How to prepare for CDS Exam ?

Updated : 16-Jun-2017

We all know that being part of the country’s defense forces is not really a job, but a way of life. It is really all about glory, chivalry and courage. However, this is why thousands of aspirants with an adventurous streak and reverence for their motherland aspire to join the forces.

If you want to join the defense forces, the candidate has to go through highly scientific and well-evolved techniques of testing that aims at assessing their personality in the context of the traits needed for the defense forces. 

Also the basic and main route to enter the defense forces is through Combined Defense Services (CDS) Exam, which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice in a year for the entry in Army, Navy and Air Force followed by the interview with the Service Selection Board (SSB). 

While appearing for the CDS exam, candidates can opt for regular or short service entry courses. The test is based on to the entry in Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun, the Indian Naval Academy (INA) Kannur, the Air Force Academy (AFA) Dundigal and the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. 

Here a permanent commission is allotted to candidates if they join the first three institutes while cadets passing out of the OTA get short service commission. For girls who want to join defense through CDS they will be only eligible to write for OTA.

Keep in mind; those who are applying for CDS, the CDS exam preparation are very necessary. The question paper will be objective type.

Now, have a look on the preparation tips for CDS examination - 

• English

For this CDS exam, candidate should have the basic understanding of the language English grammar, spotting the correct sentences, antonyms, synonyms. However, this paper will be for all the defense criteria i.e the Army, Navy and Air Force and OTA. The English question paper will consist of about 100 marks and will be objective type questions.

• General Knowledge

GK which means General Knowledge, this paper is also consists of 100 marks and will be objective type questions too. Basically this test will be done to test the candidate about the knowledge of current affairs, history, geography, scientific relation to day-to-day experiences.

• Elementary Mathematics

Now, as per the CDS exam preparations, elementary Mathematics is only included for the students who have applied for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force. However, mathematics is not included for those who have applied for Officers Training Academy (OTA). Also the elementary mathematics exam will be consist of 100 marks and the test is conducted to check the candidates ability of basic mathematics, the paper will cover topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, measurement and Basic statistics.

The most important tips for every exam is the Time Management, which will definitely help all the candidates how to solve and answer all the questions in the examination hall. It is really something that you have to plan and prepare well. Number of the candidates failed in this exam because of the wrong time management they take with themselves, having a strategy in mind will help all the candidates to solve the question paper on time. 

Although, time Management differs from person to person, but if a candidate will have a great time management they will be able to answer the questions on time.