SSC CGL 2026 Exam Structure
SSC CGL now has two tiers. Tier-I is a screening test (200 marks, 60 minutes). Tier-II is the main exam with multiple papers depending on the post. Understanding the structure helps you allocate preparation time correctly.
Tier-I Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 min (combined) |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min (combined) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 min (combined) |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 min (combined) |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude — Topics & Weightage
This is the highest-scoring section if prepared well. Focus on these topics in order of importance.
- 1Arithmetic (40-50% weightage): Percentage, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Time Speed Distance, Average, Mixture & Alligation.
- 2Algebra (15-20%): Linear equations, quadratic equations, factorization, algebraic identities.
- 3Geometry (15-20%): Triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, coordinate geometry. Memorize theorems — most questions are formula-based.
- 4Trigonometry (10-15%): Heights & distances, trigonometric identities, standard angle values.
- 5Data Interpretation (5-10%): Bar graphs, pie charts, tables. Practice speed reading of data.
General Intelligence & Reasoning — Topics
Reasoning is the easiest section to score in if you practice daily. Most questions follow patterns.
- 1Verbal Reasoning (60%): Analogies, classification, series (number/letter/figure), coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, syllogism.
- 2Non-Verbal Reasoning (25%): Figure series, pattern completion, mirror/water image, embedded figures, paper cutting & folding.
- 3Logical Reasoning (15%): Statement & conclusion, statement & assumption, cause & effect, order & ranking.
English Comprehension — Topics
English is where most Hindi-medium students lose marks. Focus on grammar rules — they are finite and learnable.
- 1Grammar (40-50%): Error spotting, fill in the blanks, sentence improvement. Master: subject-verb agreement, tenses, articles, prepositions, voice, narration.
- 2Vocabulary (20-30%): Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms & phrases, spelling correction. Learn 10 new words daily.
- 3Comprehension (15-20%): Reading comprehension passages. Practice speed reading — you need to read ~300 words/minute.
- 4Sentence Rearrangement (10%): Para jumbles, cloze test. Look for opening/closing sentence first.
General Awareness — Topics
This is the most unpredictable section. Focus on static GK (60% of questions) and current affairs (40%).
- 1Static GK (60%): Indian History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern), Geography (India + World), Indian Polity & Constitution, Economics (basic concepts, budget, schemes), General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology basics).
- 2Current Affairs (40%): Last 6 months current events, government schemes, awards & honors, sports, international events, appointments. Read a daily current affairs PDF — 15 minutes is enough.
Tier-II Syllabus (Brief Overview)
Tier-II has three papers. Paper-I is Mathematics & Reasoning (390 marks). Paper-II is English & General Awareness (390 marks). Paper-III is for specific posts (Computer Knowledge or Statistics). The syllabus is the same as Tier-I but at a higher difficulty level with more questions.
What to Study First
Start with Quantitative Aptitude — it has the highest weightage in both Tier-I and Tier-II. Then Reasoning (easiest to score), then English (most improvable), and finally General Awareness (start 3 months before exam). This order maximizes your score per hour of study.