SSC CGL Exam Pattern: Tier-I and Tier-II Explained
Complete SSC CGL exam pattern from the official notification: Tier-I and Tier-II papers, questions, marks, sectional timers, negative marking and qualifying marks.
The SSC CGL exam pattern has two computer-based tiers. Tier-I is a 200-mark screening test with 100 questions in 60 minutes, and Tier-II decides the final merit through Paper-I (compulsory for every post) plus Paper-II and Paper-III for specific posts. This guide lays out the complete SSC CGL exam pattern from the official notification: subjects, questions, marks, time limits, negative marking and qualifying marks, tier by tier.
Based on the official SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination notification published on ssc.gov.in. SSC revises the scheme between cycles, so always verify against the current year's notification before you prepare or apply.
SSC CGL exam pattern at a glance
| Stage | Papers | Questions | Marks | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-I | Single paper, 4 sections | 100 | 200 | Shortlisting for Tier-II |
| Tier-II Paper-I | 4 sections incl. computer test and DEST | 150 + DEST | 450 | Compulsory for all posts; counted in merit |
| Tier-II Paper-II | Statistics | 100 | 200 | Only for JSO and Statistical Investigator posts |
| Tier-II Paper-III | General Studies (Finance and Economics) | 100 | 200 | Only for Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer posts |
Tier-I exam pattern
Tier-I is a single objective-type paper with four sections, 25 questions and 50 marks each:
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
Total time is 1 hour, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes per subject. Candidates eligible for a scribe get 1 hour 20 minutes (20 minutes per subject). Questions are set in both English and Hindi, except the English Comprehension section. Every wrong answer costs 0.50 marks, so blind guessing is expensive.
Tier-I is a screening stage. SSC shortlists candidates category-wise for Tier-II based on Tier-I marks, and the final merit is built from Tier-II.
Tier-II Paper-I pattern (compulsory for all posts)
Paper-I runs in two sessions on the same day and has four sections:
| Section | Content | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section-I | Mathematical Abilities (30) + Reasoning and General Intelligence (30) | 60 | 180 | 1 hour (30 min per subject) |
| Section-II | English Language and Comprehension (45) + General Awareness (25) | 70 | 210 | 1 hour (40 + 20 min) |
| Section-III | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes |
| Section-IV | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | One task | Qualifying | 15 minutes |
Session-I covers Sections I to III (2 hours 15 minutes in total). Session-II is the 15-minute DEST. Negative marking in Sections I, II and III of Paper-I is 1 mark per wrong answer, the steepest penalty in the exam. The DEST is qualifying in nature and is judged on permitted error percentage.
Tier-II Paper-II and Paper-III
Paper-II (Statistics, 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours) is only for candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts. Paper-III (General Studies - Finance and Economics, 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours) is only for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer posts. Both papers carry a negative marking of 0.50 marks per wrong answer, and both are objective type. If you have not applied for these specific posts, Tier-II for you is Paper-I only.
Negative marking and qualifying marks
- Tier-I: 0.50 marks deducted per wrong answer.
- Tier-II Paper-I (Sections I, II, III): 1 mark deducted per wrong answer.
- Tier-II Paper-II and Paper-III: 0.50 marks deducted per wrong answer.
Minimum qualifying marks (Tier-I, Paper-I Sections I-III, Paper-II and Paper-III): UR 30%, OBC/EWS 25%, all other categories 20%. For the DEST, the maximum error percentage allowed is 20% for UR, 25% for OBC/EWS and 30% for all other categories. Clearing the qualifying marks does not guarantee shortlisting - the actual cut-off depends on vacancies and category-wise competition.
How to use the pattern to plan preparation
- Weight your time by marks: Tier-II Paper-I English alone is 45 questions, so comprehension practice pays more per hour than any other section.
- Practise with a 15-minute sectional timer for Tier-I; the per-section clock changes pacing strategy completely.
- Do not ignore the Computer Knowledge Test. It is only 20 questions but carries qualifying marks and negative marking.
- If you are targeting AAO or JSO posts, start Paper-II or Paper-III preparation alongside Tier-I, not after it.
Frequently asked questions
Is SSC CGL Tier-I marks counted in the final merit?
No. Tier-I shortlists candidates for Tier-II. The final merit is based on Tier-II performance (Paper-I, and Paper-II or Paper-III where applicable), subject to qualifying the DEST.
How many questions are there in SSC CGL Tier-I?
100 questions across four sections (25 each), for 200 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes with a 15-minute sectional timer.
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL?
Yes. 0.50 marks per wrong answer in Tier-I, 1 mark per wrong answer in Sections I-III of Tier-II Paper-I, and 0.50 marks per wrong answer in Tier-II Paper-II and Paper-III.
Is the SSC CGL exam online or offline?
Both Tier-I and Tier-II are computer-based examinations conducted online at exam centres. The DEST section of Paper-I is also computer-based.
Sources
- SSC CGL Examination notification (Scheme of Examination, Paras 13.8-13.9 and Minimum Qualifying Marks, Para 16), published on ssc.gov.in
- Also read: SSC CGL eligibility criteria and SSC CGL salary, post-wise in-hand breakdown
