If you are preparing for NDA, CDS, or AFCAT, there is one truth that every serious aspirant eventually realizes:
PYQs (Previous Year Questions) are the real syllabus.
At The Lakshya Academy, we have seen toppers, average students, and even repeat candidates crack defence exams by mastering PYQs—not by blindly covering endless books.
In this blog, we’ll break down why PYQs matter more than anything else, how they shape your preparation, and how you should use them smartly to boost your score.
What Are PYQs?
PYQs (Previous Year Questions) are the actual questions asked in past NDA, CDS, and AFCAT exams. They reveal:
- Exam trend
- Question difficulty level
- Topic weightage
- Repeated concepts
- Unlike coaching notes or random practice sets, PYQs come directly from the examiner’s mindset.
Why PYQs Are the REAL Syllabus for NDA, CDS & AFCAT
1. Official Syllabus Is Vast—but PYQs Are Precise
The written syllabus for defence exams looks massive:
- NDA: Maths, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Polity, Current Affairs
- CDS & AFCAT: English, General Knowledge, Reasoning, Numerical Ability
But when you analyze PYQs, you’ll notice:
- Only specific topics repeat every year
- Many syllabus topics are rarely or never asked
👉 PYQs filter out what is important vs what is irrelevant.
2. Repetition Is Not a Coincidence
In defence exams, concepts repeat—not exact questions, but:
- Same formulas
- Same GK themes
- Same reasoning logic
- Same English grammar patterns
Example:
- NDA Maths frequently repeats questions from:
- Trigonometry
- Quadratic equations
- Mensuration
AFCAT English repeatedly asks:
- Synonyms/Antonyms
- Error spotting
- Reading comprehension
This repetition proves one thing:
Examiners test understanding, not surprise.
3. PYQs Show the Difficulty Level Clearly
Many aspirants waste time on:
- Olympiad-level Maths ❌
- Advanced Physics ❌
- Irrelevant GK facts ❌
PYQs tell you:
- How deep a topic is asked
- What level of numerical solving is required
- Which questions are time-consuming
- This helps you prepare smart, not hard.
4. PYQs Build Exam-Oriented Thinking
Reading theory gives knowledge.
Solving PYQs gives:
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Confidence
- Familiarity with exam pressure
When you solve enough PYQs, your brain starts thinking like the examiner.
That’s why at The Lakshya Academy, PYQ-based teaching is the foundation of our preparation strategy.
5. PYQs Help You Identify High-Weightage Topics
By analyzing PYQs, you can clearly see:
- Topics asked every year
- Topics asked occasionally
- Topics almost never asked
This allows you to:
- Prioritize high-return topics
- Skip low-value areas
- Maximize score in limited time
- For defence exams, strategy matters more than syllabus completion.
How The Lakshya Academy Uses PYQs Effectively
At The Lakshya Academy, we don’t treat PYQs as revision material—we treat them as the core syllabus.
Our approach:
- Topic-wise PYQ analysis
- Concept teaching linked directly to PYQs
- Daily PYQ practice sessions
- PYQ-based mock tests
This ensures students prepare exactly what the exam demands.
How You Should Use PYQs in Your Preparation
Follow this 4-step PYQ strategy:
Step 1: Solve Without Fear
Attempt PYQs even if you haven’t finished the syllabus.
Step 2: Analyze Mistakes
Understand:
- Why you got it wrong
- Which concept was weak
Step 3: Link Theory to PYQs
Study only that theory which helps solve PYQs.
Step 4: Revise PYQs Repeatedly
Revision of PYQs = revision of the real syllabus.
Common Mistake Aspirants Make
❌ Studying unlimited books ❌ Ignoring PYQs till the end ❌ Running behind “new pattern” rumors
✅ Toppers do the opposite: They master PYQs first.
Final Thoughts
If you want to clear NDA, CDS, or AFCAT, remember:
PYQs are not just practice questions. They are the exam blueprint.
At The Lakshya Academy, we strongly believe that once you understand PYQs, half the battle is already won.
Train like a future officer.
