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 for Reasoning (SSC)

Reasoning in SSC is only of 50 out of 600 marks . So give your time accordingly. It requires daily practice of hardly 1 hour once you have gone through all type of questions. One and only thing PRACTICE will lead you to success.

Books you should have : RS AGGARWAL & M.K. PANDEY

MK Pandey´s book is mainly for Higher level reasoning questions. Questions being  asked directly from this book in Bank PO exams but you should do Syllogism  and Puzzles and Blood Relation questions from this book. This book is like a teacher instructing you on the desk. Step by step approach is given  and this book is  written from exam point of view. Trust me, Study religiously and you will get the fruit.

Let us do some category wise analysis of Reasoning below is the picture of questions that were asked from various sections in last three years.

Now, from above chart it is clear that most of questions being asked from Series, which include Dictionary word arrangement, Analogy, Odd pair, missing number, missing letter, ranking  etc.

Arrangement Includes Line,table , circle,

Logic includes syllogism, venn diagrams, statement assumtions

Non verbal includes Water image, mirror image, cutting folding etc.

First you should have Alphabets´ position in your mind , it will save few seconds per questions and every second matters in competition exams.

Tip:  Position of Alphabets

E            J            O            T                Y

5           10          15           20                25 

For example: N 14 , just before O and you know the position of O which is 15, use these calculations in mind.

Reasoning requires practice and with practice you will be able to solve all 50 question within 25-30 minutes.

Tip: Reverse Order (Total SUM 27, So remember forward order you will find reverse order)

For Example: Reverse order of A is 26 and Forward order of A is 1, similarly Reverse order of R is 9 and forward order of R is 18(Sum 18+9)

Opposite Alphabet

AZ - a z SUNTE HO

BY- Boy

CX- CRUX YAMAHA

DW- Doodh Walla

LO    VE-   LOVE

FU-  Use your own memory link up

GT- GT ROAD

HS- Home Shop18 , Hamari Society

IR- Indian Railway

JQ- Jaipur Queen

KP- Kevin Pieterson or Kurta Pajama

MN-Mann na mora laage re

Most important thing is to remember , least important how do you remember. 

You may use your own memory linkup . While doing practice try to do questions in mind. In starting you will be slow but after enough amount of practice you will  be able to recall them within microseconds.

Now back to our general discussion,  SSC CGL Reasoning Approach

Try to do practice as much as you can from RS Aggarwall but solve questions based on  Puzzles, Blood Relations, Syllogism from MK PANDEY these are well explained by author. Hats off to Author for such a great book.

 After enough amount of practice, you will find your weak areas. Don´t worry you are on a right track. Try to solve your problems with the help of peers or teacher.

Give some extra time to your weak areas, it´s completely okay to make mistakes at home and rectify them but these mistakes must not be done in the exam.Very soon you will make your own strategy, according to your requirements.

Do Reasoning in the night, because it is interesting and you will not feel drowsy in the night. Do not overdo. Don´t try to do all of the Reasoning in one day, give some rest to mind also.

When you have gone through all of the sections, use some mock test papers from here. Set a timer and try to solve questions in time bound manner.Try to improve your performance. It will give you exam like environment.

You will be comfortable  in the real exam and SSC exam will be walk in the park for you.

Remember PRACTICE is the key to success. If you have any doubt, you may contact me.

This concludes strategy for Reasoning and have a nice day.