NDA Exam Pattern 2024 | Comprehensive Subject-Wise Pattern & Syllabus
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) arranges various competitive exams every year. National Defense Academy (NDA) is one of those exams conducted by UPSC. One who wishes to join the Army, Air Force, and other sectors of defence sectors can sit for this exam. Undoubtedly, it is a very tough exam and for this reason, very few aspirants can crack this test. However, if you have a fair idea about the NDA exam pattern then it will no longer remain difficult. Here we will discuss the syllabus of the NDA exam and cover the exam pattern. To secure the selection one must know the marking system which you can also find in this blog.
Things to do to pass the NDA exam
- Finish the syllabus well in advance. Then revise the entire syllabus as much as possible.
- Start referring to all the previous year’s question papers. It will help you to have an idea about the NDA exam pattern.
- Try to solve the last 10 year’s question papers to build your confidence.
- Make sure you have started practising Mock test papers before taking the original test.
- Apart from practicing question answers do not forget to keep yourself fit and healthy. You also need to pass the medical test after you qualify for the written test.
All these above-mentioned things you can add to your to-do list before taking the test. Now, let us know more about the exam pattern and go through the previous year’s question papers. Besides, we will also discuss the syllabus completely.
For the latest information on this exam, read NDA 1 Exam 2024: Admit Card, Exam Dates out, Eligibility & Result
NDA Exam Pattern 2024 Highlights
An aspirant must have a clear idea about the exam pattern of any exam. Only then he can aspire for success against that specific exam. Similarly, if you are aspiring to crack the NDA exam then you must know the NDA exam paper pattern and Previous Years NDA Cut Off.
Here are the highlights of the NDA exam –
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Level | National |
| Time | Two hours and thirty minutes each for GAT and Aptitude |
| No. of questions | GAT – 150 Aptitude – 120 |
| Language options | Hindi, English |
| No. of Papers | 2 (One is for GAT and another is for Aptitude) |
| Total Marks | Written Test – 900Personality Test – 900 |
| Type of Questions | MCQ |
| Mode of Exam | Pen-paper Mode |
NDA and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2024
| Date of Notification | 11/12/2024 |
|---|---|
| Date of Commencement of Examination | 21/04/2024 |
| Duration of Examination | One Day |
| Last Date for Receipt of Applications | 09/01/2024 – 6:00pm |
| Date of Upload | 20/12/2023 |
Notification for 2024 Exam
Notif-NDA-NA-I-2024-Eng-20122023-1NDA Exam 2025
The NDA 1 2025 exam will be conducted on April 13, 2025. The NDA 2 2025 exam will be conducted on September 14, 2025. NDA 1 2025 notification is likely to be released on December 11, 2024.
NDA Exam Pattern 2024
A person having a good idea about any exam can maximize his chance of success. Being one of the toughest examinations of UPSC an NDA aspirant also should have a fair idea. Only then without wasting further years, he can crack the exam in one go. One must prepare himself for various stages of this exam. The written examination takes place in 2 phases. There are 2 papers, and an aspirant must qualify both by securing the benchmark. The paper pattern of the NDA exam is quite different from others.
Important points about the NDA exam pattern
- There are two papers – 1 and 2. While Paper 1 contains Aptitude, Paper 2 contains a General Ability Test (GAT).
- Both these papers i.e., papers 1 & 2 consist of 300 and 600 marks each. So, you need to take a total of 900 marks written test.
- You will get 150 minutes each to complete these papers.
- The cut-off marks are considered totally i.e., out of 900 how much you have secured. This will be accounted for.
- Each question carries 21/2 marks on Aptitude paper. Whereas each question on the GAT paper carries 4 marks.
- There is a negative marking for wrong answers. For answering 3 wrong questions 1 mark will be deducted. You will get a fair idea of the NDA exam pattern from the following table:
| Name of the Paper | Subjects | Total Marks | Time | Each Question Carries | Negative Marking |
| Paper 1 | Aptitude | 300 | 21/2 hours | 2.5 | 1 mark will be deducted for 3 wrong answers |
| Paper 2 | GAT | 600 | 150 Minutes | 4 | – |
A better understanding of the NDA exam pattern will help you to prepare fully. However, the exam does not end here. Apart from written tests, there is an SSB interview round followed. But one gets the chance to sit at the interview test if he successfully qualifies for these 2 papers. So, facing an interview is the second stage of this NDA exam and without a qualifying written test it is impossible. For this reason, a good understanding of NDA exam paper patterns is important.
NDA Syllabus 2024
Hope you have a good understanding of the NDA exam pattern. Now you must have a clear idea about the syllabus. If you see the name of the papers then it will become quite clear what may include in the syllabus. Detailed knowledge of the syllabus will help to crack the exam. Because only when you know the syllabus you can prepare yourself in a better way.
There are 2 papers in the NDA exam. One is Aptitude and the other is the General Ability Test (GAT). However, for mathematics papers, you can get help from the NCERT book.
1. Written Test Syllabus:
| Aptitude | Matrices |
| Trigonometry | – |
| Determinants | – |
| Algebra | – |
| Geometry of 2D & 3D | – |
| Statistics & Probability | – |
| Differential & Integral Calculus | – |
| Victor Algebra | – |
| General Ability Test Part A (English) | Grammar & its application |
| Vocabulary comprehension | – |
| GAT Part B (GK) | History |
| Geography | – |
| Current Affairs | – |
| Physics | – |
| Chemistry | – |
| Applied Science | – |
2. Personality Test Syllabus
| Step | Exam | Type of Exam |
| Step 1 | Basic Screening | Verbal Test |
| PDT | – | – |
| Step 2 | Psychological Test | TAT (Thematic Apperception Test) |
| WAT (Word Association Test) | – | – |
| SRT (Situation Reaction Test) | – | – |
| SD (Self-Description Test) | – | – |
| Office Task Test | Command Task | – |
| Snake race | – | – |
| Group Planning Exercise | – | – |
| Progressive Group Task | – | – |
| Half Group Task | – | – |
| Group Discussion | – | – |
| Step 3 | Personality Test | – |
Important Topics for NDA 2024
In NDA exam pattern Aptitude plays a very important role. Because it is a subject that helps to score high. If you take any competitive exam, there you must focus on the highest-scoring subject. Only then you will be able to secure your selection. Similarly, if you ask which are the important topics of the NDA syllabus then it will be,
- Mensuration
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Statistics
- English
NDA 2024 Marking Scheme
To understand the NDA exam pattern you must have a clear idea about its marking scheme. Thus here is a brief marking pattern for the NDA exam.
- Paper 1 contains 120 questions in total. The full mark of this paper is 300. Each question carries 21/2 marks.
- On the other hand, paper 2 contains 150 questions (i.e., 50 questions for English and 100 questions for General Knowledge). Each question of this paper carries 4 marks. The full mark of this paper is 600.
- Negative marking is also there. Due to 3 incorrect answers, 1 mark will be deducted.
- A total of 900 marks are allotted for the written tests. Apart from that additional 900 marks are allotted for the personality test. So, the total marks for this exam are 1800. This is the paper pattern of the NDA exam.
Type of Questions Asked in NDA 2024
The NDA exam pattern may sound to you longer but the level of questions is not that hard. If you go through the NDA exam pattern 2021 then it will become clear. One of the reasons, for advising to follow the NCERT book is, to have the ability to judge the difficulty level of questions. Examiners focus on higher secondary levels for preparing the question paper.
Candidates can find Top NDA Books 2024: Subject expert selections & preparation tips for the exam here: NDA Books 2024: Subject Expert & Tips.
Meanwhile, an aspirant should study,
- The Arithmetic, Geometry, and Trigonometry thoroughly. Because many questions will be asked from those parts.
- From GAT one must focus on grammar and current affairs. Apart from that, he must follow the entire syllabus of Chemistry and Physics.
All these above-mentioned are some important parts from where questions will be asked. You may take any year’s question paper. To understand the NDA exam pattern, one will go through any year’s paper he can find those major portions.
Suggested Read: NDA Salary 2024 | Job Profile, Pay Scale, Allowances, and Other Benefits
NDA Exam Guidelines 2024
- The usage of calculators and mobiles is not allowed inside the examination centre.
- Only one can use a cardboard and pen (blue /black ball pen) to answer the paper.
- An examinee will get enough rough sheets for solving mathematical problems.
- Cheating or forging inside the hall will lead one to disqualification.
Prepare yourself well before the NDA exam. Read thoroughly and follow the NDA exam pattern to ensure your success. However, apart from preparing for a government job, you can also start earning by teaching students.
Chegg is offering young aspirants to teach students across the world and have a source of income. With the facility of working remotely and with global exposure, one can gather enough professional experience. So, if you have an interest then sign up today.
Recommended reading:
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IB ACIO Recruitment 2024: Results, Cut-offs, Salary, Vacancies
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )
What are the passing marks in NDA?
There are no such fixed passing marks as the cut-off can change every year. If you follow the results for the last 5 years, then you can understand the difference. The maximum number one can get in a written exam is 450. Also, there is a personality test where one can get 699 highest. Both scores are as on the NDA exam result 2021.
How long is NDA training?
Usually, the NDA training goes on for a long 3 years. A student who has an interest in defence and wishes to pursue an academic course on it can take admission. The JNU offers a 3 years bachelor’s course on NDA.
What are the subjects in NDA?
There are two phases of written tests taking place. While Paper 1 contains Mathematics, Paper 2 covers the General Ability Test. In the GAT paper, there are various subjects included. Such as History, Geography, Chemistry, Physics, Current Affairs, and General Knowledge.
What are the maximum marks in NDA?
The total marks for the NDA exam are 1800. Of which 900 cover the written test and the rest 900 cover the personality test. After qualifying for the written test with maximum marks like 420 (as per the data of 2021 NDA result) one can be eligible for the personality test. However, the cut-off for NDA 2021 was 699.
What is the scoring pattern for NDA exam?
There will be a negative marking of 0.83 for each incorrect answer. The General Ability Test (GAT) has 150 questions, each worth 4 marks, totalling 600 marks.