SSC CGL is the Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Examination. Effective preparation for SSC CGL involves knowing the exam pattern, important books, and preparation tips. The selection process consists of Tier I, II and III of which Tier I and II are Objective Multiple Choice question based papers and Tier III is personality test / Interview / Computer Proficiency Test / Skill Test. Here we will cover the major aspects of SSC CGL preparation so that you can give your best performance in the upcoming SSC CGL and clear the cut offs for selection in the post of your choice.
Here you will learn about the following about SSC CGL Preparation.
- Exam Pattern of SSC CGL.
- Important books for SSC CGL Preparation
- SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination preparation tips
Books recommended for SSC CGL
| Solved Papers SSC CGL Combined Graduate Level Pre. Examination Tier-I | Buy Online |
| Kiran’s SSC CGL Question Bank 48 Solved Papers Of Previous Year Exams | Buy Online |
| 40 Sets SSC Graduate Level Exams Solved Papers (SSC CGL TIER I & II,SSC CPO SI PAPER I & II) | Buy Online |
| Kiran’S SSC CGL Combined Graduate Level Exams Question Bank (49 Solved Papers Of Previous Year Exams) – Hindi | Buy Online |
| 30 Practice Sets SSC Combined Graduate Level Pre. Examination | Buy Online |
SSC CGL Exam Pattern / Scheme of exam
To start preparing for SSC CGL, you must know the pattern of the Combined Graduate Level Examination.
Tier I (Prelims)
Tier I is common for all posts, and its pattern is as follows.
| Subject | Number of questions (Maximum Marks) |
| General intelligence and reasoning | 25 (50) |
| General Awareness | 25 (50) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 (50) |
| English Comprehension | 25 (50) |
Duration of exam: 60 Minutes;
Negative marking: 0.50 for each incorrect answer.
Tier II (Mains)
Those candidates who clear the SSC CGL Cut Off Marks for the next stage can appear in Tier II examination. Exam pattern for this stage is explained.
| Subject | Number of questions (Maximum Marks) |
| Quantitative Ability | 100 (200) |
| English Language and Comprehension | 200 (200) |
| Statistics* | 100 (200) |
| General studies (finance and economics)** | Not Known (200) |
*Statistics paper is only for those who have applied for Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts.
*General studies (finance and economics) paper is only for those who have applied for Assistant Audit Officer posts.
Duration of exam: 2 Hours each;
Negative marking: 0.25 for Section II (English Language and Comprehension) and 0.50 for Section I and III (Quantitative Ability and Statistics) for each incorrect answer.
Tier III (Descriptive Test)
Tier III involves descriptive test on English / Hindi (writing of Essay / Precis / Letter / Application Writing and other such topics of 100 marks.
Tier IV (Skill Test / Computer Proficiency)
Tier IV involves Data Entry Skill Test and Computer Proficiency Test wherever applicable.
Important Books for SSC CGL 2016 Preparation
Hard work and determination are the key to success if you are preparing for the SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination. Topics to focus upon for SSC CGL 2016 Tier 1 examination are General Intelligence, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension.
List of Books for SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination is given below, subject wise.
General Intelligence and Reasoning (50 marks)
| Book | Buy from Flipkart | Buy from Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal (English) 1st Edition by B S Sijwali, Indu Sijwali |  Buy on Flipkart |
 Buy on Amazon |
| Analytical Reasoning by M K Pandey | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Logical and Analytical Reasoning (English) 1st Edition by A.K Gupta | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
General Awareness (50 marks)
| Book | Buy from Flipkart | Buy from Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Competition Success Review Year Book (English) | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Competition Success Review Year Book (Hindi) | – | Buy on Amazon |
| India by Ministry of Information (The book covers the progress of India in different fields like economics, sports, mass communication, science and technology, art and culture, health and defence.) | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Lucent’s General Knowledge (English) | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Lucent’s General Knowledge (Hindi) | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Manorama Year Book 2015 (English) | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Manorama Year Book 2015 (Hindi) | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
Quantitative Aptitude (50 marks)
| Book | Buy from Flipkart | Buy from Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Advance Maths for General Competitions by Paramount Reader Publications | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Arihant’s Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Agarwal | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
English Comprehension (50 marks)
| Book | Buy from Flipkart | Buy from Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| English Grammar by Wren and Martin | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Quick learning Objective General English by RS Aggarwal & Vikas Aggarwal | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
| Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis | Buy on Flipkart |
Buy on Amazon |
Tips for SSC CGL Preparation
The rule of thumb for SSC CGL exam preparation is that you must focus on concept clarity along with problem solving. The two must go hand in hand. You cannot resort to rote learning for an exam like the SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination.
Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind regarding SSC CGL preparation.
- Create a study plan outlining topics to be covered on a weekly basis. Also have a daily time table including at least 6 hours a day of self studies. Stick to this schedule.
- As soon as you complete studying a topic, solve some questions. That way, you will enhance your problem solving skills, as well immediately get to know what else you need to study from that topic.
- Refer to few good books versus too many. Each author has a different style of approaching a subject. Read from a book which you can easily understand.
- Stay tuned to everyday news and updates. Keeping at par with current affairs is very important, and you cannot do this in one day. Make a habit of reading newspapers daily, and note down important news if needed.
- Practice mathematics (quant) questions on a daily basis. The more, the better. SSC CGL mathematics questions are a determining factor in selection as many students particularly find this difficult.
- Solve random trick questions to enhance your problem solving capabilities. Try to take shorter approach to save time per question.
- Solve past year SSC CGL question papers, mock tests, practice tests. Again, solving questions will improve your speed and act as a self analysis for knowing your strengths and weaknesses.
Posts for which SSC CGL Examination is held by the Staff Selection Commission
The following posts have been mentioned for SSC CGL 2016 examination.
Pay Band II Jobs (Rs 9300 – 34800)
- Assistant (Central Secretariat Service, Central Vigilance Commission, Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Railway, Ministry of External Affairs, AFHQ, Others),
- Inspector of Income Tax,
- Inspector (Central Excise, Preventive Officer, Examiner – CBEC),
- Assistant Enforcement Officer,
- Sub Inspector,
- Inspector of Posts,
- Divisional Accountant,
- Statistical Investigator Gr. II,
- Inspector,
- Sub Inspector.
Pay Band I Jobs (Rs 5200 – 20200)
- Auditor (Offices under C&AG, CGDA, CGA),
- Accountant / Junior Accountant (Offices under C&AG, CGA),
- Upper division clerk,
- Tax Assistant (CBDT, CBEC),
- Compiler,
- Sub Inspector.
Study well for the exam, and don’t give up! You will definitely do well in the SSC CGL exam.
If you have any queries regarding SSC CGL Preparation and Important Books, please ask in comments below.
