How To Prepare For SSC CGL Exam

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In this article, we will discuss how to prepare for the SSC CGL exam. We will also discuss the basics associated with this exam such as what is SSC, SSC SGL preparation strategy, best books for SSC CGL exam, Online mode for SSC CGL preparation like good websites, and youtube channels, etc. So let’s start the topic.

About SSC:

The Government of India Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms vide its Resolution No. 46/1(S)/74-Estt. (B) dated the 4th November 1975 constituted a Commission called the Subordinate Services Commission which has subsequently been re-designated as Staff Selection Commission effective from the 26th September 1977 to make recruitment to various Class III (now Group “C”) (non-technical) posts in various Ministries/Departments of the Govt. of India and in Subordinate Offices.

The functions of the Staff Selection Commission enlarged from time to time and now it carries out the recruitment to all Group “B” & “C” posts within the pay scale of Rs 9300 to 34800 with grade pay of Rs 4200 or less. The new constitution and functions of the Staff Selection Commission came into effect from 1st June 1999.

More than 20 -30 lakh aspirants apply for this prestigious examination in its various Examination categories (JE, Stenographer, CGL, CPO, etc.) but only 10,000 (approx.) get qualified in this exam. Nowadays, as the vacancies are decreasing too in this exam, the competition getting more & more difficult for the candidates. Each and every year a new HIGH CUTTOF shows the competitiveness amongst the candidates.

Generally, one year is sufficient for SSC Exam preparation & in the current Context and the difficulty level of the exam although it is seen that some of the students qualified for this exam preparing within a year, so it totally depends on the candidate, how much focused she/he is to clear this examination.

Full form of SSC CGL: Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL)

How to prepare for SSC CGL:

The first and foremost thing that aspirant has to do before start preparing for SSC CGL is to go thoroughly through the examination syllabus and exam pattern. It will give you a clear idea of the paper and the topics that are being asked in the examination and decide the study plan accordingly for the exam. Mind it ONE SHOULD HAVE A SMART & STRATEGIC PLAN to clear this exam.

Here are a few tips that can help the candidates to get through this exam. Students can get the pattern, syllabus, and latest updates on the SSC official site: https://ssc.nic.in/

This table shows the subjects, number of questions, maximum marks, and the time allotted for each paper in the SSC CGL exam.

ssc cgl

 

Each & Every part should be given equal importance by the candidates. There is a Negative Marking of 0.50 Marks in this Exam.

 

Now let’s understand each subject i.e important topics, important books, useful website, and youtube channels for each subject:

 

1. GENERAL INTELLIGENCE & REASONING:

General Intelligence & Reasoning part is the most important and key factor in deciding Marks of candidates in the examination:

  • This section is very scoring & needs only the presence of mind, analytical ability, & judgment pattern of the candidates to focus more on this part.
  • Rigorous practice is the key as there is no exact formula like that of quant section, More & More practice with proper guidance & ample practicing will make you perfect.
  • Try to make your own short formulas to remember points more clearly. The Easiness of this section plays a crucial role in deciding the merit of candidates. Most of the serious candidates score full marks in it.
  • Target this section as the BRAHMASTRA to score well.

Topics to be Focused:-  Analogy, Classification, Semantic Series, Figural Pattern – folding and completion, Mirror & Water Images, Statement and Conclusions, Blood Relations, Number Series, Coding and de-coding, Problem Solving, Direction Sense Test.

 Important Books:

  • Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
  • Analytical Reasoning (M K Pandey)
  • Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning Hindi (Kiran Publication)
  • Logical & Analytical Reasoning – English (A K Gupta)
  • Disha Publication Reasoning Solved papers (latest only)

YOU CAN HAVE ANY ONE OF THESE AS PER YOUR CHOICE & UNDERSTANDING ABILITY.

Reference YouTube Channels:

YOU CAN CHECK ANY OF THE REASONING CHANNELS AS PER YOUR CHOICE & UNDERSTANDING ABILITY.

 

2. ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPREHENSIONS:

The second most scoring & important section of the SSC exam is General English.

  • In this section, candidates need to focus on selected topics like Spot the Errors, One Word Substitution, Cloze test, Comprehension, Miss-Spelt Words.
  • As the comprehension part is asked candidates should try to develop consistent reading habits and practice the grammar portion regularly. Even though some are not of English background but regular practice can make them perfect. Don’t spend more time to Mug up Antonym & Synonyms.
  • Develop the habit of reading English Newspapers, Magazines, Articles, etc every day to make your comprehension, vocabulary building, writing & understanding skills strong.
  • Active & Passive Voices, Direct & Indirect Speech mainly for Tier-II are scoring & more than 20 questions are asked so preparing these 2 topics thoroughly can fetch good marks in this section.
  • Don’t leave this section less prepared as Antonyms, Synonyms, One-word substitution; Idioms & Phrases at least of previous years can get a decent mark in this exam.

Topics to be focused on:-  Active Passive Voice, Direct & Indirect Speech, Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Mis-spelt words, Idioms & Phrases, One-word substitution, Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passage, Antonyms, Synonyms.

Important Books:

  • Objective General English by S P Bakshi (latest edition)
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
  • Competitive General English by Kiran Prakashan solved papers till date
  • Mb Publications 194 Sets Latest Edition by A.K Singh
  • Black Book of English Vocabulary by Nikhil Gupta (latest Edition)

 YOU CAN HAVE ANY ONE OF THESE AS PER YOUR CHOICE & UNDERSTANDING ABILITY.

Reference YouTube Channels:

YOU CAN CHECK ANY OF THESE CHANNELS AS PER YOUR CHOICE & UNDERSTANDING ABILITY.

 

3. GENERAL AWARENESS & GENERAL SCIENCE:

  • This is the section which is always in a region of uncertainty. In this section, SSC can ask anything which SSC thinks that an aspirant must have this. There is no specific syllabus for this section. However some general topics from  History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Current Affairs, General Science & Computer
  • Recently, SSC asked more questions from the biology section to make sure this part must not be left.
  • Candidates can cover Current Affairs from capsules (Precise PDF file) provided by banking websites like bankers adda, careerpower, or any other which they think is suitable for this section.
  • Do remember to select questions wisely otherwise wrong answers weaken your chances of scoring more marks in the Tier-I exam, Even 1 mark in this exam can get through or get out from the standard Post. So try to attempt only those questions in which you have full confidence.
  • Try to make short notes for the current affairs of the past 6 months before the examination. Sometimes current affairs of more than a year were asked but as a safer step, one can go for it if possible. It will increase your Knowledge. Focus on types of questions asked in Previous Year Papers.

Topics to be focused on:-  Important national & International events that were in news on top priority, Awards, Sports, International conferences, Special news of UN,BRICS or Countries having any agreements with India.

Important Books:

  • NCERT Books (6-12) of Social Science & Science if you have enough time.
  • Lucent GK (Latest Edition)
  • Black Book of General Awareness by Nikhil Gupta (latest Edition)

 YOU CAN HAVE ANY ONE OF THESE AS PER YOUR CHOICE & UNDERSTANDING ABILITY.

Reference YouTube Channels:

YOU CAN CHECK ANY OF THESE CHANNELS AS PER YOUR CHOICE & UNDERSTANDING ABILITY.

 

4. QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE:

Most Important & Final section that decides the Merit List of candidates, candidates who score best in this section have sure shot chances to get selected in the overall final Merit List.

  • Make concepts crystal clear & practice each type of question in minimum time. Try to save time from the other 3 sections & devote time in this because sometimes lengthy questions are being asked and candidates have to attempt them within the stipulated time.
  • Keep practicing the most important sections (you will automatically know if you practice more & more previous year papers) more on selected topics.
  • Don’t try to solve hard questions, try for TRICKY QUESTIONS IN MINIMUM TIME.
  • By thorough reading & clearing concepts recognize the nature of the question by merely seeing it so that it can be attempted with minimum use of pen & paper.
  • Note down short tricks, important formulas in a separate copy or sheet so that it can easily be read 1-2 weeks before the exams.
  • Don’t go for 2-3 tutors for a single concept; practice one that suits you.

Topics to focus more:- Simplifications, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots & Cube roots,  Averages, Simple and Compound interest, Profit and Loss, Time and distance, Time and work, more  focus on Trigonometry, Mensuration  &  Geometry.

Important Books:

  • Rakesh Yadav 9300+ previous years solved papers (latest Edition).
  • Kiran previous years mathematics solved papers (latest Edition)
  • Rakesh Yadav Class notes (latest Edition)
  • Advance Maths by Abhinay Sharma (latest Edition)

YOU CAN HAVE ANY ONE OF THESE AS PER YOUR CHOICE & UNDERSTANDING ABILITY.

Reference YouTube Channels:

YOU CAN CHECK ANY OF THESE CHANNELS AS PER YOUR CHOICE & UNDERSTANDING ABILITY.

 

5. MOCK TEST SERIES:

This is the backbone of the whole SSC CGL preparation. Candidates should attempt as many mocks possible i.e. 1-2 during the preparation of the syllabus & daily before 1.5 months of the preliminary Examination.

  • Try to minimize your attempt timing as minimum as possible but be accurate.
  • This section improves your speed & develops the ability to attempt the question paper faster.
  • Analyze every mock separately and checkout the weak portions in your attempt. Focus more on that portion in which you have a low score.
  • You can attempt mocks from ssctube, qmaths, testbook, gradeup or adda24x7.

 

Apart from all these discussion followings points should keep in mind:
  • Time is really uncertain nowadays, what you need is — 3 P’s: Patience, Perseverance, and Practice to master any subject irrespective of your background.
  • Take the Mock test at least every day after you have completed your entire syllabus. Don’t attempt the mocks in between 
  • Avoid bulky & big notes, always make notes handy & easily Revisable
  • Make the study routine flexible and plan one day prior.
  • Try to make the resources as minimum as possible and revision should be given top priority.
  • Always remember a single exam can’t decide your whole future, you must have patience because —

 

“JO KUCH NAHI KARTE VO KAMAL KARTE HAIN” —- SHAH RUKH KHAN

 

This article is written by;

ABHISHEK SRIVASTAVA 

B.TECH (MECHANICAL ENGG.)

  • 4+ Years of Industrial Experience
  • 2+ Years of Teaching

E-Mail: [email protected]

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