This detailed guide explains the
complete SSC CGL preparation strategy for beginners. Learn subject-wise
planning, PYQ-based study approach, mock test strategy, common mistakes, and a
realistic roadmap designed by Career Wave to help aspirants crack SSC CGL with
confidence.
SSC CGL Preparation Strategy for Beginners
A
Complete, Step-by-Step, Reality-Based Guide by Career Wave
Every year, 25–30
lakh candidates apply for SSC CGL, but only a small percentage finally
secure a government post.
At Career
Wave, years of student data, result analysis, and mentoring show one clear
truth:
❌ Failure is
rarely due to lack of intelligence
✅ Success comes from right
strategy + consistency + exam awareness
This guide
is designed by Career Wave for:
·
Absolute
beginners
·
College
students
·
Working
professionals
·
Aspirants
confused about how to start SSC CGL correctly
1) Understanding
SSC CGL the Right Way (Career Wave Insight)
What SSC CGL
Is NOT
·
❌ Not about
finishing many books
·
❌ Not
memory-based
·
❌ Not about
tricks alone
What SSC CGL
ACTUALLY Is
·
✅
Pattern-driven exam
·
✅ Speed +
accuracy focused
·
✅ PYQ-based
selection system
👉
Career Wave Approach:
SSC CGL rewards candidates who train exam-thinking, not just
syllabus-reading.
2) Complete SSC
CGL Exam Structure (Beginner Clarity)
|
Tier |
Type of Exam |
Mode |
|
Tier – I |
Objective Multiple Choice |
Computer-Based (online) |
|
Tier – II (Paper I, II, III) |
Paper I (Compulsory for all
posts), |
Computer-Based (online) |
SSC CGL Tier -1 exam pattern
SSC CGL Tier 1 exam
is conducted in online mode (Computer Based Examination) and will be qualifying
in nature. The Tier 1 consists of 4 sections with 25
questions each and a total of 100 questions for 200 marks. The time duration
for completing the Tier-1 Exam is 60 minutes & there is a negative marking
of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer. Have a look at the SSC CGL Tier -1
exam pattern
|
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Structure 2025 |
||||
|
Subjects |
General Awareness |
English Comprehension |
Quantitative Aptitude |
General Intelligence and Reasoning |
|
No. of Questions |
25 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
|
Marks |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
|
Exam Duration |
60 minutes (1 hour) |
|||
Quantitative
Aptitude Syllabus
In SSC CGL
Tier-1 Exam, the Quantitative Aptitude Questions focus on analysing the
candidate's ability to appropriately use of numbers and number sense. This
section is common in Tier-1 & Tier-2, and some of the topics are
repetitive, so do prepare well to save time during your next stage of
preparation for the same chapters. The topics for SSC CGL Quantitative Aptitude
as set by the commission are as follows-
Quantitative Aptitude Topic-wise Weightage
|
Topics |
No. of Questions |
|
Profit & Loss |
2 to 3 |
|
Time and Work |
1 to 2 |
|
Percentages |
1 to 2 |
|
Simple & Compound |
1 to 2 |
|
Time, Speed & Distance |
1 to 2 |
|
Averages |
1 to 2 |
|
Ratio & Proportion |
1 to 2 |
|
Algebra |
2 to 3 |
|
Geometry |
2 to 3 |
|
Mensuration |
1 to 2 |
|
Trigonometry |
1 to 2 |
|
Data Interpretation |
1 to 2 |
|
Number System |
1 to 2 |
|
Miscellaneous (e.g., simplification, surds,
indices) |
1 to 2 |
General
Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus
The SSC CGL
Syllabus 2025 for General Intelligence and Reasoning consists of both verbal
and non-verbal types of topics. This section will be key to examining the
candidate's activity and sharpness in any situation. The topics to be covered
under the SSC CGL Syllabus for General Intelligence and Reasoning are listed
below-
Reasoning Ability Topic-wise Weightage
|
Topics |
No. of Questions |
|
Analogy |
2 to 4 |
|
Coding-Decoding |
3 to 4 |
|
Number Series/Alpha-Numeric Series |
2 to 3 |
|
Seating Arrangement |
2 to 3 |
|
Non-Verbal Reasoning |
1 to 2 |
|
Blood Relations |
1 to 2 |
|
Mathematical Operations |
1 to 2 |
|
Syllogism |
1 to 2 |
|
Direction Sense |
1 to 2 |
|
Venn Diagram |
1 to 2 |
|
Odd One Out |
1 to 2 |
|
Miscellaneous (e.g., word formation,
dictionary sequence, counting figures) |
1 to 3 |
English
Language Syllabus
Of all the
sections in SSC CGL Tier-1, the English section will be only in the English
language. The candidates have to solve the questions asked in the exam which
would analyse their understanding of the subject and their basic comprehension
and writing ability would also be tested. Good command over the following
topics would help the candidates to excel good score in this section.
General
Awareness Syllabus
This section
would help test the candidate's awareness about General Knowledge and
General Science and their application to society. Though the syllabus of this
section is vast in terms of the following topics.
General Awareness Topic-wise Weightage
|
Topics |
No. of Questions |
|
Current Affairs |
5 to 7 |
|
History |
2 to 3 |
|
Geography |
2 to 3 |
|
Polity |
2 to 3 |
|
Economics |
1 to 2 |
|
General Science |
4 to 6 |
|
Static GK |
3 to 5 |
|
Miscellaneous (Computer Basics,
Abbreviations) |
1 to 2 |
📌
Career Wave Principle:
Prepare Tier-I topics with Tier-II depth from Day 1.
SSC CGL Tier -2 exam pattern
After the
preliminary exam has been conducted, it will be necessary to gear up for the
Tier-2 Exam. The Mains Exam will be conducted online and is an objective
multiple-choice exam, except for Module II (Data Entry Speed Test) of Section
III of Paper-I. The detailed SSC CGL syllabus and exam pattern for Tier 2 are
discussed below.
SSC CGL Tier-2
Paper I will be conducted in two
sessions - Session I & Session II, on the same day and is compulsory for
all candidates who qualify in Paper 1. Session I will include conducting
Section I, Section II and Module I of Section III. Session II will include
conducting Module II of Section III. It will be mandatory for the candidates to
qualify for all the sections of Paper I.
|
SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1 Exam Pattern |
||||||
|
Sections |
Module |
Subject |
No. of Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
Weightage |
|
Section I |
Module-I |
Mathematical Abilities |
30 |
60*3 = 180 |
1 hour |
23% |
|
Module-II |
Reasoning and General Intelligence |
30 |
23% |
|||
|
Section II |
Module-I |
English Language and Comprehension |
45 |
70*3 = 210 |
1 hour |
35% |
|
Module-II |
General Awareness |
25 |
19% |
|||
|
Section III |
Module-I |
Computer Knowledge Test |
20 |
20*3 = 60 |
15 minutes |
Qualifying |
|
Module-II |
Data Entry Speed Test |
One Data Entry Task |
15 minutes |
Qualifying |
||
|
SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 2 Exam Pattern |
||||
|
Paper |
Section |
No. of question |
Maximum Marks |
Duration |
|
Paper II |
Statistics |
100 |
200 |
2 hours |
Module
I of Session I of Paper I (Mathematical Abilities):
The main focus of this section is
to check the candidate's knowledge in terms f the appropriate use of numbers
and the number sense of the candidate. Though the section is also asked in the
Tier-1 Exam, however, the level and type of questions will be designed
differently and slightly more moderate than in the 1st stage. So candidates
must buckle up their preparation with the topics listed below-
|
Topics |
Sub-topics |
|
Number Systems |
|
|
Fundamental arithmetical operations |
|
|
Algebra |
1. Basic
algebraic identities of School Algebra and Elementary surds (simple problems) 2. Graphs
of Linear Equations |
|
Geometry |
|
|
Mensuration |
|
|
Trigonometry |
|
|
Statistics and probability |
|
Module-II
of Section-I of Paper-I (Reasoning and General Intelligence):
Questions of both verbal and non-verbal types. These will include
questions on
|
Module-II
of Section-I of Paper-I (Reasoning and General Intelligence) |
|
Module-I
of Section-II of Paper-I (English Language And Comprehension):
Fluency in the English Language
will be tested based on this section of the SSC CGL Tier-2 Syllabus. Basic
knowledge of the English language in terms of the following topics is necessary
to get good marks in this section of the Tier-2 Exam. The syllabus for reading
comprehension is not specific and is added in the syllabus to check candidates'
quick responses to the situations.
|
Module-I
of Section-II of Paper-I (English Language And Comprehension) |
|
Module-II
of Section-II of Paper-I (General Awareness):
Questions are designed to test
the candidates’ general awareness of the environment around them and its
application to society. Questions are also designed to test knowledge of
current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their
scientific aspect as may be expected of an educated person. The test will also
include questions relating
|
Module-II
of Section-II of Paper-I (General Awareness) |
|
Module-I
of Section-III of Paper-I (Computer Proficiency):
|
Topics |
Sub-Topics |
|
Computer
Basics |
|
|
Software |
Windows
Operating system including basics of Microsoft Office like MS word, MS Excel
and Power Point etc |
|
Working
with the Internet and e-mails |
Web
Browsing & Searching, Downloading & Uploading, Managing an E-mail
Account, e-Banking |
|
Basics
of networking and cyber security |
Networking
devices and protocols, Network and information security threats (like
hacking, virus, worms, Trojan etc.) and preventive measures |
SSC
CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Paper 2 (Statistics)
For some candidates, this section
might be tough & difficult to understand. The basic tip is to get the
concept clear and repetitive revision of the concepts would be beneficial to
grab good marks in this section too. The SSC CGL Tier-2 Syllabus for Statistics
is described as follows-
|
SSC
CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Paper 2 (Statistics) |
|
|
Subject |
Topics |
|
1.
Collection, Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data |
Primary
and Secondary data, Methods of data collection; Tabulation of data; Graphs
and charts; Frequency distributions; Diagrammatic presentation of frequency
distributions. |
|
2.
Measures of Central Tendency |
Common
measures of central tendency – mean median and mode; Partition values-
quartiles, deciles, percentiles. |
|
3.
Measures of Dispersion- Common measures of Dispersion |
range,
quartile deviations, mean deviation and standard deviation; Measures of
relative dispersion. |
|
4.
Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis |
Different
types of moments and their relationship; the meaning of skewness and
kurtosis; different measures of skewness and kurtosis. |
|
5.
Correlation and Regression |
Scatter
diagram; simple correlation coefficient; simple regression lines; Spearman‟s
rank correlation; Measures of association of attributes; Multiple regression;
Multiple and partial correlation (For three variables only). |
|
6.
Probability Theory |
Meaning
of probability; Different definitions of probability; Conditional
probability; Compound probability; Independent events; Bayes‟ theorem. |
|
7.
Random Variable and Probability Distributions |
Random
variable; Probability functions; Expectation and Variance of a random
variable; Higher moments of a random variable; Binomial, Poisson, Normal and
Exponential distributions; Joint distribution of two random variable
(discrete). |
|
8.
Sampling Theory |
Concept
of population and sample; Parameter and statistic, Sampling and non-sampling
errors; Probability and nonprobability sampling techniques(simple random
sampling, stratified sampling, multistage sampling, multiphase sampling,
cluster sampling, systematic sampling, purposive sampling, convenience
sampling and quota sampling); Sampling distribution(statement only); Sample
size decisions. |
|
9.
Statistical Inference |
Point
estimation and interval estimation, Properties of a good estimator, Methods
of estimation (Moments method, Maximum likelihood method, Least squares
method), Testing of hypothesis, Basic concept of testing, Small sample and
large sample tests, Tests based on Z, t, Chi-square and F statistic,
Confidence intervals. |
|
10.
Analysis of Variance |
Analysis
of one-way classified data and two-way classified data. |
|
11.
Time Series Analysis |
Components
of time series, Determination of trend component by different methods,
Measurement of seasonal variation by different methods. |
|
12.
Index Numbers |
Meaning
of Index Numbers, Problems in the construction of index numbers, Types of
index number, Different formulae, Base shifting and splicing of index
numbers, Cost of living Index Numbers, Uses of Index Numbers. |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Paper 3(General
Studies-Finance and Economics)
This section of the SSC CGL Tier
2 Syllabus is divided into 2 parts, Finance & Accounts and Economics & Governance
for which the sub-topics are detailed below-
|
SSC
CGL Tier 2 Syllabus- Paper 3(General Studies-Finance and Economics) |
||
|
Part |
Subject |
Topics |
|
Part
A: Finance and Accounts-(80 marks) |
Financial
Accounting |
1. Nature
and scope 2. Limitations
of Financial Accounting 3. Basic
concepts and Conventions 4. Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles |
|
Basic
concepts of accounting |
|
|
|
Part
B: Economics and Governance-(120 marks) |
Comptroller
& Auditor General of India- Constitutional provisions, Role and
responsibility |
|
|
Finance
Commission-Role and functions |
||
|
Basic
Concept of Economics and introduction to Micro Economics |
|
|
|
Theory
of Demand and Supply |
|
|
|
Theory
of Production and cost |
|
|
|
Forms
of Market and price determination in different markets |
|
|
|
Indian
Economy |
|
|
|
Economic
Reforms in India |
|
|
|
Money
and Banking |
|
|
|
Role
of Information Technology in Governance |
||
SSC CGL Syllabus - Important Points
Tier-I exam is compulsory for all posts mentioned in the
SSC CGL 2025 Notification. Candidates will have to prepare for both
Tier 1 and Tier-2 exams simultaneously.
For SSC CGL Tier-2
Paper I
(Compulsory for all posts),
Paper II for candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer
(JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and
Paper III for candidates who apply for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/
Assistant Accounts Officer.
Penalty for wrong answers
Giving a
wrong answer to a question will lead to a deduction of 0.5 marks in the Tier–I
exam.
In Tier II, there will be a
negative marking of 1 for each wrong answer in Paper I, Paper II and Paper III.
3) PYQs – The
Core of Career Wave Strategy
At Career
Wave, PYQs are treated as:
·
Primary
syllabus
·
Not revision
material
Why PYQs
Matter
They reveal:
·
Repeated
concepts
·
Question
framing style
·
Difficulty
level
·
Topic
priority
Career Wave
PYQ Method
4) Test
Strategy (Career Wave Reality Check)
Biggest
Beginner Mistake
“I’ll give
tests after finishing syllabus.”
Career Wave
Testing Model
·
Sectional
tests from Month 1
·
Full mocks
gradually
·
Mandatory
test analysis
Test
analysis focuses on:
·
Time
management
·
Silly
mistakes
·
Weak
concepts
📌
At Career Wave, analysis matters more than mock score.
5) Beginner-Friendly
Daily Study Plan (Career Wave Model)
Ideal 4–6
Hour Routine
·
Quant: 2
hours
·
Reasoning: 1
hour
·
English: 1
hour
·
GA: 45
minutes
·
PYQs/Revision:
30–45 minutes
Consistency > long study
hours.
6) Mistakes
Career Wave Sees Repeatedly
·
Waiting for
notification
·
Ignoring
PYQs
·
Avoiding
tests due to fear
·
Studying
from too many sources
·
Lack of
revision
·
Strategy
hopping
These mistakes quietly destroy
attempts.
7) Right
Mindset (Career Wave Philosophy)
SSC CGL does
not reward:
·
Random hard
work
·
Book
hoarding
·
Motivation
spikes
It rewards:
·
Systematic
preparation
·
Pattern
awareness
·
Error
control
·
Discipline
Most Career Wave selections come
from average students with strong systems.
8) Realistic
Timeline (Career Wave Data-Based)
·
First 3
months → Concept foundation
·
Next 3
months → Speed & accuracy
·
Final phase
→ Tests & refinement
SSC CGL is a
9–12month disciplined journey.
Final Advice
from Career Wave
If you are
starting SSC CGL today:
·
Start early
·
Follow PYQs
·
Test
regularly
·
Revise
smartly
·
Trust one
system
At Career
Wave, we believe:
Clarity
beats talent
Consistency beats motivation
System beats luck
Build the
system now —
selection will follow.
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