Nepal Army Officer Cadet Written Examination Structure: Full Overview

The Nepal Army Officer Cadet recruitment process is one of the most disciplined and competitive selections in the country. Designed to identify future leaders of the armed forces, the selection process includes physical fitness assessments, psychological evaluations, medical screenings, and—most critically—a rigorous written examination. This written exam, conducted by the Public Service Commission, is crucial in evaluating candidates’ intellectual preparedness for a military career.

Below is a complete overview of the four written papers. English, Nepali, Mathematics, and General Knowledge—each carrying 100 marks. A minimum of 40 marks in each subject is required to pass.

1. English

The English paper is designed to assess a candidate’s overall command of the language, including grammar, composition, comprehension, and vocabulary. It is divided into two parts: Subjective and Objective (MCQs).

Subjective Section

Candidates are required to answer questions of varying complexity:

• 3 questions × 10 marks = 30 marks

• 3 questions × 5 marks = 15 marks

• 2 questions × 5 marks = 10 marks

• 5 questions × 1 mark = 5 marks

• Total for subjective: 60 marks

Time allotted: 1 hour and 55 minutes

Objective Section (MCQs)

• 40 questions × 1 mark = 40 marks
  Time allotted: 25 minutes

This exam not only measures grammatical accuracy but also evaluates how well candidates can express ideas and interpret text, which is vital for written and verbal communication in the military.

2. Nepali

The Nepali paper evaluates comprehension, writing skills, and grammar in the national language. Like English, it is split into Subjective and Objective sections.

Objective Section (MCQs)

• 40 multiple-choice questions, each worth 1 mark = 40 marks
  Time allotted: 35 minutes

Subjective Section

This section is composed of both long-form and mid-length answers:

• 3 questions × 10 marks = 30 marks

• 6 questions × 5 marks = 30 marks

• Total for subjective: 60 marks

Time allotted: 1 hour and 55 minutes

This exam ensures that future officers possess strong linguistic capabilities and a deep understanding of their cultural and linguistic identity.

3. Mathematics

Mathematics plays a key role in evaluating a candidate’s logical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical ability—skills crucial for strategic decision-making in military operations.

Subjective Section

• 12 questions × 2 marks = 24 marks

• 9 questions × 4 marks = 36 marks

• Total for subjective: 60 marks

Time allotted: 1 hour and 55 minutes

Objective Section (MCQs)

• 40 questions × 1 mark = 40 marks
  Time allotted: 25 minutes

The subject covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and applied mathematical skills. Use of calculators is not permitted, making this a pure test of mental math and understanding.

4. General Knowledge

The fourth paper focuses on a candidate's awareness of national and international issues, current events, history, geography, and social matters. This paper is entirely objective, consisting solely of multiple-choice questions.

It is structured into two distinct sections:

Part A

• 30 questions × 1 mark = 30 marks

Part B

• 70 questions × 1 mark = 70 marks

Total: 100 marks
Time allotted: 2 hours

Candidates must remain informed about recent events, civic affairs, Nepalese and world history, science, and government policies. A wide reading habit and daily news awareness are highly beneficial for scoring well in this paper.

Final Notes for Candidates

Each paper is carefully crafted to test different dimensions of an aspiring officer’s intellectual capabilities:

• English and Nepali examine communication skills and language fluency.

• Mathematics measures analytical and numerical abilities.

• General Knowledge tests awareness and social-political understanding.

Passing Criteria:

• You must score at least 40 out of 100 in each subject.

• The subjective section is evaluated first. Only those who clear this portion will have their objective section checked.

This format ensures that all candidates meet a high standard in both understanding and expression before advancing to the next recruitment stages such as group tests, interviews, and physical assessments.

English: First Paper Syllabus Detailed overview:

The English subject in the Officer Cadet examination is divided into two key sections: Part A (Objective/MCQs) and Part B (Subjective/Written), together making up a total of 100 marks. The syllabus is carefully designed to assess grammar skills, translation ability, and reading comprehension.

Part A: Objective Section – Grammar (40 Marks)

The first part consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 1 mark. These questions focus on basic English grammar and are aimed at testing fundamental language understanding. Topics include forming plurals (like using “s” or “es”), changing gender forms (like masculine to feminine), replacing nouns with appropriate pronouns, and choosing the correct articles. Candidates are also expected to understand question tags, make simple transformations (such as turning negative into affirmative), and frame yes/no questions.

In addition, the syllabus includes knowledge of common prepositions such as in, on, at, over, under, in front of, and between. Grammar also covers subject-verb agreement, correct use of tenses (like simple present, past, future, and various continuous forms), and converting active to passive voice. Lastly, it requires an understanding of ‘Wh’ questions—Who, Whose, Where, and Which. All these areas are considered essential to test the grammatical foundation of candidates.

Part B: Subjective Section – Translation & Comprehension (60 Marks)

This section is worth 60 marks and is broken into three units.

Unit 2: Translation (10 Marks)
There are two translation tasks worth 5 marks each:

1. The first asks candidates to translate five simple sentences from Nepali to English.

2. The second requires translation of five sentences from English to Nepali.
   These translations focus on basic tenses—simple past, present, or future—and are designed to test clarity and accuracy in conveying meaning across both languages.

Unit 3: Comprehension (15 Marks)
Candidates will receive a reading passage of around 100 words on a general topic. After reading, they must answer five questions based on the content. Each question carries 3 marks, totaling 15. This part of the exam evaluates reading comprehension, interpretation, and the ability to respond clearly in English.

Unit 4: Composition – Strengthening Written Communication Skills

The final part of the English paper is Unit 4: Composition, which plays a vital role in testing the candidates' written communication abilities. This section is part of the subjective (written) component and carries a total of 35 marks, covering real-life writing scenarios relevant to everyday and professional use. Here’s a breakdown of what candidates can expect:

1. Essay or Paragraph Writing (10 Marks)

Candidates will be provided with two general topics and are required to write an essay or paragraph on one of the topics. These themes are typically connected to national values, service, or the Nepal Army, giving candidates an opportunity to express their ideas and insights with clarity and structure.

2. Letter Writing (10 Marks)

This task involves composing a personal letter. The candidate could be asked to write to various family members such as a father, mother, uncle, aunt, son, daughter, or even a friend. The key is to maintain the tone, structure, and formatting of a personal letter, while conveying the message naturally and effectively.

3. Dialogue Writing (10 Marks)

Candidates will write a dialogue between two individuals on a commonly known issue or topic. The dialogue should include at least four exchanges or turn-takings per speaker, making it a realistic and engaging conversation. This task checks how well a candidate can simulate natural spoken English in written form.

4. Self-Introduction Writing (5 Marks)

Lastly, candidates are asked to write five sentences introducing themselves or describing their job. While this seems simple, it tests precision, sentence structure, and clarity, important traits for confident written and verbal communication.

Multiple choice questions Syllabus:

There will be 4 questions each from the topics of forming plural/singular, changing gender, replacing nouns with pronouns, and articles.

The topic of question tags will have 3 questions, while simple transformations (like converting to negative or affirmative) will have 2 questions.

Next, yes/no questions, prepositions, and subject-verb agreement will each have 4 questions.

Tense usage will include 3 questions, and both active/passive voice and WH-questions (such as who, whose, where, which) will have 2 questions each.

Subject 2: Nepali Syllabus Detailed Overview:

Part A: Grammar (Total: 40 Marks)

1. Letter Formation and Structure (5 marks)

Covers classification and understanding of tatsam, tadbhav, and borrowed (loan) words.

2. Punctuation and Usage (5 marks)

Focuses on identifying and using punctuation marks such as full stop, comma, semicolon, question mark, exclamation mark, brackets, quotation marks, and abbreviation marks.

3. Vocabulary (5 marks)

Tests knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, multi-meaning words, homophones (same sound, different meaning), and compound words.

4. Parts of Speech (5 marks)

Includes nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, postpositions (naamyogi), conjunctions, interjections, and particles.

5. Case and Postpositions (5 Marks)

This part tests the candidate’s basic understanding of kārak (case markers) and vibhakti (postpositions).

• Identify simple and compound postpositions.

• Understand the proper use of words like le, lāī, bāṭa, lagi, dekhi, ko, mā in sentences.

6. Word Formation (5 Marks)

This section assesses knowledge of how new words are formed using prefixes and suffixes.

• Prefixes: Practice with common Nepali prefixes such as a, an, ku, du, dus, pra, su, sam, upa, ati, vi, apara, ati, ut, prati, shu, nir, dush, dur.

• Suffixes: Understand the function of suffixes like nu, aunu, āune, otā, āune, āuna, jhā, uñ, tām, tvan, aniya.

This helps build a stronger grasp of how Nepali vocabulary is developed and modified.

7. Sentence Transformation (10 Marks)

This topic is essential for testing grammar application in real sentence structures.

• Practice changing sentences based on tense, gender, number, and structure.

• Transform sentences by modifying tense, aspect, mood, voice, and connectors according to grammatical rules.

Part B: Comprehension, Writing, and Expression (Total: 60 Marks)

This part of the exam evaluates a candidate’s ability to understand Nepali content, express ideas clearly, and write using various practical formats. It includes nine types of questions designed to test comprehension, summarization, translation, and writing skills in real-life contexts.

1. General Comprehension Questions (10 Marks)

Candidates will be given a short passage and asked questions based on it. This assesses reading comprehension, critical thinking, and information interpretation.

2. Summary and Reporting (5 Marks)

This includes writing a brief summary or report based on provided content, with a focus on clarity and brevity.

3. Vocabulary Application (5 Marks)

Tests usage of phrases, idioms, and context-based words (like opposites or similar expressions) within meaningful sentences.

4. Daily Writing (5 Marks)

This may involve composing short notes, paragraphs, or personal reflections based on everyday topics.

5. Letter Writing – Formal/Informal (5 Marks)

Candidates may be asked to write a formal letter (e.g., application) or an informal letter (e.g., to a friend or relative).

6. Note or Review Writing (5 Marks)

Involves writing comments, notes, or reviews, such as feedback or response to an event, speech, or article.

7. Dialogue or Conversation Writing (10 Marks)

Write a conversation or dialogue between two people on a familiar topic. This tests natural language use and fluency.

8. Essay Writing (10 Marks)

Write a short essay on a given topic related to society, nation, culture, or current affairs.

Important Note:

In this section, Question 1 (Comprehension) will be compulsory. It may be based on general knowledge, current affairs, society, or culture. The remaining questions will be chosen based on exam format and specific instructions.

Subject 3: Mathematics Syllabus Overview:

Mathematics is the third paper in the Officer Cadet written examination and is designed to assess candidates' understanding and application of core mathematical concepts. This subject tests analytical skills, numerical reasoning, and problem-solving ability—essential traits for a future army officer.

Exam Format:

1. Full Marks: 100

2. Pass Marks: 40

3. Exam Type:

   1. Objective (MCQs): 40 questions × 1 mark = 40 marks

   2. Subjective (Written):

      1. 12 questions × 2 marks = 24 marks

      2. 9 questions × 4 marks = 36 marks

4. Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Course Content Summary:

1. Sets (10 Marks)

This unit covers basic concepts of set theory and operations between sets:

1. Set Operations:

   1. Union

   2. Intersection

   3. Difference

   4. Complement

2. Cardinality: Understanding the number of elements in a set.

3. Venn Diagrams: Using Venn diagrams to solve set-related problems involving common and distinct elements.

2. Arithmetic (22 Marks)

Arithmetic is a foundational part of the syllabus and focuses on everyday numerical problem-solving.

1. Unitary Method: Solving basic and complex problems using proportional reasoning.

2. Simple Word Problems: Includes ratio, time, distance, work, age, and other applied problems.

3. Profit & Loss, Discount: Real-life commercial mathematics scenarios.

4. Interest Calculations: Solving questions based on simple and compound interest.

3. Mensuration (16 Marks)

This topic focuses on calculating length, area, and volume. Candidates will solve:

1. Basic problems on perimeter and area of triangles, rectangles, and squares

2. Word problems related to surface area, volume, and perimeter of objects like cylinders and cuboids

3. Real-life examples involving weight, length, and area calculations

4. Algebra (20 Marks)

Algebra tests the ability to handle mathematical expressions and equations. It includes:

1. Algebraic Expressions

• Finding values of given expressions using substitution

2.  Factorization

1. Solving using formulas like:

   1. a² - b²

   2. (a + b)(a - b)

   3. a³ + b³

   4. (a² + ab + b²)

   5. (a - b)³

   6. a³ - b³

3. HCF and LCM of Algebraic Terms

• Finding the highest common factor and lowest common multiple of three algebraic expressions

4. Indices

1. Solving using laws of exponents

2. Working with exponential equations

5. Equations

• Solving rational equations with the same denominator

• Solving linear equations with two variables

6. Algebraic Fractions

• Simplifying expressions with addition and subtraction

5. Geometry (10 Marks)

Geometry checks visual reasoning and measurement concepts. It includes:

1. Lines and Angles

• Basic rules and angle relationships

2. Triangles

• Classification based on sides and angles

• Solving problems using the angle sum property (sum = 180°)

3. Quadrilaterals

• Identifying and understanding their properties

4. Circles

• Properties of circles

• Finding radius, diameter, and circumference

5. Angle in Circles

• Understanding relationships between central and circumference angles

6. Statistics (8 Marks)

This unit focuses on calculating averages and summarizing data effectively:

1.  Mean, Median, and Mode:

   1. For individual data (personal values or single-point measurements)

   2. For ungrouped/discrete data

2. Grouped Data:

   1. Calculation of mean and median from frequency tables or class intervals

7. Probability (6 Marks)

This section teaches how to measure chance and likelihood:

•  Introduction to basic probability and events

•  Mutually Exclusive Events: Using the addition rule

•  Independent Events: Applying the multiplication rule

The mathematics exam consists of both objective and subjective components, totaling 100 marks. There are 40 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) worth 1 mark each, 12 short questions worth 2 marks each (totaling 24 marks), and 9 long questions worth 4 marks each (totaling 36 marks).

1. Sets will include 4 MCQs (4 marks), 1 short question (2 marks), and 1 long question (4 marks), making a total of 10 marks.

2. Arithmetic is the most heavily weighted topic with 10 MCQs (10 marks), 2 short questions (4 marks), and 2 long questions (8 marks). It carries a total of 22 marks.

3. Mensuration has 8 MCQs (8 marks), 2 short questions (4 marks), and 1 long question (4 marks). The total weight is 16 marks.

4. Algebra is also a key area with 10 MCQs (10 marks), 3 short questions (6 marks), and 2 long questions (8 marks), contributing a total of 24 marks—the highest among all topics.

5. Geometry includes 4 MCQs (4 marks), 2 short questions (4 marks), and 1 long question (2 marks), summing up to 10 marks.

6. Statistics contains 2 MCQs (2 marks), 1 short question (2 marks), and 2 long questions (8 marks), with a total of 12 marks.

7. Probability has 2 MCQs (2 marks), 1 short question (2 marks), and 1 long question (2 marks). Altogether, it contributes 6 marks.

Summary:

1. Total MCQs: 40 questions = 40 marks

2. Total Short Questions: 12 questions = 24 marks

3. Total Long Questions: 9 questions = 36 marks

4. Grand Total: 100 marks

Subject 4: General Knowledge Syllabus:

The fourth written paper for Nepal Army Officer Cadet recruitment focuses on General Knowledge and Current Affairs. It is designed to test a candidate's understanding of Nepal’s geography, history, politics, economics, and socio-cultural structure.

Part 'Ka' – General Knowledge (30 Marks)

1. Candidates must understand the basic structure of Nepal’s geography, including the formation of hills, mountains, and river systems.

2. They should be familiar with major mountain ranges, rivers, passes, and valleys within the country.

3. Knowledge of Nepal’s main highways, road networks, and access routes is essential.

4. Candidates must learn about national boundaries, neighboring countries, and specific bordering zones.

5. Basic information about the geographical regions of Nepal, including ecological and climatic zones, is required.

6. Important facts related to Nepal’s border issues and regional disputes may also be included.

7. Candidates should be aware of major historical, religious, and cultural sites in Nepal from a heritage and tourism perspective.

8. They need to understand the influence of religions, ethnic groups, languages, literature, and art on Nepalese society.

9. Familiarity with significant historical events and national movements, including the unification campaign, is important.

10. Candidates must study the structure and responsibilities of Nepal’s federal, provincial, and local governments.

11. They are expected to understand the evolution of Nepal’s political and administrative systems from ancient to modern times.

12. Understanding Nepal’s economic framework, including government revenue sources and budget allocation, is essential.

13. Candidates should be familiar with the classification of the Nepalese economy and key areas of economic development.

14. Awareness of Nepal’s planning systems, including historical and ongoing development plans, is also necessary.

15. Candidates should have a clear understanding of Nepal's military history, including the unification of Nepal, the Anglo-Nepal War, and the Nepal-Tibet War.

16. They must be aware of Nepal’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions, including roles, responsibilities, and contributing countries.

17. Candidates should know about the Nepal Army’s involvement in forest conservation, disaster relief, and tourism protection.

18. Awareness of national infrastructure and development projects carried out by the Nepal Army is required.

19. A basic understanding of Nepal's Constitution 2072, especially Article 267 related to the Nepal Army and Article 266 about the National Security Council, is important.

20. Candidates must study the Military Act 2063, especially parts related to sections 2, 3, 4, and 7, including military formation and structure.

21. They should understand the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and military restructuring under the Interim Constitution Article 1.

22. Familiarity with the Military Service Regulations 2069 and key clauses like 224 and 244 is also included.

23. General knowledge of the United Nations, its structure, purpose, and Nepal’s involvement is required.

24. Candidates should understand the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), its member states, and regional cooperation efforts.

25. Basic information on international organizations such as OPEC, the African Union (AU), ASEAN, and the European Union (EU) is necessary.

26. Knowledge about national and international sports, teams, and tournaments is expected.

27. Candidates should follow major recent sports events and achievements relevant to Nepal and globally.

28. Information on the Nepal Army’s participation in national and international sports competitions is also important.

29. Awareness of youth-related and national-level social issues, including education, public health, and governance, is required.

30. Candidates should be prepared for general knowledge questions on border relations between countries.

31. They should be able to identify national flags and maps of countries.

32. Familiarity with world and regional capitals is essential.

33. Candidates must know significant national and international days.

34. Knowledge about famous military operations, global strategic commands, and military orders is required.

35. Understanding geographical zones of the world and Nepal’s position in them is necessary.

36. Candidates should be aware of influential international institutions and their roles.

37. General knowledge of global and regional political systems will also be tested.

38. Awareness of major historical revolutions and their significance is important.

Field Knowledge

1. Use of compass.

2. Methods of map setting.

3. Identifying reference points.

4. Estimating distance using maps.

5. Locating own and enemy positions using field methods.

6. Use of GPS.

7. Use of communication tools like walkie-talkies.

8. Marching techniques.

9. Use of safety gear like protective equipment.

Area Operations (Plains/Terai)

10. Ambush strategies.

11. Use of screening, flanking, fortification, fire line, and reverse slope.

12. Offensive (attack) tactics.

13. Tactical withdrawal procedures.

Area Operations (Mountain)

14. Ambush techniques in hilly areas.

15. Crossing and movement tactics in mountainous terrain.

16. Patrolling in mountain areas.

17. Communication strategies in remote hill regions.

Threats and Countermeasures

18. Knowledge of national and security-related threats.

19. Cyber warfare and digital threats.

20. Nuclear, biological, and chemical threats.

21. Drone threats and how to counter them.

22. Basics of counterintelligence and its applications.

Another topic which covers topics such as propaganda and counter-propaganda, red operations, psychological operations (PsyOps), civil-military coordination, daily military activities, crowd control, evacuation, area domination, reconnaissance, ambush, and counter-ambush drills. It also includes riot control, command post setup, camouflage, light signal techniques, room-clearing drills, and multipoint patrolling strategies. In logistics, candidates are expected to understand ration scales, types of supply distribution, management of controlled items, procedures for storing and issuing materials, and logistics in the Nepal Army context. Lastly, the syllabus includes basic weaponry knowledge, covering various firearms like the SLR, LMG, M16, SMG, INSAS, LSW, and the 9mm pistol, which are used by the armed forces.

IQ Test Syllabus Officer Cadet: Detailed Overview:

1. Verbal Reasoning Test (20 Marks)

This section assesses a candidate’s verbal logic, comprehension, and pattern recognition using language-based problems. It includes topics like analogy, series, relationship, jumbled spelling, coding and decoding, classification, and common sense. Other topics include sentence formation, direction and distance, alphabetical order, synonyms/antonyms, mirror and water images, completion of words, odd one out, assertion and reasoning, induction and deduction, courses of action, time sequence, and natural sequence tests.

2. Numerical Reasoning Test (15 Marks)

This part evaluates numerical logic and mathematical problem-solving ability. Topics include series/sequence, analogy, classification, coding, and odd one out using numbers. It also includes inserting the correct mathematical signs, identifying missing numbers or characters, and applying matrix logic. You’ll also solve problems on data interpretation, percentage, fractions, decimals, ratios, averages, profit and loss, calendar and time, work, height, and distance.

3. Non-Verbal Reasoning Test (20 Marks)

This section focuses on visual logic and spatial intelligence. It includes analogy tests, series or pattern completion, classification, and odd one out questions using shapes or images. Other topics include figure formation, Venn diagrams, matrices, dot situations, mirror and water images, embedded figures, and analytical reasoning involving visual patterns.

4. Managerial/Organizational Problem Solving Test (5 Marks)

This brief section tests your ability to make practical decisions and solve everyday problems logically. It focuses on logical reasoning and common sense scenarios, particularly in a leadership or management context.