NDA 2023 Exam Pattern: Overview
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.
NDA Exam Pattern at a Glance
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.
Syllabus for the Math Paper of NDA Exam 2023
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.
NDA Written Exam Pattern
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.
NDA GAT Written Test: Marks Distribution
No marks will be deducted for an unattempted question.
Marking Scheme of NDA Written Test
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: Intelligence & Personality Assessment
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 NDA 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.
FAQs on NDA Exam Pattern 2023-24
1. Whom should I contact if I want more information about the NDA exam?
NDA exam is conducted by the UPSC. You must contact the UPSC officials only. Under any circumstances, do not contact the NDA officials. For further updates, you can also check Vedantu.
2. How many parts are there in the NDA exam?
Two. Written and Interview.
3. How many papers are there in the written exam?
Two. The Maths paper and the GAT paper.
4. What is the duration of the exam?
Five hours in total. 2 hours 30 minutes for the Maths Paper and 2 hours 30 Minutes for the GAT paper.
5. What standard will the questions be of?
The math questions will be of 12th standard, while the science questions can be of 12th standard. The history and geography questions are usually of 6th - 10th standard.
6. How many stages does the SSB interview have?
Two. If you do not pass stage 1, then you won’t be called for stage 2.
7. How tough is the NDA exam?
NDA exam is as tough as the other UPSC exams but not tougher than them. You need to know the fundamentals of each of the maths topics. You must be aware of national and international current affairs. The interview is usually a bit tough. Keep your cool, think fast, be honest, and you will be able to crack it comfortably.
8. Who conducts the NDA Examination?
The NDA examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force sections of India. It is a national-level exam conducted twice a year in order to enable candidates to start a career in the Defense services of our nation. It is a two-stage examination in which candidates first need to take the written examination, followed by an interview.
9. What is UPSC?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a national-level recruiting agency for Group A-level government jobs. The Commission is a constitutional body, maNDAted to recruit members for the All India Service jobs. The UPSC is solely responsible for issuing guidelines for selection and the final conduction of the entrance Examination for Civil Services and National Defence Academy (NDA). The Central government consults the UPSC for matters relating to appointment, transfer, promotion, and disciplinary matters regarding the civil servants and members of the National Defense Academy (NDA).
10. Is the NDA 2022 examination difficult to clear?
The NDA test is a stepping stone for students interested in joining the Army, Navy, or Air Force. The test is challenging, but with the appropriate preparation, aspirants may easily pass. The questions asked in the NDA exam are mostly from the 10+2 level. The NDA 2023 question paper will be designed to test the speed and subject knowledge of candidates. If you have a thorough understanding of the subjects covered in the NDA 2023 syllabus and deliver it with confidence, you can clear the exam.
11. How to download the National Defence Academy Examination Pattern for 2023 from the Vedantu Website?
In order to download the National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination Pattern for 2023, aspirants can go to the Vedantu website and type it on the search bar. After opening the link, students are required to click on the “Download PDF” option. You can also find a wide array of NDA Exam preparation materials on the website. Students are encouraged to access multiple study materials and learning tools in order to have the required level of practice for successfully clearing the Examination.
12. How does the NDA Exam Pattern 2023 provided by the Vedantu website help students?
The NDA Exam is considered a difficult Exam. It is not enough that a student has a basic understanding of the topics in the syllabus, thus it requires concerted efforts and practice to successfully clear it and secure a high rank. Keeping in mind the level of difficulty, students must make use of all study materials found on the Vedantu website. In addition, Vedantu has also provided a wide array of learning materials to enable students to successfully clear the Exam. The materials provided by Vedantu are specifically designed by a panel of experts and experienced teachers. The learning resources are also created keeping in check with the latest and relevant instructions from NDA. Vedantu materials are well-structured and easy to understand.
13. What is the NDA 2023 exam pattern?
The NDA exam 2023 will be conducted in two stages. The first stage comprises a written test and the second stage comprises an interview. The written test will consist of two papers, Mathematics and General Ability Test. The interview stage will further consist of two tests.
The first stage of the interview has a screening test while the second stage comprises, a psychological test, group testing officers test, personal interview, and conference. The written test as well as the interview in NDA 2022 will carry a total of 900 marks each. The written test will be conducted in one day and the interview will be conducted for a duration of 4 to 5 days.
