The NDA exam in English is very important for your total score. Most of the aspirants pay utmost attention to Mathematics and General Knowledge, and ignoring English may prove to be very expensive. It is not at all impossible to get 150+ in NDA English with the right strategy, regular practice, and correct knowledge of the exam pattern. In this comprehensive tutorial, we will discuss all that you need to know, including the syllabus comprehension and time management, to enable you to achieve your aim.
Why is English important in the NDA Exam?
The General Ability Test (GAT) in the written test of NDA has a total of 600 marks, whereby the English sub-test has 200 marks. This implies that English is the only one-third of the GAT paper. A high score in this section not only improves your overall score, but also gives you a good likelihood of passing the cut-off without breaking a sweat.
Lots of toppers suggest studying English as seriously as Mathematics. As the topic is predictable and practice mostly depends on practice, your preparation can make a big difference in your marks in a relatively short duration of time.
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NDA English Exam Pattern at a Glance
Section |
Marks |
Number of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
English in GAT |
200 |
50 |
Moderate to High |
Mathematics |
300 |
120 |
High |
General Knowledge |
400 |
100 |
Moderate |
In the English portion, questions are usually divided into topics like Vocabulary, Grammar, Comprehension, and Usage.
What is the Syllabus for NDA English?
The English section mainly assesses your command of grammar, vocabulary, reading skills, and writing style. Based on previous years’ analysis, the syllabus includes:
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Spotting Errors – Identify grammatical mistakes in a sentence.
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Synonyms & Antonyms – Improve vocabulary.
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Idioms & Phrases – Test your knowledge of common expressions.
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Fill in the Blanks – Vocabulary and grammar application.
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Ordering of Words & Sentences – Logical arrangement skills.
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Comprehension Passages – Reading and understanding.
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Cloze Test – Fill missing words in a passage.
The most reliable way to understand the pattern is to solve questions from an NDA previous year solved paper book. This gives you an accurate idea of recurring topics and the exam’s difficulty level.
How to Prepare for NDA English to Score 150+?
Scoring 150 in English requires a balanced strategy – you need both accuracy and speed. Here’s a step-by-step preparation plan:
1. Strengthen Grammar First
The English section depends on grammar. Almost 40 percent of the questions are based on topics such as tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, and articles. Studying grammar rules in a regular English book to NDA will help you minimize mistakes in error spotting, sentence improvement, and fill-in-the-blanks questions.
2. Build a Strong Vocabulary
Questions like synonyms, antonyms, and idioms are easy marks as long as you have a good word bank. You will be able to improve your vocabulary by reading newspapers, magazines, and editorials on a daily basis. You may also create a personal word list and update it once a week.
3. Practice Comprehension Daily
Passages in NDA English are not overly difficult, but time-consuming. The trick is to read the questions first, then skim the passage. This helps you locate answers faster and improves your accuracy.
4. Use Past Papers for Real Practice
Solving at least the last 10 years’ questions from an NDA previous year solved paper book gives you an exact idea of the types of questions and helps you spot patterns. Repeating these exercises multiple times builds confidence.
5. Mock Tests for Speed & Accuracy
Practicing full-length mock tests improves time management. It also trains you to handle pressure during the real exam.
Topic-Wise Weightage in NDA English
Topic |
Approx. Questions |
Marks |
Spotting Errors |
10–12 |
40–48 |
Synonyms/Antonyms |
6–8 |
24–32 |
Idioms & Phrases |
5–6 |
20–24 |
Fill in the Blanks |
8–10 |
32–40 |
Ordering of Words/Sentences |
6–8 |
24–32 |
Comprehension |
6–8 |
24–32 |
Cloze Test |
5–6 |
20–24 |
By analyzing the table, you can see which areas to focus on for maximum returns.
How Many Months Are Enough to Prepare for NDA English?
In case you already possess a good background in English, then 3 to 4 months of intensive study will suffice to get a good score. But, it is perfect to take 6 months in the case of students who are learning with zero knowledge. This is sufficient to cover grammar concepts, practice vocabulary, and take several mock tests.
Is it Possible to get 150+ in NDA English Without Coaching?
Sure, you can. It can be done with the right NDA books, self-discipline and studying past papers. Most of the toppers have studied independently, using a combination of self-prepared notes, common sources, and intensive practice.
Daily Preparation Schedule for NDA English
Time |
Activity |
1 Hour |
Grammar Practice (Rules + Exercises) |
30 min |
Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms) |
30 min |
Reading Comprehension |
30 min |
Cloze Test & Sentence Arrangement |
30 min |
Practice from NDA previous year solved paper book |
1 Hour |
Mock Test / Revision |
Following this schedule consistently can significantly boost your score.
Which Section Should I Attempt First in NDA English?
Most of the aspirants like to begin with vocabulary and grammar questions because they are less time-consuming and develop confidence. It is possible to do comprehension passages later because they are time-consuming. But in case reading is your strength, you can begin with passages to get easy marks.
Importance of Revision and Analysis
It is not sufficient to solve questions, but you have to examine your errors. Write a notebook of frequent grammar mistakes and words that you miss. Repeating such on a regular basis will avoid making the same mistakes.
Integrating General Knowledge with English Prep
While English is separate from GK in the NDA exam, improving your general awareness indirectly helps in comprehension and sentence arrangement questions. Reading from a GK book for NDA can improve your contextual understanding and sentence framing skills.
What is the Passing Mark for NDA English?
There is no fixed sectional cut-off announced officially, but based on past trends, candidates should aim for at least 100–120 marks in English to stay on the safe side. However, if your goal is 150+, you must maintain 85–90% accuracy in all attempted questions. Remember that every wrong answer deducts 1/3rd of the marks, so blind guessing is risky.
Balancing English with Other NDA Subjects
Many aspirants make the mistake of focusing solely on Mathematics or GK and treating English as a secondary subject. This approach often leads to missed opportunities for easy marks. The English section is predictable – mastering it allows you to dedicate more mental energy to the tougher sections. If you manage your time well, you can prepare English alongside your other subjects without any compromise.
Smart Guesswork in NDA English
While negative marking exists, you can still make educated guesses by eliminating obviously wrong options. This technique works best in vocabulary and idiom-based questions. Practicing from an English book for NDA can train you to identify tricky options and improve your elimination skills.
Tracking Progress
Maintain a monthly progress chart. Record your mock test results and record improvements. Refreshing the old errors will help them not to come back in the exam. Use NDA books which give explanation as well as answer keys, and solve in a book of previous year NDA solved papers regularly to monitor progress.
Your target of scoring 150+ in NDA English is completely feasible with regular practice, strategic planning, and intelligent practice with a GK book to improve overall awareness. Make English a scoring subject and ensure that it is the basis on which you can get your NDA selection.
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Final Tips to Score 150+ in NDA English
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Start early and stay consistent.
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Dedicate at least 2 hours daily to English preparation.
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Read newspapers and editorials to improve comprehension and vocabulary.
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Revise grammar rules weekly.
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Solve papers from an English book for NDA and analyze your performance.
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Use the NDA books you have efficiently – don’t just collect them.
Conclusion
Scoring 150+ in NDA English is not about cramming but about consistent practice, strong fundamentals, and smart time management.. If you go through the above strategies, practice using an NDA last year solved paper book, and develop a strong grammar and vocabulary foundation, then you will find it very easy to get your target score. Keep this in mind, English is one subject you can get almost perfect marks in with practice so make it your strong point and you are bound to succeed in the NDA exam.