NDA GAT Preparation Tips 2025: The GAT section carries the maximum weightage in NDA exam. To ace this section, candidates must prepare by solving the previous years' question papers and mock tests. Candidates must also refer to good books to clear the concept of the topics given in NDA GAT syllabus 2025. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for UPSC NDA General Ability Test.
How to Prepare for UPSC NDA GAT?
NDA GAT Preparation Tips 2025: The GAT section of NDA carries questions from English, Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events. As the section carries the maximum weightage, candidates need to prepare this paper well. The best way to prepare for NDA GAT section is to solve the previous years' question papers and attempt mock tests. For the General Awareness section, candidates must read the newspapers regularly to stay updated with Current Affairs. For English section, candidates must have a good command on Grammar and Vocabulary. Given below are a few tips and tricks for NDA General Ability Test.
How to Prepare for NDA General Ability Test?
The General Ability Test section of NDA carries a total of 150 questions. The total marks for the test are 600. For the correct answer in this section, candidates will score four marks while 1.33 marks will be deducted for wrong answers. Check below NDA preparation tips for GAT.
Preparation tips for English
This section carries 200 marks. A total of 50 questions will be asked in the English section. NDA syllabus for this subject covers Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary and Comprehension. Reading Comprehension is the area where candidates can score more marks. Candidates should be acquainted with Synonyms and Antonyms. Read newspapers daily to improve your Vocabulary.
Also Read: NDA Books
Preparation Tips for General Knowledge
This section comprises 400 marks. It covers subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, and Current Affairs. As this section carries the maximum weightage, candidates must focus on this subject. Here are the topic-wise tips for this section.
NDA Preparation Tips for Physics
Candidates must focus on Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks. Try to figure out the expected questions based on previous years’ NDA question papers. The most important topics in physics are Ohm's law, simple electrical circuits, use of X-rays, simple pendulum, hydrometer, microscope and elementary ideas of work.
NDA Preparation Tips for Chemistry
This section is much easier if candidates have a strong command of the basic concepts. Candidates must know about all the laws of Chemical combination. They should study the properties of Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Carbon di Oxide. Be familiar with the structure of Atoms, Molecular Weights, etc.
NDA Preparation Tips for Biology
In this subject, candidates must focus on Life Cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues. Candidates might also get questions on Diet and Energy sources for humans. Be strong with topics such as growth and reproduction in plants and animals.
NDA Preparation Tips for History & Freedom Movement
The syllabus for this subject is vast. The NCERT books can help candidates ace this section.
NDA Preparation Tips for Geography
This section tests candidates' knowledge of physical, social, and economic Geography. Be thorough with the Atlas, India’s Climate, Mineral Sources, Important Sea Ports, etc.
NDA Preparation Tips for Current Affairs
To get a good score, candidates must be thorough with all the important events in India and World. They must know famous personalities, Cultural Activities, Sports, etc. To improve Current Affairs, reading the newspaper daily will help candidates to deal with this section.
Also Read: NDA Exam Pattern
Commonly asked questions
NDA exam is highly competitive. Candidates can crack the exam with proper preparation and practice.
NDA Exam comprises two papers-English and Hindi. Total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB Interview. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks.
To clear the NDA exam, you generally need to score between 340 to 360 out of 900 marks. NDA cut off for written exam is calculated out of 900. NDA cut off for final selection is calculated out of 1800. NDA cut off is calculated based on difficulty level of the exam, number of test takers, number of vacancies.
UPSC releases the list of test cities along with the notification. Candidates are required to choose one test city as per their preferences while filling the application form. One test city can have multiple exam centres. The details regarding the NDA exam centres are mentioned on the admit card. Candidates need to appear for the exam at the allotted test centre or else their answer scripts are not evaluated. While appearing for the exam, candidates need to carry the printed copy of their admit cards along with one photo-identity proof to the allotted NDA exam centre.
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
20 May '26
31 May '26
9 Jun '26
RRB NTPC
21 Jun '26
19 Jul '26
22 Aug '26 - 23 Aug '26
31 Jul '26 - 30 Sep '26
30 Sep '26
6 Oct '26 - 5 Nov '26
NDA GAT Paper: Distribution of Questions
The distribution of questions in GAT paper is given below.
| Sections | Maximum marks | |
|---|---|---|
| Part A - English |
200 |
|
| Part B - General Knowledge |
Physics |
100 |
| Chemistry |
60 |
|
| General Science |
40 |
|
| History, Freedom Movement, etc. |
80 |
|
| Geography |
80 |
|
| Current Events |
40 |
|
| Total |
600 |
|
Read More: NDA preparation tips for Maths
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 weeks ago
To know the specific venue in Vijayawada, candidate need to check the admit card released by the UPSC. It has been allotted via first-come, first-served basis during the filling out of the application form.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 weeks ago
The NDA 1 2026 notification was released by the UPSC on December 10 at upsc.gov.in. Along with the notification, the application process started. The last date to apply was December 30, 2025.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
The UPSC conducted the NDA 1 exam on April 12, 2026. The official provisional answer key released on the official portal at upsc.gov.in. Candidates can download the answer key PDF for all sets from this page as well.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The NDA 1 admit card was released at upsc.gov.in. Candidates can download their e-hall ticket. The NDA 1 exam is scheduled to be conducted on April 12, 2026.
K
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The Commission will release the NDA 2 notification 2026 on the official portal at upsc.gov.in. It will be issued on May 20, 2026. The last date to apply for NDA 2 will be June 9, 2026.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The Commission released the NDA 1 notification 2026 on December 10. Along with the notification, the application process was started. The last date to fill the application form online was December 30.
K
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The Mathematics syllabus of NDA written exam consists of Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Statistics and Probability that is all base on 10+2 level.
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The NDA final merit list is prepared based on the cumulative marks of both written exam (900) and SSB interview (900) which totals at 1800 marks.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
In the written exam of NDA, Maths paper has 120 questions and the General Ability Test has 150 questions. Therefore, total questions asked are 270.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
The total marks for the NDA exam is 1800 that is 900 for written exam and 900 for SSB interview. A score between 400 to 500 is considered secure in the written exam to get into the final merit list. Also, candidates need to pass in each subject minimum of 25% marks. There is no sectional-cut off.
S
Contributor-Level 7