NDA CDS AFCAT 1 2026 Exam English Comprehension Class 2

The second live class on Comprehension for NDA, CDS & AFCAT 1 2026 aspirants focused on advanced problem-solving, complex inferential questions, and higher-order MCQs typically...

The second live class on Comprehension for NDA, CDS & AFCAT 1 2026 aspirants focused on advanced problem-solving, complex inferential questions, and higher-order MCQs typically asked in defence examinations. While Class 1 built the foundation, Class 2 strengthened analytical reading, multi-layered understanding, and precision-based answeringโ€”skills crucial for scoring high in the English section.

This article summarises all major learning highlights, MCQ types practiced, and strategies discussed to improve comprehension performance.

Focus of Live Class 2: From Basic Understanding to Deep Analysis

Class 2 was designed to help students move from surface-level reading to deep comprehension, enabling them to:

โœ” Identify subtle ideas hidden in the passage

โœ” Handle factual, inferential, and analytical MCQs

โœ” Decode context-based vocabulary

โœ” Understand viewpoint, tone, and intention

โœ” Manage time efficiently during the exam

The class emphasized reading beyond what is writtenโ€”a key requirement for scoring 80โ€“90% accuracy in comprehension.

How Reading Skills were Strengthened in Class 2

The session focused heavily on building deeper reading habits essential for defence exams:

1. Layered Reading Technique

Students practiced reading the passage in two layers:

  • Layer 1: Overviewโ€”main idea, tone
  • Layer 2: Detailsโ€”facts, supporting points

This method improved recall and reduced rereading time.

2. Keyword-Based Scanning Method

Instead of randomly hunting for answers, aspirants learned how to:

  • Identify keywords in questions
  • Locate the exact portion of passage
  • Pick the correct option efficiently

3. Critical Reading & Logical Thinking

Comprehension passages test a candidateโ€™s ability to:

  • Evaluate information
  • Recognize contradictions
  • Detect biases
  • Understand subtle meaning

These cognitive abilities are also part of Officer-Like Qualities assessed in SSB.

4. Speed with Accuracy

Defence exams are time-bound:

  • NDA: 4โ€“5 passages
  • CDS: 2โ€“3 long passages
  • AFCAT: 1โ€“2 medium passages

Students practiced finishing passages within 4โ€“6 minutes, maintaining accuracy.

Why Comprehension is Crucial for NDA, CDS & AFCAT Aspirants

The Comprehension section enhances more than just Englishโ€”it trains the mind to think like an officer.

It strengthens OLQs such as:

  • Analytical ability
  • Effective intelligence
  • Organising ability
  • Rapid decision-making
  • Clear communication
  • Situational awareness

This makes comprehension practice a dual benefit for written exam + SSB preparation.

Exam-Specific Insights Covered in Class 2

NDA:

  • Short factual passages
  • Quick scanning needed
  • Vocabulary questions common

CDS:

  • Long analytical passages
  • Heavy inference-based MCQs
  • Requires deep understanding

AFCAT:

  • Moderate difficulty
  • Vocabulary + fact-based questions
  • Main idea & tone frequently asked

Students practised a mix of these patterns in Class 2.

Final Takeaways from Live Class 2

By the end of the session, students were able to:

โœ” Decode complex passages

โœ” Identify inferences with ease

โœ” Solve vocabulary using context clues

โœ” Recognize tone, viewpoint, and argument flow

โœ” Complete 4โ€“5 comprehension passages with high accuracy

โœ” Apply critical reasoning instead of guesswork

Class 2 served as a major step towards mastering the Comprehension segment, ensuring students are exam-ready with improved speed, logic, and understanding.

Picture of Anuradha Dey

Anuradha Dey

Senior Lecturer, SSBCrackExams, M.A.(Psychology), M.A. English (Gold Medalist) from BHU; B.A. Hons from St. Xavierโ€™s College (Kolkata). Poet, Writer & Translator. Certified Career Counselor. Knows Mandarin, German, English, Bengali & Hindi.