RTU Kota B.Tech CSE 3rd Semester Software Engineering Question Paper 2019

RTU Computer Science Software Engineering 2019 Paper Review

Preparing for the Rajasthan Technical University B.Tech Software Engineering exam requires a clear understanding of system lifecycles and structured project management methodologies. For Computer Science Engineering students, software engineering principles dictate how you build, test, and deploy complex applications into production safely. Designing a software system requires systematic planning, proper structural design, and strict testing protocols to handle unpredictable real world user data. The 2019 paper tests your theoretical knowledge of process models, architectural design patterns, testing strategies, and project metrics. Reviewing this specific branch paper shows you exactly how examiners structure the questions and allocate marks across the syllabus modules. This systematic preparation allows you to approach your third semester exam confidently.

Understanding the CSE Branch Exam Pattern

The RTU theory examination is a three hour paper worth 70 marks. The paper features three distinct sections designed to evaluate your conceptual knowledge and system design capabilities.

• Part A: This section contains ten compulsory questions worth two marks each. You must write short definitions, state specific software characteristics, or explain terms like clean code principles under 30 words.
• Part B: You will find seven questions here, and you must answer five of them. Each question is worth four marks. Your answers require short structural comparisons, drawing small data flow diagrams, or listing specific lifecycle characteristics.
• Part C: This section offers five major questions, and you need to answer three. Each question carries ten marks. These require detailed architectural blueprints, complete object oriented modeling diagrams, or mathematical calculations for software project estimation metrics.

Core Topics Evaluated in the CSE Paper

The 2019 question paper covers several critical modules that form the structural foundation of industrial software creation. Focus your study time on these specific areas to maximize your score.

Software Process Models and Agile Methodologies

This module evaluates your understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle. You must know the structural differences between traditional models like the Waterfall model, the Prototyping model, the Iterative Enhancement model, and the Spiral model. The 2019 paper frequently asks you to explain the Agile development framework. Practice explaining Scrum, sprint planning, user stories, and the role of the product owner. Examiners often ask for a ten mark question comparing the risk management capabilities of the Spiral model against Agile methodologies.

Requirements Engineering and Specification

You need to master the techniques used to gather and document system requirements. Study the process of requirement elicitation, analysis, and validation. Focus closely on creating a Software Requirements Specification document. You must know the characteristics of a high quality requirements document, such as completeness, consistency, and traceability. The paper tests your ability to draw structural diagrams to represent system requirements, including Data Flow Diagrams at Level 0, Level 1, and Level 2, alongside Entity Relationship diagrams.

Software Design and Architecture

This section evaluates how you transform requirements into a structural blueprint. Study architectural styles like client server, layer based, and microservices architectures. You must understand the core design concepts of cohesion and coupling. Your goal is to design systems with high cohesion and low coupling. Practice defining different types of cohesion and coupling. For computer science students, this module includes Unified Modeling Language diagrams. Practice drawing Use Case diagrams, Class diagrams, and Sequence diagrams for software systems like an automated library management system or a banking application.

Software Testing Strategies and Maintenance

Testing ensures the reliability of software code before deployment. You must understand the structural differences between functional testing and structural testing. Master Black Box testing techniques like Boundary Value Analysis and Equivalence Partitioning. Study White Box testing methods, focusing specifically on Basis Path Testing, Cyclomatic Complexity estimation, and control structure testing. You also need to explain the levels of testing, which include Unit Testing, Integration Testing, System Testing, and Acceptance Testing. For the maintenance section, focus on the four types of software maintenance: corrective, adaptive, perfective, and preventive.

Software Project Management and Estimation

This is a calculation heavy section where you can score full marks. You must know how to estimate the size and cost of a software project. Practice numerical problems using the Constructive Cost Model for Organic, Semidetached, and Embedded modes to calculate project effort and development time. You must also study lines of code and Function Point metrics. Understand project scheduling tools like Program Evaluation and Review Technique charts, Gantt charts, and critical path calculations.

Answer Writing Strategy for High Marks

RTU evaluators look for neat structural diagrams, clear point explanations, and precise numerical substitutions in your answer booklet. Use a blue pen for your general text explanations and a black pen or ruler for drawing system models and charts.

In Part A, answer directly. If the question asks for the definition of software engineering, write the exact definition. Keep your answers factual and precise.

In Part B, use clear comparison tables. When asked to differentiate between verification and validation, create a two column table listing their definitions, objectives, and execution phases clearly to make it visually scannable.

In Part C, detailed structural modeling is essential. When drawing a Data Flow Diagram or a class diagram for a ten mark question, label every entity, data store, and process boundary clearly. When solving a cost estimation problem, write down the formula first, list the values of the constants clearly, and then perform the mathematical calculation step by step. Place a prominent box around your final calculated effort in person months and development time in months to make your final answer visible to the examiner.

Time Management During the Exam

Allocate 20 minutes to Part A. Spend 40 minutes on Part B. Reserve the remaining 120 minutes for the three long answer questions in Part C. Drawing extensive class models, mapping out multi level data flow diagrams, and calculating project metrics using formulas requires substantial time. This distribution provides you with 40 minutes per major question, giving you ample time to check your diagram labels and verify your calculation steps. Use the final 10 minutes to verify your question numbers, ensure all diagram arrows point in the correct flow direction, and check that all structural parts are answered completely.