SSC CGL fills posts such as Assistant Section Officer, Inspector, Auditor and Tax Assistant across ministries and departments. It is one of the largest competitive examinations in India by number of applicants.
The examination is computer based and heavily speed-driven. Tier I is a sixty-minute screening paper; Tier II decides the merit list. Accuracy under time pressure is what mock tests train.
How it works
Stages
- 1
Tier I
Computer-based objective paper of 100 questions across four sections. Used for shortlisting; marks are normalised across shifts.
- 2
Tier II
Computer-based paper with sections on mathematics, reasoning, English, general awareness and computer knowledge, plus a data-entry speed test for some posts.
- 3
Document verification
Final selection after Tier II marks are published and documents are verified.
At a glance
Paper pattern
| Stage / paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier I | 100 (25 per section) | 200 | 60 minutes | 0.50 mark per wrong answer |
| Tier II · Paper I | Mathematics 30, Reasoning 30, English 45, General awareness 25, Computer 20 | 390 | 2 hours 30 minutes | 1 mark (Sections I–II), 0.50 (Section III) |
Tier II structure changed in 2022 and may be revised again. Confirm against the latest notification on ssc.gov.in.
What is tested
Subjects
- Quantitative aptitude
- General intelligence and reasoning
- English language and comprehension
- General awareness
- Computer knowledge (Tier II)
- Statistics and finance (specific posts)
Strategy
How to prepare with mock tests
- In Tier I, aim to finish each 25-question section in well under 15 minutes; speed is the differentiator.
- Build a formula sheet for quantitative aptitude and revise it before every mock.
- Track section-wise accuracy across mocks; most candidates lose marks in general awareness, not maths.
- Practise with negative marking switched on so your attempt rate matches the real paper.
Questions