NDA

EXAM OVERIEW

NDA exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice a year. As per the 2023 calendar of UPSC, NDA 1 2023 is scheduled to be held on April 10, 2023, and NDA 2 on September 4, 2023. UPSC has set the NDA 2023 exam pattern. The latest NDA exam pattern is discussed here in detail. Candidates will get to know several important things about the NDA 2023 exam, like the mode of exam, total marks allotted, the duration of the exam, types of questions asked, etc. So, keep reading to know more about the latest NDA exam pattern.

NDA 2023 will be conducted in two parts, a written exam, and a personality test (SSB interview). The written exam will consist of two papers, Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The Mathematics paper carries 300 marks. The GAT paper carries 600 marks. So, the total marks for the NDA written exam will be 900. The Mathematics questions will be asked from topics covered in 10+2 level. The GAT paper will include questions from English, General Knowledge, and General Science. 

The SSB interview will also have two stages. The first stage will have OIR and PP & DT tests, while the second stage will have psychology tests and the conference. The maximum marks allotted for the SSB interview is also 900. The details of the exam pattern for NDA 2023 are discussed in the following sections.

EXAM PATTERN

So as given in the above table, the written part of the NDA exam 2023 will be conducted over a duration of 5 hours – two and a half hours for Math and two and a half for GAT. The written exam is conducted on a single day. The questions will be in Hindi and English.

 

EXAM SYLLABUS

SYLLABUS FOR THE MATH PAPER

The following are the broad topics for the NDA exam math syllabus.

  • Algebra.

  • Vector Algebra.

  • Operations on Matrices.

  • Determinants.

  • Trigonometry.

  • Analytic Geometry In Two And Three Dimensions.

  • Differential Calculus.

  • Integral Calculus.

  • Differential Equations.

  • Operations On Statistics.

  • Probability.

SYLLABUS FOR THE GAT PAPER

The topics for the GAT paper are as follows.

  • English Grammar: Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion.

  • Physics (Class 12 standard).

  • Chemistry (Class 12 standard).

  • General Science.

  • Indian and International History.

  • Geography.

  • Current Affairs.

WRITTEN EXAM PATERN

Mathematics: In the written test, the Math paper will have 120 questions. For every correct answer, 2.5 marks will be awarded. The full mark for this section is 300. There will be negative marking. The negative marking for each of the incorrect answers is ⅓ of 2.5 – that is 0.83. 

General Ability Test: The GAT paper will consist of 150 questions. Each of these questions carries 4 marks, and thus the total marks for this section are 600. There will be negative marking too. The negative marking for each of the incorrect answers is ⅓ of 4 –  that is- 1.33. This is where the NDA exam pattern 2023 differs a bit from the other exams. 

The various sections in the NDA GAT Written Test and the marks distribution for each of the sections are provided below.

MARKS DISTRIBUTION

No marks will be deducted for an unattempted question.

MARKING SCEME

One thing that should be noted here, is that you need to obtain the pass marks for both the papers. Suppose you do not get the pass marks for the Math paper, then as per the NDA exam pattern 2023, your GAT answer sheet will have no value.

SSB INTERVIEW

Once you pass the written test, you will be notified of the SSB interview. The NDA interview is known as the SSB interview as it is conducted by the Service Selection Board. A rigorous process for the SSB interview is maintained. The NDA SSB Interview is conducted in two stages – Stage 1 & 2. Those who get through the 1st stage of the interview will be eligible for the second stage. The interview process takes about 4 to 5 days to be completed.

Stage 1

Within Stage 1 of the NDA SSB Interview, there will be a screening test and a PPDT test. The screening test will consist of verbal and non-verbal tests which are not that difficult. The questions in the screening test may include- making sentences, correcting the spelling, arranging words in a particular order as asked, etc. 

In the Picture Perception and Description Test, you will be shown a picture for 30 seconds and then you will be asked to write about that picture within 3 minutes. Later, the candidates will be divided into groups. You have to discuss the picture and your story with the other candidates.

The PP & DT will be followed by a Psychological Test in Stage 1.  The psychological tests will be divided into several stages. They are as follows.

  • Thematic Apperception Test – This is similar to the picture test described above – only harder and more intense.
  • Word Association Test – This is similar to a picture test, but the pictures are replaced by words.
  • Situation Reaction Test – In this test, you will be presented with some situations and then you have to write about your responses to these situations.
  • Self Description Test – In this test, you have to talk about yourself, your personal life, etc.

Stage 2

Based on the screening test, candidates will be selected for Stage 2 of the interview process.

In Stage 2, there will be a Group Testing Officers Test or the GTO test. The GTO test also has multiple steps and they are:

  • Group Discussion.
  • Group Planning.
  • Progressive Group Task.
  • Half Group Task.
  • Individual Obstacles Task.
  • Command Task.
  • Snake Race.
  • Individual Lecture.
  • Final Group Task.

Personal Interview and Conference

Then there will be a vital personal interview following the GTO in Stage 2. You will be facing an IO or Interviewing Officer and you have to maintain a strict code of conduct and answer questions tactically, logically, and intelligently. From personal questions to political discussions, from psychological questions to general intelligence questions – nothing will be spared. Honesty, agility, and sincerity are the keywords here.

The personal interview round will finally be followed by a conference round.

 

SSB INTERVIEW AT A GLANCE

TIPS TO ACE THE EXAM

For Written Test 

  • NCERT books are your best bet. Questions will be asked from the 10+2 level in NDA 2023.

  • The syllabus is extensive. They ask questions from here and there. So, instead of reading too many books, focus on the basic theories, and fundamentals. Only then, you will be able to answer the tricky questions.

  • For Current Affairs, refer to the latest version of the Manorama Yearbook.

  • For GK, you can refer to any good book like that of Lucent.

  • You need to revise your History and Geography lessons as per the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

  • The important topics for Mathematics include- Mensuration, Arithmetic, Trigonometry, Algebra, Statistics, Geometry, etc.

 

For Interview Session 

  • Start practicing the picture tests at your home. Quick-thinkers will have an edge over others. 

  • Increase your observation power with the help of meditation.

  • Stay calm and focused. 

  • Sincerity and honesty are the keywords to prepare for the interview. 

A thorough understanding of the NDA 2023 syllabus at the start of the exam preparation is required. Having an in-depth knowledge of the syllabus will enable you to plan your preparation accordingly. You can create a daily schedule with fixed timings to study all subjects. You can also solve previous year’s question papers to get an understanding of topic-wise weightage and important topics. Most importantly, taking good care of your health before the exam will help you give your best on the exam day.

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