• Updated on 13 Sept, 2026 by Diksha Kumari
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CDS 2 good attempts refer to the number of questions answered correctly in the exam to get a good score. The good attempt is estimated on the basis of the difficulty level of the paper, accuracy, and CDS exam students' reactions. Based on the analysis, the expected good attempt for CDS 2 English exam is around 75-80 questions and for GK, 55-60 questions. The good attempt for Maths is expected to be 55-60 as well.
Note that the good attempt is for students’ reference and not an official UPSC figure. The good attempt can also vary for different sections of the exam. CDS 2 exam 2026 has concluded on September 13, 2026. The exam was conducted in 3 shifts: Shift 1 for English, Shift 2 for GK, and Shift 3 for Mathematics.
Candidates can also check the following links for more details:
Table of Contents
CDS Exam Good Attempts 2026
Knowing about the good attempts in the CDS exam 2026, candidates can estimate their performance in the exam. When the paper is easy, the number of good attempts is generally higher. Since CDS has negative marking, accuracy is also considered while calculating good attempts. The expected CDS 2 good attempts for all subjects are given below:
| Overall | 300 | Moderate | 180-200 |
CDS 2 English Good Attempts 2026
As per CDS Exam Analysis 2026, the expected good attempts for English are 75-80 questions. The analysis of the exam along with good attempts is given below:
CDS 2 GK Good Attempts 2026
The expected good attempts for GK are 55-60 questions. The analysis of the exam along with good attempts is given below:
Candidates can also check CDS Exam Answer Key 2026 to compare their answers and calculate their expected scores.
CDS 2 Mathematics Good Attempts 2026
The expected good attempts for the CDS 2 Maths paper will be updated here after the exam ends:
CDS 2 Good Attempts 2026 Trends
The CDS 2 good attempts for the previous 2 years can be checked from the table below:
CDS 2 Expected Cutoff 2026
Based on the overall difficulty level and student reviews, the expected CDS cutoff 2026 for IMA is expected to be around 110-135 marks. Apart from this, the cutoff for INA and AFA is expected to be around 104-125 and 108-155 marks, respectively. The expected CDS cutoff 2026 is given below:
How to Calculate CDS 2 Expected Score?
Candidates can calculate their expected score for the CDS 2 exam 2026 by comparing their answers with the marking scheme. Candidates should also consider the negative marking since it can impact their overall score. Candidates can use the detailed CDS 2 Score Calculator 2026 guide to understand the calculation method and estimate their score.
Factors Affecting CDS 2 Good Attempts 2026
There are various factors that affect CDS 2 good attempts, such as:
- Overall exam difficulty
- Subject wise paper difficulty
- Number of easy and direct questions
- Negative marking
- Number of tough questions
- Candidate’s accuracy
Candidates can download the CDS Exam Question Papers to compare the difficulty level and questions asked in the exam.
H2: CDS 2 Good Attempts 2026 FAQs
What are good attempts for CDS 2 2026?
Based on initial student reactions, English good attempts are expected to be around 75–85 questions. GK and Mathematics good attempts will be updated after the respective shifts.
How many questions should I attempt in CDS 2 English?
Candidates should aim to attempt around 75–85 questions in CDS 2 English, provided they can maintain good accuracy. The ideal number may vary depending on the difficulty level of the paper and the candidate's preparation.
Are good attempts officially released by UPSC?
No, UPSC does not officially release a fixed number of good attempts. Good attempts are estimated based on the paper's difficulty level, student reactions, accuracy and expected cutoff.
Does a higher number of attempts guarantee a good score?
No, a higher number of attempts does not guarantee a good score. Accuracy is equally important because incorrect answers attract negative marking in the CDS exam.
How are CDS good attempts calculated?
CDS good attempts are estimated by considering the difficulty level of the paper, number of questions attempted by candidates, expected accuracy, negative marking and previous years' cutoff trends.
What is the difference between good attempts and cutoff?
Good attempts refer to the approximate number of questions a candidate can attempt with reasonable accuracy, while the cutoff is the minimum qualifying score required to clear the exam. Good attempts are an estimate, whereas the cutoff is determined based on the examination and selection criteria.
How does negative marking affect good attempts?
Negative marking makes accuracy important when deciding the number of good attempts. Attempting too many questions by guessing can reduce the overall score, so candidates should focus on questions they can answer with reasonable confidence.