Exam Pattern

Understanding the structure of the SSC CGL exam is the first step toward success. This page follows the latest published SSC CGL notice pattern and can be used for 2026 preparation until SSC releases a separate 2026 notification.

Phase 1

Tier-I: Preliminary

Mode

Online (CBT)

Total Qs

100

Total Marks

200

Duration

60 mins

Reasoning

25 Q 50 M

General Awareness

25 Q 50 M

Quantitative Aptitude

25 Q 50 M

English

25 Q 50 M

Total

100 Q 200 M

Section	Qs	Marks
Reasoning	25	50
General Awareness	25	50
Quantitative Aptitude	25	50
English	25	50

Phase 2

Tier-II: Mains

Session I

2h 15m

Computer

15m

DEST

15m

Merit Marks

390

Paper-I Negative

−1 mark

Paper-I (Compulsory for all posts)

Section 1: Maths (30 Qs) + Reasoning (30 Qs) — 180 Marks
Section 2: English (45 Qs) + GA (25 Qs) — 210 Marks
Section 3: Computer Knowledge (20 Qs, 60 marks) — Qualifying
Session II: DEST typing task — 15 minutes, qualifying

Tier-II Paper-I module breakdown

Paper-I is compulsory for all posts. Sections I and II contribute to merit for most posts; Section III and DEST are qualifying.

Section I 1 hour

Maths + Reasoning

Questions 60

Marks 180

Section II 1 hour

English + General Awareness

Questions 70

Marks 210

Section III 15 mins

Computer Knowledge Test

Questions 20

Marks 60

Session II 15 mins

Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)

Questions Typing task

Marks Qualifying

Part	Module	Qs	Marks	Time
Section I	Maths + Reasoning	60	180	1 hour
Section II	English + General Awareness	70	210	1 hour
Section III	Computer Knowledge Test	20	60	15 mins
Session II	Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)	Typing task	Qualifying	15 mins

Marking Scheme Highlights

Tier-I Marking

+2 for Correct, -0.50 for Wrong. Qualifying in nature (marks not added to final merit).

Tier-II Marking

Paper-I MCQs are +3 for correct and -1 for wrong. Paper-II Statistics is +2 for correct and -0.50 for wrong for eligible posts. DEST is qualifying.

Normalization

Marks are normalized across shifts to ensure fairness regardless of paper difficulty.

Minimum qualifying marks

Applicable to Tier-I, Tier-II Paper-I MCQ sections, Computer Knowledge, and Paper-II where relevant.

UR 30%

OBC / EWS 25%

All other categories 20%

Important notes

Tier-I is used for shortlisting candidates for Tier-II; Tier-I marks are not added to final merit.
For most posts, final merit is based on Tier-II Paper-I Section I and Section II marks out of 390.
Computer Knowledge Test and DEST are qualifying in nature, but failing them can block selection for applicable posts.
Paper-II Statistics is conducted only for JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade-II candidates.