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SSC CGL Preparation Guide
Last updated: 31 October 2026
The Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination, conducted by the Staff Selection Commission, is one of the most popular graduate-level government exams in India. This guide explains how to organise preparation around the main sections.
Main sections in the first tier
| Section | What it tests | How to practise |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Analogies, series, coding-decoding, syllogisms, puzzles, non-verbal reasoning | Daily timed sets; learn shortcuts only after you understand the logic |
| General Awareness | Static GK, history, polity, geography, science, current affairs | Short notes, weekly revision, monthly current-affairs recap |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, data interpretation | Formula sheet, chapter-wise practice, speed drills |
| English Comprehension | Grammar, vocabulary, error spotting, cloze test, reading comprehension | Daily reading, vocabulary list, grammar rules with examples |
The exam has more than one stage and the pattern is updated from time to time, so read the latest official notification for tiers, marking and negative marking.
A 90-day outline
- Days 1–30: foundation. Cover every topic once. Make a formula sheet for Maths and a vocabulary list for English.
- Days 31–60: practice. Chapter-wise questions, then sectional timed tests. Maintain an error log.
- Days 61–90: tests and revision. Full mock tests, analysis of each mock, and revision of the error log and notes.
How to use previous year questions
Solve earlier shifts and years topic-wise first, then as full papers. Note which topics repeat, which type of question takes you the most time, and where you lose marks to silly mistakes. Previous year questions show the difficulty level and style, but they are not a substitute for learning the concepts.
How to use EduSpark for this
- SSC CGL practice – choose SSC CGL as your exam in the app for quizzes and papers.
- Practice and mock modes – practise a topic with instant explanations, then switch to timed mock mode.
- Question palette and review – review every attempt to see which answers were wrong and why.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Taking many mocks but never analysing them.
- Ignoring negative marking and guessing blindly.
- Leaving English for the end – it improves slowly and needs daily exposure.
Official sources – always confirm here
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC) – notifications, syllabus and exam dates
Please note: Exam patterns, marking schemes and dates change. This guide is general preparation advice written by EduSpark. It is not an official notification. Always confirm the latest details on the official websites above.