CDS Preparation 2023 – Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CDS exam twice a year. The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is conducted for selecting candidates to join the armed forces as commissioned officers. Qualifying for the UPSC CDS exam requires a lot of hard work with a strategic approach.
The CDS syllabus and exam pattern are too vast and hence require smart study with some tips and tricks. In this article, we are going to discuss the best CDS preparation tips for 2023. Here we will guide you for both CDS written as well as CDS SSB interviews.
CDS Exam Pattern 2023
Table of Contents
Knowing the detailed CDS Exam Pattern is very important before initiating the CDS preparation. The candidates must not try to cover the syllabus blindly. Firstly, they should know the exam pattern, the type of questions asked, and other information about the exam whether it is the CDS written exam or the CDS SSB interview.
Here are some points to keep in mind while preparing for the CDS exam regarding the exam pattern and the marking scheme.
- Mode of Examination:Β UPSC CDS 2023Β will be conducted inΒ offline mode, which means the candidates must fill the provided OMR sheet using aΒ black ball pen.
- Type of Questions: The question paper has Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), which means each question will come with choices, and candidates will have to select the right one.
- Total Marks:Β Each section contains 100 marks and since IMA, INA, and AFA have three subjects the total marks for them are 300. OTA contains only 2 sections, so the maximum marks for Officerβs Training Academy are 200.
- Time duration:Β The total time duration for each section is 2 hours.
- Negative Marking:Β Each question in the CDS Written Exam carriesΒ 1 mark. There will be aΒ negative marking of 1/3Β for every wrong answer.
CDS Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA
There are different entries in the CDS exam. The CDS exam Pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA is provided in the table below.
| Subjects | Number of Questions / Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
| English | 120 / 100 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 / 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge (GK) | 120 / 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 340 / 300 | 6 hours |
CDS Exam Pattern for OTA
The CDS exam pattern for the Officers Training Academy or the OTA is provided in the table below:
| Subjects | Number of Questions / Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
| English | 120 / 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge (GK) | 120 / 100 | 2 hours |
| Total | 240 / 200 | 4 hours |
CDS Exam Preparation 2023
CDS Exam preparation includes the preparation of both CDS written exam and the CDS SSB Interview.Β Most of the candidates are able to clear the CDS written exam but are unable to clear the SSB interview. Here we will be guiding you about both CDS written plus CDS interviews.
Tips for Written Test
Different strategies need to be followed for both written, and SSB. While the medical has no strategy you need to fulfill the physical and medical requirements provided by the academy.
Time Management is the Key
It is worth noting that the questions asked in the CDS exam are not very difficult but calculative. They usually consume more time than should actually be given while solving such questions.
It is important to manage your time during the test. Allocate your time according to the weightage of a particular question.
Clear your Concepts
Another important tip that will help you crack the CDS exam is working on your basic concepts. Stop memorizing things and try to learn the logic or reason behind a particular concept or theory.
When you memorize things, you might skip them while writing the exam but if you have cleared your concept, it will be forever. This does not apply to your mathematics formulas, which you will have to learn by heart.
Practice with Previous Year’s papers
Previous year’s question papers are crucial. If you have solved past 5 to 10 years of previous year papers then the chances are you can easily clear the CDS written exam and most of your CDS exam preparation is done.
Mock Test
Then comes the mock test. You can prepare from any books or study material but do practice with MKC Mock test for best results. As we have jotted down some of the frequently asked questions in the CDS exam. All India Mock tests help you analyze your performance and improve your preparation.
Mathematics Tips and Tricks
Now comes the most important part. Practising maths problems. The candidates often simply learn the formula and do not practice enough which consumes time while solving the questions in exams.
It is suggested to avoid using conventional methods of solving maths problems. Instead, learn the tips and tricks to solve the questions quickly and save time. There are no marks for steps performed while solving questions. Hence it is suggested to learn the tricks.
Tips for CDS Exam Preparation – SSB Interview
CDS SSB preparation requires a completely different mindset and strategy. Services Selection Board Interview is not a test of your academics but it is the test of your personality. It is designed in such a way that no one can clear the SSB by merely learning or practicing things. But you need to have a personality that has all the Officer Like Qualities (OLQs).
The assessors in the SSB interview are highly experienced and have had interaction with a number of candidates in the previous years. The CDS SSB comprises 5 stages. It is a 5-day interview and they are as follows:
| Dates | Events |
| Day 1 | Reporting, Filling out forms, Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT) |
| Day 2 | Psychological Test- TAT (Thematic Appreciation Test), WAT (Word Association Test), and SRT (Situation Reaction Test). SD (Self-Description) |
| Day 3 | Group Tasks – The candidates have to prove their physical as well as mental capabilities required for becoming officers. Also, Officer-like-Qualities (OLQs) are judged on the basis of these tasks. The tasks allotted to candidates include Group Discussion, Military Planning Exercise, Progressive Group Task, Group Obstacle Race, Half Group Task |
| Day 4 | Individual Obstacle Task (IoT), Command Task, Final Group Task (FGT), Personal Interview, and Individual Lecturette |
| Day 5 | Conference and Document Verification |
CDS 1 2023 Notification, Exam Date, Syllabus – Click to Know More
CDS SSB Interview
The best strategy to clear the CDS SSB is provided below:
Understand the CDS SSB pattern
First of all, the candidates need to understand the different stages involved in the SSB interview. Then prepare accordingly for the SSB interview. It is a 5-day process that involves the test of physical as well as mental abilities.
The best and sure shot method of preparing for the CDS SSB interview is to enroll in Major Kalshi Classes SSB Interview Preparation for all-around personality development. We also provide spoken English classes which are quite beneficial for Hindi medium students.
Don’t Try to Copy Someone Else
When it comes to SSB you can’t copy one’s personality. You need to have an identity of your own and develop those Officer Like Qualities (OLQs). The SSB interview has the situation reaction tests where the candidate has to answer his course of action during different situations.
Then comes the GTO tasks. The Group Testing Officer provides you with various tasks like the Half Group task, Group Obstacles, and Individual Obstacles. Here your physical fitness is tested.
Stay Updated with Daily Current Affairs
Read current affairs on daily basis. Staying in touch with what’s going on in the world will help you prepare for the general awareness and general knowledge questions altogether.
The best way to prepare for current affairs is to read newspapers daily. Also, make notes for quick revision at the time of examination.
Know Everything About your Native Place
The candidates are suggested to make in-depth research about the past and present of their hometown, birthplace, and other places that they have stayed. It could be asked in the SSB Panel Interview.
You should also have sound knowledge of academics and educational background.
Also Read:
Best Books for CDS Preparation 2023
Regarding CDS preparation, candidates cannot find complete and authentic study material but at MKC, we provide the best books for CDS preparation. Here is the list of subject-wise CDS books. You can simply click on the books and buy them from our website.
| CDS Elementary Mathematics |
| CDS Objective General English |
| CDS History |
| CDS Indian Polity & Constitution |
| CDS Geography |
| CDS Economics |
| CDS General Science |
CDS Coaching in Allahabad
Major Kalshi Classes is the best CDS coaching in Allahabad. It has its own authentic study material by MKC Publication. Other than the best study material MKC also has the most experienced faculty.
We offer the facility of doubt-solving counters, where teachers are always available to clear your doubts. As MKC is the best CDS coaching in Prayagraj, it offers the facility of medical checkups. So, that one is confident of clearing the SSB Medical Examination.
Related Links:
Best CDS Coaching in India
Major Kalshi Classes are not only restricted to Allahabad. It is the Best CDS coaching in India that provides best-in-class infrastructure and facilities to its students during their preparation. Below we have provided some of the exclusive features of MKC. Regular motivational sessions are also provided by Saurabh Sir during the tenure.
MKC Offline Classroom Course Unique Features:
- βTrend Analysisβ based unique βTeaching PlanβΒ
- Most experienced faculty of MKC,Β
- Doubt Counter facilityΒ
- Spoken English Classes,Β
- Physical Training Sessions at Malviya Stadium,
- MEDICAL CHECK-UP AT MKHΒ
- Best Study Material by MKC PublicationΒ
- Weekly and Monthly Testing SystemΒ
- Special Current Affairs SessionsΒ
- Sunday Extra ClassesΒ
- Best SSB Interview guidance by Retired OfficersΒ
- Fully Equipped GTO GroundΒ
- Huge Computer LabΒ
- Comfortable Hostel & Mess for Nutritious foodΒ
