How to Prepare for NDA Exams

Name of the exam: National Defence Academy (NDA)

Age requirement: Minimum 16.5 years, maximum -19 years as on first day of the month the course is due to begin 

Educational qualification: 12th pass for Army and 12th pass with Physics and Mathematics for Navy and Air Force. You can even choose to apply while you are appearing for your 12th exam. That will save you a year.

Marital status: Unmarried

Exam held in the month of: The exam is conducted twice a year - every six months usually in April and August

Preparation time: Start off after your class X (preferred)

Mode of examination: Written test followed by an extensive Intelligence and Personality test

Negative marking: Yes

Classes begin in: July and January

Before we get into the details about how to prepare for NDA, let us first understand a little bit about NDA and what a career in NDA means. The NDA is the joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces. Here, the cadets of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force get trained together before they embark on a pre-commissioning training in respective academies. The first tri-service academy of the world, the NDA is located in Pune, Maharashtra and is ranked among the best academies in the world.

Tips on how to prepare for NDA exam

Fix your goal and start preparing early, as early as after your Class X exam. This will give you an edge over other students.

Understand the syllabus thoroughly and make a firm routine so that you cover all the subjects

Go back to your basics, even if that means referring to your Class VI, VII, VIII, books for certain subjects.

Improve your English. Start reading a newspaper daily and make it a regular habit to watch news on TV. Also brush up your Grammar skills.

Refer to the past years question papers so that you have a fair idea of what to expect.

Solve as many mock question papers and past question papers as possible.

Identify your weak subjects and start working on them so that you gain a stronghold.

Prepare yourself to be calm in the examination hall and answer the questions within the stipulated time.

As there would be negative marking, try to prepare yourself in such a manner that you do not have to make any guesses in the examination hall. It is best to answer only if you are very sure of the answer. Guesses are not going to pay here.

Spend time on understanding yourself, your weak areas and try to strengthen them.

Last but not the least, start thinking and behaving like an officer.