SSC CGL Tier 1 pattern
Tier 1 is the qualifying stage — 100 questions in 60 minutes, split equally across 4 sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning (25), General Awareness (25), Quantitative Aptitude (25), English Comprehension (25). Marking is +2 correct, -0.5 wrong, 0 unattempted. Maximum marks 200.
Tier 1 cutoff varies by year but typically falls between 140-150 for General category. SC/ST/OBC cutoffs are lower (typically 110-130).
Tier 1 section-wise syllabus
Each section has specific topic areas you need to cover systematically:
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogy, Classification, Series (Number/Letter/Figure), Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction & Distance, Ranking, Syllogism, Venn Diagram, Statement-Conclusion, Non-Verbal Reasoning (mirror/water images, paper folding)
- General Awareness: History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern India), Polity (Constitution, Amendments), Geography (India + World), Economics (Basic concepts, Indian Economy), Static GK, Current Affairs (last 6 months), Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology at Class 10 level), Computer basics
- Quantitative Aptitude: Number System, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Average, Mixture & Alligation, Geometry (triangles, circles, quadrilaterals), Mensuration (2D + 3D), Trigonometry, Data Interpretation
- English Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms/Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, One-word Substitution, Spelling Check, Active/Passive Voice
SSC CGL Tier 2 pattern
Tier 2 consists of two sessions. Session 1 has three sections: Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning (60 Q, 60 min, 180 marks), General Awareness + English (70 Q, 60 min, 210 marks), Computer Knowledge + General Studies (total 10-15 Q, limited marks). Session 2 contains descriptive papers (relevant only for some post categories).
Marking in Tier 2 is +3 correct, -1 wrong for objective sections. The Tier 2 cutoff determines final merit — this is where ranks are actually decided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the SSC CGL syllabus changed for 2026?
No significant content changes. The 2023 pattern shift (Tier 2 combined sessions) is the current standard. The syllabus content areas are stable since 2019.
What is the passing requirement for Tier 1?
No fixed passing mark. Cutoff is decided post-exam based on vacancy count and difficulty. Recent Tier 1 cutoffs: 140-150 (UR), 130-140 (EWS), 120-130 (SC), 110-120 (ST), 130-140 (OBC). You need to rank within the cutoff-sorted candidates to qualify for Tier 2.
Is there negative marking in SSC CHSL and MTS?
Yes in CHSL (-0.5 per wrong, same as CGL Tier 1). MTS Paper 1 has no negative marking. MTS Paper 2 (descriptive, qualifying) is not scored objectively.
Which SSC post has which qualifying requirement?
CGL: Graduate (any stream). CHSL: Class 12. MTS: Class 10. Specific posts within CGL require specific qualifications (e.g., Junior Statistical Officer needs Statistics in graduation).
How much time do I need to prepare for SSC CGL?
8-12 months for most candidates starting from basics. 4-6 months is possible if your Quant and English are already at Class 12 level and you just need SSC pattern practice.
Is GK/Current Affairs section important?
Yes — GA is the single highest-leverage section for rank improvement. 25 questions × 2 marks = 50 marks potential, and top scorers typically attempt 22-24 confidently. Daily current affairs tracking + static GK memorization is non-negotiable.
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