The NDA ( National Defence Academy ) is an exam that many students dream of cracking to enter the Indian Armed Forces. Among the two papers in NDA- Mathematics and General Ability Test, Mathematics paper is considered to be a game-changer. The NDA Maths paper has 120 questions with 2.5 marks each, so the paper will be of 300 marks, and scoring 120+ marks can be a big advantage to clearing the written exam and reaching the SSB stage.
This blog will give you an end-to-end roadmap to get 120+ in NDA Maths in terms of strategy, daily planning, concept clarity, mock tests, and how to use the NDA PYQ book, NDA previous year paper, and the best book to prepare for the NDA. So let us begin.
NDA Maths Exam Pattern Overview
Understanding the paper structure is the first step toward scoring high.
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Total Questions |
120 |
|
Marks per Question |
2.5 |
|
Negative Marking |
-0.83 per wrong answer |
|
Total Marks |
300 |
|
Duration |
2.5 Hours |
|
Minimum Marks to Qualify |
~90-100 (varies by year) |
|
Target Score |
120+ |
Why Aim for 120+ Marks in NDA Maths?
A lot of candidates are only interested in passing the cutoff, however, trying to get 120+ has certain benefits:
• It recompenses in case you fail in the GAT paper.
• The greater the score the better your competitive advantage in the final merit list.
• It enhances confidence and improves the probability of SSB recommendation.
Understanding the NDA Maths Syllabus in Depth
NDA Maths covers almost every concept from Classes 11 and 12. Here’s a syllabus breakdown to help you prioritize.
|
Topics |
Approx. No. of Questions |
Importance Level |
|
Algebra |
20–25 |
Very High |
|
Trigonometry |
15–20 |
High |
|
Matrices and Determinants |
10–12 |
Moderate |
|
Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D) |
10–15 |
High |
|
Differential Calculus |
8–10 |
Moderate |
|
Integral Calculus |
8–10 |
Moderate |
|
Vector Algebra |
5–8 |
Moderate |
|
Statistics and Probability |
8–10 |
Moderate |
|
Complex Numbers & Quadratic Eq. |
4–5 |
Low |
|
Miscellaneous |
5–8 |
Low |
Strategy to Score 120+ in NDA Maths – Step-by-Step Guide
Master the NCERT Base First
The NDA paper is conceptually aligned with NCERT Mathematics of Class 11 and 12. Build strong fundamentals before jumping into high-level problem-solving.
Topic-Wise Planning (Concept + Practice)
Divide your syllabus over 2 months if you're just starting or 1 month if you're in revision mode. Focus on one topic at a time and practice rigorously.
|
Week |
Topics to Cover |
Focus Area |
|
1 |
Algebra, Quadratic Equations, Complex Nos. |
Concept + PYQs |
|
2 |
Trigonometry Basics + Identities |
Speed + Accuracy |
|
3 |
Matrices, Determinants |
Shortcut Tricks |
|
4 |
2D Geometry, Coordinate Geometry |
Visualization + Accuracy |
|
5 |
Differentiation, Functions |
Concept Strengthening |
|
6 |
Integration, Application of Integrals |
Formula-based Speed |
|
7 |
Probability, Statistics |
Easy Scoring Topics |
|
8 |
Vectors, 3D Geometry, Final Revision |
Formula Review + Tests |
Solve NDA PYQs Like a Pro
The most important aspect in NDA Maths preparation is solving past year questions. It assists in:
• The trends and difficulty of questions
• Improvement of accuracy and time management
• Getting confidence through solving actual exam questions
Also, ensure that you practice questions in the NDA PYQ book and NDA previous years papers regularly.
🟩 Tip: Set a timer and try to solve past papers in actual exam conditions.
🧪 Importance of Mock Tests and Analysis
Regular practice with full-length mock tests is non-negotiable.
|
Test Type |
Frequency |
Purpose |
|
Full-Length Mock Test |
1 every week |
Real-time practice + Strategy refining |
|
Topic-wise Test |
3-4 per week |
Deep dive into weak areas |
|
Speed Tests |
10 questions daily |
Mental math + Concept application |
After every mock test:
-
Analyze your wrong answers
-
Revisit the concepts you got wrong
-
Maintain an error log
Include NDA online free test sessions in your schedule to benchmark yourself against real-time competition.
Tricks to Improve Calculation Speed
To attempt 120 questions in 2.5 hours, you need speed. Here’s how you can improve:
-
Practice 30 mins daily of mental maths
-
Use Vedic Maths techniques for simplification
-
Memorize squares, cubes, and tables up to 30
-
Focus on accuracy over random guesswork
Read More: Who Can Give the NDA Exam in 2026?
Smart Time Allocation During Exam
Here's a suggested approach for time management in the exam:
|
Time Slot |
Strategy |
|
First 30 mins |
Solve easiest questions (Trigo, Algebra) |
|
Next 60 mins |
Move to medium-level (Geometry, Calculus) |
|
Last 60 mins |
Attempt tricky/lengthy questions with caution |
|
Final 10 mins |
Review marked questions or skipped ones |
Attempt around 55–60 questions accurately to score 120+.
Error Analysis & Revision Strategy
Even after practicing, most students don’t improve because they skip error analysis. Make a notebook with the following:
|
Section |
What to Note |
|
Mistake Type |
Concept error, calculation, or silly |
|
Correct Method |
Step-by-step solution |
|
Formula Used |
Important shortcut or identity |
Revise this notebook every 3 days and before every mock test.
📅 Daily Study Plan (For Working/School Students)
|
Time Slot |
Task |
|
6:00 – 7:00 AM |
Revise formulas + Previous Day Errors |
|
7:00 – 8:00 PM |
Topic-wise Practice (with timer) |
|
8:00 – 9:00 PM |
Solve NDA PYQ book/Mock test |
|
Weekend |
2 Full-Length Mocks + Revision |
Consistency is key here. Even 2 focused hours daily can help you achieve the 120+ mark goal.
Top Focus Areas: What to Master?
-
Trigonometry Identities & Height-Distance
-
Algebraic Identities & Equations
-
2D Geometry Formulas
-
Derivatives & Integration Basics
-
Probability and Statistics Formulae
-
Matrices & Determinants Shortcuts
All of these appear regularly in the NDA previous year paper and are key scoring areas.
Psychological Strategy – Stay Calm & Confident
The NDA Maths paper can look lengthy and intimidating, but:
-
Don’t panic after seeing unfamiliar questions
-
Trust your preparation – even 50–55 correct answers can fetch 120+ marks
-
Don’t waste time on any one question for more than 2 minutes
Final Tips: Unlock Your 120+ Score
-
Practice from the NDA maths book daily and maintain consistency.
-
Take an NDA online free test every week to simulate exam pressure.
-
Use an error log and revision notebook to improve each test cycle.
-
Avoid random guessing to minimize negative markings.
-
Build strong basics through NCERT before advancing to mock solving.
-
During the exam, attempt your strongest sections first.
Conclusion
Getting 120+ in NDA Maths is not a far-fetched dream; it is just a matter of smart preparation and regular practice. You do not have to study day in and day out, but you have to study smart, plan well, and most importantly, practice the NDA previous year paper sets regularly.
Combine disciplined study, regular mock testing, and topic-wise revision from the best book for NDA and NDA maths book, and you’re well on your way to acing the NDA Maths paper and clearing the written exam confidently.
Let your preparation be your strategy, and your strategy be your success.
