Prepare For SSC CGL with College: The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) exam is one of the most popular exams conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for graduates who aspire to work in various government departments and ministries. The SSC CGL exam is considered one of the most challenging exams due to its vast syllabus and high competition level. Therefore, it is crucial to start preparing for the exam well in advance. In this article, we will discuss how college students can start preparing for the SSC CGL exam.
Know the Syllabus and Exam Pattern
The first and foremost step towards preparing for the SSC CGL exam is to be familiar with the syllabus and exam pattern. Knowing the syllabus will give you an idea of what topics to study and what to avoid. The exam consists of four sections: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Each section carries 25 marks, and the total duration of the exam is 60 minutes. The exam pattern and syllabus are mentioned below for the candidates.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern – Overview
| Tiers | Paper Type | Exam Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Tier – 1/I | Objective Multiple Choice | Computer-Based (online) |
| Tier – 2/II | Objective Multiple Choice | Computer-Based (online) |
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern
This exam is mandatory for all aspirants appearing in the SSC CGL. It can be regarded as the preliminary exam
| Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks | Total Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| General English | 25 | 50 | |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern
In this phase, two exams are conducted on the same day, the details of the Tier-II exams are listed below
The merit list will be prepared on the basis of the overall performance of candidates in the Tier-II Examination only. The total time duration is 2 hours 15 minutes for Paper – 1 and 2 hours for Paper – 2 and 3 each.
| Paper | Session | Section | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | I (2 hours and 15 minutes) | I (1 hour ) | Module I – Mathematical abilities Module II – Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 30 Total – 60 | 60 x 3= 180 |
| II (1 hour ) | Module I – English Language Comprehension Module II – General Awareness | 45 25 Total = 70 | 70 x 3 = 210 | ||
| III (15 minutes) | Module – I – Computer Knowledge module | 20 | 20 x 3 = 60 | ||
| II (15 minutes) | III | Module – II : Data Entry Speed Test | One data entry task | ||
| II | 2 hours | Statistics (Paper I & II as above) | 100 | 100 x 2 = 200 | |
| III | 2 hours | General Studies (Paper I & II as above) (Finance & Economics) | 100 | 100 x 2 = 200 | |
| Total | 500 | 850 |
Create a Study Plan
Once you are aware of the syllabus and exam pattern, the next step is to create a study plan. The study plan should be realistic and should take into account your college schedule, extracurricular activities, and other commitments. Devote a fixed number of hours each day to the preparation of each section of the exam. Make sure to allocate enough time for revision and practice. It is essential to stick to the study plan and be consistent in your preparation. We have mentioned below the points we need to keep in mind while creating a study plan.
- Set a Realistic Goal: Based on the syllabus and exam pattern, candidates should set realistic goals for themselves. They should create a study plan that allows them to cover all the topics in each tier and leave enough time for revision and practice.
- Allocate Time for Each Topic: Once the syllabus is understood, candidates should allocate sufficient time for each topic based on their strengths and weaknesses. They should divide their time in such a way that they can cover all the topics before the exam date.
- Take Mock Tests: Mock tests are an essential part of the SSC CGL preparation. Candidates should take mock tests regularly to assess their progress and identify their weak areas. Mock tests will also help them understand the exam pattern and manage their time effectively.
- Read Newspapers and Stay Updated: General Awareness is an important section in SSC CGL. Candidates should read newspapers regularly to stay updated with current affairs and national/international news.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Practicing previous year papers is crucial in SSC CGL preparation. It will help candidates understand the type of questions asked in the exam and also help them manage their time effectively.
- Revise Regularly: Revision is the key to success in SSC CGL. Candidates should revise all the topics regularly to keep them fresh in their memory.
- Take Breaks and Stay Motivated: SSC CGL preparation can be stressful, and it is essential to take breaks and stay motivated throughout the process. Candidates should take breaks, pursue their hobbies, and stay motivated to achieve their goals.
Remember, consistency and dedication are crucial in SSC CGL preparation. Candidates should follow a disciplined study routine and stay focused on their goals. With the right strategy and hard work, cracking SSC CGL can become a reality.
Choose the Right Study Material
Choosing the right study material is crucial for success in the SSC CGL exam. There are many books, online courses, and coaching centers that offer preparation for the exam. However, it is essential to choose the study material that suits your needs and budget. Consult your seniors or teachers, and read reviews before making a decision. Also, make sure that the study material covers the entire syllabus and has enough practice questions and mock tests.
SSC CGL Book list by topper for Tier I
Tier I of SSC CGL is an objective type test. It includes four sections namely General Awareness, General Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English. We have given below the book list by topper for each section.
SSC CGL Book List for General Awareness
The General Awareness section of the Tier I exam consists of questions related to history, geography, politics, environment, general science, and basic computer operations. We have provided below the list of books that will give you a better understanding and knowledge of General Awareness.
| Book | Author/Publication |
| GK Blast | Oliveboard |
| General Knowledge | Lucent’s Publication |
| NCERT books | NCERT |
| General Knowledge | Disha Publications |
SSC CGL Book List for English
The English section of the Tier I exam consists of grammar and passages. The section mostly consists of active/passive voice, synonyms, antonyms, proverbs, articles, etc, We have provided below the list of books that will make you fluent in English grammar.
| Books | Authors/Publications |
| English Simplified | Oliveboard |
| English for General Competition | Neetu Singh |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
| English | Ajay K Singh |
SSC CGL Book list for General Reasoning
The General Reasoning section is considered one of the scoring parts of Tier I. This section consists of questions of verbal and non-verbal reasoning, coding-decoding, classification, Venn diagrams, etc, We have provided below the SSC CGL Book list by toppers of General reasoning. These books will help you throughout the examination.
| Books | Author/Publications |
| Puzzle Mania | Oliveboard |
| A modern approach to verbal and non-verbal reasoning | S.Chand and sons |
| Reasoning | Kiran Publications |
| Reasoning | Rakesh Yadav Readers Publication |
SSC Book list for Quantitative Aptitude
Quantitative Aptitude is considered one of the toughest and time-taking sections of the Tier I examination. To ace this section, aspirants need to do regular practice. This section consists of basic mathematics like percentages, probability, compound interest, algebra, etc, We have provided below the list of books that will give you a better knowledge of the quants section.
| Books | Author/Publications |
| Data Interpretation Decoded | Oliveboard |
| Quantum CAT | Arihant Publications |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examination | S.Chand and R.S. Aggarwal |
Improve Your General Knowledge
General Awareness is a crucial section of the SSC CGL exam, and it requires a lot of reading and memorization. Start reading newspapers, magazines, and other informative material regularly. Make notes of important events, dates, and facts. Watch news channels and documentaries to stay updated on current affairs. It is also essential to have a good understanding of Indian history, geography, and politics.
Practice and Analyze
Practice is the key to success in the SSC CGL exam. Solve as many practice papers and mock tests as possible. This will help you identify your weak areas and improve your time management skills. Also, analyze your performance in the mock tests and practice papers. Identify the questions you got wrong and try to understand the concepts behind them. This will help you avoid making the same mistakes in the actual exam.
Focus on Time Management
Time management is crucial in the SSC CGL exam. The exam duration is 60 minutes, and you have to answer 100 questions. This means that you have less than a minute to answer each question. Therefore, it is essential to improve your speed and accuracy. Solve practice papers and mock tests under timed conditions to improve your time management skills. Also, learn to prioritize and attempt the questions you are confident about first.
Join a Study Group
Joining a study group is an excellent way to prepare for the SSC CGL exam. You can discuss difficult concepts, share study material, and practice with your peers. Also, group discussions and debates can improve your analytical and reasoning skills. Make sure to choose a study group with serious aspirants who are committed to their preparation.
We hope this blog gave you the best tips regarding the prepare for SSC CGL with College. To read more such blogs, visit the Oliveboard website!
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Frequently Asked Questions
SSC CGL Mains Exam 2022 will be conducted from 2nd to 7th March 2023.
Yes, you can prepare for SSC CGL while studying in college, and with the right strategy can ace the examination.
Candidates can check out this blog for a brief preparation strategy.
Hey everyone, I’m Vaishnavi Kumari, an edtech writer and a dedicated aspirant for government exams, including banking and SSC exams. Having worked with several edtech platforms, I am committed to providing you with essential and accurate information to ace these exams. With my experience as both a writer and an aspirant, I understand your needs and challenges, and my aim is to make your preparation journey smoother. I’ll focus on specific sections of the exams, compiling comprehensive and helpful content that covers the crucial topics, tips, and strategies you need to succeed. Let’s conquer these exams together!
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