Preparing for the NDA exam in 120 days may seem tough, but it is completely possible with a smart plan. You don’t need long hours of study – you need the right direction, discipline, and daily practice.
This blog will guide you step-by-step on how to finish the NDA syllabus and be exam-ready in 4 months.
⭐ Why 120 Days Are Enough
The NDA exam pattern is predictable
- PYQs repeat many concepts
- NCERTs cover 60–70% of the syllabus
- Daily 5–6 hours of focused study is enough
- If you follow a proper plan, 120 days = enough time.
🔥 120 Days NDA Preparation Plan
We will divide the plan into 4 phases, each of 30 days.
📅 Phase 1: Days 1–30 — Build Your Basics
In the first month, your main goal is to understand basics.
Mathematics
Start from NCERT Class 9 & 10
Cover simple and scoring topics:
Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration
- Solve 20–30 questions daily
- Make a formula notebook
GAT (English + GS)
- English
- Learn 10 new words daily
- Practice grammar basics
- Do reading comprehension once a week
- GS
Start with the most important subjects:
- Polity
- History (Modern India)
- Geography (Maps + Climate)
- Science basics
👉 Goal: Clear basics + finish 35–40% syllabus.
📅 Phase 2: Days 31-60 – Increase Speed & Practice
Now your basics are ready. This month you start heavy practice.
Mathematics
Move to difficult topics:
Calculus, Matrices, Determinants, Vectors
- Practice 40–50 questions daily
- Start solving previous year questions (PYQs)
- GAT
- English
- Complete all grammar rules
- Practice Error Spotting, Fillers, Synonyms/Antonyms
- GS
- Physics (motion, light, electricity)
- Chemistry (basic reactions)
- Biology (human body)
- Daily current affairs (10 minutes only)
👉 Goal: 70% of syllabus completed.
📅 Phase 3: Days 61-90 – Full Syllabus + Weekly Tests
This is your revision + completion phase.
Mathematics
- Complete remaining chapters
- Give 1 Maths test every week
- Revise formulas daily
GAT
- Revise all GS topics
- Practice English full-length exercises
- Give 2–3 GAT mock tests per week
👉 Goal: Syllabus 100% + strong revision.
📅 Phase 4: Days 91-120 – Mock Tests & Final Revision
This is the most important month.
Daily Routine
- 2–3 hours Maths
- 1–2 hours GAT
- 1 hour revision/mock tests
What to focus on
- Solve 1 full mock test every day
- Revise only the important chapters
- Do not start anything new
- Try to improve speed and accuracy
👉 Goal: Exam confidence + full preparation.
🎯 Subject-wise Simple Strategy
- Mathematics
- Focus on high-scoring chapters:
Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus
- Keep practicing formulas
- Solve PYQs — they repeat a lot
- English
- Improve vocabulary daily
- Practice spotting errors
- Read small articles for comprehension
- General Studies
- Polity (very important)
- History (freedom struggle)
- Geography (maps & basics)
- Physics + Chemistry fundamentals
- Biology basics
- Current affairs (last 6 months)
- 📚 Best Books for NDA (Simple List)
- NCERT 9–12 (Maths & Science)
- Pathfinder for NDA
- Previous Year Papers Book
🏆 Final Tips for 120-Day Success
- Stick to a fixed routine
- Avoid distractions
- Solve maximum mock tests
- Revise formulas daily
- Focus on important chapters
- Stay consistent – consistency beats intelligence
- With the right mindset and daily effort, you can definitely clear NDA in 120 days.
