Exam Pattern
CDS Exam Pattern
CDS (Combined Defence Services Examination)
The CDS exam pattern below is checked stage by stage, so one stage cannot inherit another stage's scoring rules.
Elementary Mathematics
Official 2026 pattern| Questions | 18 |
| Total marks | 18 |
| Duration | 22 minutes |
| Negative marking | 0.33 per wrong answer |
| Sections | Arithmetic, Algebra and Trigonometry, Geometry and Mensuration |
| Test | Qs | Marks | Min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 6 | 6 | — |
| Algebra and Trigonometry | 6 | 6 | — |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 6 | 6 | — |
Timing: Single composite 22-minute timer for all three sections combined: no sectional lock.
The official UPSC CDS Elementary Mathematics paper has 100 questions for 100 marks in 2 hours, each question carrying 1 mark with one-third (0.33) deducted per wrong answer. This mock is a TakeMockTest-defined shorter set: 18 questions in 22 minutes across the same syllabus areas in proportion.
Official source · checked 16 August 2026English
Official 2026 pattern| Questions | 12 |
| Total marks | 12 |
| Duration | 12 minutes |
| Negative marking | 0.33 per wrong answer |
| Sections | Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary and Comprehension |
| Test | Qs | Marks | Min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammar and Usage | 6 | 6 | — |
| Vocabulary and Comprehension | 6 | 6 | — |
Timing: Single composite 12-minute timer for both sections combined: no sectional lock.
The official UPSC CDS English paper has 120 questions for 100 marks in 2 hours (roughly 0.83 marks per correct answer), with one-third (0.33) deducted per wrong answer. This mock is a TakeMockTest-defined shorter set: 12 questions in 12 minutes across grammar, usage, vocabulary, and comprehension, scored at a clean 1 mark per question rather than the official fractional value.
Official source · checked 16 August 2026