6 Tips to Prepare for CDS 2023

Combined Defense Services (CDS) is the examination conducted by the UPSC (Union service public commission) for recruiting officer in the Indian armed forces.

Before talking about the preparation tips let’s take a look at the exam syllabus :

English

• Sentence Arrangement
• Spotting Errors Questions
• Selecting Words
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Comprehension Questions
• Ordering of Sentence
• Fill in the blanks questions
• Vocabulary Preparation

Mathematics

• Trigonometry
• Algebra
• Arithmetic
• Geometry
• Statistic
• Mensuration

General Knowledge

• Indian Constitution
• Latest Current Affairs
• Indian Economy
• Indian History
• Indian Politics
• Indian Geography
• Religions
• Indian Navy & Military
• Universities
• Banking Sector
• Sports – Awards etc.
• Books & Authors
• Taxation

According to this syllabus, here are the tips you need to focus on while preparing for CDS 2023 :

1. Prepare an Efficient Study Timetable

The syllabus you are given above needs real practice. You need to focus on the preparation giving every subject and every topic the required time.
Divide your timetable giving every subject equal time unless and until you are really weak on a particular concept or chapter. Start from the very basics. Clear your basics and then move on to the harder topics.
Focus on your NCERT textbook questions and solved examples.
Add breakpoints in between your timetable. After an hour or 2 hours of study, you can add a break of 15 to 20 minutes to spend time doing the things you love. You can play your favorite game, draw your favorite sketch, take a walk in your favorite place etc.
This will help you in keeping yourself fresh and active and you will feel less tired. This will also help you in focusing on your studies better and will help you in keep going on not feeling exhausted.

2. Develop a Habit of Exercise

Exercise is an important part of your health as well as any department for the army. Your physical health is tested in a personal interview. To qualify this you have to make yourself fit and active.
For this, an hour of exercise a day is compulsory. You can consult a dietician or can browse online about the different ways you can change your eating and drinking habits.
Drink as much water as you can. 20 litre of water a day is compulsory but remember not to drink water exactly after having a meal.
Taking the maximum amount of meal at the breakfast before 8 am in the morning. You can have oats and milk or sandwiches etc. For lunch, take a light food like chappatis with dal or sabji etc. Eat the minimum amount of food at night. You can have salad or milk.
Don’t eat too much together. Have small amounts of a meal at a regular intervals of time.

3. Take Help of the Internet

Search as many previous year question papers as you can. Solve them without looking for answers first.
With time, focus on your pace and try to finish the paper in a way you would have time to revise at the end.
Take online mock tests and try to score better every time. You can search for online study counselors and can take their help in your preparation. You can download apps that offer study materials of every chapter and even general knowledge and current affairs.
Study with a vision of improving your knowledge rather than getting passed.

Relevant Links
Best Career Alternatives after Engineering in India	Advice from Toppers that will Help you Crack JEE Main & Advanced [2023]	Best Books to Prepare for NEET 2023

4. Read and Write

Stay aware of what’s happening around you. Read newspapers, magazines etc on daily basis and watch news channels every day.
Write whatever you’re reading or watching in your own language and make short notes.
Make different notebooks for GK and other subjects. Write everything you study every day. Highlight or make your own sentences or a silly story to understand a concept or topic.
Pay attention to your communication skills. Start talking in English with your friends and family. Start watching English movies with subtitles. Talk in front of a mirror or read a newspaper aloud.
Whenever you find a new English word write it down with its meaning and your own made sentences.
Hard work is the key to success! Without hard work, nothing has been ever achieved. Though skills matter the most but without hard work you can reach nowhere. So work hard and give your best every day.
Follow the chart above and refer to the syllabus and exam pattern. Pay attention to your diet and physical health and get regular health check-ups. Eat right and drink right and study well.
Browse books which will be exact same as the prescribed syllabus and may come with previous year question papers and sample question papers.
Good luck.