How to Prepare for Navodaya Entrance Exam in 3 Months

Preparing for the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) in just three months is a challenge, but with the right roadmap, it is completely achievable. Since 50% of the exam weightage lies in Mental Ability, your strategy must be smart rather than just hard. Many students find that enrolling in professional navodaya coaching helps them stay disciplined and covers the vast syllabus systematically.

Here is your step-by-step 90-day guide to cracking the navodaya vidyalaya entrance exam.

Phase 1: Month 1 – Building the Foundation

The first 30 days are all about understanding "The Big Three": Mental Ability, Arithmetic, and Language.

• Understand the Pattern: You will face 80 questions in 2 hours.

  • Mental Ability: 40 Questions (50 Marks)

  • Arithmetic: 20 Questions (25 Marks)

  • Language: 20 Questions (25 Marks)

• The NCERT Shortcut: Since the exam is for Class 6 admission, thoroughly master your Class 5 NCERT textbooks.

• Topic Focus:

  • MAT: Start with 'Odd Man Out' and 'Figure Matching'. These are scoring and build visual confidence.

  • Maths: Focus on the Number System, LCM/HCF, and Fractions.

  • Language: Read one unseen passage every single day to build speed.

Phase 2: Month 2 – Speed & Accuracy

Now that you know the concepts, it’s time to solve them faster. The navodaya vidyalaya entrance exam is a race against time.

• Daily Practice: Dedicate 3 to 4 hours daily.

  • 1 Hour: Mental Ability (Focus on Mirror Images & Punched Holes)

  • 1 Hour: Arithmetic (Decimals, Percentage, and Profit & Loss)

  • 1 Hour: Language (Grammar and Vocabulary)

• Chapter-wise Tests: Don't just read; solve! After every chapter, solve at least 20-30 questions to ensure you haven't just memorized the theory.

• Identify Weak Spots: If 'Time and Distance' questions are taking you more than 2 minutes, mark them for extra practice on weekends.

Phase 3: Month 3 – Mock Tests & Strategy

In the final 30 days, stop learning new topics. It’s time to become an "Exam Warrior." If you feel overwhelmed, institutions like Sukhoi Academy offer specialized crash courses and mock test series to fine-tune your performance.

• The OMR Habit: The JNVST is an offline exam. Practice marking your answers on an OMR sheet. Many students lose marks simply by bubbling the wrong circle!

• Previous Year Papers (PYQs): Solve the last 10 years of question papers. Patterns in Navodaya often repeat, especially in the Mental Ability section.

• Full-Length Mocks: Every Sunday, sit in a quiet room and solve a full 80-question paper in exactly 2 hours (11:30 AM to 1:30 PM is the usual exam slot).

• No Negative Marking: Remember, there is no penalty for wrong answers. Train yourself to never leave a question blank.

Essential Tips for Success

Key Dates for 2026 Aspirants

• Phase 1 Exam (Summer Bound): Expected December 13, 2025 or early January 2026.

• Phase 2 Exam (Winter Bound): Expected April 11, 2026.

• Admit Card: Usually released 3-4 weeks before the exam on