How To Prepare for SSC CGL Exam?

SSC CGL is one of the most sought-after jobs for aspirants who are looking for a career in the government sector. Therefore, it makes it highly competitive. SSC CGL (Service Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) Exam is one of the prominent exams among all graduates who want to pursue their career while serving as a government servant.

Before starting the preparation, an aspirant should go through the whole syllabus of SSC CGL and the exam pattern to get familiar with the nature of the examination and the subjects involved in it. Although this examination is highly competitive, it is one of the easiest exams to crack if done in the right way.

In this article, we will discuss how to prepare for the SSC CGL exam from scratch, some tips, and tricks which will help you in preparing better for this exam.

As per the official SSC CALENDAR 2024-25, the SSC CGL Notification 2024 is expected to release tentatively by June 2024.

Before starting, we must first know:

What is the SSC CGL Exam?

SSC is a combined graduate-level exam conducted by the staff selection commission. It is held for different posts that come under SSC CGL (GRADE B AND GRADE C posts) officers, auditors assistants and examiners, etc. You can choose the posts according to your area of interest and then should go ahead with the preparation.

Selection Process of SSC CGL 2024

The examination will be conducted in four tiers as mentioned below:

Tier 1- 

Written examination (objective type) Qualifying in nature

Tier 2- 

Paper 1: 

Written examination (objective type) Compulsory for all posts

Paper 2: 

Descriptive Paper in English/Hindi (essay/ precis/ application/ letter writing (Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation)

Paper 3: 

Computer proficiency test/ skills test (wherever applicable)/ document verification. ( for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer.)

Objective Type, Multiple choice questions, except for Module-II of Section-III of Paper-I

Subjects in SSC CGL 2024:

There are four major subjects involved in the SSC CGL exam. These are

1. English- Tier 1 and 2
2. Quantitative aptitude – Tier 1 and 2
3. General awareness- Tier 1
4. General intelligence and reasoning -Tier 1

SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern

SSC CGL TIER 2 Exam Pattern

SSC CGL TIER 3 Exam Pattern

Now it’s time to have a look at section-wise preparation tips for the SSC CGL Exam 2024.

Section-wise Preparation Tips for SSC CGL Exam 2024 

1. ENGLISH COMPREHENSION:

English, for some, is a nightmare, depending on their preparation level and educational medium. They find this subject as the biggest hurdle in securing good scores on the exam. The constant effort not only helps you in clearing the cut-off but also in boosting your score in this section.  One should prepare well for this section because it is present in tier 2 as well.

English section is divided into three sections 

1. Grammar:
2. Fill in the blanks.
3. Active and passive.
4. Direct and indirect.
5. Error spotting. 
6. Sentence improvement. 
7. Para jumbles.
8. Miscellaneous.
9. Vocabulary
10. One-word substitutions.
11. Idioms and phrases.
12. Spelling errors.
13. Antonym/Synonym.
14. Reading comprehension.
15. Passage.
16. Cloze test.

• One should start this section by brushing up on all the basic rules of grammar. By doing this one will be able to solve questions related to grammar such as fill in the blanks, error detection, direct and indirect speech Para jumbles, etc.
• To gain the upper hand in this section, a candidate must focus on the vocabulary section. This includes one-word substitution, idioms, phrases, spelling errors, and Antonym/synonyms. You can practice all of these by referring to any English grammar book available in the market or whatever you have in your home.
• The book suggested: Wren and Martin and Norman Lewis.
• Reading comprehension is a section that is loved by many because it requires a sound mind to approach this topic. Just practice as much as you can to get a grip on this section to save your time in the exam.

2. QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE:

• Speed and accuracy are most required for this section.
• The syllabus of tier 1 and tier 2 is the same but the difficulty level of tier 2 is higher

Quantitative aptitude is divided into two parts:

1. Arithmetic:
2. Ratio proportion
3. LCM and HCF
4. Percentages
5. Boat and stream
6. Speed time and distance
7. Partnership
8. CI and SI
9. Pipes and cistern 
10. Problem on ages
11. Time and work
12. Average 
13. Mixture and allegation
14. Profit loss and discount
15. miscellaneous.
16. Advance math:
17. Geometry
18. Mensuration
19. Data interpretation
20. Trigonometry
21. Height and distance
22. Algebra
23. Coordinate geometry
24. Miscellaneous.

• Geometry, trigonometry along with Algebra are some of the most important topics of this section.
• To approach this section, one should start solving the basic questions of the above chapters. For arithmetic, one can refer to R.S. Agrawal, for geometry and mensuration NCERT class 10th could be referred to, after that, any reference books can be taken for the practice of these chapters.
• As only solving questions is not enough. Solving it on time is what matters, and for this, some good tips and tricks would help you in saving your precious time during the examination.
• Once you are done with all the basic questions and tricks, you can now jump into giving mocks related to the chapters. this will test your ability to solve the questions and you can keep a check on your preparation level
• This subject is also in tier 2 so preparing well for this section can help you in tier 2 as well.
• This section also consists of 25 questions for every correct answer 2 marks will be allotted whereas -0.5 will be given for wrongly marked.

3. GENERAL AWARENESS:

• This section is not something which you can master in a day but this is the only section if prepared well can be done in 7 to 8 minutes.
• If prepared well, aspirants can score well in this section and can boost their scores.

The main topics of a general awareness section consist of

1. Current affairs
2. Economy and Finance
3. Geography
4. History
5. Indian polity and constitution
6. Science and technology
7. Static GK.

• Although it seems vast at first but with constant and regular efforts one can tackle this section and can get an upper hand over the competitors.
• Start with covering topics one by one, you can start with the topic you’re most comfortable with if you have time, Ncert is one of the most suggested books for covering the section but books like Lucent can also do the work.
• Along with the static topics, one should also keep a check on recent happenings to get a view of updated current affairs.
• Previous year questions and regular mocks can help you master this section.

4. GENERAL INTELLIGENCE AND REASONING:

This section is one of the easiest sections and is loved by many but should not be taken for granted.

This section is majorly divided into two parts:

1. General mental ability
2. Alphabet test
3. Analogy
4. Arithmetic reasoning
5. Blood relation
6. Classification
7. Coding decoding
8. Distance direction test
9. Matrix
10. Logical Venn diagram
11. Missing number.
12. Non-verbal reasoning:
13. Paper cutting and folding ‘
14. Embedded figures
15. Figures formation and analysis
16. Series
17. Cube and dice
18. Mirror image
19. Water image
20. Pattern completion
21. Counting of figures.

• The book advises for this section: RS Agrawal verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
• Although all the topics are doable for this section some chapters are there which need attention and practice to gain momentum and to save time in the exam.
• Practice more and more to get a grip on this section.
• Previous year questions can also help to see the pattern of questions coming in the exam.

Useful tips to remember while attending your SSC CGL Exam 2024

1. SSC always seems to repeat the previous year’s questions, therefore, it is advised to practice the SSC CGL previous year question papers to have an idea of the type of questions that comes in the exam.
2. Don’t waste too much time on one question.
3. Give mock tests for SSC CGL Exam as much as possible after completing the syllabus to analyze your performance.
4. Focus on clearing the basics first and give proper time to every section 
5. Make a proper study plan and stick to it.
6. Don’t leave any section thinking it is easy, try to solve as many questions as you can.

Useful Tricks for an Efficient Preparation for SSC CGL Exam 2024

Get Familiar with SSC CGL Syllabus:

Prior to commencing exam preparations, it is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of the SSC CGL exam pattern and syllabus for the year 2024. This knowledge will prove instrumental in devising a strategic approach for the actual exam day and fortifying essential topics. By being well-versed in the exam pattern and syllabus, you can effectively plan your study routine, allocate time to specific subjects, and prioritize areas of significance. This solid foundation will contribute to a more structured and targeted preparation, enhancing your overall performance in the SSC CGL 2024 exam.

Manage Time Efficiently:

Efficient time management is crucial when preparing for exams. Candidates who excel understand the importance of solving questions within strict time limits. To enhance your skills, it is beneficial to simulate exam scenarios that replicate these time constraints. As the exam day approaches, focus on improving both accuracy and time management. One effective approach is to undertake numerous mock exams, allowing you to maximize your efficiency.

Take Notes:

A key strategy adopted by successful candidates is the creation of comprehensive revision notes. These notes should include concise explanations, helpful tricks, summaries of important topics, and essential formulas. It is crucial to prepare notes that cover the most important concepts relevant to the exam. Regular revision of these notes will aid in retaining the information effectively. By reviewing and reinforcing these notes, you can solidify your understanding and recall the key points with ease during the exam. 

Sequential Approach: 

When preparing for an exam, it is advisable to adopt a sequential strategy, starting with easier questions and gradually progressing to more challenging ones. By initially focusing on simpler questions, you can efficiently allocate your time, leaving ample room for tackling the difficult ones. This approach not only optimizes time management but also boosts your confidence as you build momentum by successfully answering easier questions.

Have a Plan:

To optimize your preparation for the SSC CGL 2024 exam, it is recommended to create a study plan that aligns with your individual strengths and weaknesses. Identifying your areas of proficiency and areas that require improvement can be accomplished by attempting free mock exams offered by ixamBee. By analyzing your performance in these practice tests, you can develop a study plan that prioritizes addressing your weaknesses. This targeted approach will enable you to concentrate on areas that need the most attention, leading to a more effective and focused preparation for the SSC CGL 2024 exam.

Conclusion

Preparing for the SSC CGL Exam 2024 requires a systematic and focused approach. By following the strategies outlined in this blog, such as time management, creating study notes, and understanding strengths and weaknesses, you can optimize your preparation efforts. Additionally, staying updated with the exam pattern and syllabus is essential for effective strategizing. Remember to attempt mock exams to assess your progress and identify areas for improvement. With dedication, perseverance, and a well-structured study plan, you can increase your chances of success in the SSC CGL Exam 2024. Good luck!

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