Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) is one of the most prestigious competitive exams in India. To crack this exam, a candidate must know the exam pattern inside out. Here, we present the comprehensive, latest exam pattern of SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2.
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1. Tier 1 Exam Pattern (Qualifying Stage)
SSC CGL Tier 1 is a Computer Based Test consisting of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions. The exam duration is 60 minutes.
| Subject Section | Questions | Max Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 0.50 Marks |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 0.50 Marks |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 0.50 Marks |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 0.50 Marks |
| Total | 100 | 200 | - |
2. Tier 2 Exam Pattern (Deciding Stage)
Tier 2 consists of multiple papers, but Paper-I is mandatory for all posts. Paper-I is divided into mathematical, language, reasoning, computer proficiency, and data entry sections.
| Session / Section | Subjects | Questions | Max Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section I (1 hour) | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 180 (60 Qs x 3 marks) | 1 Mark per wrong ans |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | |||
| Section II (1 hour) | English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 210 (70 Qs x 3 marks) | 1 Mark per wrong ans |
| General Awareness | 25 | |||
| Section III (15 mins) | Computer Knowledge Module | 20 | 60 (Qualifying) | 1 Mark per wrong ans |
3. Key Points to Keep in Mind
- Negative Marking: There is a heavy negative marking in Tier 2 (1 mark for each incorrect answer). Accuracy is far more important than speed.
- Computer Section: The Computer Knowledge Module is qualifying in nature, but scoring high is necessary for certain premium posts like Assistant Section Officer (ASO).
- Data Entry Speed Test (DEST): Section-III also contains a DEST (Data Entry Speed Test) of 15 minutes, where candidates are evaluated on speed and accuracy.