How to Crack SSC CGL TIER 1(Getting Started)

CGL 16 , Tier 1 will be from 27Aug 16 to 11 Sept 16, keep preparing. Strategy and book list will be same.

Edit: 1 July 16:  SSC has changed its pattern, visit Here  and Here for official Notice.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 will be online. Tier 3 will be descriptive , Tier 1 will consist 100 questions of 2 Marks each and there will be negative marking. Time duration of Tier 1 will be 75 Minutes.

 SSC CGL 16 Notification out, Download Notice and Read carefully. Major Points: Tier 1 will held Online on 27 Aug 16 , A new post category added and No interviews for Group B posts.  Age limit increased for few categories.

I will discuss only the strategy that must be followed by a candidate who is appearing for the SSC exam.

Before you start reading my blog ,it is recommended that you  should read official SSC Notification, Which will tell you  about exam structure and other eligibility criteria.Candidates are also advised to visit SSC official site regularly for latest news and notifications. Click Here to Visit

Now coming back to the point:-  It is assumed that you have read SSC notification for CGL 2016 and know about syllabus for TIER 1.

1. General Intelligence:  50 Marks

2. Numerical Aptiude:   50 Marks

3. General Knowledge: 50 Marks

4. English Language:     50 Marks

But Remember: Tier II : English Language and Comprehension- 200 Marks

Numerical Aptitude: 200 Marks

So out of 600 Marks; 500(250+250) Marks will be of Numerical Aptitude and English Language. So when you start preparing, think twice, how much time should be given to these subjects as compared to GK.

I am not saying, not to prepare for GK but don't spend too much time on GK. It is of 50 marks and if you have a good command on GK, then you can lead in TIER I exam.

Remember: If you study 8 hours daily, then you must give 5-6 hours to Mathematics and English.

Tier 3 : Descriptive Paper in English/Hindi

It will be of 100 marks , you will have to practice Essay/Precis/Letter/Application writing You can do these practices after Tier 2,

Choose the language you are most comfortable with. I recommend WREN& Martin Book   for English Tier 3.

Before you start  further preparations : You must have good books. Don't purchase too many books. Don't make your home a library. Read books mentioned below  2 -3 times instead of purchasing different books.

Please note that these books are not only for SSC exams, these books are reference books for almost all exams except IAS Mains or some other exam which is subject specific.

In this post I will tell you only which book to buy. In my next post, i will tell you, how to approach these books and why not to buy other books. Their merits and demerits.

For Reasoning:  

1. A Modern Approach to verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning By R.S. Aggarwaal Click Here

2. Analytical Reasoning  By M.K. Pandey Click to purchase

For reasoning section, these two books are more than enough and do not waste your money on purchasing more books for reasoning. 

Books For English:

1. A Mirror of Common Errors - By Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh (Anglo-Hindi) Now available ONLINE.

Note: It is highly recommended for those who have hard times with English.

2. Objective General English by S.P. BAKSHI (Arihant Publication) Click Here

3.  For Vocabulary Word Power Made Easy Click Here   (Best Book of Vocabulary)

4. For Descriptive English Paper  WREN and Martin, Prepare and Practice from It after Tier 2 exam.

If you are more comfortable with Hindi, then Go with Hindi Descriptive Paper. You need to prepare for Precis, Essay Writing, Application Writing etc. 

We will discuss more about it later.

Books for Mathematics: 

1. If you don't have your doubt clear, than first go through NCERT Mathematics books which can be downloaded for free from NCERT official website. Click here 

2. Now Mathematics depend only on practice and do not just read it. It requires just only practice and it is not a difficult subject.  To have a good practice and short cut tricks to save time in competitive exams, I recommend  Quantam CAT By Sarvesh Kumar Verma Buy From Here 

This book starts from basics and will lead you to success. You will be delighted after reading this book.

4. Books for General Knowledge:

Remember Don't give too much time to GK. No matter how good you are, you will hardly get above 35 out of 50.

1. One and Only answer: NCERT BOOKS free download from here  + Lucent's GK for quick Revision.

2. For Polity: M. LAXMIKANTH (Both Hindi and English editions are available ) Click Here

3. Lucent General Knowledge for Quick Revision of facts. For Hindi  & For English

4. Download Current affairs App from Google Play Store. Select CGL from Exam Categories. Select apps with High Rating. 

I will discuss in more details about current affairs , what to read, what not to read and how to get best of above mentioned books.

So first purchase some or all of above mentioned books and start preparing. If you have purchased , then see my other articles, how to get best of above mentioned books.

Best of luck for competitive exams.

Edit : Post Genuine Comments and Queries,  Spam comments will be Deleted. 

How to Prepare Mathematics for SSC and other competitive exams

Mathematics is an interesting subject. Many people find it hard to understand just because they don't have interest in Mathematics.

Mathematics and Reasoning enhance your problem solving skills not only in exam but also in real life. Both are  based on systematic approach and both of them need a lot of PRACTICE.

Now come to the point. How to prepare for Mathematics?

Mathematics section will be of 250(50+200) marks. You can not leave Mathematics as well as English. Both are equally important.

If you want to get success in SSC competition exam, there is no alternate way. You must have good grip over Mathematics & English.

Remember even if you are good in Mathematics and below avg. in English or vice-versa , you will not be able to get your dream job.

So give equal time to both subjects, when you feel bored in one, pick up another book and try to solve Mathematics questions at night to overcome drowsy feeling.

How to approach Quantam CAT by Sarvesh Kumar Verma

If you are absolute dull in Mathematics I recommend to join some good coaching of Mathematics,  who can give you time to get your concept clear otherwise you will have to suffer a lot and lot of time will be wasted.

I am mentioning, coaching institute who can give you time because many coaching institutes will take care of you only up to admission. 

This book is written from CAT point of view but it is equally applicable to SSC CGL, I assure you questions cannot come out of this book.

Author has over 20 years of experience and he has presented all the stuff in a step by step easy way. Exercise are distributed in various difficulty levels. 

From SSC point of view, Level 1 is sufficient, if you want more you can go for higher levels , Final Round and Miscellaneous exercises.  You can leave chapter 16,17 and 20. But I don't guarantee you that question will not come from these chapters. It is always a good idea to be well  prepared for worst conditions. So you  should do them if you have time.

I recommend you to start from chapter 1 and solve all questions even basic questions up to level 1, after that you should move to next chapter.

If you are not a fresher in the field of competition exam, you can start from anywhere you like.

Author has presented the book from exam point of view. You don't have to solve each and every question in competition exam. You can guess sure shot answer from options also. Author has explained various logical ways, to omit wrong options and to find right answer.

This strategy is really necessary because you will have to do 200 (All four sections)questions in Tier 1 in 2 hours and 100 Mathematics question in 2 hours.

Now, from SSC point of view, Basic Mathematics, ALGEBRA, Trigonometry, Mensuration  and Geometry, DI all are equally important. 

 Below is the avg. category wise analysis of TIER 1 2013 EXAM

Below is the category division

For Bank PO exams, you must have good grip over Basic Mathematics, Algebra and DI no questions being asked from Trigonometry, Geometry etc.

So prepare accordingly, SSC is a like a mini IAS exam. They want you to be good in all areas. While preparing for SSC, give special attention to Geometry, Mensuration and Trigonometry and many  results of these sections are inter-related. Application of one is used in other.

You must have good grip over these sections which requires interest to learn, conceptual clarity and with large amount of PRACTICE.

You may take help of a good teacher and follow him/her religiously and get your concept clear because it is necessary.

Write down PRACTICE word on your wall as well as in your mind. It will motivate you.

Don't worry with hunger to learn and  with practice you will be able to crack SSC.

That concludes strategy for Mathematics. Tier 2 has little tough questions as compared to Tier 1 but they can also be cracked. Because nothing is impossible with PRACTICE.

Thanks for reading and best of luck for competitive exam. I wish for your bright future.

--

Kanhiya Deswal