SSC CGL Books 2025: Best Books for SSC CGL Tier 1, 2, 3 And 4

October 17, 2024
ssc cgl books

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Staff Selection Committee (SSC) conducts the Combined Graduate Level Exam 2025 (SSC CGL) for various positions in government departments. The SSC CGL exam 2025 is highly competitive, making thorough preparation essential for success. To excel in this exam, candidates should focus on using the best SSC CGL books available. These books are specifically designed to help students understand the exam format and key topics. By studying from top SSC CGL books, candidates can enhance their knowledge and improve their problem-solving skills. Additionally, these resources provide practice questions and tips that are crucial for effective preparation. Overall, using quality SSC CGL books is vital for achieving success in the exam.

In addition to using SSC CGL books, candidates should practice with mock papers and solve previous years’ papers to perform well in the exam. These resources help familiarize students with the exam format and types of questions. Candidates can also prepare by attending coaching institutes and using online journals and study materials focused on SSC CGL. For those who pass the Tier 1 exam, it is essential to continue studying with SSC CGL books to succeed in the Tier 2 exam. These books provide valuable insights and strategies for tackling more advanced topics. Overall, a combination of SSC CGL books, practice papers, and coaching can greatly enhance exam readiness.

This article will highlight the best SSC CGL books for each topic to help you prepare effectively for the exam. Selecting the right SSC CGL books is crucial for understanding key concepts and mastering the syllabus. Each section of the exam has specific requirements, and the right books can provide valuable insights and practice questions. From quantitative aptitude to general awareness, these SSC CGL books are designed to enhance your knowledge and boost your confidence. Additionally, using well-recommended books can help you develop effective study strategies. By focusing on the best SSC CGL books for each topic, you can ensure thorough preparation and increase your chances of success in the exam.

ssc cgl books

1. SSC CGL Books: Different Tiers

Before diving into the best SSC CGL books for preparation, it’s important to understand the SSC CGL exam pattern for 2025. Knowing the exam structure helps candidates choose the most relevant SSC CGL books for their study needs. The exam consists of multiple tiers, each focusing on different subjects, including quantitative aptitude, reasoning, and general awareness. By familiarizing themselves with the exam pattern, candidates can select SSC CGL books that cover the essential topics and question types. This knowledge allows for a more targeted and effective study approach. Overall, understanding the exam pattern is key to choosing the right SSC CGL books, ultimately leading to better preparation and improved chances of success.

The exam is conducted in four phases –

1. SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern

  • This is a computer-based MCQ exam.
  • The subjects are General Awareness, General Intelligence, English, and Quantitative Aptitude.
  • There are 100 questions, and the total marks are 200.
  • The total time is 60 minutes and 80 minutes for PWD candidates.

2. SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern

  • This is a computer-based MCQ exam.
  • The subjects are Quantitative Aptitude, English, Statistics, and General Studies (Finance & Economics).
  • There are 500 questions, and the total marks are 800.
  • The total time for PWD candidates is 120 minutes and 160 minutes.

3. SSC CGL Tier 3 Exam Pattern

  • This is an offline descriptive exam.
  • The subjects are English or Hindi.
  • The total marks are 100.
  • The total time is 60 minutes and 80 minutes for PWD candidates.

4. SSC CGL Tier 4 Exam Pattern

  • This is an offline test.
  • The candidates are tested for computer proficiency and skill test.
  • This is not mandatory for all departments.
  • There is a document verification, where officials verify all the certificates before selecting the candidate.

Recommended reading: SSC CGL Exam Analysis Tier 1 & Tier 2 (All Shifts)

Let’s look at some of the best books for SSC CGL.

2. Best Books for SSC CGL 2025- General Awareness

  1. Manorama Yearbook: This is a complete general knowledge book published by Manorama Publishers. This covers all the important topics and events from all over. This book is important for all competitive exams. Candidates trying for SSC CGL best preparation books for General awareness. One disadvantage is every year, they come up with the latest edition. So, some of the older information would not be mentioned. So, the candidate has to go through other books for it.
  2. General Knowledge by Lucent Publications: This book is published by Lucent. This book has been a companion for candidates aspiring for competitive exams. This book covers all the important topics required for the SSC CGL exam. The book does not have the latest edition.
  3. Journals and Other GK Books: Candidates should read journals like ‘India Today’, ‘Outlook’, and ‘The Frontline’ to learn about different things worldwide. There are other best books for ssc cgl general awareness like the ‘India Yearbook’ to gain knowledge about current affairs. Reading newspapers daily is very important. This would help the candidate to keep track of all the latest trends and news.
  4. India Yearbook by Publications Division: This book is published by the Indian Government’s Publications Division, and has thorough information about numerous elements of India, including government policies, the economy, social development, and other topics. It is an excellent source for current events and general knowledge.

3. Best Books for SSC CGL 2025 – Quantitative Aptitude

1. Quantitative Aptitude for competitive exams by R.S. Aggarwal: This is one of the books for SSC CGL Quantitative Aptitude. This is the best book for CGL maths and has been helping candidates in several competitive exams since 1989. It has over 5500 questions covering all the topics required to cover the SSC CGL exam.


2. Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M. Tyra: BSC Publishing Co. Pvt Ltd publishes this book. This book teaches tips and tricks to solve mathematical problems quickly and easily. Candidates preparing for competitive exams should know the tricks to solve problems quickly. This helps a non-mathematical candidate understand the concepts easily.

3. Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma: This book focuses on quick problem-solving strategies for Quantitative Aptitude. It covers a variety of topics, including shortcut approaches, hints, and practice questions. It helps to improve calculating speed and accuracy.

4. Best Books for SSC CGL 2025 – English

1. Objective General English by SP Bakshi: SSC CGL book Arihant Publications publishes the book. The book covers all the topics in the SSC CGL syllabus and the other competitive exams. The Foundation module, Verbal Ability, and Practical Grammar are the modules in the book. The book teaches the concepts of English grammar. This would help the candidates to understand the basics of English. This helps them to excel in exams.

2. Objective English for Competitive Examinations by H.M. Prasad: McGraw Hill Education publishes this book. This SSC CGL book in English is useful for candidates appearing for different competitive exams like NDA, CDS, Bank PO, SSC CGL, and civil services. The book has several test papers and previous years solved papers for different competitive exams. This gives a good understanding of the exam to the candidates.

3. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis: Penguin Random House publishes this. This book is in demand for candidates preparing for all kinds of competitive exams. This book explains the correct use of words. It gives an idea of expanding English knowledge as an embedded vocabulary-building process. There is a separate section for grammar rules.

4. High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin: This book is a classic guide to English grammar and composition. It covers every aspect of English grammar, including sentence creation and usage. It offers practice tasks and examples to aid learning.

5. General Knowledge Books – SSC CGL 2025

1. Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey: BSC Publishing Co. Pvt Ltd publishes this book. This book covers all the topics present in the SSC CGL syllabus. The book has multiple quizzes and practice papers for the candidates to prepare for the exam. The book covers a wide range of questions based on logic and analytics.

2. Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal: S.Chand Publishing publishes this book. This book gives detailed insight and modern ways to solve different verbal and non-verbal reasoning. This is very useful for candidates preparing for the SSC CGL exam. This is considered one of the good SSC GGL books for logical reasoning.

3. Logical and Analytical Reasoning by A.K. Gupta: The book delves deeply into issues such as logical reasoning and analytical reasoning. It features a variety of practice tasks and previous year’s question papers to help you improve your problem-solving skills.

6. SSC CGL Books for Previous Year Papers

1. SSC CGL Tier-I Solved Papers (2010-2020) by Disha Experts: This book provides solved papers for the SSC CGL Tier I exam from 2010 to 2020. It contains extensive solutions to each question, allowing you to better grasp the exam format and practice successfully.

2. SSC CGL Tier-II Solved Papers (2010-2020) by Disha Experts: This book includes solved papers for the SSC CGL Tier-II exam from 2010 to 2020. It contains solutions to Quantitative Abilities, English Language and Comprehension, Statistics, and General Studies (Finance and Economics) papers.

3. SSC CGL Combined Graduate Level Tier-I Exam Practice Workbook with Previous Year Papers by Arihant Experts: This book provides a comprehensive practice workbook with the previous year’s SSC CGL Tier-I test question papers. It also includes thorough solutions and explanations for easier comprehension.

4. SSC CGL Tier-II Previous Year Papers (English Language & Comprehension) by Kiran Prakashan: This book comprises the previous year’s English Language & Comprehension question papers for the SSC CGL Tier-II exam. It is an excellent resource for practicing and familiarizing yourself with the exam format.

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7. Top SSC CGL Books for Success: How to Choose the Best Resources

Choosing the best SSC CGL books can be challenging due to the wide range of options available. With so many books to consider, it can feel overwhelming for candidates to sift through them all. Having to review numerous SSC CGL books can become a burden, making it hard to focus on effective preparation. To ease this process, candidates should look for books that are well-reviewed and specifically designed for the SSC CGL exam. Selecting a few high-quality SSC CGL books that cover all necessary topics can help streamline your study efforts. By focusing on the right resources, candidates can enhance their preparation and boost their confidence for the exam.

So, let’s look at some tips or guidelines for choosing the right books to prepare for the exam.

1. Choose the book where the concepts are explained per the candidate’s understanding. So one book may be preferable for one, while the other would be preferable for another candidate. It depends upon the understanding of an individual candidate.

2. It is important to check the student’s book reviews before choosing them. The former students share their opinions on the books. This would help to choose the best SSC GGL books.

3. Always get the opinion from teachers and experts on selecting the best books for SSC CGL preparation.

4. It is important to understand the exam pattern. This would help the candidates to choose books accordingly that cover all the topics of the exam.

5. Study materials are important refresher materials. This would help the candidates review the important topics before the exam. The candidates should prepare their study materials while preparing for the exam.

6. SSC CGL is a tough exam. So it is very advisable to have assistance in the form of coaching to prepare for the exam. The faculties would teach valuable tips and tricks to solve the questions quickly and easily.

8. SSC CGL Preparation Tips 2025

While having the correct books is key, you should also have a well-planned approach for your SSC CGL 2025 preparation. Here are a few tips:

  • Understand Exam Pattern: Familiarize with the exam structure, syllabus, and marking scheme.
  • Create a Study Plan: Divide time effectively, focusing on weaker areas.
  • Practice, Practice, Practice: Solve practice questions and mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
  • Stay Updated: Stay informed about current affairs.
  • Reading: Add reading to daily routine for current affairs and English language skills.
  • Time-Management: Solve previous year’s questions time-constrained and allocate sufficient time for revision to reinforce learning.
  • Review Topics: Review toppers’ study tips for effective revision.
  • Make Short Notes: Use notes for revision before exams.

9. SSC CGL Topics: Recommended Books

There are lot many SSC CGL books to choose from. It is a tedious process for the candidates. Let’s look at some recommended best books for SSC CGL preparation.

1. English

  • Objective General English by SP Bakshi – This book is highly rated and reviewed by students and experts. This book covers all the important topics of English required to clear the competitive exams. The book has 4.3 out of 5 ratings on Amazon from 13,833 ratings. This shows the popularity of the book.

2. Quantitative Aptitude

  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R.S. Aggarwal – This book is highly recommended for Quantitative Aptitude. The book has 4.4 out of 5 ratings on Amazon from 29,416 ratings. This book has been helping candidates clear several competitive exams since 1989. The book covers all the topics in the SSC CGL syllabus with quizzes, questions, and mock papers.

3. General Awareness

  • General knowledge by Lucent publications – This book was written by Dr. Binay Karna, R.P. Suman, Manvendra Mukul, Renu Sinha, and Sanjeev Kumar. The wide range of authors marks its authority in the market. This book covers all the important General knowledge topics required for any competitive exams. The book has 4.4 ratings out of 5 on Amazon from 23,214 ratings. This book is highly recommended for candidates preparing for SSC, Civil services, NDA, CDS, and other competitive exams.

4. General Intelligence

  • Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey – When it comes to analytical reasoning, this book is in huge demand. The book covers all the important aspects of the syllabus in a detailed manner. The candidate gets to solve many test papers and quizzes to understand the concepts. The author has covered all the concepts in a detailed, easy manner. This helps the candidates understand the topics easily.

For the latest information on this exam, Read: SSC CGL 2025: Notification, Exam Date, Syllabus, Vacancy

10. Key Steps to Excel in the SSC CGL Exam

The SSC CGL exam is one of the toughest competitive exams. So, the candidates have to prepare well to excel in the exam. They need to prepare the best books for SSC CGL. They must combine their study materials with SSC GGL books to properly understand the topics.

The candidates should choose the SSC GGL books per their understanding and requirements. The candidates should look at the recommended books. This will help them in choosing the right books for them easily. Choosing the right books, going through the study materials, practicing mock papers, solving previous year’s papers, and going for coaching would help the candidate to excel in the SSC CGL exam.

11. Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the books required to prepare for the SSC CGL exam?

A. The candidate must go through the best books for the SSC CGL exam. Some recommended books are Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R.S. Aggarwal, Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey, Objective General English by SP Bakshi, and General Knowledge by Lucent Publications.

Q2. How difficult is the SSC CGL exam?

A. The SSC CGL is one of the toughest government exams. Every year lakhs of candidates appear for the exam for vacancies amounting to some thousands. The exam has four phases. The candidate must clear all the phases to be selected for the post.

Q3. Can I crack the SSC exam without coaching?

A. Proper preparation, having a detailed timetable, and choosing the best books for SSC CGL can help the candidate clear the exam without coaching. The candidate should attend multiple mock exams and solve the previous year’s papers. They should focus on the weaker sections. This would help them prepare for the exam. But for extra guidance and expertise, coaching from a reputed institute is recommended.

Q4. How to clear the SSC CGL exam on the first attempt?

A. It is possible to clear the SSC CGL exam on the first attempt. The candidate should cover the entire syllabus, solve the previous year’s papers, and attend mock tests. They should have a proper study plan to cover the course systematically. Follow the right study materials and the best books for SSC CGL preparation. Give more time to the weaker sections. Revise the topics regularly. Stay positive and motivated.

Q5. Does handwriting matter in the SSC CGL exam?

A. The SSC CGL exam depends on the candidate’s knowledge of the subjects. Handwriting does not play a crucial role in the selection of the candidate.