transform: Most often, the question contains simple manipulations on those signals which have both Fourier Series representation and Fourier Transform. We need to understand how they are related to each other.
    • Relation between Fourier and Laplace/Z transform for continuous/discrete time signals.
    • ROC of Z-transform: Causality, stability of system based on ROC, and significance of poles and zeros in it. Questions can be like - what happens if we modify a pole, or if we rotate the axes by 180o, etc.
    • Sampling: Aliasing in sampling based on Nyquist rate, choosing suitable sampling frequency for a particular input, etc.
  2. DFT can be read from any of the standard books, for e.g., DSP by Proakis and Manolakis.
  3. Probability and Random Variables can be read from Papoulis. Instead, some faculty of the department have uploaded assignments (and their solutions) as part of their teaching coursework in their web pages. These could really help. Importance in the exam would possibly be on following topics:
    • How to apply Bayes theorem.
    • Differences between continuous and discrete PDFs, and how do determine probabilities from them.
    • Determining conditions in which given PDF is valid, or checking whether given PDF is valid.

THE INTERVIEW
We need to pass the test to go to the interview, which will be on the same day of the test. The most important criterion in the interview is that some clues will be given regarding the mistakes we have done in the test, and we are expected to catch the idea and correct the mistakes. So, it is better, before going to the interview, to discuss all the answers and know the correct solutions. We need to be confident in what we are saying.
If we have mentioned some specific areas of interest in our research proposal, we will be asked questions in them by the relevant faculty. However, we are not expected to know too much about them, a minimum knowledge is sufficient. If we were quite general in our proposal, then our preferences in specialization and related questions will be asked, and we may be given a research area according to their requirement. Some questions on our final project of UG will be asked, if we are interested or if it is relevant.

Updates:
  1. The test now includes linear algebra. YouTube has very nice videos of Gilbert Strang's lectures. Or read his book Linear Algebra and its Applications.
  2. I added a post on how to write a research proposal. However, for MS in IIT Madras, the proposal need not be as rigorous as I described. If you cleared the written test and if you haven't mentioned a specific topic in your research proposal or in your interview, then the faculty will decide your adviser, depending on your performance.
  3. On campus placements: Most companies registering for them have generic requirements of the candidate's profile. While some scholars register and get placed on campus, some look for job profiles specific to their research areas. They apply individually to the companies they desire, usually through their seniors or contacts from their advisers, and get placed. Some convert their masters to a PhD, or apply abroad.

[Please comment if you like my post]

Comments

  1. Thanks Pavan It's very useful for people like me. Thanks once again

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Pavan thats great can you post whether a great amount of preparation is necessary for the test and how many have attended at your time and how many has qualified in the test

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Anonymous: In May, they select around 40 students out of 200 (roughly) appeared. For November session, they select around 15-20 students out of 60-70 appeared. They only expect us to be clear in concepts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. @Pavan
    HI pavan . H r u?
    I got a written test and interview call from IITM for PHD in the same group in which u had given ur test.Cn u help me how to prepare for it and tell me some books which can be helpful to me. Also tell me the important topics by which they r asking more questions. Also help me regarding the interview. This is going to be my first attempt For the PHD. I dont have the book which u told in the post . Can u suggest me any other book for it.
    Thnx. plz reply in my mail neeruniraj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. hii pavan i have call for interview for iit madras MS in microelectronics and vlsi .......would you tell me ho many student they will select for the program and for written how will i prepare????

    I also got call for that TI Raship program in april but not selected in written.. in written we have to write answers ...will this paper will be a subjective one????? or it is same like the other one??

    also for the interview would you like to suggest somthing
    for mee?????

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Pavan,

    It would be really helpful if you could post some information on EE4 exam (Controls and Instrumentation) by collecting similar info from your friends who have cleared the EE4 exam and interview.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Pavan.can u pls give me more information about GATE exams.plz reply in my id dreams.rashmirao@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Can you tell me the number of seats available for MS(Electrical Engineering) in various departments.

    ReplyDelete
  9. reply to me to vensu108@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for sharing your experience. Can you throw some more light on what is expected from a research proposal. Should it be like a statement of purpose or we need to be more specific about the problems we want to work on?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Pavan,
    It's great on your part for sharing your experiences regarding admission into IIT Madras.I am one seeking admission into MS program in EE-2(Power Engineering). I would be thankful to you if you can suggest me how to prepare for test/interview @ chaithu.239@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Pavan,
    Thanks for sharing your experience. Its really helpful to people like me who are first time attending the interview. I have got call for interview for Phd.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good information provided.. Thanks !!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thankyou for all the information. If anyone is appearing for the GATE exams this year, you might want to check this link I found: http://thegateacademy.com/gate-2014-notification/

    ReplyDelete
  15. thank you pavan for the information..!

    ReplyDelete
  16. BRO in application form they have asked for reasearch proposal..i dont know what to mention in it..
    my 1st preference is control system and instrumentation.
    please tell me what to write in reasearch proposal..

    ReplyDelete
  17. hi pavan
    what to write in the research proposal column of iit madras MS/Phd admission form?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Pavan, Please help out with how a research proposal should look like..

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Pavan
    Does the syllabus of admission test depend on specialization?
    what to write in the research proposal column of iit madras MS/Phd admission form?

    ReplyDelete
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  21. Hi Pavan
    I have GATE score of 633. I have got call from communication Dept.
    Could you please tell me about the placement of MS at IIT Madras.
    I have a work ex of 2 yrs and 8 months in TCS.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi pavan
    I have a call for control & instrumentation.
    Can you tell me about placement in control?
    My mail id is shahhitu@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi pavan
    I have a call for control & instrumentation.
    Can you tell me about placement in control?
    My mail id is shahhitu@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I find this article useful. Kindly share more such articles so that I can get better insight. Masters Research Proposal Writing

    ReplyDelete
  25. Can u plz guide me about phd written and interview test in iit roorkee from communication department?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanku soo mch sir for sharing such a wonderful information...

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