NDA Exam

The next exam of the National Defence Academy (NDA) will be conducted by the UPSC on August 21.

Students who are in their final year intermediate education (2011-12 ) or those who have taken the final examination in March last are eligible to take the NDA examination for a career in the Army, Navy or Air Force as Class 1 Commissioned Officer.

The examination will be of objective type and only men can apply.

Eligibility

Men born between July 2, 1993 and January 1, 1996 (both dates inclusive) can apply.

They should have passed 10+2 or they should be in final year or those likely to appear for final exams in March 2012.

Exam Date: August 21, 2011

Selection process

Stage-1:NDA written examination (900 marks): Paper I - Maths (Matrices & determinants, Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry of two & three dimensions, Differential and integral calculus and differential, Equations Vector, Vector Algebra, Statistics & probability for 300 Marks); Paper II -General Ability (English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, International and National affairs - 600 Marks)

Stage-2 : Service Selection Board Interview total Marks – 900: Basic Perception (Intelligence) - Verbal, Non-verbal; Psychological (Projective Personality) - Word Association Test (WAT), Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and Situation Reaction Test (SRT); Group Testing Series (Indoor tests) – Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise and Lecturette; (Outdoor Tests) – Command Tasks / Progressive Group task / Half Group Task, Individual / Group Obstacle Race; Personal Interview (indoor) – Sequential.

Preparation

Those who get a maximum score out of 1800 marks, the total of written exam and SSB score will make it to the NDA national merit list. How should one prepare for the exam is of vital importance for success.

The NDA exam syllabus has been revamped and a student who prepares thoroughly on AIEEE pattern question banks especially in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry would be at an advantage, opines Captain R. Sircar, Director of Officers Academy (040 – 27834739/ 27820339) which trains students taking the NDA exams. “Quick application of concepts in both the papers needs to be practiced by the students preferably with diagrammatic layouts and short cut methods to save on time and picking the correct answers”, says Captain Sircar.

To tackle the general ability paper, one must read newspapers and keep himself abreast of national and international developments. Good knowledge of English grammar would be of great help as the English grammar section has 50 questions. Text books of the NCERT would of great use for history, geography and political science sections.