NDA (National Defence Academy Exam (UPSC)) — Free Online Mock Test
Two papers: Mathematics 120 Q (2.5h, 300 marks) + GAT 150 Q (2.5h, 600 marks). GAT covers English, GK (history/polity/geography), physics, chemistry, current affairs. · Official language: English & Hindi.
NDA exam at a glance
NDA full-length mock tests
Attempt 50 full-length NDA mock tests, each a distinct question set built on the real 270-question, 300-minute pattern — with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first 3 are free.
See all 50 NDA mock tests →NDA key facts & eligibility
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC); training at the National Defence Academy. |
|---|---|
| Official website | upsc.gov.in ↗ |
| Mode | A written examination (Mathematics + General Ability Test) followed by the five-day SSB Interview, then medical. |
| Frequency | Twice a year (NDA I and NDA II). |
| Scoring & marking | Written: Mathematics 300 marks + General Ability Test 600 marks = 900 marks, with negative marking. The SSB Interview carries a further 900 marks, so the two stages are weighted equally (1800 total). |
| Score validity | Applies to that examination cycle only. |
| Language | English and Hindi. |
Who is eligible for NDA?
Unmarried candidates who have passed or are appearing for Class 12 (Physics and Mathematics are required for the Air Force, Navy and Naval Academy). Both men and women are eligible (women since 2021). The age band is roughly 16½ to 19½ years.
Last verified July 2026 against UPSC — official website. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.
NDA section breakdown
The NDA 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.
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Paper 1 — Mathematics (120 Q)
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Paper 2 — General Ability Test (150 Q)
NDA scoring & marking scheme
Strategy: NDA penalises wrong answers (-0.83 per mistake). Skip a question if you cannot eliminate at least 2 options — guessing blindly hurts your scaled score more than blanking.
Scale: NDA (out of 900).
How NDA is conducted
- Mode
- Test format
- Backtracking
- Mark for review
NDA time strategy
With 270 questions in 300 minutes, you have about 67 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:
- Paper 1 — Mathematics (120 Q)
- Paper 2 — General Ability Test (150 Q)
Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.
NDA topics covered
Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of NDA, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):
Paper 1 — Mathematics (120 Q)
- NDA-Math — Trigonometry · 20
- NDA-Math — Calculus — Derivatives · 12
- Quant — Profit & Loss · 8
- Quant — Ratio & Proportion · 7
- Quant — Average · 7
- Quant — Time & Work · 7
- Quant — Speed & Distance · 7
- Quant — Interest · 7
Paper 2 — General Ability Test (150 Q)
- Indian History · 14
- Indian Geography · 14
- Chemistry — Fundamentals · 10
- English — One-word Substitution · 8
- Chemistry · 8
- Grammar · 7
- English — Antonyms · 7
- English — Idioms & Phrases · 7
NDA difficulty calibration
Advanced tier. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep.
Two papers: Mathematics 120 Q (2.5h, 300 marks) + GAT 150 Q (2.5h, 600 marks). GAT covers English, GK (history/polity/geography), physics, chemistry, current affairs. · Official language: English & Hindi.
Verified content — Wrexa Edge's NDA bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).
How Wrexa Edge prepares you for NDA
- Real test-day interface
- 50 distinct variants
- Detailed analytics
- Spaced repetition (Notebook)
- Optional proctoring
- Free to start
Expert take: what NDA really tests
The NDA exam is only half the battle — the written test (Mathematics + General Ability) is followed by the five-day SSB interview, which carries equal weight. A strong written score with a weak SSB still means no selection.
Preparation tips
- Build a strong Mathematics base (it carries the most marks) and a wide General Ability net across English and GK.
- Prepare for the SSB from day one — officer-like qualities, the psychology tests and GTO tasks cannot be crammed in a week.
- Keep physical fitness up throughout; the SSB and training demand it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Focusing only on the written exam and treating the SSB as an afterthought — the two are weighted together.
- Neglecting English in the General Ability Test, which is a reliable, high-scoring section.
NDA 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.
- Build a strong Mathematics base — it carries the single largest written weight
- Cast a wide net across the General Ability Test (English + General Knowledge)
- Attempt topic questions right after each area to lock retention
- Solve NDA previous-year papers, section by section
- Begin SSB preparation early — officer-like qualities, psychology and GTO tasks
- Keep physical fitness up throughout for the SSB and training
- Take full-length written mocks under real timing and negative marking
- Deepen SSB preparation with mock interviews and group tasks
- Revise weak areas from your error log before the exam
Where NDA can take you
A strong NDA result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:
- Officer — Indian Army
- Officer — Indian Navy
- Officer — Indian Air Force
- Long leadership career
Best books & official prep for NDA
- Study Package MATHEMATICS for NDA & NA — Arihant
- Pathfinder for NDA & NA — Arihant
- NCERT textbooks (Science & Social Science) — NCERT
- Lucent’s General Knowledge — Lucent
Official practice: UPSC publishes previous years’ NDA papers on upsc.gov.in; the SSB cannot be crammed — build officer-like qualities, psychology and GTO readiness over time.
Previous-year papers: All past NDA written papers are officially available on upsc.gov.in and are essential practice.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the NDA exam pattern?
- National Defence Academy Exam (UPSC) contains 270 questions across 2 sections: Paper 1 — Mathematics (120 Q), Paper 2 — General Ability Test (150 Q). Total duration is 300 minutes (about 67 seconds per question).
- Does NDA have negative marking?
- Yes — NDA carries negative marking of -0.83 per wrong answer and 2.5 per correct answer. Skipping is safer than guessing blindly.
- How is NDA scored?
- Scaled score range: 0 to 900. NDA (out of 900).
- How can I practise NDA online for free?
- Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length NDA 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 NDA?
- NDA is rated Advanced difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep. Two papers: Mathematics 120 Q (2.5h, 300 marks) + GAT 150 Q (2.5h, 600 marks). GAT covers English, GK (history/polity/geography), physics, chemistry, current affairs. · Official language: English & Hindi.
- How long is the NDA exam?
- NDA runs for 300 minutes total across 2 sections. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including no inter-section breaks.
- What topics are covered in NDA?
- NDA is split into: Paper 1 — Mathematics (120 Q), Paper 2 — General Ability Test (150 Q). Each section is timed and weighted separately. Two papers: Mathematics 120 Q (2.5h, 300 marks) + GAT 150 Q (2.5h, 600 marks). GAT covers English, GK (history/polity/geography), physics, chemistry, current affairs. · Official language: English & Hindi.
- What tools or aids are allowed during NDA?
- No special tools are required.
- Is the NDA test adaptive?
- No — NDA is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
- How many NDA mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?
- Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct NDA variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 3 free for everyone and 47 more with Pro. That's 13500 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.
- Is there a free NDA test series 2026?
- Yes. The Wrexa Edge NDA 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 NDA previous year question–style papers included?
- Every NDA mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 270-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.
- Which is the best free NDA mock test online?
- Wrexa Edge's NDA 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 NDA mock test on mobile?
- Yes. NDA 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 NDA syllabus?
- The NDA syllabus maps to its 2 sections: Paper 1 — Mathematics (120 Q), Paper 2 — General Ability Test (150 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 NDA?
- Unmarried candidates who have passed or are appearing for Class 12 (Physics and Mathematics are required for the Air Force, Navy and Naval Academy). Both men and women are eligible (women since 2021). The age band is roughly 16½ to 19½ years. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic NDA practice: 3 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
- When is the NDA exam and how should I prepare?
- Official NDA 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 NDA mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.
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