Digital electronics (conventional)

Digital electronics is a scoring subject from conventional point of view.
Main topics-
1. Minimisation  using k map and designing using nand or nor logic.
2. Adder , subtractor , multiplexer, decoder.
3. Counter designing using jk or d flip flop.
4. Finite state machine- jump counters, sequence detector (asked in 2014).
5. ADC- SAR is asked mostly.

You can study sequence detector from net

Conventional Guidelines

Conventional paper has been the nightmare for many ESE aspirants. I also used to worry about them but after clearing ESE I have drawn following conclusions.
1. Handwriting does not matter unless you have illegible handwriting.
2. It is not necessary to attempt questions serially , try to attempt first those questions in which you can answer maximum.
3. Subparts of questions should be in order.
4. Try attempting mostly numericals because almost full marks are awarded if it is correct.
5. Answer theoretical questions in points.
6. Strike off the question which you dont want to be checked.
7. Diagrams are necessary in derivations and in questions where you feel it is required.
8. Paper comprises of 7 questions in which first question is compulsory that contains questions from all 6 subjects , rest 6 questions are from 6 different subjects generally so prepare at least 4 subjects well.
9. Practice past year questions and it is not possible to attempt all questions in exam , so even if you are doing 60-70% do it properly, shortcuts in numericals should not be done.

My marks
Paper 1-
Attempted-125 marks
Wrong -15 marks
Final - 103

Paper 2-
Attempted - 125 marks
Wrong- 20
Final -89

objective technical ( digital electronics)

Objective is the most scoring part in ESE. Score around 350 should be minimum target. One can score around 250 in tech and 100 in GS ..
For objective tech start with the easiest topic to boost your confidence. I always start with digital electronics..
Morris Mano is the sufficient and standard book for digital electronics.
There would be around 20 objective questions in digital.
Topics
1. Number system- easy questions like base conversion.
2. Combinational circuit- mostly number of gates required are asked. Decoder and mux is important.
3. Boolean algebra- 2-3 questions like expression for xor xnor  simpifying given expression.
4. Sequential- most important, bit tricky like sequence counter , output after various clock, output of given circuit , this can take time so practice this more. Please read about various types of counters and number of used and unused states in it.
5. Logic families- basics like noise margin, figure of merit,which has highest noise margin, highest fan out, highest figure of merit,etc.
6. Adc and dac-this has mostly numericals like output voltage in dac and output number in adc is asked. SAR has been asked many times.

Two days are enough to practice all objective questions of digital.Keep track of time while solving questions.

GATE EFFECT...

Today GATE results have been declared and some might be too much confident with a good rank and some might be depressed with a bad rank.
Does GATE rank really matter for IES.??
It is just a confidence booster but dont be discouraged with a bad rank.
REASONS-
1. Rank around 70 marks 42 .
2. Rank around 60 marks 400.
3. Rank around 50 marks 1500..
Variation is very high so people with average rank can do well in IES, It is just about how you study from here till June..
My rank was 341 , I got 42 in IES. Last year topper rank in GATE was around 750, so GATE rank should not be considered the only benchmark.
Forget about GATE , only three months are left , leave everything else and target IES ,three months are sufficient but you need to put in efforts.
From now on wards try start doing objective questions of IES. Always start with your FAVORITE SUBJECT to boost up your confidence.. 

Myths
1. IES is too tough to crack in ece.
2. To clear just after college is very hard.

1. IES is easier than GATE. The level of competition is lower, total students apperaing for IES is around 2-2.5 lakhs in all the branches while the number of students in GATE is around 2 lakhs just in ECE. Margin of error is very less in GATE where as you can afford to make mistakes in IES. The depth of knowledge required is also not very high in IES. So just having command over theory and remembering the basics you can easily clear IES.

2. College is the best time to prepare, pressure is very less and things are there fresh in mind. If you are aiming for IES and and not a good company visits your college dont prepare for placement. If some company visits your college with decent package then try to get placed till September. You can achieve IES even if you start preparation from October with regular studies. Getting placed takes pressure off but if good companies dont visit your college then dont waste time on them.