The trend of the SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) exam has evolved over the years, reflecting changes in the examination pattern, syllabus, and competition levels. Here are some key trends:

Exam Pattern

Note: Taking reference from SSC CGL notification of 2025

The Computer Based Examination is conducted in two tiers as indicated below:

Tier-I

Tier-II

Scheme of Tier-I Examination:

NOTE

• Tier-I consist of Objective Type, Multiple choice questions. The questions is set both in English & Hindi except for English Comprehension.

• There is negative marking of 0.50 for each wrong answer.

Scheme of Tier-II Examination:

• Tier-II include conducting of Paper-I, Paper-II and Paper-III in separate shift(s)/ day(s).

• Paper-I is compulsory for all the posts.

• Paper-II is for only those candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Statistical Investigator Grade-II in the office of Registrar General of India (M/o Home Affairs) and who are shortlisted in Tier-I for these Posts.

• Paper-I include following three sections having two modules each:

Section-I:

• Module-I: Mathematical Abilities

• Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence

Section-II:

• Module-I: English Language and Comprehension

• Module-II: General Awareness

Section-III:

• Module-I: Computer Knowledge Test

• Module-II: Data Entry Speed Test

5. Paper-I is conducted in two sessions - Session –I & Session-II, on same day.

• Session-I include conducting of Section-I, Section-II and Module-I of Section-III. Therefore, duration of Session-I will be 2 hours and 15 minutes.

• Section-I has two modules viz. Module-I (Mathematical Abilities) and Module-II (Reasoning and General Intelligence). The candidates get one hour to complete this section. On completion of one hour, this section will get automatically closed.

• Immediately after the completion of Section-I, the two modules of Section-II, viz., Module-I (English Language and Comprehension) and Module-II (General Awareness), start. Section-II is also for one hour, and immediately upon completion of one hour, this section will automatically close.

• Section-III will have two modules. Module-I (Computer Knowledge Test) will commence immediately after completion of Section-II and will be for a duration of 15 minutes. On completion of Module-I of Section-III, Session-I will come to an end.

• After the completion of Session-I, the candidates will get a break for re-registration for Session-II.

• Session-II will include conducting of Module-II of SectionIII i.e. Data Entry Speed Test. Therefore, duration of Session-II will be 15 minutes only.

Exam Analysis:

SSC CGL Tier 1 – Weightage

Note: Taking reference from SSC CGL Previous Year Questions

The total duration of the exam is 60 minutes. SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam Pattern is as follows :

Syllabus of Reasoning

Syllabus of Quantitative Aptitude

English

General Knowledge

SSC CGL Preparation Tips 2025

• Analyse your weaknesses and strengths and plan accordingly: While you are solving and practicing each topic, you should mark those areas that are your strength and areas that are your weaknesses. Once you have marked these areas, give time to your weaknesses more than your strengths and plan accordingly.

• Inculcate reading habits: In order to ace your English comprehension section and your current affairs, reading newspapers and weeklies is the best habit that you can inculcate. This habit will keep updating your English vocabulary and will help you in reading and comprehension.

• Take mock tests and practice papers: Mock Tests and practice papers including previous year’s question papers are very important for understanding the pattern of exam as well the kind of questions that usually come. Solving these papers also boosts your confidence, and most importantly helps in time management which is one of the most essential keys for a successful preparation.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle is synonymous with a successful preparation. You should eat and sleep properly. At least 6 hours of sleep, little exercise, and healthy diet should be followed. Revision is the key: Keep revising once you are through with the syllabus. The more you revise, the more grip you have over all the topics.

• Do Not Panic: This is the most important mantra for every exam that you give. Do not let the exam pressure take a toll on your preparations. Be patient and TRY to give full effort and attention to the topic you are studying. Do not easily get carried away by the bulk of the syllabus or the lack of time. Be confident in what you study and mentally prepare yourself for anything that might come for the test and of course, the result.

Trend of The Exam:

1. Examination Pattern: Tiered Structure: The exam is conducted in multiple tiers (usually four), including Tier-I (Preliminary), Tier-II (Mains), Tier-III (Descriptive), and Tier-IV (Skill Test). Computer-Based Test (CBT): The initial tiers are now conducted in a computer-based format, increasing the speed and efficiency of the examination process.

2. Syllabus Changes: The syllabus has remained fairly consistent, focusing on General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. However, there have been occasional updates to specific topics within these sections.

3. Difficulty Level: The difficulty level of questions has gradually increased, with a notable shift towards more application-based questions in subjects like Quantitative Aptitude and General Intelligence. English comprehension sections have also become more challenging, often incorporating complex vocabulary and grammar.

4. Competition: The number of candidates appearing for the exam has significantly increased over the years, leading to heightened competition. This has made scoring well increasingly challenging. The exam is now considered one of the most competitive government exams in India.

5. Marking and Cut-Off Trends: Cut-off marks vary each year based on difficulty and the overall performance of candidates. Generally, cut-offs have shown a tendency to rise as the level of competition increases. Normalization of scores is applied to ensure fairness across different shifts and exam sessions.

6. Focus on Current Affairs: The General Awareness section has increasingly emphasized current affairs, requiring candidates to stay updated with recent events and developments.

7. Descriptive Paper: Introduction of a descriptive paper in Tier-III, which tests candidates’ writing skills, has added another dimension to the selection process, focusing on language proficiency and coherence.

8. Skill Tests: Depending on the post applied for, the inclusion of skill tests in Tier-IV assesses practical abilities in specific tasks (e.g., data entry).

9. Adoption of Technology: Increased use of technology in examination processes, including online applications, e-admit cards, and result announcements.

Conclusion:

The SSC CGL exam continues to adapt to the changing educational landscape and the needs of the government sector. Aspirants are encouraged to stay informed about these trends and prepare strategically to improve their chances of success.

DISCLAIMER: The above analysis is based on the view of the Expert,it may differ from person to person.