Combined Defence Services Exam (CDS) 2021 is scheduled for November 14, 2021. Anyone who wants to have an esteemed career in Indian Armed forces as a commissioned officer needs to qualify this test. The test is conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) of India.  Every candidate should aim to score the maximum marks in this exam to qualify for next level of recruitment process, the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you score maximum marks in CDS 2021:

• Carefully read and understand the instructions & question paper
  Before you start answering the questions, you should carefully read all instructions and questions in the paper. It will help you identify easy sections in the paper which you can attempt first.
• Time Management
  You get 2 hours for each paper and have to solve 100 Maths questions, 120 GK questions and 120 English questions each. Managing time during the test is critical to your success. Attempt the questions you are a sure of first. In English paper, leave the passage questions for the last. First hour gives maximum efficiency and you should make best use of it.
• Double check your answers
  Double check you answers before you commit them.
• Use method of elimination in General Knowledge paper
  There might be two correct options available, but the candidate has to choose the best one, by using the elimination method. So check all options given before you answer the question.
• Remember CDS Exam has negative marking
  Do not take negative marking lightly. At times, if a candidate has answered one right questions and given wrong answers of three, then the wrong answers will eat-up the marks of the right one. Only answer questions you are 100% sure of.
• Do not waste time in calculating number of questions attempted during the exam
  Focus on solving the paper first. If you do have time left after the solving the question paper you can utilize that to calculate the number of questions answered.

TIDES Academy wishes all candidates appearing for CDS 2021 ALL the BEST.

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TIDES Academy is a premier coaching Institute for Indian Defence Services Exams like CDS, AFCAT, TA, CAPF. We offer dedicated courses for each exam with excellent results.

The first question every candidate who clears his or her CDS/NDA/AFCAT exam is if they need SSB interview Coaching. There is not correct answer for this because there have been candidates who cleared the SSB without Coaching and then there are candidates who could not clear even with coaching. Having said that, like every other test or interview, if you know what you are going to face and go well prepared the chances of your success increase significantly.

In this article we will discuss the pros and cons of getting coached for your SSB interview. To do that we need to first understand what is the SSB interview all about.

Service Selection Board or SSB is the final test to qualify to be recruited as a commissioned officer in any of the Indian armed forces- Army, Navy or Airforce. SSB is a process where candidates are assessed for their potential and ability to become an officer. So essentially, the examiners are looking for skills like leadership, intellect, communication and attitude, in short officer like qualities.

How does SSB coaching help?

The main aim for coaching for SSB is not to provide a shortcut or a sure short formula to clear the exam but to familiarize the candidate with the whole process. SSB is a multi-stage process undertaken over few days. You have to clear the one stage to qualify for the next. Coaching explains each stage and helps you familiarize yourself with the different stages. Familiarization offers confidence. If you are aware of what you are going to encounter you are mentally prepared for it and feel more confident. Confidence is one of the key aspects which are tested during SSB.
Coaching also helps you experience the tasks like group discussions, group tasks etc. The experience helps improve your communication skills and you learn the art of expressing or projecting your qualities through – verbal expression, body language and actions. It also helps your do self-assessment and improve to improve in the areas you may lack.

Negative aspects of SSB Coaching

What you learn in coaching may not be what you will face in SSB. Candidates who may rely too much on coaching may limit their thinking. The idea of coaching is to make you learn how to find solutions and not memorize them.
Some candidates tend to give scripted or taught responses without thinking about the answers to the questions with an open mind. This goes against them because the examiner is looking for candidates who are quick thinkers and can come up with unique solutions without being shy about it.

SSB is a very competitive and comprehensive test to evaluate candidate’s psych, mental abilities, leadership qualities and communication skills to name a few. Only the best of best qualify SSB. But it is still a test. If you have it in you, coaching will help you sharpen your skills and greatly increase your chances of success.

Feel free to comment about your experience of SSB interview and what do you think about SSB coaching, did it help your or not?

Minimum qualification to attempt the NDA exam is 10+2 and the candidate should be between 16 to 19 years of age. The candidates are tested for their skills in Mathematics, General Ability and English.

Here are some tips and tricks to crack NDA Exam:

• Start preparing early; ideally one should start preparing for the exam right after passing 10th. This gives you more than enough time to prepare and have advantage over other candidates.
• Clear understanding of Exam subject, evaluation objectives and syllabus for the exam will help you prepare better. Most of the syllabus is basic and is already covered as part of your education till 10th.
• To improve English one should read newspapers, magazines and journals. This will help you keep abreast the current affairs as well as improve your English Grammar and vocabulary skills.
• Do not fail to refer to the questions from earlier exams. Old question papers will give you a clear idea of the exam structure and what to expect in the exam.
• Give as many mock tests as possible. An evaluation of mock tests will give you a fair idea of your strengths and weaknesses in different areas of subject. Mock tests will also help you attempt questions in give time.
• Do not hesitate to ask for help or join professional coaching institutes to prepare for the exam. Good coaching institutes’ help you prepare, provide evaluation as well as personal guidance to clear such exams.

Next NDA exam is scheduled for November 14, 2021. Join the best coaching for NDA at TIDES Academy. Call 9888432069 or register online. To know more about NDA written exam and coaching click here.

Thorough knowledge and understanding of the syllabus

Thorough knowledge of the syllabus for the exam is essential to understand specific areas of study before jumping into the fray. It will help you to properly plan and distribute your study time more optimally. Periodic reference to the syllabus can save your time by skipping topics which are not covered in the syllabus. It can also help you to identifying areas of study where you are comfortable and where you are not.

Make best use of all available resources

Before you begin your preparation for an exam, you must identify and procure the required study material. To stay abreast on topics of current affairs, one shoud read at least one newspaper like The Hindu or Indian Express, and a magazine  like Pratiyogita Darpan, Yojana, Kurukshetra etc. You can also make good use of electronic media – Internet, television and even radio for your preparation. A lot of information is also available in the text books of NCERT, at Press Information Bureau website, and RSTV etc. which can be accessed through internet.

The Right Preparation Strategy

Strategy is the most crucial element in Defence Examinations. The importance of defining your preparation strategy cannot be exaggerated. A realistic assessment of your abilities and potential is necessary before you decide to go for the Defence examinations (NDA/CDS/AFCAT/AC). The basic thumb- rule is that you have to compete on the basis of the strengths and minimize the relative weaknesses that you may be having.

Quality, not Quantity of study is important

The basic criteria of study should be the quality of study and not quantity. It is not the number of books, the variety of study material or the number of pages you go through but the quality of your study i.e. the relevance and the depth of knowledge which makes the difference. It is important to focus on certain key areas which are vital for study than studying all areas. Your reading must be purposeful. While distinguishing between the important and the unimportant reading material, you must keep in mind what is useful from the examination point of view.

Clarity of thought

Clarity of thoughts is important to the Defence aspirants. To understand, grasp what you study or observe and present your ideas in a relevant, meaningful, and logical sequence, you need clarity of thought. This is especially important while writing your essay, paras (for CAPF) or at the time of interview.

Preparing notes

Writing notes is very helpful in preparing for an examination, especially when you study from different sources.

While writing notes the focus should be to note information in points so that it is easier for you to remember.  Notes help you in a quick revision later.

Never make notes in a hurry. One should not make the notes when reading the information for the first time. It leads to noting down too much which may amount to simply reproduction of the given information. It is important to understand what you read before you start making the notes. Make notes in your own words and language. Write your notes in a short form preferably in points.

Revision

You should keep at least one day in week for revision. It will help you review your progress and understand if you need to change the pace of your study. Periodical analysis and consolidation of what you have studied is very important. It helps you assess your strengths and weaknesses. Without periodical stop to revise you may forget what you had learned earlier.

Mock Test

Mock tests are important exercise to conduct after completing the syllabus and its revision. When conducted in proper way, a mock test will help you familiarize yourself with real exam environment.  It will also be helpful in reviewing preparation and identifying your weak and strong areas of subject.  Mock Tests also help in assessing your ability of time management.  Tides Academy conducts frequent mock tests for all Defence Services Examinations. You can register for these mock tests.

The Right Guidance/Coaching

When starting the preparation for exams for the first time, it can be baffling. One does not know where to start and how to organize their preparation efforts. Professional coaching from a good Institute can be very helpful at this time. You should choose an institute which provides you a detailed overview of syllabus along with preparation methods and schedule frequent tests to assess your progress.

A good institute will provide you periodic assessment on your knowledge and help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. Guidance from experienced counsellors can help you choose the right path for preparation based on your individual abilities.

Group study helps

Study with a fellow or a group of friends who are also preparing for the Defence examination. Regular discussions with such friends are very helpful. This way you not only revise what you have studied but also learn many points which you might have missed. Group Study makes your study efforts more interesting and competitive. But this needs to be followed with strict discipline as group studies can be equally unproductive if not channelized properly.