How To Score 450+ In NDA Written Exam?

How To Score 450+ In NDA Written Exam: The NDA written exam is a national-level exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for students who wish to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force after completing their Class 12. It is one of the most respected exams in the country, and thousands of students appear for it every year with the dream of serving the nation. In 2025, the NDA 1 exam is scheduled for 13 April, and the NDA 2 exam will be held on 14 September. 

These dates are crucial for every serious aspirant. Since the competition is tough, having a solid plan for your NDA preparation is extremely important. A clear understanding of the syllabus, regular practice, and time management can make a big difference. One of the smartest ways to begin your NDA exam preparation is by solving NDA previous year question papers. They help you get familiar with the exam pattern, types of questions, and the level of difficulty. Check out the article below to learn How To Score 450+ In NDA Written Exam.

NDA Written Exam 2025

The NDA written exam is the first stage of the selection process for candidates who wish to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force after Class 12. Conducted by the UPSC, this exam is followed by the SSB interview and a medical examination. Candidates who clear all stages successfully are offered admission to the National Defence Academy or the Indian Naval Academy. To help aspirants stay updated, here’s a quick overview of the key details related to the NDA 2025 exams.

How To Score 450+ In NDA Written Exam?

Scoring 450+ in the NDA written exam is not just a dream, it’s completely possible with the right approach, understanding, and dedication. Many students aim for a career in the Armed Forces, but only a few manage to clear the written stage with such high marks. Here is a detailed guide about cracking the NDA written exam 2025: 

1. Understand the NDA Exam Pattern First

Before jumping into NDA preparation books and mock tests, it’s important to understand the exam pattern properly. The NDA written exam consists of two papers conducted on the same day:

• Mathematics

• General Ability Test (GAT)

Each paper is objective (MCQ-based), and candidates have to attempt both. The total duration of the exam is 5 hours (2.5 hours per paper). Here is the breakdown of the NDA Exam Pattern 2025:

The GAT paper is further divided into two parts:

• Part A – English (200 marks)

• Part B – General Knowledge (400 marks)

2. Know the Marking Scheme of NDA Exam

Once you understand the structure, the next important step is knowing the marking scheme of NDA exam. This helps you plan your attempt strategy and avoid unnecessary negative marking. So, accuracy is extremely important. You should avoid guesswork unless you’re sure about your answer, especially in the Mathematics section.

3. Build a Strong Foundation: Start with NCERTs

The right way to start your NDA exam preparation is by going back to the basics. And nothing builds basics better than NCERT books. They are simple, clear, and directly aligned with the syllabus of the NDA written exam. Here’s how to use them smartly:

• For Mathematics, go through Class 10 to 12 NCERT books thoroughly. Focus on topics like Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Matrices, and Geometry.

• For English, read the NCERT English books and also practice grammar rules, comprehension, synonyms-antonyms, and sentence improvement.

• For General Knowledge, NCERT books from Class 6 to 10 (History, Geography, Science, and Polity) are enough for building a solid base.

• Once your foundation is ready, you can move on to advanced NDA study material for practice and revision.

4. Solve NDA Previous Year Question Papers

One of the smartest strategies is to go through NDA previous year question papers. This gives you a real sense of:

• What kind of questions are asked

• The level of difficulty

• Which topics are most important

Make it a habit to solve at least one previous year paper every week. Analyse your mistakes and work on your weak areas. You’ll start noticing patterns in questions, especially in GAT and Mathematics. You can also practise by timing yourself, which builds speed and improves your time management during the actual exam.

5. Stick to the Right NDA Study Material

While NCERTs are essential, you also need the right mix of NDA study material for practice. Don’t overload yourself with too many books. Stick to a few high-quality ones that cover the full syllabus. 

6. Focus on Time Management and Speed

Since the NDA written exam is time-bound, your preparation must include speed training. It’s not enough to solve questions—you must solve them fast and accurately.

• During practice, set timers for each section.

• Attempt easy questions first and return to difficult ones later.

• Avoid spending too much time on one question.

• In GAT, answer English and static GK first, save current affairs and science-based questions for the end.

7. Revision Is the Game Changer

Many candidates study hard but don’t revise properly, and that costs them marks. Regular revision helps you recall concepts, formulas, and facts.

• Keep short notes for formulas and important facts.

• Make flashcards for current affairs or tricky definitions.

• Revise a subject weekly, rotate between Maths, English, and GK.

• Solve a mock test or previous paper every Sunday and review it.

Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for NDA Written Exam

1. Skipping the Basics
A lot of students rush into advanced-level questions without first clearing their fundamentals. This is a major mistake, especially for Maths and General Science. The NDA paper tests your basic concepts more than anything else. If you haven’t mastered your Class 10 and 12 NCERTs, tough questions will feel even harder. 

2. Not Solving Previous Year Papers
Ignoring the NDA previous year question papers means you’re missing out on a big advantage. These papers show you the real question style, topic weightage, and the kind of tricky options UPSC loves to give. Many students keep reading theory but never practise properly. Solving at least 8–10 old papers will boost your speed, confidence, and accuracy before the real NDA written exam.

3. Using Too Many Books Without Making Notes
Trying to read from multiple guides and coaching materials can actually backfire. You’ll feel overwhelmed and lose track of what’s important. Another mistake is not making your own notes while studying. When you write short summaries or important formulas in your own words, it helps with long-term memory. Good NDA study material is helpful, but personalised notes make revision quicker and easier.

4. Poor Time Management in Preparation and During the Exam
Many aspirants spend weeks only on Maths, thinking it’s the harder part, and neglect the General Ability Test (GAT), which carries more marks. Others focus on one topic for too long and leave others untouched. During the paper, students often run out of time because they didn’t practise with a timer. Managing your study schedule and exam time properly is key to scoring well in NDA exam.

5. Not Taking Mock Tests or Revising Enough
If you’re not testing yourself regularly, how will you know your progress? Many students avoid full-length mock tests or keep postponing revision. This leads to forgetting important points or panicking during the real exam. Include at least one mock test every week in your NDA preparation. Also, keep revising older topics so they stay fresh in your memory.

Read More: NDA Maths Important Chapters and Topics for 2025 Exam

NDA written exam FAQs

1. What is the NDA written exam?
The NDA written exam is the first step in joining the National Defence Academy. It has two papers – Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT), both conducted by UPSC.

2. When will the NDA 1 and NDA 2 exams be held in 2025?
NDA 1 2025 is scheduled for 13 April 2025, and NDA 2 will take place on 14 September 2025.

3. When was the NDA 1 2025 notification released?
The official notification for NDA 1 2025 was released on 11 December 2024.

4. What is the exam pattern for the NDA written exam?
The exam has two papers. Mathematics is for 300 marks and GAT is for 600 marks. Both papers are objective-type and conducted on the same day.

5. What is the marking scheme of the NDA exam?
In Mathematics, each correct answer carries 2.5 marks and 0.83 marks are deducted for a wrong one. In GAT, each correct answer carries 4 marks and 1.33 marks are deducted for incorrect answers.