Through CDS Exam, UPSC, the conducting body, recruits candidates for Indian Military Academy(IMA), Indian Naval Academy(INA), Air Force Academy(AFA), and Officers' Training Academy(OTA). The written test will be conducted for 3 subjects namely, English Language, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.

There are 2 types of question sets - one for IMA, INA, and AFA; and another for OTA applicants. Mathematics paper is important and must for the applicants of IMA, INA, and AFA whereas OTA candidates do not need to prepare for Mathematics Paper.

Must Read: CDS 2020 English: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Preparation Tips, and Recommended Books

Latest Updates

• The results of CDS(I) 2020 have been announced on March 23, 2020 on their official website upsc.gov.in
  • Click here to check CDS 1 2020 result
  • Click here to check the name-wise CDS 1 2020 result CDS II 2020 Notification has not been released yet due to COVID- 19 outbreak.
• The expected date of the CDS II 2020 Exam is November 8, 2020.

CDS 2020: Mathematics Preparation Highlights

• CDS is a one-day Exam. Mathematics paper will be scheduled on the same day as the CDS Exam along with English and General Knowledge paper.
• This paper consists of 100 questions.
• The duration of this paper is 2 hours.
• The marking scheme of each question is 1 mark for each correct attempt and -0.33 for each wrong attempt.
• There will be no deduction of marks for unattempted questions.

Check Here: CDS 2020 Selection Process

CDS 2020: Mathematics Syllabus

As per the declaration of UPSC, the syllabus of CDS Elementary Mathematics consists of 7 sections such as Number System, Elementary Number Theory, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics. To begin preparation, one can always start with NCERT Mathematics 9th and 10th standard books and it will also help to understand the steps and create your own shortcuts.

Number System

Elementary Number Theory

Algebra

• Trigonometry

  • Simple trigonometric identities
  • Use of trigonometric tables
  • Simple cases of heights and distances

• Geometry

  • Lines and angles
  • Plane and plane figures
  • Properties of angles at a point
  • Sides and angles of a triangle
  • Congruence of triangles
  • Similar triangles
  • Concurrence of medians and altitudes
  • Properties of angles
  • Sides and diagonals of a parallelogram
  • Rectangle and square
  • Circles and its properties including tangents and normal and Loci

• Mensuration

• Statistics:

  • Collection and Tabulation of Statistical Data
  • Histograms
  • Measures of Central Tendency
  • Graphical Representation Frequency Polygons
  • Bar charts

Check Here: CDS 2020 Eligibility Criteria in detail

CDS II 2020: Expected Number of Questions

To know other sections, Check CDS 2020 syllabus and Exam Pattern

How to Prepare for CDS 2020 Mathematics

To crack CDS, candidates should aim at least to obtain 65 marks in Elementary Mathematics Paper.

• Number System:

Any candidate preparing for CDS II 2020, can easily expect 15 to 20 questions from this section. It can be said that approximately this section contains almost 15% of this paper. So candidates need to focus on every concept and method. Some easy tips to solve and prepare for Number system:

• Candidates can use books of NCERT up to 10th class to clear the concept of the number system and it will help to complete the syllabus of the CDS number system as well.
• Solve a minimum of 50 questions daily of this topic from easy to high level of difficulty.
• Candidates need to focus on questions related to HCF & LCM, finding the unit’s place and products of numbers.
• Expected number of Questions:
  • Basics of number system: 5 Questions
  • LCM & HCF : 3 Questions
  • Surds & Indices : 2 Questions
  • BODMAS : 3 Questions
  • Factors: 4 Questions

• Elementary Number Theory:

The things you should be learning are the tricks of the sum of natural numbers, sum of squares, sum of cubes, tests of Divisibility and H.C.F AND L.C.M as well as few important formulas.

• Algebra:

17 - 20 questions out of 100 questions come from Algebra. Basic operations, simple factors, and remainder theorems are good topics to start algebra preparation. Some tips and tricks for solving algebra problems in a faster way:

• First, you should choose the easy methods especially when you are practicing at home.
• Sometimes in case of a lot of questions, taking variables might help as well as it can provide you with a shortcut way of solving the problem in less time than it usually takes.
• You must remember all the important formulas in algebra. At least you need to remember the logic behind the formulas so that in time of need you can just use the logic instead of wasting time during the Exam.
• To master this topic, do practice several different familiar types of questions. Once you start solving similar topics and solve previous years’ questions, it will give a rough idea of your progress and logic behind the problems.

Check CDS 2020 Preparation Tips

• Trigonometry:

Around 10-15 questions were asked from the trigonometry section in the CDS Mathematics paper. Thus, the weightage of trigonometry in the UPSC CDS exam is around 12-15%. Some basic tips that you can follow while preparing for mathematics:

• Though trigonometric ratios have more importance, you should know the trigonometric identities as well.
• In height and distance questions, you should keep in mind the form of angle (angle of elevation or angle of depression) given in the particular question.
• Practice Language-based questions that will help you in Height and Distance problems.

• Geometry

Geometry is one of the most important sections in Mathematics. 15 - 20 questions come in the CDS Mathematics paper from the geometry section. Geometry section can be divided into three subsections like Co-ordinate geometry; Properties of lines and Angles; and Properties of Triangles, Circles, Rectangles, Squares, etc.

• Some of the topics that need to be practiced parallelly along with coordinate geometry are circles, parallel lines, and triangles out of which congruence and similarity of triangles are quite stressed upon.
• Write the geometry formulas down on a piece of paper and stick it onto the wall where you can see it regularly. It’ll help you memorize them.
• If you are stuck with a geometry question, don’t waste your time trying to solve it right away. Instead, get on with the others and come back to the question when you are done with the rest.

• Mensuration:

Mensuration actually deals with the problems related to Measurements which include columns, areas, lengths, etc. From this topic 13 to 15 questions are expected in the CDS II 2020 Exam.

• Clear your concepts about 2D and 3D dimensions and the shapes related to them.
• Most of the measurements are in decimals or require complex calculations. Due to rush, one can easily miscalculate them or make silly mistakes.
• Questions that involve the calculation of fencing, flooring, painting cost, etc usually require an increase or decrease of percentage in the measuring meter mentioned in the question or one figure inscribed within another figure, etc.
• Always remember the most important and essential formulas. Most of the time, formulas can shorten the calculation or sometimes even simplify the problem also.

Check Complete UPSC CDS 2020 Exam Dates

• Statistics:

In CDS II 2020, maximum of 8 questions can be expected from Statistics. It is quite easy if you have a clear concept. Statistics can be divided into three parts: Common Statistics Terms, Frequency Distribution and Data Interpretations.

• In Common Statistics Terms, candidates should prepare for Mean, Median, Mode, Variance, and Standard deviation.
• In the case of Frequency Distribution, candidates basically need to understand some important components like Class, Class limit, Class Frequency, and Mean of frequency distribution etc.
• Data Representation refers to a given set of data in various forms like a pie chart, tabular form, bar chart, etc. There is no fixed formula for data representation. These types of questions basically require average, percentage, ratio, and other types of calculation for the given data.

Previous Years’ Questions of CDS Mathematics

Previous years’ questions papers are one of the main keys to crack CDS II 2020 Exam. Click on link “ Download” to download to previous years’ question papers of CDS Mathematics:

Recommended Books for CDS II 2020 Mathematics

These days candidates can always go for online books and mock tests that are provided by numerous websites. But to complete the syllabus of the CDS Mathematics Paper, candidates are advised to use the following books for reference and they need to practice it on a regular basis. For SSB interview, candidates will also require these books for Verbal and Non-verbal reasoning.

FAQs related to CDS 2020 Mathematics