How to Prepare for NDA 2023: Check Toppers Tips

NDA Preparation Tips by Toppers: NDA is one of the most sought-after defence entrance exams in the country. Clearing the exam will help candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). The exam is conducted twice a year in two stages, written exam and SSB Interview. Around 6 lakh candidates apply for the exam, out of which approximately 5000 to 6000 candidates are called for SSB Interview. To prepare for the NDA exam, candidates must follow the tips given by the NDA toppers. The tips can help candidates strategise their preparation for the exam.

NDA toppers are of the opinion that to crack the exam, candidates must have a suitable personality, they should work on their spoken language, general knowledge, etc. Understanding NDA exam pattern and knowing the NDA syllabus will open doors for candidates to succeed in the exam. It is also important to solve the NDA previous years’ question papers to know the type of questions asked in the exam. They have also advised candidates to buy the best books and study materials for the exam.

Talking about the section-wise preparation tips, NDA toppers said that the Mathematics section needs practice and a good understanding of the basics. It is recommended that candidates must prepare questions from Mathematics, English and Science through NCERT books for Classes 6 to 12. To prepare for English, candidates should read newspapers and magazines and also focus on basic grammar rules. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for NDA 2022 by toppers.

NDA Exam Pattern 2022

The exam paper of NDA written exam is divided into two parts, GAT and Mathematics. All the questions in the exam are objective type. There are a total of 150 questions in the GAT while the Mathematics part carry a total of 120 questions. Each section of the exam is held for 2 ½ hours. The GAT section carries 600 marks while the Mathematics section carries 300 marks. The GAT section is divided into two parts. Part A comprises English while Part B consists of General Knowledge. 

How Can I Become NDA Topper?

To become NDA topper, candidates need to follow the tips and tricks given below:

• Schedule study plan smartly
• Be clear with the basics
• Focus on General Knowledge and English subjects
• Refer to good study material
• Solve previous year question papers
• Proper revision of all the topics given in the syllabus

Toppers Tips to Crack NDA Exam

NDA 2019 Topper Piyush Thorve (AIR 16) has shared his preparation strategy for the exam:

Format of NDA exam

The first stage of NDA exam is written exam. Candidates clearing the exam are called for SSB Interview. After SSB Interview, candidates are called for medical exam. The written exam comprises Maths and General Ability Test (GAT). In Maths, basically, the portion is from the Class 11 and 12 NCERT books. The questions are of basic level but framed in a tricky format. Candidates must solve at least 40 questions to get through the exam. GAT includes English, Science, Current Affairs, History, Geography. Once you clear the written exam by securing the NDA cut-off marks fixed by UPSC, candidates are called for SSB Interview. SSB centre is allocated as per the preference given in the form such as Army, Navy and Air Force.

Preparation Strategy for Maths

Maths includes questions from calculus, Algebra and Vector. Maximum questions are asked from calculus. Questions are a bit tricky in NDA whereas we learn very basic level Maths in Class 11 and 12. Students should cover the maximum syllabus. Candidates who are weak in Maths should make their base very strong. Candidates must solve at least 40 questions to get through the exam. Candidates should refer to their school-level books to clear the basic concepts. Divide the portion of the syllabus and prepare a study routine accordingly. If you understand calculus then it becomes easy to solve. So do not fear calculus.

Preparation Strategy for GAT

In GAT, questions are asked from English, Physics, Chemistry, Sports, Current Affairs. Prepare English by reading newspapers and magazines. Note down the difficult words and look for them in the dictionary. This improves your vocabulary. In English, questions are asked from spotting the error, passage and comprehension, synonyms and antonyms, etc. Candidates should also be clear with the basic rule of grammar. Read a lot to improve your vocabulary. Besides, candidates must practice a lot. Prepare notes for History and revise it properly.

In Geography questions are very factual and practical. Whenever learning Geography keep aside the atlas book. Go through the world map, ocean current, India map, etc. Candidates should solve previous years’ question papers. Your knowledge should be thorough so that you can solve any questions.

In Current Affairs, be aware of recent events. In Polity, memorise certain important articles and make notes. Questions are asked from fundamental duties and rights and be thorough with them. In the Economy hardly one or two questions are asked and go through the five-year plan and economic developments.

Around 15 to 20 questions are asked from Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Clear your basics from Class 8, 9, and 10 books. In Current Affairs, students should go through the events of the last six months.

Strategy for Written Exam

Before the exam, candidates should not take stress. They should not learn new topics rather than revise the topics you have learned. One week before the exam, revise all the topics candidates have studied. Solve sample papers and previous years’ question papers. Attempt mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.

Advice to Future Aspirants

Candidates should also give attention to their health and keep up their stamina. Study for two to three hours and sleep properly. Candidates must do smart study.

Read More

• Topper tips to prepare for NDA exam