CDS Preparation Tips with Study Plan - How to prepare English, Gk & Maths | UPSC CDS IMA OTA INA AFA

CDS Paper includes 3 subjects- General knowledge, English and Elementary Mathematics. All papers have 100 marks with a time duration of 02 hours. For admission to IMA, INA, and AFA the paper contains 3 subjects and for OTA courses, you will have to face only two subjects with 200 marks.

Key Points

• – The CDS exam has negative marking scheme. For every wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks allotted to a question will be deducted from the total marks.
• – The exam is conducted in offline mode (Pen & Paper-based).
• – Only objective type questions (MCQs) are asked for the CDS exam.

• CDS exam pattern for INA, IMA, AFA aspirants is tabulated below:

  Subjects	Max. Marks	Time Duration
  English	100	2 hours
  Elementary  Mathematics	100	2 hours
  General Knowledge (GK)	100	2 hours
  Total	300	6 hours

   CDS exam pattern for OTA aspirants is tabulated below:

  Subjects	Maximum Marks	Time Duration
  English	100	2 hours
  General Knowledge (GK)	100	2 hours
  Total	200	4 hours

  
  

• How to Prepare English for CDS Exam?

• To prepare for English, you should develop the habit of reading. you can improve your reading habit via many sources like English Newspapers, Magazines, Notes, books etc. and also enhance your English writing, English speaking, and English listening habits. Make new words lists on a daily basis and try to use it in many sentences. Also, you may join English speaking classes too.

• Set Proper Time management for all grammar and vocabulary sections. Give more time to weak sections.

• Try some English online test for an exact idea of CDS English paper. Also, check and try to solve UPSC CDS Last Year English question papers.

• Divide all sections and prepare them all one by one.

• Buy some CDS English preparation books to clear the concept and follow these (above) CDS preparation tips to score well.

How to Prepare General Knowledge (GK) for CDS Exam

• Read Newspapers on a daily basis. This habit increases your overall General knowledge. Also, grab some magazines and notes that cover various topics ranging from economy to business to trade policies to the latest awardees in the fields of sports, art, literature etc.

• Buy CDS GK Preparation Books as it helps you to check previous years and upcoming expected major topics questions.

• Do more practice with Online GK test for CDS Exam via CDS mock test, CDS speed test, and CDS practice papers.

How to Prepare Mathematics for CDS Exam?

• Make a list of important formulas, theorems, and tips. Check some of the Geometry formulas for Circle, Rectangle, Square, tangents etc. Speed Distance and Time-related questions, Math Formula For Area & surface area, Math Formula For Volume, Maths Formulas Of Number System etc to prepare for CDS.

• Practice more and more to get success in maths. Try more questions to solve.

• Learn Maths important formulas and write down all in one place for last-minute preparation.

• Try CDS Maths online test for practice and check UPSC CDS solved papers for getting an exact idea for your performance and calculation behind the question.

Jai Hind!