Exam Pattern
NDA Exam Pattern
NDA (National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination)
The NDA exam pattern below is checked stage by stage, so one stage cannot inherit another stage's scoring rules.
Mathematics
Official 2026 pattern| Questions | 18 |
| Total marks | 45 |
| Duration | 23 minutes |
| Negative marking | 0.83 per wrong answer |
| Sections | Algebra and Trigonometry, Calculus and Vectors, Geometry, Statistics and Probability |
| Test | Qs | Marks | Min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Trigonometry | 6 | 15 | — |
| Calculus and Vectors | 6 | 15 | — |
| Geometry, Statistics and Probability | 6 | 15 | — |
Timing: Single composite 23-minute timer for all three sections combined: no sectional lock.
The official UPSC NDA Mathematics paper has 120 questions for 300 marks in 2 hours 30 minutes, each question carrying 2.5 marks with one-third (0.83) deducted per wrong answer. This mock is a TakeMockTest-defined shorter set: 18 questions in 23 minutes across the same syllabus areas in proportion.
Official source · checked 15 August 2026General Ability Test: English
Official 2026 pattern| Questions | 12 |
| Total marks | 48 |
| Duration | 12 minutes |
| Negative marking | 1.33 per wrong answer |
| Sections | Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary and Comprehension |
| Test | Qs | Marks | Min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammar and Usage | 6 | 24 | — |
| Vocabulary and Comprehension | 6 | 24 | — |
Timing: Single composite 12-minute timer for both sections combined: no sectional lock.
The official UPSC NDA General Ability Test (GAT) has 150 questions for 600 marks in 2 hours 30 minutes, split into English (50 questions, 200 marks) and General Knowledge (100 questions, 400 marks covering Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Events), each question carrying 4 marks with one-third (1.33) deducted per wrong answer. This mock covers the English portion only, a TakeMockTest-defined shorter set: 12 questions in 12 minutes across grammar, usage, vocabulary, and comprehension. General Knowledge is not covered, since it depends on science and current-affairs facts that carry higher correctness risk for self-authored content.
Official source · checked 15 August 2026