SSC CGL 2023: Subject-wise preparation strategy to score maximum marks

Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus:

Before starting your preparation, you need to understand the SSC CGL exam pattern and syllabus. The exam consists of four sections – Quantitative Aptitude, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, and English Comprehension. It consists of Tier1, Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 and last 3 tier depending upon post you want to apply. Go through the syllabus thoroughly and make a note of the topics that you need to cover.

Make a Study Plan:

After understanding the syllabus, make a study plan that suits your needs and abilities. Set a realistic target for each day, and create a timetable that you can follow consistently. Make sure to include time for revision, mock tests, and solving previous years’ question papers.

Build Your Concepts:

Start by building a strong foundation of the basic concepts. Refer to standard textbooks and study materials for each section and understand the concepts and formulas. Practice as many problems as you can to gain confidence and speed.

Practice Mock Tests:

Mock tests are crucial for cracking SSC CGL as they help you understand the exam pattern and difficulty level of questions. Take mock tests regularly to improve your speed, accuracy, and time management skills.
Analyse Your Performance:

After taking mock tests, analyse your performance, and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on the areas where you need to improve and work on them accordingly.

SSC CGL Tier-I is the first stage and the filtering stage of the exam. Moreover, the preparation done for this tier will also help in Tier-II and III.

Strategy – Verbal section

Start with Vocab-based questions – Synonyms, Antonyms, One Word Substitute, Spelling. Grammar – Error Identification, Best Replacement, Active and Passive Voice, Direct and Indirect Speech etc. Attempt the questions on Fill in the blanks after grammar Para Forming/Jumbled Questions, if any should be attempted at last

Strategy – Quantitative Aptitude

Any one of the strategies given below can be followed.

— Strategy A: Divide 20 minutes into 4 chunks of time – 4 parts of 5 min each Divide 25 questions into 4 parts i.e., 6 questions per 5 minutes. The strategy is not to answer all, but not to lose on easy ones. Identify ‘easy’ questions in each group and solve them first.

— Strategy B: Divide, not the time, but the questions into three types. Type I: Questions based on direct formula substitution / Back substitution / Short cut-based questions. not. In the first round, answer such questions amongst all 25 questions. Type II: Questions that take more than one minute, may be even two minutes to solve, but are doable. Type III: These are questions where you are very much confident that you know how to solve, but it is going to take at least 3-5 minutes for solving such questions. It is better to not attempt such questions

Strategy – Reasoning

Start with questions on Series, Analogies, Coding-Decoding and Odd Man Out. Next, questions on Word formation, Dictionary order, BODMAS and Non-Verbal Reasoning should be attempted. Followed by questions on Venn diagrams, Cubes etc. Attempt questions on Sequence, Hidden formulae, missing numbers and counting triangles at the last as these questions are tricky. Do not neglect Deductions, Critical Reasoning.

Strategy – General Awareness

Read the complete question and all the choices before marking the answer Attempt single-liners in the first round Lengthier, but doable questions in the second round Guesswork – A big NO

Overall, the key to cracking the SSC CGL exam is consistent hard work, dedication, and practice. Follow this preparation strategy and stay focused on your goals. Good luck!!!

(The author is Head, Bank – PO at test prep institute TIME)