16/06/2020
NDA- Entrance - Tips to prepare
Before you even think of applying for NDA, please do go through the details about the syllabus(Know your Enemy).
Many boys appear for the examination without preparing to face the exam
I am from Sainik School, and let me tell you how I, prepared for the entrance examination
Motivation and clearcut aim is important for success
To start with the school started motivating us right from class VI, we were given lectures by many senior officers of all the three armed forces about life in NDA and how it shaped them
I would suggest those from other schools, to request your school principal to arrange for such Motivational Visits
At least visit one of the following officers training academy to learn about the training and see for yourself the facilities offered
During class VIII we were taken to witness the IAF(Dundigal, Hyderabad) Officers' passing out parade
During Class IX we were taken to OTA (Chennai)to witness the Passing out Parade of army officers
During Class X we were taken to Indian Naval Academy (Ezhilmala, Kerala)to witness the Passing out parade
During Class XI we were taken to National Defence Academy( Khadakvasla, Pune) to witness the Passing out parade and interact with our school seniors who were undergoing training at NDA
Note: The NDA authorities permit civilians to visit on any sunday with prior permission . So do not miss this Opportunity
These visits made most of us to take the NDA exam seriously, we were told about 6 to 7 lakh candidates appear each year to face this exam, in which only about 400 make it for training at NDA
So, we learned about its difficulty and started preparing for the same from class X just after the 10th standard examination
I am an average student, so I started my preparation from class X onwards.
HOW I WENT ABOUT?
1. Collected all the original question papers from my seniors. (nowadays you can just download it from the net)
2. Started with English and Maths on a regular basis. Other subjects were revised only on Friday and Saturday.
3. I bought a Pearson Guide for NDA, Last 10 years maths solved papers and subscribed to Success Review GK Magazine
4. For maths, I took in one week (3 days of 3 hours each session was given only to prepare a chapter.
5. For English, I allotted every Wednesday. Solving old papers.
6. For all other subjects except current affairs, I relied entirely on the previous 10 years solved papers
7. Just two months prior to the actual exam, I started my preparation via internet solving timed online test
8. Every third day, along with my class students, we requested our teacher to set question papers, this we did religiously so that we could gain speed and accuracy
9. The teachers were of help, they used to discuss the problem and solve the difficult ones in the class.
10. I must have solved about 30 odd full sets of papers before I sat for the entrance exam.
Note: Since you have to get at least 40% in each subject that is covered in NDA exam, one should not neglect any subject
I succeeded in my first attempt and went on to qualify SSB, I took some coaching in school as well as Defence Academy Coimbatore
To-day I am an officer in the executive branch of the Indian Navy, and aiming to compete for MARCOS Training
Motivate yourself, write you aim clearly in Black and white and paste it in front of your study table, this will keep beckoning you to out in your best
This is Lt. S.H - Wishing you all the best