CDS is one of the most popular competitive exams in the country. This exam allows the aspirants to be a part of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is one of the most prestigious exams in the country that takes place twice a year. CDS is conducted in three phases that include a written exam, an SSB interview, and a Medical examination.
If you are someone who is preparing for the CDS 2025 then you must have a clear picture of how to prepare for the examination. In addition to that, you should also be well-versed with the dos and don'ts that you must keep in mind on the day of the examination to excel in it. So, let's get started and have a look at how you can excel in the CDS exam.
Dos for CDS Exam
This section will help you come across the things that you need to keep in mind on the day of the examination so you can excel. Let's have a look!
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Admit card
Before leaving your home for the exam centre, you must have a clear copy of the admit card at your disposal. You can download a clear copy of the admit card from the official website.
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Locate exam centre
Make sure that you are well-versed in the location of the exam centre. This will help you locate the centre easily on the day of the examination rather than rushing which will create a situation of panic.
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Arrive early
On the day of the examination, make sure that you reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the reporting time. This will reduce the chances of any discrepancy that you can face on the day of the examination.
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Manage time effectively
Managing time effectively is very important on the day of the examination. Make sure that you distribute your time for each question in such a way that you have enough time to attempt all the questions.
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Start with easy questions
When you have the question paper in your hand, start with the easy questions first. This will not only save your time but will also boost your confidence level to tackle tricky questions in the examination.
Read More: CDS 2025 Last-Day Preparation Guide: Stay Confident & Focused
Don'ts for CDS Exam
This section will help you understand the common mistakes that you must avoid to succeed in the CDS exam. Let's have a look at it!
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Unauthorized material
On the day of the examination, make sure that you don't bring any unauthorised material into the exam hall. It includes any notebooks, books, or loose papers.
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Late entry
While coming for the examination, make sure that you are not late to the exam centre. The entry will stop 10 minutes before the exam starts so always arrive on time.
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Attempting answers
When you are attempting the answers on the OMR sheet, make sure that you don't commit any mistakes. Overwriting or leaving important details on the OMR sheet increases the chances of rejection of the OMR sheet.
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Don't panic
While attempting the CDS exam, have faith in your preparation and don't panic even if you are unable to solve one question. This will deteriorate your confidence levels for the entire examination.
How to Prepare for the CDS Exam?
This section will help you understand how you can prepare for the CDS exam and make your mark with the available opportunity. Let's get started!
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Understand the syllabus and exam pattern
To prepare for the CDS exam in the right direction, you must be well-versed with the syllabus and exam pattern. You can download the latest syllabus from the official website. Once you understand the exam pattern well, you will know in which direction you need to proceed with your preparation. This will give you a clear path on how you should prepare for the examination. You can even leverage the CDS book to understand the syllabus and exam pattern.
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Leverage the question bank
You can take assistance from the CDS question bank throughout your preparation journey. Question banks act as a great resource that will help you understand the variety of questions being asked in the examination. When you encounter the largest pool of questions, you will get a clear idea about the type of questions that can be asked from a particular topic in the examination. This will further help you understand your strengths and weaknesses based on your preparedness levels for the examination.
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Take assistance from previous year papers
CDS previous year papers will help you get a clear idea about the trends being followed in the examination. You can also use the NDA CDS sample paper books to understand the trends being followed in the examination. Apart from that, you will also understand the marking scheme and the weightage of the topics being asked in the examination. This will also help you get a clear picture of whether you are preparing in the right direction or not.
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Design a meticulous study plan
A well-designed study plan will give you a clear idea of the time that you need to dedicate to each subject so that you are holistically prepared for the examination. You can divide your time according to your strengths and weaknesses so you have ample time to cover the topics where you find difficulty. In addition to that, don't put unachievable milestones in your planner. This will affect your confidence levels and you will not be able to concentrate well for your examination.
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Practice with the mock test papers
The NDA CDS mock test paper is exclusively designed to mimic the real exam conditions. Once you are done with your preparation, you can start your practice sessions with the mock test papers. When you solve the mock test paper in a time-bound fashion, you will realise whether you are prepared enough for the examination or not. The more you practice, the better understanding you will have of the concepts learnt for the examination. In addition to that, you will gain a sense of confidence to tackle any type of question on the day of the examination.
FAQs
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Is it difficult to clear the CDS exam?
If you have prepared enough for the CDS exam, you can easily crack it. The difficulty level of the exam is based on one's preparation journey.
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Can female candidates apply for the CDS exam?
Yes, there is no restriction on female candidates for applying for the CDS exam.
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Is there any limitation on the number of attempts for the CDS exam?
No, there is no limit on the number of attempts for the CDS exam. If you meet the age limit and eligibility criteria for the exam, you can easily sit for it.
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Is there any difference between the NDA and CDS exams?
Yes, the NDA exam is for 12th pass students while the CDS exam is for graduates.
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Is the CDS exam online or offline?
The CDS written examination is conducted in an offline fashion in pen and paper format.
Final Thoughts
The CDS exam has great potential for the aspirants and can be conquered with a proper strategy and preparation. Make sure that you practice extensively and have faith in your preparation to get an edge in the extensive competition for the examination.
All the Best!
