Preparation strategy · 2026
A factual SSC CGL preparation roadmap — official syllabus references, section-wise study order, mock practice rhythm and links to books and free mocks.
Official references
Section-wise plan
Tier 1 has 100 questions for 200 marks across reasoning, general awareness, quantitative aptitude and English. The 2026 notice specifies 60 minutes with a 15-minute timer per subject and a 0.50-mark deduction per wrong answer. Practise each timed subject and review errors before repeating full mocks; eligible scribe arrangements have additional time.
Cover Lucent-style static GK for history, polity, geography and science. Pair with the daily current affairs feed for the last 6–12 months before the exam — do not rely on outdated CA PDFs alone.
Tier 2 uses objective questions except the data-entry task. Paper I is compulsory: maths/reasoning (180 marks), English/general awareness (210 marks), computer knowledge (60 marks, qualifying) and DEST (15 minutes, qualifying). Paper II Statistics applies to shortlisted JSO/Statistical Investigator candidates; Paper III Finance and Economics applies to shortlisted Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer candidates. Practise computer knowledge and DEST alongside the scored subjects, with post-specific qualifying standards from the notice.
Paper I gives one hour each to maths/reasoning and English/general awareness, then 15 minutes to computer knowledge; DEST follows in Session II. Wrong answers lose 1 mark in Paper I objective sections and 0.50 in Papers II/III. Review errors by topic and practise the notification’s subject timers. Tier 1 screens candidates; final merit depends on the applicable Tier 2 papers.
Month-wise template
Generic plan — adjust based on your exam notification date from the official portal.
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Month 1–2 | NCERT quant basics, English grammar (SP Bakshi), reasoning patterns, static GK first pass |
| Month 3–4 | Sectional drills, daily CA revision, first free CGL mocks with answer review |
| Month 5–6 | Timed Tier 1 and Tier 2 practice, computer knowledge and DEST drills; add post-specific Paper II/III preparation when applicable |
| Last 4 weeks | Mock-heavy revision, formula sheets, exam-day timing practice — check live notices on KarmSakha job feed |
Related prep
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SSC CGL 2026
An SSC CGL 2026 course book in 14 chapters, written to the Commission's 2026 notice: the scheme of examination, marking and normalisation, Tier-I and Tier-II mathematics, reasoning, general awareness, the Computer Knowledge module, English language and comprehension, and the Data Entry Speed Test, with original solved examples and practice questions. It explains which posts also sit Tier-II Papers II and III, but does not teach those papers.
Common questions
Start with NCERT maths basics and one standard book per section. Take a free CGL mock within the first month to identify weak areas, then follow a weekly mock rhythm in the final two months.
Coaching is optional. Self-paced prep with books, free mocks and structured notes works if you maintain consistency. KarmSakha offers digital prep — mocks, eBooks and notes — not live batches.
Check ssc.gov.in and the KarmSakha government jobs feed for live notifications. This guide does not publish cutoff marks — they change every cycle.