sschub - To be qualified in SSC-CGL, you'll have to go through 3 stages. The exam is divided into Tiers i.e.
- Tier 1 = Prelimns
- Tier 2 = Mains
- Tier 3 = Interview or Computer Proficiency Test
SSC CGL Tier 1(Prelimns)
- There are 200 questions (200 marks) and you've to solve these in just 120 minutes = 2 hr Only.
- It means you have less than 2 minutes per question. Also every year some questions from Reasoning takes a lot of time. So no need to waste more on single question. Hence practice = very very important.
- Also you can't guess because of Negative marking (0.25 Marks).
| Subject |
marks |
| General awareness |
50 |
| reasoning |
50 |
| maths |
50 |
| english |
50 |
| Total |
200 |
SSC CGL Tier 2 (Mains)
- If you have qualified Tier 1, you'll be able to appear for Tier 2. Unlike UPSC, this phase have MCQs (multiple type questions).
- There are two papers which are compulsory for all candidates.
- Also if you applied for Statistical Investigator Grade - 2 , then you have to face third paper = Statistics which is of 200 marks.
| Paper |
Marks |
Time |
Negative Marking |
| Paper 1 (Maths) |
200 |
2 hrs |
0.50 |
| paper 2 (English) |
200 |
2 hrs |
0.25 |
| Total |
400 |
- |
- |
- SSC CGL Tier 3 (Interview/Computer Proficiency Test)
- If you cleared Tier 2 then you will be called for Interview/CPT of 100 marks.
- CPT = generaly data entry speed for Tax Assistance jobs.
Anyways, lets move on for study plan for General Awareness.
How to Prepare General Awareness for SSC CGL
- I divide the GA of SSC CGL into 3 parts: Static + Science + Dynamic. Also it is decreasing order of importance.
| Static |
Science |
Dynamic |
| Polity |
Physics + space |
Current Affairs |
| History |
Chemistry |
PIN, Books |
| Geography |
Biology |
Schemes |
| Economy |
Computer |
Summits, guests |
- As I see, new players pay more attention to Dynamic part. They always reading books, magazines of current affairs but it gives no much.
- It doesn't mean to ignore current affairs, but pay less time on Dynamic part.
- If you really analysed previous years papers, 80 % of GA are from Static + Science. Now you can understand actually what i mean for.
How to prepare Static Part for SSC CGL
- NCERT + Lucent General Knowledge
- Lucent will work like gap filler (if any).
History
- In SSC exams, History = Only Indian History. So don't waste time for world history. Also prepare important personalities and events so do not mug up names, dates etc.
- Generally most of culture happened during Ancient + Medieval time so prepare culture while you are going with NCERT.
- Culture = art + painting + temple + dance + language. If you have time then take a look for Sangeet Natak award, Gyanpith award etc.
Polity
- NCERT for polity, prepare Parliament, President Election, CAG, CJI mostly. If you are also preparing for UPSC then go with Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth.
- Also prepare major current events with Polity like chairman of new Finance Commission, new CJI, Verma Committee = report on women safety etc.
- At last lucent will help a lot.
Geography
- NCERT Geography Class 11 + Class 12.
- Prepare Indian geography and Physical geography only. Also from few last years. SSC started to ask questions on Biodiversity, Environment. When you read daily newspaper then note down controversial things like dam, rivers, parks etc. For example: mullapariyar dam = pariyar river in kerla, Hirakunda = Mahanadi river in Odisha etc.
- At last Lucent fills the gap.
Economy
- Keep focus on definitions and concepts of economy = CRR, SLR, Repo Rate, Bank Rate etc.
- Indian Economy & Development = NCERT economy Class 11.
- If questions are asked from current affairs, they will be based on budget.
- So this says how to read Static Part. Now move on to Science.
- How to Prepare Science Part for SSC CGL
I analysed the last years papers and note down important topics from science portions.
| Physics |
Chemistry |
Biology |
| Gravity + Motion |
common names |
Disease |
| Pressure |
compositions of compounds |
Parts of body and their functions |
| Work + Energy |
Alloys |
|
| Units of measurements |
Oxidation |
|
| Heat |
Reduction |
|
| Sound |
Acid rain, ozone |
|
| Electronics |
|
|
| Magnetism |
|
|
- So NCERT of Class 7 to Class 10 is the best way to prepare Science. It will clear very basics which will benefit you in UPSC (if you are appearing in UPSC)
- Also questions from NASA, ISRO launches and missions (Current) are being asked. No need to read every Science -tech from The Hindu for SSC exam.
- Finally Lucent give the missing info like different applications of scicnce in daily life. So do not forget Lucent.
Now move on for Dynamic part.
How to prepare Dynamic Part for SSC CGL
- Current Affairs in SSC exam asked from One year i.e. you are preparing for 2013 then you'll have to prepare from Jan 2012 because in SSC CGL 2012 Tier 1 they asked about Santosh Football Trophy (may 2011), Shree Krishna Committee Report (released in Jan 2011). So you know what I mean.
- PIN = persons on news = new CJI, new Army Chief, ICC cricketer of the year, sports winner.
- You should know that our mind has a limited memory capacity so prepare Only important personalities and events.
- Important places like NAM summit = Tehran, BRICS March 2013 = durban etc.
- Important books and authors.
- Locations of various government Institution, new institutions, schemes.
- Once again, these type of things not resides in memory for long time so frequent revision is required.
- But where to prepare Dynamic Part = Pratiyogita Darpan = No need to read every page. This magazine is like book so prepare only what is discussed above.
- And Finally Lucent.
Most Important
Definitely, you want good score so you have to solve questions papers (very important). If you have solve 7-8 papers, then you'll find only 5-10 % new when solving 9-10th paper i.e. SSC repeats few questions and more topics.
Also if you practice @home then matter of speed + you'll learn how to tackle Negative Marking.
Once again, if you don't practice, preparation is useless (as I think).
Summary Study Plan SSC CGL
- prepare in this order: Static >> Science >> Dynamic. This is the importance order.
- NCERT
- Lucent GK
- Pratiyogita Darpan (from Jan 2012 for exam 2013)
- Download NCERT
- you can download free pdf from here
http://www.ncert.nic.in/ncerts/textbook/textbook.htm
SSC CGL Tier 1 Cutoff (2011, 2012)
Cutoff for year 2011 and 2012, Out of 200 marks (excluding statistical investigator/compiler)
| Year |
2011 |
2012 |
| Gen |
86.75 |
82 |
| OBC |
70.25 |
70 |
| SC |
63.5 |
64 |
| ST |
63.25 |
62 |
This is the first part of How to prepare for SSC CGL. In second part you can read study plan for Maths, Reasoning and English Language.
