Maj Gen Sanjeev Dogra (Retd)
On 14 September 2025, thousands of young minds across India, and especially from Jammu and the adjoining areas, will walk into exam halls with a dream that is larger than themselves. The dream of wearing the uniform, of leading men and women in service of the nation, of becoming officers in the Indian Armed Forces. For many households in this region, the NDA and CDS exams are not just career milestones; they are symbols of family pride, sacrifice, and aspiration. With just a week left, the question that echoes in every home is simple: how should one prepare in these final days, how should one think, and how should one carry oneself so that the effort of years translates into success?
The first and most important truth is that the last week is not the time to chase new books or unexplored topics. It is a time for consolidation, not expansion. Aspirants must remind themselves that they already carry the knowledge; what is needed now is clarity and focus. Revision should be tight and purposeful. Revisiting notes, solving past papers, and running through formulas, grammar rules, and current affairs capsules. One mock test a day, attempted under strict exam conditions, can work wonders, but what matters even more is the post-mortem; going over mistakes, understanding why they happened, and resolving not to repeat them. In these final days, balance is key: a routine that marries study with adequate sleep, wholesome food, and short breaks will ensure the mind remains fresh and alert.
As for strategy, one must always remember that the exam is not just about knowledge but about how intelligently that knowledge is deployed under time pressure. For the CDS aspirant, the battlefield is threefoldEnglish, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. While those appearing for OTA face the first two. For NDA candidates, the mix is Mathematics and General Ability. The principle is the same: start with what you know, answer what is easy, and gradually work your way toward the difficult. Previous years’ papers are the closest rehearsal of the real thing; they not only reveal recurring patterns but also train the mind to recognize which battles are worth fighting and which are better skipped. It is often said that exams are as much about leaving questions as about attempting them.
But beyond books and strategies lies the more elusive challenge, the battle of the mind. In this final stretch, confidence can wobble, comparisons with peers can sow doubt, and the sheer weight of expectations can drain energy. This is where mental make-up plays a decisive role. Every aspirant must pause and remember why they began this journey. Visualize the moment of success, see yourself in uniform, and let that vision silence the noise of fear. Avoid comparing your path with others; each preparation is unique, and no two students walk the same road. Positivity, in these days, is not a luxury but a necessity. Simple affirmations like “I am ready,” and “I will do my best”can steady the nerves more than one realizes. Many aspirants also find calm in prayer, meditation, or the words of a parent or teacher; faith in something larger than oneself can anchor a restless mind.
Health, often neglected in the final sprint, is in fact the hidden foundation of success. A heavy or erratic meal the night before can undo weeks of preparation. A tired mind that has been denied sleep will struggle to recall even what it knows well. This is why aspirants must eat light, drink plenty of water, and keep to regular sleep cycles. Short bursts of physical activity-stretching, a brisk walk, a few deep breaths-refresh the mind far more than endless hours chained to a desk. Remember, the exam is not a sprint but a marathon, and stamina, both mental and physical, is vital.
On the morning of the exam, calm is your greatest ally. Start with a light breakfast, carry your admit card and ID well in advance, and walk into the hall with composure. Do not open new books at the last moment; trust that your preparation is sufficient. In the hall, scan the paper first, mark the questions that feel familiar, and secure those marks before wading into deeper waters. If you stumble upon a difficult question, move ahead and return later. Time is as valuable as knowledge, and those who manage it wisely often find themselves comfortably above the cut-off.
When it comes to cut-offs, aspirants often get distracted by rumours and numbers circulating on social media. The truth is simpler than it seems. What really matters is not chasing sky-high scores but attempting the exam with accuracy and balance. In each paper, aim to secure a comfortable percentage by focusing on questions you are confident about, rather than gambling on doubtful ones. Remember, negative marking is a reality and an over-ambitious attempt can hurt more than help. A steady approach, where you clear the subject-wise minimum comfortably and keep your overall score in the safe zone, is the surest path forward. In general, if you can maintain accuracy and reach somewhere around the 45% mark overall, you are more than in contention for success. Keep your goals realistic, your attempts measured, and your confidence intact. Because it is consistency, not recklessness, that gets you through to the SSB.
Parents and teachers have a special role this week. Your wards do not need pressure. They need belief. A gentle word, a calm household, a reminder to sleep early or eat well, all of these matter more than constant reminders to “study more.” Every candidate carries invisible doubts, and your confidence in them can be the fuel that steadies their hand in the exam hall. Let them know that effort counts as much as outcome, and that they have already done you proud by choosing this noble path.
As the final week unfolds, it is worth remembering that these exams are not merely tests of memory or speed. They are rites of passage, filters that identify those who can remain steady under pressure, those who can balance preparation with composure, and those who can marshal mind and body in pursuit of a higher calling. To every aspirant from Jammu and beyond, know that you are not alone. You carry with you the hopes of your families, the encouragement of your teachers, and the blessings of this land that has produced so many brave soldiers. Step into the exam hall with your head high, your spirit calm, and your heart full of faith. Whatever the outcome, you are already on the path of courage and service.
The road to the officer’s uniform is not an easy onebut then again, greatness never comes easy. Believe in your preparation, believe in your purpose, and believe in yourself. The merit list will reward those who combine knowledge with resilience, effort with confidence. And even before that list is published, remember this: by daring to dream and by persevering till this final moment, you have already distinguished yourself. The nation awaits your service, and history awaits your story.
(The author mentors and guides aspirants to do well in life)
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