How to Prepare for NDA in 120 Days (Easy & Practical Guide)

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

Many students clear NDA even with 3–4 months of preparation because:

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

1. Mathematics

• Focus on high-scoring chapters:
  Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus

• Keep practicing formulas

• Solve PYQs — they repeat a lot

2. English

• Improve vocabulary daily

• Practice spotting errors

• Read small articles for comprehension

3. 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.