Does CDS have negative marking?

Yes — CDS carries negative marking of -0.33 per wrong answer and 1 per correct answer. Skipping is safer than guessing blindly.

Scaled score range: 0 to 340. CDS (out of 340).

How can I practise CDS online for free?

Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length CDS mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 47 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.

How long is the CDS exam?

CDS runs for 360 minutes total across 3 sections. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including no inter-section breaks.

What topics are covered in CDS?

CDS is split into: English (120 Q), General Knowledge (120 Q), Elementary Mathematics (100 Q). Each section is timed and weighted separately. Three 2-hour papers · English 120 + GK 120 (polity/history/geography/CA/science) + Elementary Math 100. UPSC twice a year. · Official language: English & Hindi.

Is the CDS test adaptive?

No — CDS is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.

How many CDS mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?

Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct CDS variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 3 free for everyone and 47 more with Pro. That's 17000 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.

Is there a free CDS test series 2026?

Yes. The Wrexa Edge CDS test series for 2026 gives you 3 free full-length mock tests (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.

Are CDS previous year question–style papers included?

Every CDS mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 340-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.

Which is the best free CDS mock test online?

Wrexa Edge's CDS mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and negative marking, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.

Can I take the CDS mock test on mobile?

Yes. CDS mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.

What is the CDS syllabus?

The CDS syllabus maps to its 3 sections: English (120 Q), General Knowledge (120 Q), Elementary Mathematics (100 Q). Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.

When is the CDS exam and how should I prepare?

Official CDS exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free CDS mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.

CDS (Combined Defence Services Exam (UPSC)) — Free Online Mock Test

Three 2-hour papers · English 120 + GK 120 (polity/history/geography/CA/science) + Elementary Math 100. UPSC twice a year. · Official language: English & Hindi.

Advanced India Government & Civil Service 340 questions 360 min 50 distinct variants

Start free practice test → CDS syllabus & pattern → Practise the Defence SSB — Personal Interview mock interview →

CDS exam at a glance

340

Questions

360

Minutes total

Sections

Variants

CDS full-length mock tests

Attempt 50 full-length CDS mock tests, each a distinct question set built on the real 340-question, 360-minute pattern — with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first 3 are free.

CDS Mock Test 01Free

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 02Free

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 03Free

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 04Pro

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 05Pro

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 06Pro

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 07Pro

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 08Pro

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 09Pro

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 10Pro

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 11Pro

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

CDS Mock Test 12Pro

340 Qs · 340 marks · 360 min

See all 50 CDS mock tests →

CDS key facts & eligibility

CDS at a glance — verified exam facts
Conducting body	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC); training at the IMA, INA, AFA or OTA.
Official website	upsc.gov.in ↗
Mode	A written examination followed by the SSB Interview, then medical examination.
Frequency	Twice a year (CDS I and CDS II).
Scoring & marking	For IMA/INA/AFA the written exam is three papers — English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics; for OTA it is English and General Knowledge only, with negative marking. The SSB Interview carries marks equal to the written exam.
Score validity	Applies to that examination cycle only.
Language	English and Hindi (General Knowledge & Mathematics).

Who is eligible for CDS?

A graduate degree, with academy-specific requirements (Engineering, or Physics & Maths, for the technical academies). Candidates are generally unmarried and roughly 20–24 (up to 25 for some academies); women are eligible for the OTA. The exact age window depends on the academy.

Last verified July 2026 against UPSC — official website. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.

CDS section breakdown

The CDS mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. No inter-section breaks — the timer runs continuously.

English (120 Q)

120 questions · 120 minutes · ~60 sec/question
General Knowledge (120 Q)

120 questions · 120 minutes · ~60 sec/question
Elementary Mathematics (100 Q)

100 questions · 120 minutes · ~72 sec/question

CDS scoring & marking scheme

Per correct answer

-0.33

Per wrong answer

Per blank / skipped

0–340

Scaled score range

Strategy: CDS penalises wrong answers (-0.33 per mistake). Skip a question if you cannot eliminate at least 2 options — guessing blindly hurts your scaled score more than blanking.

Scale: CDS (out of 340).

How CDS is conducted

Mode
Standard — practice without proctoring on Wrexa Edge, or enable optional webcam proctoring to simulate test-day conditions.
Test format
Linear / fixed-form — every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
Backtracking
Allowed — you can revisit and change answers within a section.
Mark for review
Available — flag tough questions and return to them before submitting the section.

CDS time strategy

With 340 questions in 360 minutes, you have about 64 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:

English (120 Q)
Target ~60 sec/question. If a question takes more than 90 seconds, mark for review and move on.
General Knowledge (120 Q)
Target ~60 sec/question. If a question takes more than 90 seconds, mark for review and move on.
Elementary Mathematics (100 Q)
Target ~72 sec/question. If a question takes more than 108 seconds, mark for review and move on.

Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.

CDS topics covered

Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of CDS, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):

English (120 Q)

English — Grammar · 17
English — One-word Substitution · 16
English — Antonyms · 15
English — Idioms & Phrases · 14
English — Spelling · 12
English — Synonyms · 11
Grammar · 7
English — Cloze · 6

General Knowledge (120 Q)

Indian History · 18
Indian Polity · 15
Indian Geography · 15
Current Affairs 2023-2025 · 15
General Knowledge · 11
Banking & Economy · 8
Science & Technology 2023-2025 · 8
Geography · 6

Elementary Mathematics (100 Q)

NDA-Math — Trigonometry · 20
Quant — Profit & Loss · 8
Quant — Ratio & Proportion · 7
Quant — Average · 7
Quant — Time & Work · 7
Geometry · 6
Mensuration · 6
Algebra · 5

CDS difficulty calibration

Advanced tier. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep.

Three 2-hour papers · English 120 + GK 120 (polity/history/geography/CA/science) + Elementary Math 100. UPSC twice a year. · Official language: English & Hindi.

Verified content — Wrexa Edge's CDS bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).

How Wrexa Edge prepares you for CDS

Real test-day interface
Our nta skin mirrors the actual CDS testing software — same timer, palette, tools, and navigation.
50 distinct variants
17000 unique practice questions, each variant a fresh test — not just shuffled options.
Detailed analytics
Scaled score, section accuracy, topic-wise heatmap, time-per-question — see where to focus after every attempt.
Spaced repetition (Notebook)
Wrong answers and flagged questions flow into an SM-2 spaced-repetition deck so you actually retain what you learn.
Optional proctoring
Browser-based face-api detection (no install) — turn it on to simulate a high-stakes environment.
Free to start
No credit card. Sign up, pick a variant, and your first CDS mock starts in under a minute.

Expert take: what CDS really tests

CDS is the gateway to the IMA, INA, AFA and OTA — and the syllabus you need depends on the academy you target (OTA does not require Mathematics). The written exam is followed by the SSB interview, which weighs as much as the written score.

Preparation tips

Match your preparation to your target academy — Elementary Mathematics matters for IMA/INA/AFA but not for OTA.
Strengthen English and General Knowledge; they are common to all academies and reliably scoring.
Start SSB preparation early — officer-like qualities and the GTO/psychology tests cannot be rushed.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using a one-size-fits-all plan instead of tailoring to the academy (and its Maths requirement).
Treating the SSB as secondary when it carries equal weight in the merit list.

CDS study plan

A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.

1 Phase 1 — Academy-matched base Months 1–3

Tailor your plan to the target academy — Elementary Maths matters for IMA/INA/AFA, not OTA
Strengthen English and General Knowledge, common to all academies
Make short notes and revise them frequently

2 Phase 2 — PYQs + start SSB Months 4–6

Solve CDS previous-year papers under real timing
Begin SSB preparation early — it carries marks equal to the written exam
Keep an error log and fix recurring gaps

3 Phase 3 — Mocks + SSB Months 7–9

Take full written mocks and analyse accuracy under negative marking
Deepen SSB preparation with mock interviews and GTO tasks
Revise weak areas before the exam

Where CDS can take you

A strong CDS result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:

Officer — Indian Military Academy
Graduate-entry commission into the Army via the IMA.
Officer — Indian Naval Academy
Officer roles in the Navy for candidates with the required degrees.
Officer — Air Force Academy
Air Force commission for eligible graduates who clear the SSB.
Officer — Officers Training Academy
Short-service commission, and the route open to women candidates.

Best books & official prep for CDS

Pathfinder CDS — Arihant
End-to-end coverage of English, GK and Elementary Mathematics.
Quantitative Aptitude — R. S. Aggarwal
For the Elementary Mathematics paper (not required for OTA).
Objective General English — S. P. Bakshi
Lucent’s General Knowledge — Lucent

Official practice: UPSC archives previous CDS papers on upsc.gov.in; pair written practice with early, sustained SSB preparation.

Previous-year papers: Past CDS papers are officially available on upsc.gov.in.

Frequently asked questions

What is the CDS exam pattern?: Combined Defence Services Exam (UPSC) contains 340 questions across 3 sections: English (120 Q), General Knowledge (120 Q), Elementary Mathematics (100 Q). Total duration is 360 minutes (about 64 seconds per question).
Does CDS have negative marking?: Yes — CDS carries negative marking of -0.33 per wrong answer and 1 per correct answer. Skipping is safer than guessing blindly.
How is CDS scored?: Scaled score range: 0 to 340. CDS (out of 340).
How can I practise CDS online for free?: Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length CDS mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 47 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.
What is the difficulty level of CDS?: CDS is rated Advanced difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep. Three 2-hour papers · English 120 + GK 120 (polity/history/geography/CA/science) + Elementary Math 100. UPSC twice a year. · Official language: English & Hindi.
How long is the CDS exam?: CDS runs for 360 minutes total across 3 sections. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including no inter-section breaks.
What topics are covered in CDS?: CDS is split into: English (120 Q), General Knowledge (120 Q), Elementary Mathematics (100 Q). Each section is timed and weighted separately. Three 2-hour papers · English 120 + GK 120 (polity/history/geography/CA/science) + Elementary Math 100. UPSC twice a year. · Official language: English & Hindi.
What tools or aids are allowed during CDS?: No special tools are required.
Is the CDS test adaptive?: No — CDS is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
How many CDS mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?: Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct CDS variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 3 free for everyone and 47 more with Pro. That's 17000 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.
Is there a free CDS test series 2026?: Yes. The Wrexa Edge CDS test series for 2026 gives you 3 free full-length mock tests (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.
Are CDS previous year question–style papers included?: Every CDS mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 340-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.
Which is the best free CDS mock test online?: Wrexa Edge's CDS mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and negative marking, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.
Can I take the CDS mock test on mobile?: Yes. CDS mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.
What is the CDS syllabus?: The CDS syllabus maps to its 3 sections: English (120 Q), General Knowledge (120 Q), Elementary Mathematics (100 Q). Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.
What is the eligibility for CDS?: A graduate degree, with academy-specific requirements (Engineering, or Physics & Maths, for the technical academies). Candidates are generally unmarried and roughly 20–24 (up to 25 for some academies); women are eligible for the OTA. The exact age window depends on the academy. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic CDS practice: 3 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
When is the CDS exam and how should I prepare?: Official CDS exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free CDS mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.

Related exams & practice tests

Candidates preparing for CDS also practise these on Wrexa Edge:

Browse more: All Government & Civil Service exams → · All India exams → · Full exam catalog →

Ready to ace CDS?

Join thousands of candidates practising on Wrexa Edge. Free signup, 50 variants per exam, instant scoring.

Start practising free →