SSC Syllabus & Patterns

Education Qualification

Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university/institution. The educational qualifications vary according to the post for SSC CGL 2018 and is listed below

SSC CGL Post Educational Qualification
Assistant Audit Officer Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from a recognized University.
OR
Desirable Qualification: CA/CS/MBA/Cost &
Management Accountant/ Masters in Commerce/
Masters in Business Studies
Statistical Investigator Grade – II Post Bachelor’s Degree from any recognized University
with minimum 60% in Mathematics in Class 12th
OR
Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with Statistics as
one of the subjects in graduation
Compiler Posts Bachelor’s Degree from any recognized University
with Economics or Statistics or Mathematics as
compulsory or Elective Subject
All Other Posts Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a
recognized University or equivalent
Important Note The candidates appearing in the final year of their graduation can also apply, however they must possess Essential qualification on or before 01.08.2018.

 

Physical Fitness Requirements: Apart from the above, there are certain requisite Physical Standards for Inspector (Central Excise/ Examiner/Preventive Officer), Sub-Inspector in CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and Sub-Inspector in NIA (National Investigation Agency).

For Other Posts

SSCL CGL Post Required Age
Statistical Investigator Grade II Max. 32 years
Assistant in CSS 20 – 30 years
Assistant in IB 21 – 30 years
Assistant Enforcement Officer/SI in CBI/SI in NIA 30 years
SI in Central Bureau of Narcotics 18 – 27 years

Application Fee Detail For SSC CGL 2018 Examination

Category Fees
For General /OBC candidates Rs.100/-
For SC/ST/PH candidates Nill
For Female candidates Nill

Note- Applicants can give application fees through online debit/Credit card or through net banking.

SSC CGL Selection Process and Exam Pattern:

SSC CGL Exam Pattern

Every year Staff Selection Commission (SSC) carries out the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) in four levels for various posts.

Tier Type Mode
Tier – I Objective Multiple Choice Computer Based (online)
Tier – II Objective Multiple Choice Computer Based (online)
Tier – III Descriptive Paper in English/Hindi Pen and Paper mode
Tier – IV Skill Test/Computer Proficiency Test Wherever Applicable

SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2018 for Tier 1 & 2 are given below:

  1. Tier 1 and Tier 2 exam will be held online.
  2. A descriptive paper is introduced which will be of 100 marks with a time limit of 60 minutes in pen and paper mode.
  3. The time limit for examination of Tier -I is reduced from 120 minutes to 75 minutes.
  4. Tier II will remain same.
  5. There will be no sectional cut off.

SSC CGL Tier I Exam & Syllabus

Tier 1 is an objective exam which will be held online. It will have 4 sections in Tier 1 exam of SSC CGL 2018, with 100 questions. Each question will carry 2 marks which makes a total of 200 marks. The subject-wise bifurcation of marks is given below:

Section Subject No of Questions Max Marks Exam Duration
1 General Intelligence and Reasoning 25 50 60 minutes
2 General Awareness 25 50 (For VH &Candidates
suffering from
Cerebral Palsy:
80 minutes)
3 Quantitative Aptitude 25 50
4 English Comprehension 25 50
Total 100 200

Important Points:

  1. SSC CGL 2018 Tier 1 Exam will have negative marking. One wrong answer to a question will deduct 0.5 marks from the total of all sections.
  2. For visually handicapped the exam duration is 100 minutes.

SSC CGL TIER 1 2018  Subjective Syllabus

Question paper of SSC CGL Tier 1 will have four sections and those will be based on the 10th and 10 + 2 level syllabus. Syllabus of Tier 1 of SSC CGL 2018 is given below which is based on the previous year questions appearing in the last five years.

Full Syllabus of SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam:

General Intelligence & Reasoning
1 Analogies
2 Similarities and Differences
3 Space visualization
4 Spatial orientation
5 Problem solving & Analysis
6 Judgment & Decision making
7 Visual memory
8 Discrimination & observation
9 Relationship concepts
10 Arithmetical Reasoning and figural classification
11 Arithmetic Number Series
12 Non-verbal series
13 Coding and Decoding
14 Statement conclusion
15 Syllogistic reasoning
16 Semantic Analogy
17 Symbolic/Number Analogy
18 Figural Analogy
19 Semantic Classification
20 Symbolic/Number Classification
21 Figural Classification
22 Semantic Series
23 Number Series
24 Figural Series
25 Problem Solving
26 Word Building
27 Numerical Operations
28 Symbolic Operations
29 Trends
30 Space Orientation & Visualization
31 Venn Diagrams
32 Drawing inferences
33 Punched hole/pattern –folding & unfolding
34 Figural Pattern – folding and completion
35 Indexing
36 Address matching
37 Date & city matching
38 Classification of center codes/roll numbers
39 Small & Capital letters/numbers coding
40 Decoding and classification
41 Embedded Figures
42 Critical thinking
43 Emotional & Social Intelligence

 

English Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
Fill in the Blanks
Spellings
Phrases and Idioms
One word Substitution
Sentence Correction
Quantitative Aptitude:
1 Computation of whole numbers decimals
2 Fractions and relationships between numbers
3 Percentage
4 Ratio & Proportion
5 Square roots
6 Averages
7 Interest
8 Profit and Loss
9 Discount
10 Partnership Business
11 Mixture and Allegation
12 Time and distance
13 Time & Work
14 Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds
15 Graphs of Linear Equations
16 Triangle and its various kinds of centers
17 Congruence and similarity of triangles
18 Circle and its chords, tangents
19 Angles subtended by chords of a circle
20 Common tangents to two or more circles
21 Triangle
22 Quadrilaterals
23 Regular Polygons
24 Right Prism
25 Right Circular Cone
26 Right Circular Cylinder
27 Sphere & Hemispheres
28 Rectangular Parallelepiped
29 Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base
30 Trigonometric ratio
31 Degree and Radian Measures
32 Standard Identities
33 Complementary Angles
34 Heights and Distances
35 Histogram
36 Frequency polygon
37 Bar diagram & Pie chart

 

 

 

General Awareness
India and its neighboring countries
History
Culture
Geography
Economics
General politics & scientific research
Current Affairs

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Tier 2 exam is an objective exam which will be conducted online. There are four sections in this Tier with 100 questions which account for a total of 200 marks. The subject-wise details are given below:

Paper Subject No of Questions Max Marks Exam Duration
1 Quantitative Abilities 100 200 2 Hours
2 English Language and Comprehension 200 200 2 Hours
3 Statistics 100 200 2 Hours
4 General Studies (Finance & Economics) 100 200 2 Hours

Important Points:

  • Paper-1 and Paper-2 are compulsory for all posts
  • Paper-3 is only for the post of “Statistical Investigator Gr. II” & “Compiler”
  • Paper-4 is only for the post of “Assistant Audit Officer”
  • There will be negative marking in SSC CGL 2018 Tier 2 exam.
  • One wrong answer to a question will deduct 0.5 marks in Paper-1,3,4 and 0.25 marks in Paper-2.
  • Level for Paper 1 Questions will be of 10th standard l, Paper-2 of 10+2 level and Paper-3 & 4 on graduation level.
  • The computer will be made available by the Commission at the Centre/venue allocated for the exam
  • Candidates shall not be allowed to bring their own Key-board for the purpose.
  • The duration of the exam is 2 Hours and 40 Minutes for candidates who are visually handicapped.

Detailed SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier II Paper 1 – Quantitative Aptitude

(1) Simplification

  • Weightage: 3-6 Questions
  • Easy to Solve, Less Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
  • Question Types: BODMAS Rule, Approximation, Decimals, Fractions, Surds & Indices, Percentages etc.

 (2) Number Series

  • Weightage: 0-2 Questions
  • Scoring, Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming
  • Question Types: Complete the Series, Find the Missing Term, Find the Wrong Term etc.

 (3) Number System

  • Weightage: 6-8 Questions
  • Could be tricky, Moderately time Consuming
  • Question Types: Divisibility & Remainder, Multiples & Factors, Integers, LCM & HCF.

 (4) Algebra

  • Weightage: 5-9 Questions
  • Scoring, Easy if Concepts Clear and Steps Followed, Could be Tricky, Time Consuming.
  • Question Types: Questions on Identities and Functions, Linear Equations in One and Two or more Variables.

 (5) Averages

  • Weightage: 5-6 Questions
  • Easy to Solve, Less Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
  • Question Types: Average Weight/Height/Age/Marks, Average Money Expenditure, Average Temperature etc. But the concept remains simple. We have to use a single formula i.e. Average = Sum of Quantities/Number of Quantities

 (6) Percentages

  • Weightage: 1-4 Questions
  • Easy to Solve, Less Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
  • Question Types: Calculation-oriented basic percentage.

 (7) Ratio & Proportion

  • Weightage: 1-6 Questions
  • Easy to Solve, Less Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
  • Question Types: Simple Ratios, Compound Ratios, Componendo and Dividendo, Direct & Indirect Proportions.

(8) Interest

  • Weightage: 4-5 Questions
  • Scoring, Easy if Formulas & Proper Steps Followed, Moderately Time Consuming.
  • Question Types: Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Mixed Interest, Installments.

 (9) Profit & Loss

  • Weightage: 9-14 Questions
  • Scoring, Easy if Proper Steps Followed, Moderately Time Consuming.
  • Question Types: Successive Selling type questions, Partnerships, Discount & MP, Dishonest Dealings, Sales Tax, Mixture Problems.

 (10) Time & Work

  • Weightage: 6-7 Questions
  • Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming
  • Question Types: Work Efficiency, Work & Wages, Pipes & Cisterns, etc.

(11) Time, Speed & Distance

  • Weightage: 4-6 Questions
  • Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming
  • Question Types: Relative Speed, Average Speed, Problems on Train, Boat & Stream.

(12) Mensuration

  • Weightage: 10-13 Questions
  • Easy to Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
  • Question Types: Area/Volume of Square, Rectangle, Trapezium, Parallelogram, Rhombus, Circle, Semicircle, Triangle, Cone, Cylinder, Cube, Cuboid. Also, Moulding from one shape to another etc.

 (13) Geometry

  • Weightage: 12-18 Questions
  • Easy to Difficult, Moderately Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
  • Question Types: Lines and Angles, Triangles (Centres, Congruence, Similarity), Circles (Chords, Tangents, Segments), Quadrilaterals, Coordinate Geometry (Graphical representation of straight lines and Applications based on Coordinate Systems)

 (14) Trigonometry

  • Weightage: 7-10 Questions
  • Easy to Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible.
  • Question Types: Trigonometric Ratios and Identities, Maximum and Minimum Values of Trigonometric functions, Circular Measures of Angles, Heights and Distances

 (15) Data Interpretation

  • Weightage: 5-7 Questions
  • Easy to Moderate in Difficulty, Moderately Time Consuming, High Accuracy Possible
  • Question Types: Line Graphs, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Tables, Miscellaneous Infographics, Missing Data Type Caselets.

 (16) Mixtures & Alligations

  • Weightage: 1-4 Questions
  • Tricky, Time Consuming
  • Question Types: Mixture of two or more entities/mixtures, dishonest dealings.

Detailed SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier II Paper 2 – English Language

(1) Reading Comprehension

  • Weightage: 30 Questions (2-4 Passages)
  • Tougher than Tier-I RC, More Time Consuming than Tier-I RC, Moderate Accuracy Possible.
  • Question Types: The passage will focus on topics like moral stories, economy, business, social issues, etc. Fact and Inference based questions – easy to moderate, Vocab & Theme based questions – easy to moderate.

 (2) Verbal Ability (Para Jumbles and/or Sentence Jumbles)

  • Weightage: 20 Questions
  • Easy, Low to Moderately Time Consuming, High Accuracy possible.
  • Question Types: Para Jumbles and/or sentence jumbles.

 (3) Grammar (Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement, Fill in the Blanks)

  • Weightage: 12-15 Qs – Phrase replacement, 20 Qs – Error Spotting, 2-3 Qs – Fill in the blanks.
  • Easy to Moderate in Difficulty, Less to Moderately Time Consuming, Moderate Accuracy Possible.
  • Question Types: Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement/ Sentence Correction, Fill in the Blanks.
  • Topics Covered: Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Subject Verb Agreement, Parallelism, Degrees of Comparison, Sentence Construction, Phrasal Verbs, Pronouns, Adverbs, Non-Finite Verbs, Common Errors etc.

 (4) Vocabulary (Cloze Test, Fill in the Blanks, Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement, Synonym/antonyms, etc.)

  • Weightage: 10-12 Qs – Phrase Replacement, 2-3 Qs – Error Spotting, 3-4 Qs – Fill in the blanks, 6-7Qs – Synonym/antonym, 10 Qs – Phrase/idiom meaning, 3-4 Qs – Spellings, 12 Qs – One Word Substitution
  • Easy to Moderate Difficulty, Quick Solve based on Contextual usage, Moderate to High Accuracy possible.
  • Question Types: Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement, Cloze Test (single passage with 5-10 questions), Fill in the Blanks (Double Blanks).

 (5) Active Passive Voice and Direct Indirect Speech

  • Weightage: 20 Qs – Active Passive Voice, 27-30 Qs – Direct Indirect Speech
  • Easy to moderate, Tricky questions, High Accuracy Possible
  • Question Types: Converting of voice and speech.

SSC CGL Tier 3 Exam Pattern & Syllabus

This is a descriptive exam with the purpose of testing the written skills of the candidates in English/Hindi. It is held offline. The candidates are required to write Essay/Letter/Application/Precis. In order to prepare for this section one needs to read lots of articles from various newspapers and magazines. Besides this, you need to be well-versed with the latest pattern of Letter and Application.

Important Points:

  • The duration of this exam is of 60 minutes’ and carries 100 marks.
  • 10+2 level questions are asked in this exam.
  • It is a qualifying exam.
  • The duration of the exam duration 80 minutes for candidates who are visually handicapped or suffering from cerebral palsy.

SSC CGL Tier 4 Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Tier 4 Exam of SSC CGL Exam 2018 will have the couple of skill tests which are necessary for certain government posts.

  1. DEST (Data Entry Speed Test): It is a qualifying skill test for all the posts, other than Compiler. It is held to test the typing speed of the candidate. In this test, the candidates are given the printed material in English which they should type accurately on a computer with a minimum of 2000 (two thousand) key depressions. The duration of this test is 15 (fifteen) minutes.
  2. CPT (Computer Proficiency Test):  SSC will hold CPT, in three modules – Word Processing, Spread Sheet and Generation of Slides.  It will be applicable for applicants of Assistants of CSS. CPT is a qualifying test.
SSC CGL Post Preference Group A
Post Code Post Name Grade Pay  Age Limit
F Assistant Audit Officer 4800 Not exceeding 30 years
$ Assistant Accounts Officer 4800 Not exceeding 30 years
SSC CGL Post Preference Group B
Post Code Post Name Grade Pay Age Limit
A Assistant Section Officer 4600 20-30 years
C Assistant Section Officer 4600 Not exceeding 30 years.
D Assistant Section Officer 4600 20-30 years
E Assistant Section Officer 4600 20-30 years
G Assistant Section Officer 4600 20-30 years
H Assistant 4600 18-30 years
> Assistant 4600 20-30 years
< Assistant Section Officer 4600 Not exceeding 30 years.
I Assistant 4200 Not exceeding 30 years.
& Assistant/ Superintendent 4200 Not exceeding 30 years.
J Inspector of Income Tax 4600 Not exceeding 30 years
K Inspector (Central Excise) 4600 Not exceeding 30 years
L Inspector (Preventive Officer) 4600 Not exceeding 30 years
M Inspector (Examiner) 4600 Not exceeding 30 years
N Assistant Enforcement Officer 4600 Upto 30 years
O Sub Inspector 4600 20-30 years
P Inspector Posts 4600 18-30 years
Q Divisional Accountant 4200 Not exceeding 30 years
S Inspector 4600 18-27 years
% Sub Inspector 4200 Upto 30 years
SSC CGL Post Preference Group C
Post Code Post Name Grade Pay  Age Limit
R Junior Statistical Officer 4200 Upto 32 years