The Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam conducted annually by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) consists of Four phases, where each phase needs to be cleared depending upon the requirement of different posts. SSC CGL 2023 Exam will be conducted in Two tiers, i.e., Tier – I, Tier – II. SSC Tier- I (Phase-1 ) is an objective type exam and SSC Tier-II has 3 phases i.e. Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3.
Paper 1 is compusory for all, while Paper 2 is for the candidates who want to apply for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministery of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Paper 3 is for those who want to apply for the post of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Account Officer (AAO).
SSC Tier 1 is an Online Mode exam. It consists of 100 questions for maximum of 200 marks . The time alloted for the exam is for 1 hour. This phase of exam is qualifying in nature and the Final selection will be based on your performance in SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam.
Tier 1 has been divided into 4 sections with 25 questions in each and maximum marks allotted for each section is 50.
These sections are as folloes:
1. Quantitative Aptitute
2. General Intelligence & Reasoning
3. English Comprehension
4. General Awareness
Sections | No. of Questions | Marks | Total Time |
Quantitative Aptitude Section | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | |
General Intelligence & Reasoning Section | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | A cumulative time of 60 min |
General Awareness Section | 25 Questions | 50 Marks | And 80 min for disabled candidtaes |
English Language & Comprehension | 25 Questions | 50 Marks |
1.) Online Exam: SSC Exams are conducted through Online Mode which is also known as (CBT) Computer Based Test.
2.) E-Admit Cards: Admit Card will be generated online and it can be downloaded through the respective SSC Regional Websites.
1) Tier – 1: Candidates this is the First Stage of the CGL Exam. This means those candidates who have applied for CGL Exam than firstly have to appear for the Tier-1 Exam.
Tier-1 Exam is an online mode exam and it comprises 4 sections with 25 questions contain each and every section with the total time duration 75 Minutes.
Points to remember
There is negative marking in SSC CGL 2023 Tier 1 Exam. 0.5 mark will be deducted from every question that is attempted wrong by a candidate in all the sections.
The exam duration is 80 minutes for candidates who are visually handicapped and suffering from Cerebral Palsy.
The above-mentioned syllabus was just a brief of the SSC CGL Tier-I Exam. Students must go through the detailed syllabus of all the sections and frame a study plan which will be helpful to identify and focus on their weakest topics.
General Intelligence and Reasoning |
General Awareness |
Quantitative Aptitude |
English Language & Comprehension |
Classification |
Static General Knowledge (Indian History, Culture, etc.) |
Simplification |
Reading Comprehension |
Analogy |
Science |
Number System |
Fill in the Blanks |
Coding-Decoding |
Current Affairs |
Averages |
Spellings |
Puzzle |
Sports |
Percentage |
Phrases and Idioms |
Matrix |
Books and Authors |
Ratio and Proportion |
One word Substitution |
Word Formation |
Important Schemes |
Problem on Ages |
Sentence Correction |
Venn Diagram |
Portfolios |
Speed, Distance and Time |
Error Spotting |
Direction and Distance |
People in the News |
Interest |
Synonyms |
Blood Relations |
Computers |
Mensuration |
Antonyms |
Series |
Awards and their importance |
Data Interpretation |
Idioms & Phrases |
Verbal reasoning |
Geography |
Time and Work |
|
Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Economy |
Algebra |
|
Critical Thinking |
Polity |
Trigonometry |
|
Emotional & Social Intelligence |
Population Census |
Geometry |
General Intelligence & Reasoning: This section tests the candidates’ ability to think and problem-solving skills. The questions asked in this question are mainly the brain teasers and sometimes can be quite tricky to answer. The questions will be of both verbal and non-verbal type out of the following chapters:
General Intelligence & Reasoning Topics |
|||
S. No. |
Topics |
S. No. |
Topics |
1 |
Analogies |
21 |
Figural Classification |
2 |
Similarities and Differences |
22 |
Semantic Series |
3 |
Space visualization |
23 |
Number Series |
4 |
Spatial orientation |
24 |
Figural Series |
5 |
Problem solving & Analysis |
25 |
Problem Solving |
6 |
Judgment & Decision making |
26 |
Word Building |
7 |
Visual memory |
27 |
Numerical Operations |
8 |
Discrimination & observation |
28 |
Symbolic Operations |
9 |
Relationship concepts |
29 |
Embedded Figures |
10 |
Arithmetical Reasoning and figural classification |
30 |
Space Orientation & Visualization |
11 |
Arithmetic Number Series |
31 |
Venn Diagrams |
12 |
Non-verbal series |
32 |
Drawing inferences |
13 |
Coding and Decoding |
33 |
Punched hole/ pattern–folding & Un-folding |
14 |
Statement conclusion |
34 |
Figural pattern–folding and completion |
15 |
Syllogistic reasoning |
35 |
Critical thinking |
16 |
Semantic Analogy |
36 |
Address matching |
17 |
Symbolic/ Number Analogy |
37 |
Date & city matching |
18 |
Figural Analogy |
38 |
Classification of center codes/ roll numbers |
19 |
Semantic Classification |
39 |
Small & Capital letters/ numbers coding |
20 |
Symbolic/Number Classification |
40 |
Decoding and classification |
General Awareness: This part is considered to be one of the high scoring sections of the SSC CGL Exam. It targets at testing the candidates’ general awareness of the environment around him/her and its application to society. Questions from current affairs taking place around the world and in India will also be a part of this section. Below are the major topics covered in the SSC CGL Tier-I exam under the General Awareness Section:
1 | History: Facts about Harappa Civilization; Vedic culture; Name of the Kings who built important ancient Temples and Institutions like Nalanda; Chronology of Medieval India and their important systems; India’s freedom movement and their leaders. |
2 | Geography: India and its neighboring countries; Famous Seaport and Airport and their location; the important institution of world and India and their locations like BRICS, World Bank, IMF, and RBI, etc. |
3 | Economy: Terminology of Budget (like National Income, GDP, Fiscal Deficit and many more); Five Year Plan and its importance; Famous persons in the economy; Institutions and their importance like RBI, SEBI, etc. |
4 | Polity: Supreme Court; Meaning of Write; Election of President and his functions; Important constitution bodies like CAG; Facts about parliament; Fundamental Duties; Governor and his functions; State legislature; Major Constitutional amendments and their importance; Official Language; Emergency Provisions; National political parties and their symbols. |
5 | Chemistry: Chemical Properties of Substance and their uses; SI units; Chemical Name of Important substances like Plaster of Paris etc.; Chemical Change and Physical Change; Properties of Gases; Surface Chemistry; Chemistry in Everyday Life. |
6 | Biology: Important Inventions and their inventor; Important and Interesting facts about human body parts; Nutrition in Animals and Plants; Diseases and their causes like Bacteria; Viruses and Protozoa; The Last four chapters of NCERT of Class 12th for the environment. |
7 | Physics: Important inventions and their inventor; S.I. units; Motion; Sound; light; Wave; Energy; Electricity. |
8 | Computer: Development of computers; Input and output devices; Memory. |
9 | Miscellaneous: Population Census; Important books and their writers; First sports achievement for India and the world like first Olympic, first Asian Game, etc.; State Animals and Symbols; Awards and their importance; Name of the Scientist who got Noble prize for important discoveries. |
Quantitative Aptitude Topic
Quantitative Aptitude Topics |
|||
S. No. |
Topics |
S. No. |
Topics |
1 |
Number System |
20 |
Congruence and similarity of triangles |
2 |
Fractions and Decimals |
21 |
Circle and its chords, tangents |
3 |
Percentage |
22 |
Angles subtended by chords of a circle |
4 |
Ratio & Proportion |
23 |
Common tangents to two or more circles |
5 |
Square roots |
24 |
Triangle |
6 |
Averages |
25 |
Quadrilaterals |
7 |
Interest |
26 |
Regular Polygons |
8 |
Profit and Loss |
27 |
Right Prism |
9 |
Discount |
28 |
Right Circular Cone |
10 |
Partnership Business |
29 |
Right Circular Cylinder |
11 |
Mixture and Alligation |
30 |
Sphere & Hemispheres |
12 |
Time and distance |
31 |
Rectangular Parallelepiped |
13 |
Time & Work |
32 |
Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base |
14 |
Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds |
33 |
Degree and Radian Measures |
15 |
Graphs of Linear Equations |
34 |
Standard Identities |
16 |
Trigonometry |
35 |
Complementary Angles |
17 |
Bar diagram & Pie chart |
36 |
Heights and Distances |
18 |
Geometry and Mensuration |
37 |
Histogram |
19 |
Triangle and its various kinds of centers |
38 |
Frequency polygon |
English Language and Comprehension: This section tests the candidates’ ability to understand correct grammar usage, vocabulary usage, and basic comprehension skills. Here is the list of topics covered in English Language and Comprehension Section of SSC CGL Tier-I Exam:
Synonyms
Antonyms
Sentence Completion
One Word Substitution
Spotting Errors
Sentence improvement
Spelling Test
Idioms & Phrases
Reading comprehension
Normally, the questions asked in this section are direct and quite easy. Therefore, candidates can score really well in this section. This section is important in both, Tier-I and Tier-II, levels of SSC CGL 2019-20 Exam.
This is an objective type of Exam conducted online. It consists of four papers, whose Section-wise details are given below:
Paper |
Subject |
No. of Questions |
Max Marks |
Exam Duration |
I |
Quantitative Abilities |
100 |
200 |
2 Hours |
II |
English Language and Comprehension |
200 |
200 |
2 Hours |
III |
Statistics |
100 |
200 |
2 Hours |
IV |
General Studies (Finance & Economics) |
100 |
200 |
2 Hours |
This Stage is for those candidates who have qualified their Tier-1 Exam and short-listed for the Tier-2 Exam.
Tier-2 Exam is also an Online Mode Exam and it comprises 3 sections,
Paper 1 is for English (Matriculation Level)
Paper 2 is for Quantitative Abilities (10+2 Level)
Paper 3 is based on Statistical Methods (For Junior Statistical Officer) (Graduation Level)
Paper 4 is for those who have shortlisted for the post of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer. (Graduation Level)
Paper 1 | English | 100 Questions (200 Marks) |
paper 2 | Quantitative Abilities | 100 Questions (200 Marks) |
Basically Paper 1 and Paper 2 are compulsory for Every candidate who has qualified their Tier-1 Exam and Paper 3 is for those candidates who have applied for Statistical Investigator Posts.
This paper has exactly the same syllabus which was earlier stated for the Quantitative Aptitude Section of the SSC CGL Tier -1 Exam. Below are the major topics covered in SSC CGL Tier-II exam under Paper I - Quantitative Abilities:
Paper-1: Quantitative Abilities Topics |
|||
S. No. |
Topics |
S. No. |
Topics |
1 |
Number System |
20 |
Congruence and similarity of triangles |
2 |
Fractions and Decimals |
21 |
Circle and its chords, tangents |
3 |
Percentage |
22 |
Angles subtended by chords of a circle |
4 |
Ratio & Proportion |
23 |
Common tangents to two or more circles |
5 |
Square roots |
24 |
Triangle |
6 |
Averages |
25 |
Quadrilaterals |
7 |
Interest |
26 |
Regular Polygons |
8 |
Profit and Loss |
27 |
Right Prism |
9 |
Discount |
28 |
Right Circular Cone |
10 |
Partnership Business |
29 |
Right Circular Cylinder |
11 |
Mixture and Alligation |
30 |
Sphere & Hemispheres |
12 |
Time and distance |
31 |
Rectangular Parallelepiped |
13 |
Time & Work |
32 |
Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base |
14 |
Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds |
33 |
Degree and Radian Measures |
15 |
Graphs of Linear Equations |
34 |
Standard Identities |
16 |
Trigonometry |
35 |
Complementary Angles |
17 |
Bar diagram & Pie chart |
36 |
Heights and Distances |
18 |
Geometry and Mensuration |
37 |
Histogram |
19 |
Triangle and its various kinds of centers |
38 |
Frequency polygon |
Questions in this components will be designed to test the candidate‘s understanding and knowledge of English Language. Here is the list of topics covered in Paper II - English Language and Comprehension Section of SSC CGL Tier-II Exam:
Spotting the error
Fill in the blanks
Synonyms
Antonyms
Spelling/detecting miss-spelled words
Idioms & phrases
One word substitution
Improvement of sentences
Active/passive voice of verbs
Conversion into Direct/indirect narration
Shuffling of sentence parts
Shuffling of sentences in a passage
Close passage
Comprehension passage
Paper-III will be for only those candidates who apply for the post of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and who are shortlisted in Tier-I for this Post/Paper.
S. No. |
Paper III Statistics Topics |
1 |
Collection Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data |
2 |
Measures of Central Tendency |
3 |
Measures of Dispersion |
4 |
Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis |
5 |
Correlation and Regression |
6 |
Probability Theory |
7 |
Random Variable and Probability Distributions |
8 |
Sampling Theory |
9 |
Statistical Inference |
10 |
Analysis of Variance |
11 |
Time Series Analysis |
12 |
Index Numbers |
Here is the detailed list of topics covered in Statistics Paper-III of SSC CGL Tier-II Exam:
Collection Classification and Presentation of Statistical Data: Primary and Secondary data, Methods of data collection; Tabulation of data; Graphs and charts; Frequency distributions; Diagrammatic presentation of frequency distributions
Measures of Central Tendency: Common measures of central tendency – mean median and mode; Partition values- quartiles, deciles, percentiles.
Measures of Dispersion: Common measures dispersion – range, quartile deviations, mean deviation and standard deviation; Measures of relative dispersion.
Moments, Skewness and Kurtosis: Different types of moments and their relationship; the meaning of skewness and kurtosis; different measures of skewness and kurtosis.
Correlation and Regression: Scatter diagram; simple correlation coefficient; simple regression lines; Spearman‘s rank correlation; Measures of association of attributes; Multiple regression; Multiple and partial correlations (For three variables only).
Probability Theory: Meaning of probability; Different definitions of probability; Conditional probability; Compound probability; Independent events; Bayes‘ theorem.
Random Variable and Probability Distributions: Random variable; Probability functions; Expectation and Variance of a random variable; Higher moments of a random variable; Binomial, Poisson, Normal and Exponential distributions; Joint distribution of two random variables (discrete).
Sampling Theory: Concept of population and sample; Parameter and statistic, Sampling and non-sampling errors; Probability and non-probability sampling techniques (simple random sampling, stratified sampling, multistage sampling, multiphase sampling, cluster sampling, systematic sampling, purposive sampling, convenience sampling, and quota sampling); Sampling distribution (statement only); and Sample size decisions.
Statistical Inference: Point estimation and interval estimation, properties of a good estimator, Methods of estimation (Moments method, Maximum likelihood method, Least squares method), Testing of hypothesis, Basic concept of testing, Small sample, and large sample tests, Tests based on Z, t, Chi-square and F statistic, Confidence intervals.
Analysis of Variance: Analysis of one-way classified data and two-way classified data.
Time Series Analysis: Components of time series, Determinations of trend component by different methods, Measurement of seasonal variation by different methods.
Index Numbers: Meaning of Index Numbers, Problems in the construction of index numbers, Types of an index number, Different formulae, Base shifting and splicing of index numbers, Cost of living Index Numbers, Uses of Index Numbers.
Paper-IV will be for only those candidates who are shortlisted in Tier-I for Paper-IV, i.e., for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer.
Paper |
Subject |
No of Questions |
Max Marks |
Exam Duration |
Part - A |
Finance and Accounts |
100 |
80 |
2 Hours |
Part - B |
Economics and Governance |
120 |
Fundamental principles and basic concept of Accounting:
Financial Accounting: Nature and scope, Limitations of Financial Accounting, Basic concepts and Conventions, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Basic concepts of accounting: Single and double entry, Books of original Entry, Bank Reconciliation, Journal, Ledgers, Trial Balance, Rectification of Errors, Manufacturing, Trading, Profit & Loss Appropriation Accounts, Balance Sheet Distinction between Capital and Revenue Expenditure, Depreciation Accounting, Valuation of Inventories, Non-profit organizations Accounts, Receipts and Payments, and Income & Expenditure Accounts, Bills of Exchange, Self Balancing Ledgers.
Comptroller & Auditor General of India - Constitutional provisions, Role, and responsibility
Finance Commission - Role and functions
Basic Concept of Economics and introduction to Micro Economics - Definition, scope and nature of Economics, Methods of economic study and Central problems of an economy and Production possibilities curve
Theory of Demand and Supply - Meaning and determinants of demand, Law of demand and Elasticity of demand, Price, income and cross elasticity; Theory of consumer’s behavior - Marshallian approach and Indifference curve approach, Meaning and determinants of supply, Law of supply and Elasticity of Supply.
Theory of Production and cost - Meaning and Factors of production; Laws of production- Law of variable proportions and Laws of returns to scale.
Forms of Market and price determination in different markets - Various forms of markets - Perfect Competition, Monopoly, Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly ad Price determination in these markets
Indian Economy –
Nature of the Indian Economy Role of different sectors - Role of Agriculture, Industry and Services-their problems and growth;
National Income of India - Concepts of national income, Different methods of measuring national income
Population - Its size, rate of growth and its implication on economic growth
Poverty and unemployment - Absolute and relative poverty, types, causes and incidence of unemployment
Infrastructure - Energy, Transportation, Communication
Economic Reforms in India - Economic reforms since 1991; Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation and Disinvestment
Money and Banking -
Monetary/ Fiscal policy - Role and functions of Reserve Bank of India; functions of commercial Banks/ RRB/ Payment Banks
Budget and Fiscal deficits and Balance of payments
Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003
Role of Information Technology in Governance
The SSC CGL Tier - IV Exam comprises of a couple of skill tests which are required for certain government posts and document verification procedure:
DEST (Data Entry Speed Test):
Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) at 8,000 (eight thousand) Key Depression per hour on Computer is specifically for the post of Tax Assistants (Central Excise & Income Tax).
The “Data Entry Speed Test” Skill Test will be conducted for a passage of about 2000 (two thousand) key depressions for a duration of 15 (fifteen) minutes.
This test will be of qualifying nature and is used to check the typing speed of the candidate.
DEST will be conducted in the manner decided by the Commission for the purpose.
Orthopedically Handicapped (OH) candidates opting for the post of Tax Assistant in CBDT are exempted for appearing in Skill Test. OH candidates opting for post of Tax Assistant in CBEC are not exempted from Skill Test.
Hearing Handicapped (HH) and Visually Handicapped (VH) candidates are not eligible for exemption from the Skill Test. VH candidates will be allowed additional compensatory time of 5 minutes in DEST. Only those VH candidates who opt for scribes in the written examination will be provided passage reader at the time of Skill Test.
CPT (Computer Proficiency Test):
The Commission will hold CPT, comprising three modules –
Word Processing,
Spread Sheet and
Generation of Slides
The test will be conducted for the post of
Assistant Section Officer of Central Secretariat Service (CSS), Assistant Section Officer (MEA), Assistant in Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Assistant (GSI) in the Ministry of Mines.
CPT will be of qualifying nature.
The CPT will be conducted in the manner decided by the Commission for the purpose. No exemption from CPT is allowed for any category of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates.