CDS Exam pattern 2023 careerwill app marking scheme negative marking exam pattern

CDS Exam Pattern 2023: Marking Scheme, Negative Marking, Total Marks

Welcome back, CDS aspirants!UPSC has the CDS exam pattern for the written and SSC written. The defense has always been the most thrilling and best career option. The Combined Defense Services offers a notable opportunity for candidates who look forward to a career in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. As this exam is

As this exam presents stiff competition, the aspirants must perform extraordinarily well to accomplish their dreams. The exam pattern of INA, AFA, and INA are almost similar, but the CDS OTA exam pattern is different.

The CDS exam will take place on 16th April, and knowing the exam pattern is crucial for your performance. All the candidates, please go through the CDS exam pattern carefully before preparing for it.

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Highlights of CDS Exam pattern 2023


Highlights of CDS Exam Pattern 2023

CDS Exam Pattern 2023
Highlights of CDS Exam Pattern

CDS Exam Pattern 2023

CDS Exam Pattern is tabulated by the Central Defense Services to acknowledge the intellect of the candidates and screen them based on their performance in the selection tests.

CDS Exam Pattern for INA, IMA, and AFA

We have already discussed that the CDS exam pattern for the Indian Naval Academy, Indian Military Academy, and Air Force Academy comprises three main subjects, English Language, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The question level for the English language is of graduation level, and for math is matriculation level. According to the CDS exam pattern, the test is of six hours for 300 marks.

CDS OTA Exam Pattern

The CDS exam pattern 2023 comprises two subjects – English language and General Knowledge. The total time given for solving the question is four hours. The maximum mark for the OTA is 200, and the duration is four hours. Check out the complete details of the CDS OTA exam pattern given below-
English – It comprises 120 questions carrying 100 marks.
General Knowledge- It comprises 120 questions carrying 100 marks.

CDS Exam Pattern – Negative Marking Scheme

The marking scheme gives you a better understanding of the exam pattern. Given below is the marking scheme of the CDS exam. Go through the points and have a better knowledge of the exam pattern.

In English and General Knowledge, each correct answer will give you 0.83 marks.
For math, you will get 1 mark for every correct answer.
For each incorrect answer, you get a deduction of 1/3 mark.
Candidates marking more than one option is also incorrect
No negative making for unattempt questions.

Section Wise Marking Scheme

We have given the section-wise marking scheme of the CDS exam below.

The section-wise marking scheme will help the aspirants to understand the complex structure of the marking scheme:

CDS Exam Pattern 
Secrtion wise marking scheme

CDS Exam Pattern for SSB Interview

SSB interview makes a tough competition among the CDS qualifiers. The interview is about your personality, intelligence, and response to a particular situation. The SSB interview for INA, AFA, and IMA is for 300 marks each, and OTA is for 200. The procedure has two stages. The ones who qualify for stage-I are only allowed to appear for stage II.

Check out the details of the SSB interview 2023-

Stage I consisted of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT)
Stage II consisted of interviews, Group Testing Tasks, conferences, and Psychology Tests. Stage II takes days to complete.

Points to remember for CDS Exam Pattern

All the CDS aspirants must take care of all the Under-noted points related to the CDS exam pattern to perform well in the exams. The crucial points on the CDS exam Pattern are below-

The essential points on the CDS paper pattern are as follows:

Aspirants have to mark the answers using a black ballpoint pen.
Do check the test booklet for the subject code before starting the exam.
Fill in all the necessary details such as roll, number, date, exam booklet number, and subject code correctly and neatly.
Be careful while filling the circles. Choosing multiple options for one question will not be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions on CDS Exam Pattern : Marking Scheme, Negative Marking, Total Marks


Q1- What is the CDS exam pattern for 2023?

A1- The CDS exam pattern for 2023 is as follows-
The candidates will answer 340 questions for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics in 6 hours for 300 marks.
In the case of CDS OTA, candidates have to answer 240 questions for English and General Knowledge in 4 hours for 300 marks.

Q2 What are the maximum marks for the CDS SSB interview as per the CDS exam pattern 2023?

A2- According to the CDS exam pattern 2023, the maximum mark for an SSB interview for IMA, AFA, and INA is 300, and for OTA are 200. The interview has two stages –
Stage I is about Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and the Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT).
Stage II interviews, Group Testing Tasks, conferences, and Psychology Tests.

Q3- What is the age limit for the CDS exam 2023?

A3-The age limit for the CDS exam 2023 is as follows-
Indian Military Academy (IMA)- 19 to 24 Years
Indian Naval Academy (INA) – 19 to 24 Years
Air Force Academy (AFA)- 20 to 24 Years
Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for men) – 19 to 25 Years Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Non-Technical Course for Women) – 19 to 25 Years

Q4- Has UPSC changed the CDS exam pattern for the 2023 exam?

A4- No, UPSC has not announced any changes in the CDS exam pattern for the 2023 exam.

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