Most NDA aspirants are in Class 11 or 12, so plan around board exams. Maths decides most results: it carries one-third of the written marks and has the widest score gap. English and GK are scoring if you practise steadily. Start SSB preparation (fitness, communication, current affairs) before the written result, because SSB dates can come within weeks.
6 months out
- Finish the full Maths syllabus at NCERT Class 11 and 12 level. Do algebra, trigonometry and calculus first, since they give the most questions.
- Study Physics and Chemistry for GAT from NCERT Class 9 and 10 science; these two give about 40% of GK marks.
- Read one English newspaper editorial daily and note 10 new words with usage.
- Solve one past NDA paper every two weeks to see where you lose marks.
- Start running 2.4 km and basic strength work 4 days a week for SSB and medicals.
3 months out
- Solve all NDA Maths papers from the last 8 to 10 years topic-wise; time yourself at under 75 seconds per question.
- Cover History (modern India and freedom movement), Indian Geography and Polity from NCERT Class 8 to 10.
- Practise one English section (50 questions) every day: spotting errors, ordering, synonyms and comprehension.
- Make one-page formula sheets for each Maths chapter and revise them weekly.
Last 30 days
- Take a full mock of both papers on alternate days, at the real exam timing, on an OMR sheet.
- In Maths, attempt the questions you can solve surely first; guess only when you can rule out two options.
- Revise the last 6 to 8 months of current affairs, defence news and sports.
- Keep sleep and timing fixed: the Maths paper starts in the morning and GAT after lunch.
After the written exam
- Do not wait for the result; start SSB preparation the next week.
- Practise Picture Perception (PPDT) stories and group discussions with friends.
- Write your own Personal Information Questionnaire answers honestly and know your school, city and hobbies in detail.
- Keep your documents ready for joinindianarmy.nic.in registration.
Books and resources
- NCERT Mathematics Class 11 and 12 — The NDA Maths syllabus matches these books; build concepts here first.
- R.S. Aggarwal, Mathematics for NDA and NA — Chapter-wise NDA-style questions and past papers for practice.
- NCERT Science Class 9 and 10, and Physics/Chemistry Class 11 — Covers almost all GAT Physics, Chemistry and General Science questions.
- NCERT History, Geography and Political Science Class 8 to 10 — Short, clear base for History, Polity and Geography sections.
- Lucent's General Knowledge — Quick revision of static GK in one book.
- Pathfinder for NDA & NA (Arihant) — Full syllabus with solved past papers for both papers.
- Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis) — Builds vocabulary for synonyms, antonyms and comprehension.
Mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring Maths because GAT has more marks; a weak Maths score is the most common reason for missing the cut-off.
- Guessing wildly; with one-third negative marking, many wrong answers can cancel your correct ones.
- Skipping the 25% minimum in each paper by focusing on only one paper.
- Starting SSB and fitness preparation only after the written result.
- Neglecting eyesight, weight and tattoo rules until the medical stage.