The Staff Selection Commission takes the SSC CGL exam for appointing grade B and grade C officers, lots of candidates appear for the test each year. The exam has three tiers and one has to qualify each tier to be eligible for the next. The candidates planning to appear for the SSC CGL Tier-1 2020 exam need to boost their preparations so that they can secure a good score in the test. To help the candidates, we have come up with some last-minute preparation tips and strategies that will help in cracking the SSC CGL Tier-1 examination. The candidates need to focus on the revision as well. It plays an essential role in recalling all the important concepts, short tricks, facts, data, tables, etc. which you have studied previously.

SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Tier-I exam is an objective exam that is taken online; the exam is divided into four sections having 100 questions (25 questions in each section). The total weightage of SSC CGL Tier-1 paper is 200 marks (maximum 50 marks in each section); 0.5 marks will be deducted for wrong answers. The entire time duration of Tier-1 exam will be 60 minutes. Some of the strategies and tips that will help you score good marks in SSC CGL tier-1 exam 2020 are discussed below:

Important Preparation tips for SSC CGL Tier 1 Paper

To prepare all the topics thoroughly with minimum time and effort, you must keep in mind the syllabus and exam pattern. The following are some of the tips which you can keep in mind to prepare for the exam thoroughly:

Check Detailed SSC CGL Exam Pattern

Revise Important Topics First

Since the syllabus of SSC CGL is vast and sometimes, students worry about time management to revise the complete syllabus. So we suggest the aspirants, to start revising important topics first or the ones that hold maximum weightage so that the candidates can utilize the available time more productivity. Some of the vital topics that hold maximum weightage include:

• English: Fill in the blanks, idioms & phrases, one-word substitution, cloze test, spotting errors, etc. are important topics that need to be revised first.
• Quant section: Number systems, ratio & proportion, square roots, decimals & fractions, averages, etc.
• Reasoning: Water images, problem-solving, puzzles, figural pattern, etc.
• General Awareness: Science, constitution, Indian history, miscellaneous GK, geography.

Determining the Right Way to Revise

There is no need to start revising heavy books or learning something new, especially when the exam is just a few days away. Trying to learn new concepts or referring to new books will lower your confidence level and you might feel nervous before the exam, which is not good for you. All the candidates want to revise the entire syllabus before the exam date, but sometimes revising what all you have studied in one year becomes impossible, especially when a few days are left. Focus on revising those concepts and chapters that are important and about which you are more confident.

Focus on online practice papers

Since the SSC CGL Tier-I Exam will be taken online, where the candidates need to complete the exam within 60 minutes. Thus, they are advised to take more mock tests or previous year papers on the computer to boost up their speed of solving papers in online mode.

Practice as per the latest exam pattern

You need to set a benchmark for yourself and adhere to that strategy dedicatedly it will help build confidence in your exam preparation. The candidates need to focus on getting higher scores as compared to the last time performance.

Refer to the last year cut-off

Refer to last year’s cut-off as reference for strategizing your preparations. The candidates need to know the previous year SSC CGL cut off as it also helps to estimate the cut-off that can be expected for the present year. The students can have an idea of good attempts they are supposed to make in the exam. Though there are chances that cut off might fluctuate from high to less, but the candidates must estimate the cut off would be on the higher only. Also, the aspirants can refer to SSC CGL results for the last few years to find out the previous cutoffs.

Read SSC CGL Preparation Tips

Practice Last Year Question Papers

Practice more by referring to the last year’s question papers which will help to understand the pattern of the questions asked last year. The more you practice, the better idea you will have about the difficulty level of the exam. Also, take more mock tests as it plays the most important role in your success. Numerous online learning platforms offer the latest test series made by the experts- refer to them so that it can help in improving your overall score in the exam.

Time management practices

You need to utilize the available time for your SSC CGL exam preparations thoroughly, especially when you are supposed to complete the exam within just 60 minutes. Time management is crucial to ace this specific exam. The aspirants must know the skills related to managing their time so that all the questions can be solved within the time duration. Taking more mock tests, solving last-year question papers, etc. will help a lot in managing the time in the exam effectively. While giving the exam, pick those topics first for which you are confident and take less time to complete them. Don’t stick to any question for long.

• You have less than one minute to solve each question, so don’t waste even a single second as well
• Speed and accuracy play an important role in deciding your overall score
• Maintain calm and consistency throughout the exam
• Do not waste time on any questions that you are not sure about.

Stick to a particular order of answering the questions

Though there is no fixed order in which candidates have to attempt the questions. But still, it is suggested to the candidates that they follow a certain order to attempt the questions. You can either attempt the section that may be lengthy first and later moves to the easiest ones, or can do vice-versa as well, but make sure that you are picking those topics, in which you are confident. The order in which you start attempting the questions makes a huge difference in the overall performance and thus the decision needs to be taken smartly, as it might change the overall percentage of marks scored.

During the exams

• Candidates, while giving the exam, are expected to avoid the mistake of reading incomplete questions and thus coming to the wrong solutions.
• It is also advised to read the questions carefully before starting calculating the answers.
• Always remember that there are no sectional cut-offs, but your marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
• So it would help if you maximize your score wherever possible. Focus on improving your speed and accuracy while attempting questions during the examination.

Avoid last minute cramming and stay calm

If you want to solve all the questions correctly, you need to stay relaxed and calm a few days before the exam date and even while giving the exam. Stay focused and think positively, it will help a lot in cracking the exam like a pro. Getting a good score in the exam needs a lot of hard work and determination, so stay away from all kinds of distractions like mobile phone, television, etc. for at least a month before the exam. However, to feel relaxed, you can do yoga or exercise.

Check SSC CGL Pattern & Syllabus

Another important thing the candidates must remember is carrying their admit cards while going to the examination center. Admit Card is an important and much-required document so don’t forget to carry it while going to the exam center. Admit Card is needed for getting entry inside the exam center. It is also advised that the candidates understand the exact location of the examination center at least one or two days before the actual exam. Make sure that you reach the examination center at least 30-40 minutes before the exam timings. We wish good luck to all the aspirants who are appearing in the SSC CGL tier-1 exam soon.