SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2024: Complete Guide For Tier I & II Structure, Syllabus

SSC CGL Exam Pattern

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGL) is a crucial exam for graduates seeking government jobs. The exam is conducted in two tiers, each with a different pattern and structure.

Tier I: Written Examination (Objective Multiple Choice Type)

• Subject Areas:
  • General Intelligence and Reasoning
  • General Awareness
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • English Comprehension
• Number of Questions: 25 questions per subject.
• Maximum Marks: 50 marks per subject.
• Time Allowed: 1 hour (1 hour and 20 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe as per Para-7.1, 7.2, and 7.3).

• Scheme of Tier I Examination will be as follows:

Note: The questions in Tier I are objective, multiple-choice, and available in both English and Hindi, except for the English Comprehension section. There is a negative marking of 0.50 for each wrong answer.

Tier II: Written Examination (Objective Multiple Choice Type)

The Tier II exam is more extensive, comprising multiple papers and modules:

Paper I:

• Session I:
  • Section I:
    • Module I: Mathematical Abilities
    • Module II: Reasoning and General Intelligence
    • Questions: 30 each (Total 60 questions)
    • Maximum Marks: 180 (3 marks per question)
    • Time Allowed: 1 hour (1 hour and 20 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe)
  • Section II:
    • Module I: English Language and Comprehension
    • Module II: General Awareness
    • Questions: 45 for English and 25 for General Awareness (Total 70 questions)
    • Maximum Marks: 210 (3 marks per question)
  • Section III:
    • Module I: Computer Knowledge Module
    • Questions: 20
    • Maximum Marks: 60 (3 marks per question)
    • Time Allowed: 15 minutes (20 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe)
• Session II:
  • Section III:
    • Module II: Data Entry Speed Test Module
    • Test: One Data Entry Task
    • Time Allowed: 15 minutes (20 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe)

Paper II:

• Subject: Statistics
• Number of Questions: 100
• Maximum Marks: 200
• Time Allowed: 2 hours (2 hours and 40 minutes for candidates eligible for a scribe)

Scheme of Tier II Examination will be as follows:

Important Notes:

• Tier II includes Paper I, Paper II, and Paper III, conducted in separate shifts or on different days.
• Paper I is mandatory for all posts.
• Paper II is specifically for candidates applying for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Grade-II.
• Paper I consists of three sections, each with two modules:
  • Section I: Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning and General Intelligence.
  • Section II: English Language and Comprehension, General Awareness.
  • Section III: Computer Knowledge Test, Data Entry Speed Test (DEST).

Marking Scheme and Qualifying Criteria:

• Tier II (Paper I and Paper II) consists of objective, multiple-choice questions, except for the Data Entry Speed Test module in Paper I.
• Negative marking is applied:
  • 1 mark deducted for each wrong answer in Sections I, II, and Module I of Section III of Paper I.
  • 0.50 marks deducted for each wrong answer in Paper II.
• Module I of Section III (Computer Knowledge Test) is mandatory but qualifying in nature.
• Higher qualifying standards may be applied for posts requiring Computer Proficiency or DEST.

Data Entry Speed Test (DEST):

• Conducted in Session II for 15 minutes on the same day as Session I.
• Test involves typing a passage with about 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes.
• DEST is mandatory for all posts but qualifying in nature. Higher qualifying standards may be applied for specific posts such as Tax Assistant and UDC/SSA.

For more details, candidates can visit the official SSC website.

DEST Test Details :

The “Data Entry Speed Test” (DEST) Skill Test will be conducted for a passage of about 2000 (two thousand) key depressions for
a duration of 15 (fifteen) minutes. Detailed instructions regarding Skill Test will be provided by the Regional Offices of the Commission. Information about evaluation of Typing Test/DEST are available on the Commission’s new website https://ssc.gov.in (‘For Candidates’).

DEST will be mandatory for all the posts; however, it will be qualifying in nature.

While shortlisting the candidates for the posts where either Computer Proficiency is prescribed (as mentioned at Para 13.8.9) or where DEST is prescribed viz. Tax Assistant in CBIC, Tax Assistant in CBDT, and UDC/ SSA in Central Bureau of Narcotics (Ministry of Finance) etc., higher qualifying standards will be set in comparison to other posts.

DEST will be conducted in the manner decided by the Commission for the purpose.

For more details, candidates can visit the official SSC website.