SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2023: Tier 1 & Tier 2
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
THE SSC CGL exam pattern is formulated to provide structure and consistency to the examination process, ensuring a fair evaluation of candidates. Here is an overview of the SSC CGL exam pattern for 2023.
The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) exam is a highly competitive national-level test for graduate-level government jobs. Around 7500 vacancies are out for SSC CGL 2023 this time.
To excel in the exam, aspirants must be aware of the latest exam pattern, which has undergone significant changes over the years. Knowing the exam pattern, including the marking scheme, will help aspirants prepare effectively. Plus, it’ll increase their chances of success.
In this article, you will get to learn about the latest exam pattern and the marking scheme for the SSC CGL exam for all tiers. Let’s get started!
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2023: Overview
| Exam Name | SSC CGL 2023 |
| SSC CGL Full Form | Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission |
| Official Website | www.ssc.nic.in |
| Exam Type | National Level Exam |
| Category | Exam Pattern |
| Number of tiers | 2 |
| SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Date 2023 | 14th July to 27th July 2023 |
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Date 2023 | will be notified |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Mode of exam | Online |
| Number of papers/sections | Tier-I: 4 sections (English Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension) Tier-II: 3 papers will be conducted in SSC CGL Tier 3. The details are given below: Paper 1: • Mathematical Abilities • Reasoning and General Intelligence • English Language and Comprehension • General Awareness • Computer Knowledge • Data Entry Skills Paper 2: Statistics Paper 3: General Studies-Finance and Economics |
| Exam Duration | Tier 1 – 60 minutes Tier 2 – • Paper 1- 2 hours 30 minutes • Paper 2 – 120 minutes • Paper 3 – 120 minutes |
| Number of questions | Tier-I: 100 Tier-II: MCQs + DEST |
| Type of questions | Tier-I: MCQs Tier-II: MCQs + DEST |
| Total Marks | Tier-I: 200 Tier-II: 850 |
| Language of paper | Tier 1: English and Hindi Tier 2: English and Hindi |
SSC CGL 2023 aspirants must review the complete exam pattern, including all tiers. Understanding the paper pattern thoroughly can help you prepare better and increase your chances of success.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern
The SSC holds a computer-based exam that consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. The SSC CGL Tier 1 exam consists of 4 sections with a total of 100 questions and 200 marks. Below are the details for the exam pattern of SSC CGL:
The sections covered in SSC CGL Tier-I Exam include:
- General Intelligence & Reasoning
- General Awareness
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Comprehension
In 60 minutes, the candidates must read, comprehend, and answer 100 questions. It means that each contender will only have a few seconds to respond to a single question. The SSC CGL exam also has negative markings with a deduction of 0.50 points for each incorrect answer.
| SSC CGL Tier-I Sections & Subjects | Number of Questions | Marks |
| A: General Intelligence Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| B: General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| C: Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| D: English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern
The Staff Selection Commission will conduct the SSC CGL Tier-2 exam in three phases— Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3.
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern
| S. No. | Papers | Exam Duration |
| 1 | Paper-I: (Compulsory for all posts) | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| 2 | Paper-II: Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | 2 hours |
| 3 | Paper-III: Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer | 2 hours |
The table below explains the complete SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam format, including subjects, the total number of questions, marks, and the time allotted for it.
SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1 Exam Pattern
| Section | Module | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Section I | Module-I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 hour |
| Module-II | Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | ||
| Section II | Module-I | English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 1 hour |
| Module-II | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | ||
| Section III | Module-I | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes |
| Module-II | Data Entry Speed Test | One Data Entry Task | 15 minutes |
The table below details the SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 2 & 3 Exam pattern. It includes sections, the total number of questions, marks, and the duration.
SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 2 & 3 Exam Pattern
| Paper | Section | No. of questions | Maximum marks | Duration |
| Paper I | Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | General Studies (Finance and Economics) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
SSC CGL Exam Pattern: Data Entry Speed Test
The Data Entry Speed Test is a qualifying exam under the SSC CGL Tier III. It tests the typing speed and accuracy of candidates. To qualify, candidates must have a minimum typing speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour.
Candidates should additionally have a working knowledge of computer systems and software. It includes MS Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. It is also essential to practice typing and become familiar with computer systems. It’ll increase the chances of success in this test.
SSC CGL Exam Marking Scheme: Topic-wise
With the help of a marking scheme, students can calculate their marks. Additionally, they can get an idea of how many marks they could score. Below are the available marking schemes of SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2.
SSC CGL Tier 1
The marks calculation formula of SSC CGL Tier 1 – (Number of Correct Questions x 2) – (Number of Incorrect Questions x 0.5)
| Questions | Marks Allotted |
| Marks allotted for Correct Question | 2 marks |
| Marks allotted for Incorrect Question | 0.50 marks |
SSC CGL Tier 2
The marks calculation formula of SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1 – (Number of Correct Questions x 3) – (Number of Incorrect Questions x 1)
The marks calculation formula of SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 2 & 3 – (Number of Correct Questions x 2) – (Number of Incorrect Questions x 0.5)
| SSC CGL Tier-II | Marks Awarded per Question | Negative Marking |
| Paper 1 | 3 marks | 1 marks |
| Paper 2 | 2 marks | 0.50 marks |
| Paper 3 | 2 marks | 0.50 marks |
Also Read: SSC CGL Exam 2023: Latest News, Date, Eligibility, Salary & Vacancies
SSC CGL Exam: Tips
In conclusion, the SSC CGL exam pattern is a critical aspect that aspirants must understand to increase their chances of success. The exam has undergone significant changes over the years, including the addition of the Data Entry Speed Test in Tier III.
It is crucial to understand the complete exam pattern and marking scheme to prepare effectively for the exam. Knowing the exam pattern helps aspirants identify their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to focus on specific topics and areas that need improvement.
Furthermore, understanding the marking scheme helps aspirants prioritize and allocate time efficiently, leading to better time management during the exam.
Therefore, to succeed in the SSC CGL exam, aspirants must thoroughly analyze the exam pattern and marking scheme before starting their preparation.
SSC CGL Exam FAQs
The SSC CGL exam has four tiers: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4.
Yes, SSC CGL Tier 1 is a qualifying exam, and aspirants must score above the cut-off to be eligible for the subsequent tiers.
The difficulty level of the SSC CGL exam can vary. Mostly, it’s very tough. Aspirants must prepare accordingly and strategize to tackle the difficulty level in the exam’s different sections.
Yes, aspirants can crack SSC CGL on the first attempt with proper planning, dedication, and consistent practice.
Although coaching can be helpful, it is possible to crack SSC CGL without it, provided aspirants have self-discipline and a focused approach towards studying and practicing regularly.