The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is one of the most prestigious defence entrance examinations in India. It opens the gateway for young aspirants to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as officers immediately after Class 12. Conducted by the UPSC twice every year, NDA is known for its high difficulty level, strong competition, and the need for both conceptual clarity and strong personality skills.

Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for NDA, but only a few qualify the written exam and make it to the SSB interview stage. Cracking the NDA written exam on the first attempt is not an easy task - but with the right guidance, consistency, discipline, and strategy, students can achieve this goal.

In this blog, you will learn:

What NDA exam is
Why Centurion Defence Academy is the best NDA coaching in Lucknow
Complete strategy to crack the NDA written exam on the first attempt
Topper-recommended tips
Mistakes to avoid
Roadmap for NDA 2026 aspirants

Let’s begin.

What is an NDA? A Brief Overview

The National Defence Academy is India’s tri-services academy where cadets of the Army, Navy, and Air Force train together before going to their respective military academies. To join NDA, aspirants must clear:

Written Examination
SSB Interview (5-Day Selection Process)
Medical Examination

The written exam has two papers:

1. Mathematics – 300 Marks

Covers Class 11–12 concepts, including Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics, Vectors, and Mensuration.

2. GAT (General Ability Test) – 600 Marks

Includes:

English
General Knowledge
Physics
Chemistry
History
Geography
Current Affairs

Total marks = 900, and the qualifying nature of SSB makes the final recommended candidates even fewer.

This is why structured coaching, disciplined practice, and expert mentorship play a big role in NDA preparation.

Best NDA Coaching in Lucknow – Why Centurion Defence Academy Leads

Lucknow is a major hub for defence coaching, but one academy stands out — Centurion Defence Academy (CDA).

Centurion Defence Academy is widely known for:

Highest NDA selections every year
Best NDA written + SSB integrated program
Ex-Defence Officers as mentors
GTO ground with real obstacles
India’s most advanced digital learning platform – Centurion Digital App

Why CDA is the Best NDA Coaching in Lucknow

Highest Selections in NDA 2024–2025
Special NDA Foundation + NDA Regular Batches
Daily English, GAT, Maths & Science classes
SSB Interview training under ex-GTOs & psychologists
Full-length mock tests & personalised feedback
Hybrid learning (Offline + Online)
Complete support for medical standards & physical fitness

CDA's strategy is simple - prepare for NDA Written + SSB together, because the end goal is not just clearing the written exam, but getting recommended at SSB and becoming an officer.

How to Crack NDA Written Exam in First Attempt – Complete Strategy

To clear NDA on the first attempt, follow this structured approach:

1. Build Strong Basics – Mathematics & English Are the Backbone

Most toppers admit that the NDA written exam is cleared not by reading too much, but by reading correctly.
Maths requires clarity of logic and formulas, while English helps score high in GAT.

For Maths:

Revise NCERT Class 11 & 12 thoroughly
Make a formula notebook
Practice 40–50 questions daily
Focus on Trigonometry, Calculus & Algebra (highest weightage)
Solve past 10-year papers

For English:

Learn 10 new vocabulary words daily
Practice comprehension passages
Improve grammar (tenses, voices, prepositions)
Read editorials to build understanding

2. GAT Needs Daily Study – Don’t Leave It for the Last Moment

GAT carries 320+ marks, making it the most scoring part.

Focus areas:

GK (Static + Current)
Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Geography (Indian & World)
History & Polity

Read daily current affairs and NDA-specific GK notes.

3. Practice Mock Tests Religiously

Mock tests are the real game-changer.
Toppers recommend 2–3 mock tests per week.

This helps you:

Identify weak areas
Improve time-management
Boost accuracy
Build exam temperament

Centurion Defence Academy provides:

Weekly mock tests
Full syllabus tests
Previous year question analysis
All India Rank (AIR) evaluation

4. Solve Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs)

Toppers always say that PYQs are the blueprint of success.

When you solve old papers:

You understand the pattern
You get the actual difficulty level
You learn time management

At least 10–12 past papers should be solved before the exam.

5. Start SSB Preparation Early

Many students make the mistake of preparing only for the written exam.
But NDA is not just about clearing the written — it's about becoming an officer, which requires passing the SSB Interview.

Centurion Defence Academy prepares students for:

Psychology Tests (TAT, SRT, WAT)
GTO Tasks (Group Discussions, PGT, HGT, Individual Obstacles)
Personal Interview

Early SSB training boosts confidence and reduces overall selection pressure.

Toppers’ Tips to Crack NDA Written in First Attempt

These tips are inspired by NDA toppers whose reviews and interviews you can watch on the Centurion Defence Academy YouTube Channel.

Topper Tip 1: “Consistency is Everything”

Daily 3–4 hours of disciplined study is much better than studying 10 hours once a week.

Topper Tip 2: “Maths decides your selection”

Focus deeply on Maths. A high score in Maths increases your merit chances.

Topper Tip 3: “Make NDA-specific notes”

Avoid reading too many books. Prepare from NDA-oriented material only.

Topper Tip 4: “Mock tests are not optional — they are compulsory”

Every topper solved at least 25–30 mock tests before the exam.

Topper Tip 5: “Stay connected with defence motivation”

Watch interviews of recommended candidates on Centurion’s YouTube channel — they keep you inspired and focused.

Topper Tip 6: “Control negative marking”

Attempt only what you are sure about.
Unnecessary guessing ruins marks.

Topper Tip 7: “Physical fitness matters”

NDA cadets require high stamina.
Start running 2–3 km daily.

5-Month NDA Written Study Plan (Suggested by CDA Faculty)

Months 1–2:

Complete Maths & English basics
Start GK & Science chapters
Daily vocabulary practice

Months 3–4:

Full syllabus coverage
Weekly mock tests
Daily revision

Month 5:

Mock test marathon
Speed improvement
Final revision
Start SSB guidance

This plan is proven by multiple selected candidates.

Common Mistakes NDA Aspirants Should Avoid

Studying too many books
Not practising maths regularly
Ignoring English & GK
Relying only on YouTube
Not giving mock tests
Studying without a timetable
No early SSB awareness

Avoid these mistakes if you want to clear the first attempt.

Why Choose Centurion Defence Academy for NDA 2026 Preparation?

Centurion provides the most structured NDA preparation environment in India.

1. Best NDA Classroom Coaching (Lucknow & Dehradun)

With subject experts, doubt counters, personalized mentorship.

2. Best NDA Online Coaching – Centurion Digital App

Complete NDA course with:

Recorded + Live Classes
PDFs + Notes
Daily Quizzes
Mock Tests
SSB Training Modules

3. NDA Written + SSB Integrated Course

Unique in India - prepare for both stages together.

4. Highest Selection Rate in NDA 2024–2025

CDA has produced the largest number of recommendations.

5. Full-Time Mentors (Psychologists, Interviewing Officers, GTOs)

Real SSB experience under real officers.

Final Words: You CAN Crack NDA on the First Attempt

Cracking NDA in the first attempt is not about being the smartest student — it's about being the most consistent, disciplined, and well-guided student.

If you follow:

Right strategy
Daily study routine
Mock tests
SSB early preparation

…you can definitely make it to the elite uniformed services.

Joining the best NDA coaching in Lucknow – Centurion Defence Academy can give you the right path, motivation, and mentorship to turn your dream into reality.

How to Crack NDA Written Exam in First Attempt | Best NDA Coaching in Lucknow