How to Prepare the General Ability Test GAT for NDA 2025: Step-by-Step Strategy
How to Prepare the General Ability Test For NDA 2025 know the preparation strategy for the exam. Candidates should start their NDA GAT preparation tips 2025 immediately for the exam scheduled on 14th September 2025.
Nigam Sharma10 Sept, 2025
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How to Prepare the General Ability Test (GAT) for NDA 2025: The General Ability Test (GAT) is a critical component of the National Defence Academy (NDA) written exam, which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). For aspirants aiming to join the Indian Army, Indian Navy, or Indian Air Force through the NDA, excelling in the GAT is essential. The GAT evaluates candidates on their knowledge of subjects like English, General Knowledge (GK), Physics, Chemistry, Geography, History, and Current Affairs. With the NDA 2 2025 Exam Date scheduled for 14th September 2025, candidates have 86 days to prepare. Follow these NDA GAT preparation tips 2025 to maximise your score.
GAT For NDA Overview
The General Ability Test (GAT) is one of the two papers in the NDA written exam, the other being the Mathematics paper. The GAT paper carries 600 marks and is divided into two sections:- Section A: English – 200 marks
- Section B: General Knowledge – 400 marks
Marking Scheme:
- English (200 marks): 50 questions
- General Knowledge (400 marks): 100 questions
Detailed GAT Syllabus For NDA 2025
The General Ability Test (GAT) for NDA 2025 is a crucial component of the entrance examination that evaluates a candidate’s overall knowledge and aptitude across a wide range of subjects. It comprises two main sections: English and General Knowledge , with the latter covering diverse topics such as Physics , Chemistry , Geography , History , Current Affairs , and more. To crack the GAT successfully, it’s essential to have a thorough understanding NDA General Ability Test syllabus 2025 and be well-prepared in each of the key areas. In this section, we will break down the detailed GAT syllabus for NDA 2025, highlighting the major topics and providing insights into how to approach them effectively.Section A: English (200 Marks)
The English section tests a candidate's proficiency in the language. The topics in English focus on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. Here’s a breakdown of the key topics:| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Comprehension | Passage-based questions where you need to extract meaning, tone, and context. |
| Spotting Errors | Identifying grammatical errors in sentences (subject-verb agreement, prepositions, etc.). |
| Synonyms/Antonyms | Understanding words and their meanings, along with opposites (antonyms) and similar meanings (synonyms). |
| Sentence Improvement | Correcting incomplete or incorrectly structured sentences. |
| Fill in the Blanks | Words or phrases are omitted in a sentence; candidates must choose the correct option. |
| Idioms & Phrases | Commonly used idioms and phrases, their meanings, and usage. |
| Para Jumbles | Rearranging jumbled sentences to form a meaningful paragraph. |
| One Word Substitutes | Replacing lengthy phrases with a single word that conveys the same meaning. |
Preparation Tips for English Section:
- Read newspapers, magazines, and novels to enhance your vocabulary.
- Practice comprehension regularly to improve reading speed and understanding.
- Solve the previous year’s NDA papers and focus on the grammar and vocabulary sections.
- Implement a NDA English & GK preparation strategy to strengthen both language and general knowledge skills.
Section B: General Knowledge (400 Marks)
This section is divided into various subtopics, each requiring specific preparation strategies. The General Knowledge section covers topics including Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Affairs, Indian Politics, Economics, and Defence & Armed Forces. A table is provided for the candidates to get an overview of the General Knowledge section-wise topics to revise for the exam preparation.| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Physics | Basic concepts like force, motion, energy, light, heat, sound, and electricity. |
| Chemistry | Topics from basic chemistry, like elements, compounds, acids, bases, and the periodic table. |
| General Science | Basic questions related to biology, the human body, the Environment, and ecology. |
| History | Ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history, major events, the freedom struggle, and important dates. |
| Geography | Physical geography (landforms, oceans, rivers) and human geography (population, resources). |
| Current Affairs | National and international events, sports, awards, recent discoveries, and political events. |
| Indian Politics | Political system, constitution, fundamental rights, duties, and major political parties. |
| Economics | Basic concepts like inflation, GDP, government policies, and economic development. |
| Defence & Armed Forces | Structure, functions, and branches of the Indian Armed Forces. |
Detailed Breakdown:
Key Areas covered from Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Geography, History, and Current Affairs are covered in the table.
| Sub-Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Physics | Laws of motion, Work, Energy, Heat and Temperature, Magnetism, Optics, and Waves. |
| Chemistry | Atomic structure, Chemical reactions, Periodic table, Acids, Bases, Salts, Organic chemistry. |
| General Science | Cell structure, Diseases and their prevention, Human anatomy, Plant and animal biology. |
| Geography | Physical features of India, Climates, Natural resources, Maps, Indian states, Agriculture. |
| History | Ancient civilizations, Indian freedom movement, British rule in India, Independence struggle. |
| Current Affairs | Sports, Politics, International relations, Science and Technology, Economy, Environment. |
How to Prepare for the GAT NDA 2025
Aspirants know that only strong memory and problem-solving skills can help them to score in the General Ability Section in the NDA exam. Around 86 days left for the exam, it's time to work smartly. There is a requirement to cover GAT topics, including English, Current Affairs, History, Economics, Geography, General Science, and Chemistry. Revision and Practice combination can improve the chances of scoring well on the paper. Stay focused on your goal to achieve a score on the General Ability Test paper.- Time Management:
- The GAT is a time-bound exam. You have 2.5 hours to complete 150 questions. Practice speed-solving by setting time limits while attempting mock tests. Take note of the strong topics to attempt those questions in the paper.
- Regular Practice:
- The more you practice, the better you’ll become at answering questions quickly and accurately. Solve as many mock papers and previous years’ questions as possible. Solve Mock Tests and Previous Year Questions to improve the exam attempt strategy for exam.
- Focused Study Plan:
- Prioritize subjects based on strengths and weaknesses using your NDA General Ability Test study plan.
- Revision:
- Revision is key to retaining information. Make concise notes of important formulas, dates, events, and definitions for quick revision in the last few weeks.
- Stay Updated:
- Keep track of the latest developments in national and international affairs. Watch news, listen to podcasts, and read articles regularly to stay informed.
- Focus on Strengths:
- Focus on subjects that you find easier while gradually working on weaker areas. For example, if you’re good at Chemistry, dedicate more time to difficult sections like History or General Knowledge.
- Take Mock Tests:
- Regularly attempt mock tests to simulate exam conditions. This will help you manage time better and assess your preparedness.
Books to Refer for NDA GAT Preparation
In this section, we will recommend a list of essential books that cover each subject in-depth, from classic reference books to NCERT textbooks, ensuring you have all the resources needed to excel in the GAT.| Subject | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| English | - Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis - High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin |
| General Knowledge | - General Knowledge 2023 by Manohar Pandey - NCERT Books (Class 6-12) - Lucent's General Knowledge |
| Physics | - Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma - NCERT Physics (Class 11 and 12) |
| Chemistry | - NCERT Chemistry (Class 11 and 12) - Physical Chemistry by P.W. Atkins |
| Geography | - Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong - NCERT Geography (Class 6-12) |
| History & Politics | - Indian History by R.S. Sharma - Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth - NCERT History (Class 6-12) |
How to Crack the General Ability Test (GAT) for NDA 2025 FAQs
What is the General Ability Test (GAT) in NDA?
The General Ability Test (GAT) is one of the two papers in the NDA exam, assessing a candidate’s proficiency in English and general knowledge across subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Geography, History, and Current Affairs.
How many marks is the GAT worth in the NDA exam?
The GAT is worth 600 marks in total—200 marks for English and 400 marks for General Knowledge.
What subjects are included in the GAT syllabus?
The GAT includes English, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, History, Current Affairs, General Science, and Indian Politics
What is the time duration for the GAT paper?
The GAT exam is 2.5 hours long (150 minutes).
Is there negative marking in the GAT?
Yes, there is a negative marking of 1/3 marks for each wrong answer.
How to prepare for NDA GAT 2025 in 86 days?
Follow a structured NDA General Ability Test study plan, focus on weak areas, revise daily, and practice mock tests.
Can I clear NDA GAT without coaching?
Yes, with a proper NDA GAT preparation tips 2025, self-study, mock tests, and a disciplined study plan, clearing is achievable.
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