Crack NDA 2020: Score Higher In English Section In 6 Simple Steps

Updated Tue, 11 Aug 2020 11:11 AM IST

Source: Safalta

NDA is a national level exam held every year in the country. About 6 lakhs of aspirants appear for NDA exam every year.
The NDA exam is processed at two stages a) Written Paper b) SBB. The written exams has two papers one is Mathematics (120 questions, total 300 marks) and the other is General Ability Test (150 questions, total 600 marks) followed by the SSB round (total 900 marks). NDA is a good career option if you want to protect your motherland and guard it’s dignity.

Let us talk about English Section in the NDA paper. This section contains 50 questions. The questions are basically from grammar and vocabulary knowledge. These 50 questions carry a weightage of total 200 marks. Each question carries 4 marks. This section is indeed very important as English is one of the prominent languages. Here, are some simple and easy steps which help you score better in English Section of the paper.

1. Go through the previous year’s  question papers:
This is a very basic step yet very important. This will help you to know what kinds of questions usually come. It will help you to know about your strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, It will help you improve your writing practice. Keep your focus on the grammar section. Try to get your figures of speeches perfect. Try solving one question paper in a day and record your timings. This will help you improve your speed. Moreover, it will help you give an overview of the questions patterns. 

2. Take mock tests:
Taking mock tests before examinations always helps you to feel less pressurized and gain confidence. These practice tests will  help in self evaluation. You will be able to analyse different types of questions. They will also help to build your confidence. Mock Tests are a great help for performance improvement. You can learn new ways to answer questions by giving mock tests. It will reduce your stress when you will appear for the exam, as you will be more composed and relaxed. 

3. Improve your Vocabulary: You can improve your vocabulary by learning new words daily. Keep a target of learning 10 new words daily. You should use these words in your speaking so that you don’t forget them easily. Try to find the synonyms and antonyms of the words. Reading habits really help in increasing vocabulary. Read good books and novels, mark new words which are unfamiliar to you.

4. Work on the Grammar part:
You should learn the basics of English grammar. There are different rules in English Grammar. You should approach effective grammar books and resources for study. You should be well versed with topics such as Noun, Pronoun, Determiners, Gerund, Verb, Tenses and Active Passive etc. There many such questions in the paper which have relevance with the Grammar topics. Apart from that you should know how write letters (Formal letter, Informal letter and letter to editors), reports  and speeches. You should know the writing format of the above mentioned things.  

5. English Newspaper Reading: 
Make the habit of reading an English newspaper daily. When you will read an English Newspaper you will come across many new words, phrases and idioms. Do not get intimidated if you did not understand many words. Go according to your level and choose your pace. Some might be very good in English while some may not. You can learn accordingly. Go step by step. Reading newspapers will also help in keeping you well updated. Try to converse in English as much as you can. It will improve your communication skills which will further help in the SSB.

6. Dealing with negative marking: 
To score well in english paper of NDA its essential to learn to deal with the negative marking of questions and for that the candidate needs to practise the old question papers. Apart from studying for the paper and preparing for it, the you should try to take calculative risk in the paper. The candidate should try to go for the answers for which he/she is about 60% sure. This can help the candidate to score more in subject like english.