The SSC CGL exam is one of India’s most competitive government recruitment tests, opening doors to popular Group B and C posts. If you’re gearing up for the 2025 cycle, understanding the exam pattern is your first step to success.
This year, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has tweaked the structure slightly, removing Paper III (for AAO posts) due to no vacancies. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with a detailed breakdown of Tier 1 and Tier 2, including section-wise weightage, negative marking, and time management tips—straight from toppers and experts.
Key Highlights 📌
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Total Tiers | 2 (Tier 1 & Tier 2) |
| Tier 1 Duration | 60 minutes |
| Tier 2 Duration | 2.5 hours (Paper 1), 2 hours (Paper 2) |
| Negative Marking | Tier 1: -0.5 per wrong answer Tier 2: -1 (Paper 1), -0.5 (Paper 2) |
| Qualifying Nature | Tier 1 is qualifying; Tier 2 is scoring |
| Language | English & Hindi (except English section) |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2025 📝
Exam Structure
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time (Cumulative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
🔹 Key Notes:
- No sectional time limit—manage your time wisely!
- Negative marking: Lose 0.5 marks for every wrong answer.
- Qualifying nature: Marks won’t be added to the final score.
Topic-Wise Weightage (Tier 1)
| Section | Top Topics | Expected Questions |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence | Coding-Decoding (3-4), Blood Relations (1-2), Syllogism (0-3) | 25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Geometry (2-4), Data Interpretation (3-6), Algebra (1-2) | 25 |
| English | Cloze Test (3-5), Synonyms/Antonyms (2-4), Active-Passive (2-4) | 25 |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs (2-5), Polity (1-3), History (1-5) | 25 |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2025 (Revised) 🔄
Tier 2 is where the real battle begins—your marks here decide your rank. The biggest change this year? No Paper 3 (AAO posts) due to zero vacancies.
Paper 1 (Compulsory for All Posts)
This paper is split into two sessions:
Session 1 (2 hrs 15 mins)
| Section | Module | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 hour |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | ||
| Section II | English Language | 45 | 135 | 1 hour |
| General Awareness | 25 | 75 | ||
| Section III | Computer Knowledge | 20 | 60 (Qualifying) | 15 mins |
Session 2 (15 mins)
| Module | Task | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Data Entry Speed Test | 2000-key depressions | Qualifying |
🔹 Key Notes:
- Negative marking: -1 mark per wrong answer in Sections I & II.
- Computer & DEST tests are qualifying only (no marks added).
Paper 2 (For JSO Posts Only)
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
💡 Expert Insight:
“Tier 2’s difficulty level is higher than Tier 1. Focus on speed and accuracy, especially in Math and Reasoning.” — Rahul Meena, SSC CGL 2023 Topper
Marking Scheme & Negative Marking ❌
One wrong move can cost you! Here’s how scoring works:
| Tier | Correct Answer | Wrong Answer | Unattempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | +2 | -0.5 | 0 |
| Tier 2 (Paper 1) | +3 | -1 | 0 |
| Tier 2 (Paper 2) | +2 | -0.5 | 0 |
📌 Real-Life Example:
- Scenario: You attempt 80 questions in Tier 1, 70 correct & 10 wrong.
- Calculation: (70 × 2) – (10 × 0.5) = 140 – 5 = 135 marks.
Top 5 Preparation Tips for SSC CGL 2025 🎯
Want to crack SSC CGL in the first attempt? Follow these battle-tested strategies:
| Tip | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| 1. Master Time Management | Tier 1 gives 36 sec/question—practice speed tests! |
| 2. Focus on High-Weightage Topics | Prioritize DI, Geometry, and Current Affairs. |
| 3. Solve Previous Year Papers | 30% of questions repeat in slightly tweaked forms. |
| 4. Take Mock Tests Weekly | Simulates real exam pressure and improves accuracy. |
| 5. Avoid Guesswork | Negative marking can drop your score drastically. |
Final Thoughts
The SSC CGL 2025 exam pattern is slightly easier with fewer papers, but competition remains tough. Start early, focus on weak areas, and keep revising.
