The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams for students who aspire to join the Indian Armed Forces. The NDA exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and consists of a written exam followed by an SSB interview. Lets know How to Avoid Negative Marking in NDA Exam.
How to Avoid Negative Marking in NDA Exam
The written exam consists of two papers – Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The Mathematics paper has a maximum score of 300, while the GAT paper has a maximum score of 600. Both papers have negative marking, which means that for every wrong answer, a certain number of marks are deducted. In this article, we will discuss how to avoid negative marking in the NDA exam.
- Be thorough with the syllabus: The first and foremost thing that a candidate needs to do is to be thorough with the syllabus of the NDA exam. The syllabus is available on the UPSC website, and candidates must go through it carefully to ensure that they do not miss out on any topic. Being thorough with the syllabus will help candidates to avoid negative marking due to lack of knowledge.
- Practice previous year question papers: Practicing previous year question papers is an excellent way to prepare for the NDA exam. It helps candidates to understand the exam pattern, the type of questions asked, and the level of difficulty. It also helps candidates to identify their weak areas and work on them. Practicing previous year question papers will also help candidates to avoid negative marking as they will be familiar with the pattern and the type of questions asked.
- Manage time effectively: Time management is a critical aspect of the NDA exam. Candidates must manage their time effectively to ensure that they attempt all the questions within the stipulated time. They should also ensure that they do not spend too much time on any particular question, as this can lead to negative marking due to unanswered questions.
- Read the instructions carefully: Candidates must read the instructions for each question carefully before attempting it. This will help them to understand the question better and avoid negative marking due to misinterpretation.
- Attempt easy questions first: Candidates should attempt the easy questions first and then move on to the difficult ones. This will help them to gain confidence and avoid negative marking due to silly mistakes.
- Use the elimination method: If a candidate is unsure about a particular question, they should use the elimination method to arrive at the correct answer. This involves eliminating the options that are obviously incorrect, which will increase the chances of arriving at the correct answer and avoid negative marking.
- Avoid guesswork: While attempting the NDA exam, candidates must avoid guesswork as it can lead to negative marking. It is better to leave a question unanswered if the candidate is not sure about the answer.
- Maintain accuracy: While attempting the NDA exam, candidates must maintain accuracy. They should double-check their answers before marking them in the answer sheet to avoid negative marking due to silly mistakes.
- Focus on time management during the exam: Candidates must manage their time effectively during the exam. They should divide their time equally between the two papers and ensure that they complete the exam within the given time frame.
- Stay calm and focused: Candidates must stay calm and focused during the NDA exam. They should not panic if they are unable to answer a question and should move on to the next question. Staying calm and focused will help them to avoid negative marking due to nervousness or anxiety.
- Revise the answers: Candidates must revise their answers before submitting the answer sheet. This will help them to identify any mistakes and rectify them, thus avoiding negative marking.
- Seek guidance from experts: Candidates can seek guidance from experts or coaching institutes to prepare for the NDA exam. This will help them to understand the exam pattern, the type of questions asked, and the level of difficulty, thus increasing their chances of avoiding negative marking.
NDA exam is a highly competitive exam, and candidates need to prepare well to avoid negative marking. By being thorough with the syllabus, practicing previous year question papers, managing time effectively, reading the instructions carefully, attempting easy questions first, and using the elimination method, candidates can increase their chances of scoring well and achieving their dream of joining the Indian Armed Forces.
