How to prepare for CDS English in 30 Days?
You score the most in English when it comes to Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS). You just cannot expect more from GK and Maths.
Can you?
Well, then why are you not taking this subject seriously and paying the respect it deserves?
Firstly, look at the CDS English Paper Pattern (Just Previous Paper):
(To understand CDS English syllabus better…)
| Topic | No. of Questions |
| Matching List | 5 |
| Adaptation Of Borrowed Words | 5 |
| Use Of Phrasal Verbs | 5 |
| Commonly Used Words | 5 |
| Antonyms | 5 |
| Fill In The Blanks | 10 |
| Idioms & Phrases | 5 |
| Synonyms | 5 |
| Correlating Sentences | 5 |
| Usage Of Paired Words | 10 |
| Ordering Of Words In A Sentence | 10 |
| Ordering Of Sentences | 10 |
| Prepositions & Determiners | 10 |
| Spotting Errors | 10 |
| Word Classes | 10 |
| Passages | 10 |
And before we begin, get this thing straight in your head that the English will not come just by mugging some rules up. This is a language subject, the more you use it, the more you will excel in it!
So broadly, CDS English Syllabus can be prepared in 3 modes:
It will come only by reading. Reading what?
All these years you were reading only na…
Yes, I agree, but get out of academic reading!
You need to enjoy English to learn it. Only by reading you will understand how grammar functions!
You saw that?
Okay, now let’s go step- by- step about CDS English Preparation:
Love English, this is the first! And then become comfortable with it!
But how?
By treating it simple first. I’ll tell you by innovative ways that helped me through:
- Watch your favourite person talking and slaying in English. It would be better if he/she is Indian, so that you can relate!
In this case, Priyanka Chopra has helped me a lot! It is her interviews and speeches that made me comfortable with the language.
[or yaha comfortable ka matlab us chiz me kho jana hai😁 tabhi P.Chopra ki help li hai, warna English textbooks to bachpan se padh rahe ho!] - I also watch to recommend you, ‘Young Sheldon’ show, you will not only learn English there, but also many of the life values in fun way!
- In above mentioned point, not only… but also” conjunction is used which is being asked in CDS, NDA, CAPF and AFCAT Exams!
See, you have to notice English like this😎😎😎
- Get onto actual grammar rules now. Read it category wise first… noun, pronoun, adverb…
- Do practice questions once you finish one category
- Now let me aware you, you will be good to go when you do things category- wise, problem shuru hogi jab mixed question solve karoge, and your all confidence will be crashed!
- Lkin it is normal, ye language hai, ye ek din nhi aajaegi, you have to practice it every day. English wants to be your partner for lifetime!
After practicing grammar rules atleast in two sets, read extra- academic stuffs.
You got it?
These are some benefits and methods to read!
Now, I would also like to recommend some reading material…
- Self- help books [Must!]
Why?
Reading strengthens neural connections, enhancing memory retention when done attentively. Additionally, the emotions triggered by reading shape our attitudes, beliefs, and personalities over time.
So, self- help books will be a best guide teaching you…
B. Few books which you may start from is
“The Secret” by Rhonda Byres
“Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Richard Kiyosaki
“You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” by Jen Sincero
“The Magic of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz
“The One-Minute Manager” by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
Can I give a solid tip?
Esa nhi hai ki tumhe bilkul English nhi aata, or upr k 3 steps 30 days krne k baad to you will be at much better place.
But,
Still, you will fumble in sentence framing. Wait, if I know your problems, I have solution to them too!
“TENSES”
Learning them might solve your 88.7% of problems!
It is because not enough clarity about tenses, you will you are uncomfortable with English!
A small help from my side:
| Tense | Sentence Structure | Example (CDS- related) | Usage |
| Present Simple | Subject + verb (base form) | I study hard every day. | Daily habits while preparing for the exam. |
| Present Continuous | Subject + be (am/is/are) + verb (+ing) | I am preparing for the CDS exam right now. | The ongoing process of studying for the exam. |
| Present Perfect | Subject + have/has + past participle | I have completed several practice papers. | Completed actions related to exam preparation that are relevant to your current progress. |
| Present Perfect Continuous | Subject + have/has been + verb (+ing) | I have been studying for the exam for months. | Emphasize the ongoing nature of your preparation and the time invested so far. |
| Past Simple | Subject + verb (past tense) | I studied for hours yesterday. | Specific completed actions in the past related to exam preparation. |
| Past Continuous | Subject + was/were + verb (+ing) | I was revising military history when my friend called. | Ongoing action in the past interrupted by another event. |
| Past Perfect | Subject + had + past participle | By the time the application deadline arrived, I had already submitted my form. | Action completed before another past event (application deadline). |
| Past Perfect Continuous | Subject + had been + verb (+ing) | I had been practicing mock interviews for weeks before the actual exam day. | Emphasize the duration of an action completed before another point in the past (exam day). |
| Future Simple | Subject + will + verb (base form) | I will go for training at OTA next year. | Planned future event – attending Officer Training Academy after passing the exam. |
| Future Continuous | Subject + will be + verb (+ing) | We will be training for months at OTA. | Actions ongoing at a specific time in the future (during the training period). |
| Future Perfect | Subject + will have + past participle | In two years, I will have been posted in Ladakh. | Action (posting) completed before another future event (specific time frame of two years). |
| Future Perfect Continuous | Subject + will have been + verb (+ing) | By the time I graduate, I will have been training for a year. | Emphasize the duration of training completed before graduation from the academy. |
You know what, you are done with ‘Comprehension’ and ‘Grammar’ part!
Congrats!
Now you are just left with horrific ‘Vocabulary’. Haha.
Before starting for it, be a smart person and accept that this is endless. You will never know all the words.
Done? Let’s now try to hunt down some of the words for your exams.
A. In above mentioned steps, we were reading some materials. In that you will find new words that you have to separate out and make sentences base on your daily life.
I found this today’s newspaper, new word for me is ‘apartheid’ which means segregation on grounds of race…
Then, in my practice I should make sentences about me and my world…
- Om, my Nepali classmate, felt as if she was experiencing an ‘apartheid’ due to her looks. To comfort her, I switched seats with her. Now, we are good friends!
B. Go through 3 years of SSC, Banking, UPSC, Defence papers and practice all antonyms and synonyms from that!
Because words repeat!
C. And after all this, be ready to leave questions from vocabulary. Yes, you don’t have to attempt all!
Do not feel nervous while leaving questions, it should be part of your ‘practical plan’!
Step no. 6 is you have to do it all every day, and focus should not be CDS English Syllabus, or AFCAT English, or NDA English…
Focus should be to elevate your English game altogether!
English should be your habit!
Rest, I know now you will rock in your paper!
Afrer this, go through the basics of SSB Preparation:
- Shivani Soni
Do comprehend well, don’t I?