SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level)
Prepare for the Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) examination with official TCS-pattern previous year questions, detailed step-by-step solutions, and subject-wise analytics.
Select Year to Practice
How to Master SSC CGL: Mentor's Guide
Crack SSC CGL not by studying 14 hours a day, but by mastering high-weightage topics and relentlessly solving past papers. Here is the realistic roadmap top rankers follow:
Quantitative Aptitude
Focus heavily on Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio, Time & Work) and Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Data Interpretation. Learn calculation tricks to attempt 22+ questions in under 20 minutes.
Reasoning Ability
Reasoning is your highest-scoring area. Master Coding-Decoding, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Series, and Analogies. Aim for a 50/50 score in Tier 1 Reasoning.
English Comprehension
Focus on Grammar rules (Error Spotting), Idioms/Phrases, Synonyms/Antonyms, and Cloze Tests. Past 5 years' vocabulary repeats heavily in SSC exams.
General Awareness
Prioritize Static GK (Polity, History, Geography, Science) over dynamic current affairs. Static GK gives guaranteed return on investment.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern Overview
Tier 1 is a qualifying computer-based examination (CBE) featuring 100 objective questions:
| Subject / Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes (80 min for PwD candidates) |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 Questions | 200 Marks | 60 Minutes |
Negative Marking Note: 0.50 marks will be deducted for each wrong response in Tier 1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - SSC CGL
What is the exam pattern for SSC CGL Tier 1?
SSC CGL Tier 1 consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (200 marks) divided across 4 subjects: General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 questions), General Awareness (25 questions), Quantitative Aptitude (25 questions), and English Comprehension (25 questions). Total duration is 60 minutes with a negative marking of 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
Are previous year questions (PYQs) repeated in SSC CGL?
Yes! Around 60% to 70% of concepts, question patterns, and vocabulary words in English and Quantitative Aptitude are repeated from past 5 years' TCS-pattern papers. Practicing PYQs is the single most effective strategy to boost your score.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL 2026?
Yes. Tier 1 has a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer (1/4th penalty). Tier 2 Section 1 & Section 2 have a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer.
How many months of preparation are needed for SSC CGL?
For beginners, 6 to 8 months of consistent daily preparation (4-6 hours) covering basic concepts followed by 2 months of daily PYQ practice and mock tests is ideal to score 150+ in Tier 1.