A split-step birefringence simulation method is proposed to investigate the gating efficiency and intensity distribution of the Kerr signal field considering the evolution of the switch beam and probe beam in their path. Using this simulation method, we investigated the switch-beam power-dependent gating efficiency and conducted an experiment to prove its reliability. Furthermore, we analyzed the optical intensity distribution of the Kerr signal exiting the Kerr medium under different switch-beam powers. This study provides an effective theoretical tool for the design and optimization of optical Kerr gates.