How to start NDA Preparation and attempt the NDA Exam !!

Before starting any test ,please download the latest copy of UPSC NDA Notification.Read what the test is all about and understand the marking scheme.Notification consist of the Syllabus.Make a checklist of the syllabus and keep on putting a tick in front of topics which you are able to complete.I had prepared a chart on whioh I had listed the entire syllabus with checkboxes in order to keep track of the syllabus..

6-18 Months Strategy

Mathematics Section

1.Learn calculation shortcuts and use those in practice as well to make it your muscle memory.I learnt and praticed lots of vedic mathematics.NDA Exam is a time oriented test so every second you save in calculation can be spent in solving questions.Make a formula notebook which should consist all formulas and shortcuts which u can quickly revise few hours before exam. Level of mathematics asked in NDA is in between JEE Level and Boards Level.Out of total 120 questions in mathematics section ,55-65 questions are more than enough provided you solve them.

2.Preparation strategy for mathematics :-
     a) NCERT
     b) RD SHARMA
     c) PATHFINDER
     d) Previous Year Paper(last 10 days)

3.First solve NCERT to strengthen basics and fundamentals,then RD Sharma to go to the next level in order to compete at this national level exam then Pathfinder (especially it's formula and shortcuts ) to get the idea of what type of questions were asked previously.

4.Then in last 15 days solve 5 last yearPYQs and only revise. For which complete your syllabus 15 days back only please.After every pyq check out the solution of those questions which you were not able to answer. Analyse what went wrong.What all chapters you are weak at and work on those chapters.Keep on strenghtning your weak sections.

Note-Don't leave any part of the syllabus,If you leave any chapter then naturally you will have less number of questions to attempt as compared to your competition.I cleared my written in first attempt only because I even did those chapters which were not covered in my school.Like my first attempt was when I was in 12th class in the month of september.My school teacher had not covered Statistics and Probability yet as the academic year was in progress but I completed it myself to go fully prepared for the exam. Also like I hated trignometry but I didn't leave it , I covered just the basics that is NCERT level and PYQs. This was done by me so that I could atleast do basic questions in trignometry rather than leaving all the questions from the topic.

General Ability Test Section

1.Preparation strategy for Science :-

Use Pathfinder only to study science section that is physics,chemistry and biology. 50 PCB questions will come out of the total 150 GAT Questions. Since majority of the students would be from science background.Your target is Physics,chem and english which you will easily solve and would be more than enough.Level of these science questions is very basic, an aspirant should aim at 40+ correct questions out of 50 PCB Questions. 

2.Preparation strategy for English :-

Before starting your NDA english preparation, pick up any previous year question NDA paper and solve those 50 English questions previouly asked. Three scenarios will come up:-

    a) If you are able to correct 35+ questions ,then you don't need to put in much effort just solve questions from pyq for confidence. 

    b) If you are able to correct 25-35 questions , then start improving basics using wren and martin book / SP Bakshi book.Improve your basic grammar and then start solving pyq.

    c) If you are able to correct less than 25 questions , then start improving your english please, start watching english cinema with subtitles ,start reading newspapers,understand the language structure then start improving grammar using wren and martin book / SP Bakshi book.Improve your basic grammar and then start solving pyq.

3.Preparation strategy for General Science :-

The return on investment of GS is very less becuase of the vastness of the subject and keep in mind around 40-45 questions will be asked in GS .However if you wish to study .Check out marathon or one shot videos  by Sumit sir and if you want to study more use NCERT 11-12 class books.GS subjects are polity, economics,history and geography.

4.Preparation strategy for Current Affairs :-

The return on investment of Current Affairs is very less becuase of the vastness of the subject and keep in mind around 5-10 questions will be asked in Current Affairs .However if you wish to study, read newspapers and pratiyogita darpan magazines. Even current affairs videos by CDS Journey (Anurag) is also good enough. If you are attempting April exam then study Dec,Jan,Feb current affairs and if you are attempting Sept exam then study May,June,July current affairs.

Focus 90 Percent of time on mathematics and 10 Percent on GAT. There is sectional cut off ,please dont forget. Majority face problem in mathematics and GAT is a cake walk for all generally. Out of total 150 questions in GAT ,75-85 questions are more than enough provided you solve them.

HARSH REALITY- I am sorry if you read this but if you are from non-mathematics background please don't waste time in preparing for NDA. In my three years at NDA as a cadet ,I only met 3 cadets in total across all courses who were from non-mathematics background and all of them dropped atleast 18 months for NDA.I know this can act as a heartbreak for many but I have seen many people wasting important years of their life and this is the reality that for a person from non-mathematics background it's very tough to clear an exam like NDA which is heavily biased towards kids from mathematics background. Better to prepare for CDS after graduation. Only way you can make it worthwhile and also be from non-mathematics background is if you start studying mathematics as soon as you join 11th class. I am sorry if I have hurt you.

One Month Strategy

For all those who woke up late ,I had made this video .There is a good chance to clear NDA in one month if you are above average in intelligence and are from science background. Especially if you are preparing for JEE exam , I feel one month is possible.

NDA Paper Attemption Strategy

NDA exam is very different from other exams. It's a time based test in mathematics and heavily biased towards kids from mathematics background due to the nature of the exam. Small example- maths consist 120 questions whcih is supposed to be done in 150 minutes which is extremly tough .Now how to go about solving the mathematics paper ? Would recommend everyone to watch my video on attemption strategy to give you guys an edge over others.Believe me it will be totally worth it.

At last no amount of strategy can help you if you are not ready to put in the required efforts. Mehnat karni padegi boss !! So all the best ...Work Hard Guys...

Godspeed
All the best