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CDS General Knowledge paper is one of the toughest paper across all the defence entries. The UPSC paper of 100 Marks has a cut off of 25 and still only 2-3% of total applicants clear this paper
Why is that CDS General Knowledge paper is so difficult and candidates struggle to get 25 Marks or 30 correct questions
One is that General Knowledge is not a defined syllabus and can contain everything from History, Geography, Politics, Biology, chemistry, Physics, Economics, defence, current events and general facts on places, personalities, organisations.
Also, questions can be asked from the farthest extent of each of these subjects. Further, negative marking makes it even more difficult. There is no fixed weightage of these sections and hence you may see more questions from certain section in one exam while less of the same section in another CDS exam.
Unlike the English and Mathematics papers, this paper presents questions in statement form for example, it gives multiple statements and asks the candidate to identify the correct ones.
How to do CDS General knowledge Preparation?
No matter which guide you are referring to, you have to realise that you have to re write them down on your own for better memorisation but the lesser and more relevant notes you focus on, better for your memory and easier to recall during examination
It is recommended to study Smart and practice as much as you can. When saying study smart lets take an example by taking the topic of “Indus Valley Civilisation”
You can learn many things about Indus Valley civilisation such as who was the founder and in which year was this discovered? But will they ask it in your exam? You are not doing PHD in these subjects. Your aim is to know everything important for CDS exam so that you clear your written.
What was the cremation system during the civilisation? Their symbol? The crops grown? Do you know these answers?
This is how smart notes should be!
You can answer any question on Indus Valley Civilisation ever asked in UPSC through these smart notes and covered in barely 2 pages. Is that not amazing? You should cover each and every topic in this way. Then, read key facts and statements related to each topic. If you feel you need to know more about a specific topic, you can do your own external research. All this should be in your notes, rewriting all this will make sure you memorise them in excellent manner
Get certain Indian and world outline Maps and practice mapping places, events and important things as humans remember image better than words.
Now, if you see you will not only map the places of Indus Valley civilisation but also remember the rivers and their sequence. Many times, examiners have asked questions in the form of a statement for example, stating that River A is to the east or west of River B.
Recommended Study Material for CDS General Knowledge Paper
Therefore, it’s best to follow a guide that has already saved you time for this, allowing you to only focus on rewriting, practicing, and recalling for confident preparation. I’m going to refer you this book called Mission CDS, comprehensive guide meticulously crafted for the CDSE (Combined Defence Service Entrance Examination). It covers English, General Knowledge & Mathematics.
If you are preparing for CDS OTA then you can refer CDS OTA Guide. The only difference between the two is that CDS OTA does not contain mathematics syllabus
How to revise General Knowledge?
Now, comes the practicing of MCQs during your preparation. While you can refer previous year papers for this but if you want to go a step further then go through 5000+ Most expected MCQs. This book includes questions not just from CDS but from across the different UPSC examination, so in a way you are not only covering CDS previous year general knowledge questions but questions that have been asked in general knowledge papers of various other examination.
There is a high possibility that you will get many direct questions from this book. Above all, this book gives you a solid revision with practice questions and detailed explanations to strengthen your preparation
Lastly, when you are done with revision, it is the time to test yourself in actual condition. Practice solving 10 papers each of CDS English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics using OMR sheets and a timer. Simulating exam conditions will boost your confidence and improve time management on the actual exam day.
The questions in these sample mock test papers have been carefully selected by the experts. This is in every sense the actual definition of Mock Test. You can know more about the OMR Countdown here
If you are preparing only for CDS OTA then you can refer CDS OTA Countdown that includes 10 General knowledge, 10 English UPSC style papers with 20 OMR Sheets. Solution to these papers are also available at the end. These are available on Amazon and Flipkart
Start right! Start Smart. Best wishes for your CDS Exam
