Anangsha
Anangsha Patra
Deputy Manager – Editorial
Updated on Apr 3, 2023 11:55 IST

To score good marks in GAT, candidates must be thorough with English and General Knowledge. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for UPSC NDA General Ability Test.

How to Prepare for UPSC NDA GAT?

How to Prepare for UPSC NDA GAT?

Maximum weightage in the UPSC NDA exam is given to the General Ability Test (GAT). The subject is divided into two parts: English and General Knowledge. To prepare for the General Knowledge section, candidates must get their concepts clear for Physics, Chemistry and Biology. For History, Civics and Economics, candidates need to memorise a few major concepts. For English, candidates need to master their command of Grammar and Vocabulary. Candidates can deal with the Current Affairs section by staying updated with recent events. The syllabus for GAT is vast and candidates cannot ignore any aspect of this section. Given below are a few tips and tricks for NDA General Ability Test.

How to Prepare for NDA General Ability Test?

The General Ability Test section of NDA carries a total of 150 questions. The total marks for the test are 600. For the correct answer in this section, candidates will score four marks while 1.33 marks will be deducted for wrong answers. Check below NDA preparation tips for GAT.

Preparation tips for English

This section carries 200 marks. A total of 50 questions will be asked in the English section. NDA syllabus for this subject covers Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary and Comprehension. Reading Comprehension is the area where candidates can score more marks. Candidates should be acquainted with Synonyms and Antonyms. Read newspapers daily to improve your Vocabulary.

Q:   Is NCERT enough for NDA exam preparation?

A:

The NDA exam consists of questions that are of Class 10, 11, and 12 standards. If you follow the NCERT books thoroughly and grasp all the concepts mentioned in the books, you will not need any other reference books. For the NDA Maths section, you can prepare topics such as Algebra, Calculus, Determinants, Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector, Algebra, Statistics, and Probability. The GAT paper of NDA is divided into two parts. Part A comprises questions from English while Part B carries questions from General Knowledge. The topics that you can cover in English are Grammar and its Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion. The topics that you can prepare for General Knowledge are Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

Q:   How to prepare for NDA Maths?

A:
For NDA Maths section, candidates need to improve their calculative skills by practicing daily. The important topics for this section are Algebra Calculus, Matrices and Determinants Integral Calculus and Differential Equations Trigonometry Vector Algebra Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability.

Q:   Is NDA easy or tough?

A:
NDA exam is not tough to crack. It depends on the level of exam preparation and understanding of the candidate. To ace the exam, candidates must go through the syllabus and exam pattern. They should solve the previous years question papers and mock tests. Candidates must prepare a study routine for the exam and follow it dilligently. Candidates must also analyse their preparation and work on improving the weak areas.
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Also Read: NDA Books

Preparation Tips for General Knowledge

This section comprises 400 marks. It covers subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, and Current Affairs. As this section carries the maximum weightage, candidates must focus on this subject. Here are the topic-wise tips for this section.

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NDA Preparation Tips for Physics

Candidates must focus on Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks. Try to figure out the expected questions based on previous years’ NDA question papers. The most important topics in physics are Ohm's law, simple electrical circuits, use of X-rays, simple pendulum, hydrometer, microscope and elementary ideas of work.

NDA Preparation Tips for Chemistry

This section is much easier if candidates have a strong command of the basic concepts. Candidates must know about all the laws of Chemical combination. They should study the properties of Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Carbon di Oxide. Be familiar with the structure of Atoms, Molecular Weights, etc.

Q:   How to prepare for NDA exam at home?

A:

The tips and tricks to prepare for NDA exam at home are given below:

  • While preparing for the NDA exam the first thing candidates need to do is to make themselves acquainted with the NDA syllabus and NDA exam pattern
  • Candidates need to make a study plan and follow that dilligently
  • Divide topics into easy and difficult ones
  • Also, set weekly and monthly goals to keep a track of performance to cover the entire syllabus in time
  • Candidates need to clear their basic concepts
  • Candidates need to make notes of important topics
  • Candidates must solve previous years' question papers and mock tests
  • Candidates must stay consistent and focus

Q:   Is NDA exam tough to crack?

A:
NDA exam is known to be highly challenging and competitive exam. The exam tests the knowledge and aptitude of candidates in subjects such as Mathematics, General Ability and English . However, with proper preparation and practice, it is possible to crack the exam. It is important to note that success in the NDA exam also depends on factors such as dedication, focus, and time management.

Q:   How can I prepare for NDA exam?

A:

Every year thousands of candidates appear for NDA exam. With so much competition, candidates need to have a proper preparation strategy for the exam. Candidates need to be consistent with their study plans. They should devote few hours every day to study. Candidates need to be thorough with the syllabus. Candidates must revise their notes and important formulae every day. Candidates must practise mock tests and previous years' question papers to get familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus. Candidates must clear their basic concepts of each and every topic given in the syllabus. This will help candidates to solve the questions easily in the exam.

Q:   How to prepare for NDA exam in six months?

A:

It is not difficult to crack NDA exam with six months of preparation but the thing which is needed is determination, focus, and self-belief. To clear NDA exam in six months, candidates need to work really very hard. They cannot waste a single day. It is better to stay focused on the studies. Study regularly as the syllabus is vast. Atleast do self-study of four to six hours daily. Candidates must solve previous years' question papers to improve speed and accuracy. Candidates must also get themselves acquainted with the syllabus and exam pattern.

Q:   Can I crack NDA through self-study?

A:
There are many students who have cracked NDA exam with self-study. Replying only to coaching will not help in cracking the exam. Candidates should be consistent with their NDA preparation. The first and foremost step towards preparation should be going through the syllabus and exam pattern. Candidates must also solve previous years' question papers. By solving the previous years' question papers, candidates can know the type of questions asked in the exam.

NDA Preparation Tips for Biology

In this subject, candidates must focus on Life Cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues. Candidates might also get questions on Diet and Energy sources for humans. Be strong with topics such as growth and reproduction in plants and animals.

NDA Preparation Tips for History & Freedom Movement

The syllabus for this subject is vast. The NCERT books can help candidates ace this section.

NDA Preparation Tips for Geography

This section tests candidates' knowledge of physical, social, and economic Geography. Be thorough with the Atlas, India’s Climate, Mineral Sources, Important Sea Ports, etc.

NDA Preparation Tips for Current Affairs

To get a good score, candidates must be thorough with all the important events in India and World. They must know famous personalities, Cultural Activities, Sports, etc. To improve Current Affairsreading the newspaper daily will help candidates to deal with this section.

Also Read: NDA Exam Pattern

NDA GAT Paper: Distribution of Questions

The distribution of questions in GAT paper is given below.

Sections Maximum marks

Part A - English

200

Part B - General Knowledge

Physics

100

 

Chemistry

60

General Science

40

History, Freedom Movement, etc.

80

Geography

80

Current Events

40

Total

600

Read More:

UPSC NDA GAT Preparation FAQs

Q: What is asked in UPSC NDA GAT?

A: Questions in UPSC NDA GAT English part are asked from Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion. Questions in General Knowledge are asked from Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

Q: Which books are best for UPSC NDA GAT English?

A: The best books for UPSC NDA GAT English section are given below:
  • Objective General English by SP Bakshi
  • Wren & Martin High School English Grammar and Composition
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman & Lewis

Q: Which books are best for UPSC NDA GAT General Knowledge section?

A: The best books for UPSC NDA GAT General Knowledge section are Pratoyogita Darpan, Manorama Yearbook etc.  

Q: What is a good score in UPSC NDA GAT?

A: In NDA GAT section, candidates must target to score at least 350 or more marks out of 600.

Q: How to prepare for UPSC NDA GAT?

A: The study plan for GAT should be such that the entire syllabus could be completed early and there is a scope for revision. Candidates must solve previous years' question papers and mock tests. Candidates must also stay updated with the current affairs, general knowledge, history, geography, science topics of the contemporary world. Military-based current affairs is an important topic.
About the Author
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Anangsha Patra
Deputy Manager – Editorial

A mass communication and journalism post-graduate, Anangsha has worked as a reporter and sub-editor and enjoys working in the education domain.

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