SSC CGL Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2025: Complete Breakdown
Posted on: 14 Sep 2025 | By: SKY Team
The SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination is a nationwide competitive exam for recruitment to various posts in ministries, departments and organisations of the Government of India. Before you begin preparing, it is essential to understand the exam pattern, tier-wise structure, and detailed syllabus. This guide gives a clear, step-by-step breakdown and practical tips you can use today.
1. Quick Exam Overview
- Conducting Body: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
- Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Selection Stages: Tier 1 (Prelims), Tier 2 (Mains), Tier 3 (Descriptive), Tier 4 (Skill/Computer Test) — depending on post
- Key Subjects: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension (Tier 1) and advanced papers in Tier 2
2. Detailed Exam Pattern (Tier-wise)
🔹 Tier 1 — Preliminary Exam (Screening)
Format: Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) — 1 hour total. This stage filters candidates for Tier 2; good score and high accuracy are both necessary.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes (total) |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
Negative marking: -0.50 for every wrong answer (Tier 1).
🔹 Tier 2 — Mains Exam
Tier 2 tests depth in specific subjects. Papers depend on the post you apply for (some posts require Statistics or Finance papers).
| Paper | Subject | Questions / Type | Marks / Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Quantitative Abilities | Objective / MCQs | 200 marks / 2 hours |
| Paper II | English Language & Comprehension | Objective / MCQs | 200 marks / 2 hours |
| Paper III | Statistics | Objective / MCQs (for statistical posts) | 200 marks / 2 hours |
| Paper IV | General Studies (Finance & Economics) | Objective / MCQs (for audit/account posts) | 200 marks / 2 hours |
Note: Negative marking rules and sectional weight may vary slightly in notifications — always check the official SSC notification for the year you are attempting.
3. Full Syllabus — Topic-Wise (What to study)
The following is a practical syllabus split to help you plan study sessions.
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogy, Classification
- Series (Number & Alphabet), Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations, Directions, Seating Arrangements
- Puzzles, Syllogisms, Venn Diagrams, Statements & Conclusions
- Figure-based problems (paper folding, mirror image — if included)
General Awareness
- Current Affairs (last 12–18 months) — National & International
- History — Ancient, Medieval, Modern (Indian emphasis)
- Geography — Physical, Indian, World Geography basics
- Polity — Constitution, Governance, Important Articles & Schedules
- Economy — Budget basics, schemes, RBI basics, inflation, GDP terminology
- Science & Technology — Basic concepts + major recent developments
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number System, HCF/LCM
- Percentages, Ratio & Proportion
- Average, Simple & Compound Interest
- Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance
- Algebra basics, Linear Equations
- Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry basics
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Pie Chart, Bar Graphs)
English Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension passages
- Grammar: Tenses, Subject-Verb Agreement, Prepositions, Articles
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word substitution
- Sentence Improvement, Para jumbles, Cloze tests
4. How to Read This Syllabus (Practical approach)
Don’t try to learn everything at once. Break topics into manageable daily tasks. Use NCERTs for basics (Maths/Science/History geography basics) and gradually move to advanced practice for Quant and Reasoning.
5. Subject-wise Strategy & Resources
Quantitative Aptitude — Strategy
- Start with basics: number system, ratios, percentage.
- Learn formula sheet & maintain a formula notebook.
- Daily practice: 30–50 questions (mix easy + medium) and timed DI sets.
- Use shortcut techniques for speed — but practice accuracy first.
Reasoning — Strategy
- Practice puzzles every day; start with simpler puzzles and increase complexity.
- Memorize patterns for coding-decoding and series questions.
- Develop logical elimination methods to save time in puzzles.
English — Strategy
- Read daily: editorials, short passages to improve comprehension speed.
- Revise grammar rules with practice exercises.
- Build a vocab notebook: 5–10 new words daily with usage.
General Awareness — Strategy
- Daily current affairs: 20–30 minutes reading + monthly revision notes.
- Use NCERTs (History/Geography) for basics and a yearly current affairs compendium for updates.
- Make short quick-revision notes for government schemes, awards, sports, important dates.
6. Timelines: How Many Months for Preparation?
Examples of realistic study plans depending on time available:
3-Month Intensive Plan
- Focus: Speed + revision of basics + full-length mock tests
- Daily: 6–8 hours (Quant + Reasoning + English + GA + Mock)
- Weekends: Full-length timed mock + analysis
6-Month Balanced Plan
- Focus: Build strong basics (first 3 months), then advanced practice + mocks (next 3 months)
- Daily: 3–5 hours
- Weekly: 1–2 full mocks + topic-wise revision
9–12 Month Long-Term Plan
- Focus: Deep learning + repeated revisions + multiple mock series
- Daily: 2–4 hours, increasing intensity near exams
- Use long-term revision cycles (spaced repetition)
7. Sample Daily Schedule (6-month plan)
(Example: 4–5 hours/day)
- 60 min — Quant basics / practice (topic focus)
- 45 min — Reasoning practice (puzzles / seating / series)
- 30 min — English (reading + grammar)
- 30 min — General Awareness (current affairs + static)
- 45 min — Mock/Revision/DI practice
- Daily review: 15 min notes + plan next day
8. Mock Tests & Analysis — How to Use Them
- Start with topic-wise tests, then sectional, then full-length mocks.
- After every mock: analyze mistakes, record time spent per question, and revise weak topics.
- Keep a Mistake Log — note down recurring errors and revisit weekly.
9. Recommended Books & Free Resources
- Quant: R.S. Aggarwal (for basics) + “Fast Track Objective Arithmetic” by Rajesh Verma
- Reasoning: R.S. Aggarwal Reasoning + M.K. Pandey puzzles
- English: Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis) + Wren & Martin (select topics)
- General Awareness: Lucent’s General Knowledge, monthly current affairs notes
- Previous Papers: Download official SSC previous year papers (practice heavily)
10. Example Questions (with quick answers)
- Quant: If ratio A:B = 3:4 and A+B = 28, what is B? — Answer: 16
- Reasoning: Series 2, 6, 12, 20, ? — Answer: 30 (pattern: n^2 + n)
- English: Choose synonym for “Abundant” — Plentiful. — Answer: Plentiful
- GA: Who is known as the Father of Indian Constitution? — Answer: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
11. Pro Tip — Use SKY Dost for Instant Study Help
Need quick explanations, practice questions or a custom study plan? Try SKY Dost — your AI Study Friend. SKY Dost can:
- Explain concepts step-by-step (Quant, Reasoning, English grammar)
- Generate practice questions based on your weak topics
- Create personalized daily/weekly study schedules
- Give motivation and study tips when you feel stuck
12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is there negative marking in SSC CGL?
A: Yes. Tier 1 typically has -0.50 per wrong answer. Tier 2 negative marking varies by paper (check the latest notification).
Q2: Which sections carry more weight?
A: Tier 2 carries more weight overall. Within Tier 1, all sections are equal but scoring high in Quant and Reasoning helps selection to Tier 2.
Q3: How many months do I need to prepare?
A: Depends on background — 6 months is a balanced plan for most serious aspirants; 3 months for revision/fast preparation if basics are strong; 9–12 months if starting from scratch.
Q4: Can I clear SSC CGL without coaching?
A: Yes. Many aspirants clear CGL via disciplined self-study, mock practice, and use of quality books/resources + online tests.
13. Next Steps — What to Read Next
After understanding the exam pattern, move to:
- SSC CGL Preparation Guide: Start From Zero to Advanced (foundation plan)
- Quantitative Aptitude — Tricks & Practice (in-depth)
- Reasoning Practice & Puzzle Strategy (topic-wise)
14. Final Notes
Understanding the pattern and syllabus is the first step — the next is disciplined practice. Use topic-wise study + mocks + analysis. Use TrainWithSky resources and SKY Dost whenever you need a quick tutor or practice partner.
Good luck! Start with a small daily routine today and build momentum — consistent small steps win exams.