CDS Exam Pattern 2020 - Marking Scheme, Exam Mode
CDS Exam Pattern 2020 - UPSC mentions the CDS 2020 exam pattern in the official notification. UPSC CDS exam pattern 2020 includes the total marks, number of questions, mode of the exam, duration etc. According to exam pattern of CDS 2020, there are 3 sections that are English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Candidates have to solve 340 MCQs in 2 hours. Along with the CDS exam pattern 2020, candidates should also be aware of the UPSC CDS syllabus. Read the below-given details for complete information on CDS 2020 examination pattern. CDS 1 2020 exam conducted on February 2 and CDS 2 is scheduled to be held on November 8.
Latest - CDS 2 2020 application form has been released on August 5 at the official website. CDS Question Papers 2020 for CDS 1 is released by coaching institutes.
CDS Exam Pattern 2020 - Highlights
Stages of exam | Written Exam and SSB Interview |
Mode of exam | Offline, MCQ type |
Papers in written exam | For IMA, INA and AFA - English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics For OTA - English, General Knowledge |
Exam duration | 2 hours for each paper |
Number of questions | 340 MCQs for – IMA, INA and AFA 240 MCQs for – OTA |
Total marks | Each subject carries 100 marks |
Negative marks | 1/3 |
Types of questions | Objective type multiple choice questions |
Language of paper | English & Hindi (Both language except Hindi) |
CDS Exam Pattern 2020 for Written Exam
Candidates must note that the exam pattern of CDS 2020 written exam is different for admissions in IMA, INA and AFA than that for OTA. As per CDS 2020 exam pattern, the papers will have MCQs and candidates will have to enter their responses in an OMR sheet. Each paper in CDS exam pattern 2020 is conducted for a duration of 2 hours. Candidates can check the CDS exam pattern for both the groups below.
CDS 2020 Exam Pattern for INA, IMA & IFA
Subject | No. of questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
English | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
General Knowledge | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 | 2 Hours |
Total | 340 | 300 |
CDS Exam Pattern 2020 for OTA
Subject | No. of questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
English | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
General Knowledge | 120 | 100 | 2 Hours |
Total | 240 | 200 |
CDS Marking Scheme 2020
As per CDS exam pattern 2020, Negative marking will be applicable for incorrect responses. One-third (0.33) of the marks allotted to the question will be deducted if answered incorrectly. If candidates mark two options for one answer, it would be considered as a wrong answer. If candidates do not attempt a question, no marks will be awarded or deducted.
CDS Marking Scheme 2020
Negative marking for incorrect answers | 1/3rd of the marks |
Marks deducted for marking two or more options | 1/3rd of the marks |
Marks for no attempts | 0 |
SSB Interview
Candidates who qualify in CDS 2020 written exam will be called to appear for SSB interview. There are two stages of the SSB interview which are explained in the table below.
Exam Pattern for SSB Interview
Stages | Tests | |
Stage-I | Screening Test | Verbal and non-verbal tests. PPDT (Picture Perception & Description Test) |
Stage-II | Psychological Test | Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) Word Association Test (WAT) Situation Reaction Test (SRT) Self Description Test (SD) |
Group Testing Officers Test | GD (Group Discussion) GPE (Group Planning Exercise) PGT (Progressive Group Task) HGT (Half Group Task) IOT Command Task Snake race/Group Obstacle Race Individual lecture FGT (Full Group Task) | |
Personal Interview | ||
Conference | ||
CDS Syllabus 2020
The exam authorities prescribe the syllabus for three subjects - English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. Candidates can check the subject-wise topics of CDS syllabus in the table below.
UPSC CDS Syllabus
Subjects | Topics |
English | Fill in the blanks, sentence correction, jumbled sentence, reading comprehension & finding errors and omissions, the right use of English words, tenses, verbs, etc. |
General Knowledge | Current affairs, economics, history, geography, chemistry, physics, biology, books and authors, Indian politics |
Elementary Mathematics | Arithmetic, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, statistics, mensuration, etc. |
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - CDS Exam Pattern 2020 - Marking Scheme, Exam Mode
Question: What is the exam pattern of CDS for admission in OTA?
Answer:
Candidates taking the exam for admission in Officers Training Academy have to take two papers in CDS exam - English and General Studies.
Question: What is the next stage of CDS after the written exam?
Answer:
The next stage after CDS written exam is the SSB interview. It’s a 4 to 5 day rigorous test during which candidates will have to perform different tasks that test their personality and physical abilities.
Question: How many questions are asked in CDS mathematics paper?
Answer:
Candidates are asked 100 questions in the mathematics paper of CDS while English and General Knowledge papers have 120 questions each.
Question: Is there a negative marking in CDS exam?
Answer:
Yes, one-third marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer in CDS written exam.
Question: When will the admit card of CDS-I 2020?
Answer:
CDS admit card 2020 has been released on January 9. Candidates can download the admit card till the day of the exam which is February 2, 2020.
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Questions related to CDS
can I become apply for CDS exam for Air Force academy if I got 55% in class 12 this 55 % came because of covid our NIOS board exams got cancelled and every one got between 50 to 60% of marks though I have 84 % in class 10.. now I will apply for graduation my target is CDS after graduation dats y
Eligibility of CDS Air Force Academy is based on the graduation, candidates can either complete BE/BTech from any recognized university, or they can complete Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university with Maths and Physics at 10+2 level, now coming to your question there's no specific aggregate mentioned regarding Maths and Physics at 10+2, so no need to worry regarding this, you should focus on your higher studies ahead and prepare accordingly for the exam during this phase, if you start your preparation in gradual manner, it'll definitely help you succeed, you can visit our page at https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria/amp to know more details regarding this.
Answer latercan I apply for CDS exam for Air Force academy if I got 55% in class 12 th ??
Hello student,
Actually only e after you complete your ten plus two level u can not go for CDS examination you have to complete your graduation. And actually in reality your 10 plus two level marks does not matter to be eligible for this examination. But you should have a solid reason to get this marks, because you may have to you tell about that in SSB interview.
Best of luck hope this will help.
Can 2nd year student apply for cds (OTA) Exam?
As per the eligibility criteria of Officer's Training Academy for CDS, candidates need to have passed Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university, there's no specific aggregate required in this matter. Those who are in the final year too are eligible to apply, so as per the norms whatever course you're pursuing whether it's three or four year degree program, you can apply in the final year.
Im a 5 March 1997 born can i apply for CDS Air Force or AFCAT?
Hi Bharat,
As per the latest eligibility criteria of CDS 2020, the candidates between 20 to 24 years are eligible to give this exam.
You are 23 now and you are going to be of 24 years on 5 March 2021, so you are eligible for the respective exam in each and every course ranging from IMA to OTA.
Refer here for more info - https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-exam#CDS-2020-I--II-Eligibility-Criteria
Feel free to ask doubts in the Comment Section.
I hope this information helps you.
Good Luck!
Is the syllabus of general knowledge for NDA and CDS same???I did my general knowledge classes for Nda...Is it enough for cds exam.
Hey!
Both exams have diffence of mathematics sections. Also, nda is based on 10+1 and 10+2 syllabus whereas CDS is undergraduation based. However both have a section of general knowledge, which is almost same in both exam, but the pattern of asking questions may vary. So it is advisable to check some of the previous years papers.
Thank you
Related E-books and Sample Papers
CDS II Question Paper - General Knowledge-GK (2016)
CDS II Question Paper - Elementary Mathematics (2016)
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