The SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam 2025 has been postponed, giving candidates extra time to improve their skills and work on weak areas. If you want to increase your score and have a better chance of selection, it’s important to focus on topics you find difficult. In this blog, we will talk about five common topics where many candidates lose marks and share tips to help you get better at them. We will also share the latest exam dates and the exam pattern to help you plan your preparation.
Important Dates and Exam Postponement
As per the SSC Calendar 2025, the SSC CGL notification was released on 9th June 2025. Due to administrative reasons, the SSC CGL Exam Date 2025 for Tier 1 scheduled for August has been postponed to the 1st week of September 2025. This delay is an excellent opportunity to revise and focus on your weaker topics.
| Activity | Dates |
| SSC CGL Notification Release | 9th June 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 9th June 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 4th July 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | 9th July 2025 |
| SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Date | 1st Week of September 2025 (Postponed) |
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Date | December 2025 |
What is SSC CGL Exam Pattern?
The SSC CGL Exam Pattern consists of two: Tier 1 and Tier 2. Each tier evaluates candidates’ skills and knowledge through various formats like computer-based tests, descriptive exams, and skill tests. Tier 1 is an online exam with multiple-choice questions, assessing General Intelligence, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Tier 2 is more advanced, consisting of two papers focused on Quantitative Abilities and English Language & Comprehension.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern
The SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam is a qualifying exam, and the score obtained in this exam will not be considered for the final selection. The details of the SSC CGL Exam Pattern are as follows:
- Exam Duration: 60 minutes.
- Negative Marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
- Qualification Process: Tier-1 is qualifying; Tier-2 determines final merit.
- Paper 1: Must qualify each section separately.
- Merit List: Based only on Tier-2 performance.
The subject wise weightage for Tier 1 is as follows:
| Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| General English | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern
The SSC CGL Exam has undergone important changes in its evaluation process and time allocation. The key details about the merit list preparation, exam duration, and negative marking policy:
- Merit List: Based only on Tier-2 performance.
- Exam Duration: Paper 1: 2 hours 15 minutes; Paper 2: 2 hours.
- Negative Marking: Paper 1 – 1 mark per wrong answer; Paper 2 – 0.50 marks per wrong answer.
The subject wise weightage for Tier 2 is as follows:
| Session | Subject | Questions |
| Paper 1 Session I (2 hours and 15 minutes) | Section I (1 hour ) Module I – Mathematical Abilities Module II – Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 30 60 x 30 = 180 |
| Section II (1 hour ) Module I – English Language Comprehension Module II – General Awareness | 45 25 70 x 3 = 210 | |
| Section III (15 minutes) Module – I – Computer Knowledge module | 20 x 3 = 60 | |
| Session II (15 minutes) | Module – II: Data Entry Speed Test | One data entry task |
| Paper 2 2 hours | FOR JSO: Statistics (Paper I & II as above) | 100 x 2 = 200 |
5 Weak Topics to Prioritize Before SSC CGL Exam
Below is a list of five common weak topics among SSC CGL aspirants, why they matter, and practical tips to help you improve in each area.
| Weak Topic | Why It’s Important | Tips to Improve |
| 1. Geometry (Quantitative Aptitude) | Conceptual and application-based questions on triangles, circles, polygons, coordinate geometry. | – Memorize important theorems and formulas – Solve diagram-based questions regularly – Practice coordinate geometry problems carefully |
| 2. Current Affairs (General Awareness) | High scoring but often neglected; includes national & international events, government schemes, appointments. | – Read daily newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express – Use monthly current affairs magazines or apps – Take regular quizzes to test knowledge |
| 3. Advanced Quantitative Aptitude Concepts | Topics like Time & Work, Speed & Distance, Mixture & Allegation, Compound Interest are tricky and time-consuming. | – Learn shortcut methods and tricks – Practice different types of questions – Time yourself while solving problems to improve speed |
| 4. Vocabulary (English Comprehension) | Strong vocabulary is essential for reading comprehension, sentence correction, and error spotting. | – Learn new words daily with meanings and usage – Focus on synonyms and antonyms – Use vocabulary-building apps or word lists |
| 5. Figure Counting & Missing Numbers (Reasoning) | Some reasoning topics like figure counting and number series can be tricky and time-consuming. | – Practice various figure counting puzzles – Learn common number series patterns – Improve speed and accuracy through timed tests |
General Tips to Improve Weak Areas
Below are the general strategies to tackle weak spots in your preparation effectively:
| Step | How to Do It |
| Diagnose your problem | Identify if the issue is due to lack of concept clarity, insufficient practice, or poor time management. |
| Targeted practice | Focus on the specific question types that you find difficult. |
| Use reliable resources | Refer to standard textbooks, online lessons, and focused practice materials. |
| Solve previous papers | Practice past year papers to understand how questions appear in the exam. |
| Take mock tests | Attempt regular mock tests to track progress and improve exam strategy and time management. |
FAQs
Ans. Focusing on weak topics helps improve your overall score by reducing mistakes and increasing accuracy in areas where you lose marks.
Ans. Common weak topics include Geometry (Quantitative Aptitude), Current Affairs (General Awareness), Advanced Quantitative Aptitude concepts, Vocabulary (English Comprehension), and Figure Counting & Missing Numbers (Reasoning).
Ans. Memorize key theorems and formulas, regularly solve diagram-based problems, and practice coordinate geometry questions carefully.
Ans. Read daily newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express, use monthly current affairs magazines or mobile apps, and take regular quizzes.
Ans. Learn shortcut tricks, practice diverse questions regularly, and time yourself to improve speed and accuracy.
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I’m Mahima Khurana, a writer with a strong passion for creating meaningful, learner-focused content especially in the field of competitive exam preparation. From authoring books and developing thousands of practice questions to crafting articles and study material, I specialize in transforming complex exam-related topics into clear, engaging, and accessible content. Writing, for me, is not just a skill but a way to support and guide aspirants through their preparation journey one well-written explanation at a time.