Staff Selection Commission (CGL)

Combined Graduate Level (CGL)

The Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam conducted annually by Staff Selection Commission (SSC) consists of four phases, where each phase needs to be cleared depending upon the requirement of different posts. SSC CGL  Exam is conducted in four tiers, i.e., Tier – I, Tier – II, Tier – III and Tier – IV
Tier Type of Exam Mode of Exam
Tier – I
Objective Multiple Choice
Computer Based (Online)
Tier – II
Objective Multiple Choice
Computer Based (Online)
Tier – III
Descriptive Paper in English or Hindi
Pen and Paper mode (Offline)
Tier – IV
Skill Test: Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)/ Computer Proficiency Test (CPT)
Wherever Applicable (Not necessary for all the post)
Document Verification
Applicable for all

SSC CGL Tier - I Pattern

SSC CGL  Tier-I exam is an objective exam which will be conducted online. The exam comprises of four sections having 100 questions (25 questions in each section) which will account for a total of 200 marks (maximum 50 marks in each section). The time duration of Tier-1 exam will be 60 minutes. The section wise details of the exam are shown in the table given below:
Sections No. of Questions Marks Duration
General Intelligence & Reasoning
25
50
60 minutes
General Awareness
25
50
Quantitative Aptitude
25
50
English Language and Comprehension
25
50
Total
100
200

Points to remember:

  • There is negative marking in SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam. 0.5 marks 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.

SSC CGL Tier-II Pattern

SSC CGL  Tier-II exam is an objective exam which will be conducted online. The exam comprises of four Papers – Quantitative Abilities, English Language and Comprehension, Statistics and General Studies (Finance & Economics). The time duration for each Paper is 2 Hours. The section-wise details of the exam are shown in the table given below:
Paper Subject No. of Questions Max Marks 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)
Finance and Accounts
100
80
2 Hours
Economics and Governance
120

Points to remember:

  • Paper-I and Paper-II are compulsory for all posts.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • There will be negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in Paper-II (English Language and Comprehension) and of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer in Paper-I, Paper-III and Paper-IV.
  • Questions in Paper-I will be of Matriculation Level, Paper-II of 10+2 Level and in Paper-III and Paper-IV of Graduation Level.
  • The exam duration is 2 hours and 40 minutes for candidates who are visually handicapped.

SSC CGL Tier - III Pattern

SSC CGL Tier – III Exam is a descriptive paper which will be taken offline via pen and paper mode. In this exam, candidates’ language proficiency, grammar knowledge, vocabulary usage and writing skills will be tested in English/Hindi. Candidates are required to write essays, précis, application, letter, etc. in 60 minutes.
Mode of Examination Subject Maximum Marks Time
Pen and Paper Mode
Descriptive Type Paper in English or Hindi (Writing of Essay/ Précis/ Letter/ Application etc.)
100
60 minutes

Points to remember:

  • This exam will be bilingual means, Hindi/ English as per the choice filled by the candidate earlier at times of application filling.
  • The questions are based on 10+2 level.
  • The exam is qualifying in nature. At least 33% should be scored by the candidate to qualify this particular tier, rest is dependent on cut-offs.
  • The exam duration is 80 minutes for candidates who are visually handicapped or suffer from cerebral palsy.
The best way to prepare for this tier is to read lots of articles from various newspapers. Apart from this, you need to be well aware of the pattern of Letter and Application.

SSC CGL Tier - IV Exam Pattern

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) )

Document Verification:

The last step to the final selection would be Document Verification. Candidates will have to submit copies of various documents like Matriculation Certificate, educational qualification, caste certificate, relevant document, if any relaxation is taken, etc. Candidates will be required to produce all documents in original for verification at the time of document verification.
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