Last 15 days strategy for SSC CGL 2020-21 Exam

The Staff Selection Commission [SSC] conducts the Combined Graduate Level [CGL] examination to fill vacancies in posts of Non-Technical ‘Group B’ as well as ‘Group C’ Non-Gazetted across Ministries/Departments of Govt of India. The notification of the SSC CGL 2021 Tier 1 exam was released on December 29^th, 2020 and the last date was January 31^st, 2021.

According to the latest notice, it is due to be held through May 29^th-June 7^th 2021. The flip side of the popularity is the break-neck competition that candidates have to face, but fret not, we are here to help you navigate through the process. In this article, we will provide tips for the last 15 days that will help you give your SSC CGL preparation strategy the right direction.

SSC CGL Preparation: Exam Pattern

Given below is the exam pattern of the SSC CGL 2021 exam. There 100 questions divided into four sections. The total time allotted is 60 minutes for the whole exam.

Section	Questions	Marks
General Intelligence & Reasoning	25	50
General English	25	50
Quantitative Aptitude	25	50
General Awareness	25	50
Total	100	200

Strategy for SSC CGL: General Intelligence & Reasoning

• Topics: Data Sufficiency and problems, Cause & Effect, Assertion & Reason, Inequalities, Coding-Decoding, Dates & Calendars, Clocks, Puzzles, Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Order & Rankings, Directions, Statements & Conclusion, Similarities, Relationships, Partnership, Advanced Coding-Decoding, Advanced Puzzles, Syllogism, etc.

• The General Intelligence section tests your ability to logically analyze a given reasoning situation and assess the possible alternatives. Put yourself in the situation. A good SSC CGL preparation strategy is to swiftly scan through the major elements of the question and judge it concerning the time you have left. In the last 15 days, familiarise yourself with first reading the question and instructions, interpreting the accompanying graph/table, and then moving to assess the questions. Using mind maps is also a valued option.

• The best SSC CGL preparation strategy is to divide your time between core topics and learning formulae, tricks and strategies. Cement your fundamental topics first and then move onto the next.

Strategy for SSC CGL: General English

• Topics: Reading Comprehension, Sentence Rectification, Error Detection, Para-Jumbles, Sentence/Paragraph Rearrangement, English Grammar, Active & Passive Voice, Direct & Indirect Speech, Cloze Test, Fill in the Blanks, Vocabulary [Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word Substitution, Idioms & Phrases], etc.

• In the last 15 days, focus on the vocabulary section through beginner and intermediate lists of words and their meanings along with synonyms, antonyms, translation in a local language, word roots, etc. For instance, ‘utopia’ and ‘dystopia’ are antonyms with the same word root. Almost 6-7 questions are asked from Vocabulary.

• Core Grammar Portions of Active Passive Voice, Fill in the Blanks and Spellings, etc. are also important. Make sure to go through your rules of 3^rd Person, Singular Number, Subject-Verb Agreement and practice through short exercises.

Strategy for SSC CGL: Quantitative Aptitude

• Topics: Number System, Speed & Distance, Ratio & Proportion, Percentages, Ages, Linear Equations, Simplification/Approximation, Profit & Loss, Average, Inequalities, Trigonometry, Probability, Simple & Compound Interest, Functions, Series & Sequences, Permutation & Combination, Geometry, Quadratic Equations, Probability Graphs & Tables, Data Interpretation, etc.

• Calculation takes up a lot of time. So, give 30 minutes daily on speeding up your calculations. Go through short-hand tricks and strategies and try to assimilate them in your preparation efforts. This will also pay dividends in the Reasoning section.

• For the Data Interpretation section, you must give 20 minutes every day. Attempt different types of questions, that is, with tables, graphs, pie charts, line charts and mixed graphs to get a fair idea about. Mark the time duration you are taking in each question and then try to improve on your time.

Strategy for SSC CGL: General Awareness

• Topics: Current Affairs and developments, Indian History, World History, General Science, Covid-19 and important developments, Film & Television, Science & Technology, Culture, Indian & World Geography, Indian Constitution & Polity, National Issues, Business & Economics, Institutions [Domestic & International] and recent developments, Sports and Recreation, Dates & Anniversaries, Books & Authors, Environment, Currency, etc.

• Try to be creative with learning tools. The best SSC CGL preparation strategy for the General Awareness section is to prepare with puzzles, quizzes, flow charts, diagrams, short topic-based tests, amongst others. Also take help of tutorials, explainer videos as well. The Explained section on the Indian Express newspaper is also quite helpful.

• Refer to GK and current affairs refreshers and compendiums for point-to-point revision. At first look, it may seem a giant task but if you go topic wise and month-wise and revise gradually, you’ll be able to crack the section easily.

• Remember to not delve too much on any one topic. The SSC CGL 2021 exam does not expect you to be an expert but else a jack of all trades, that is, you must know a bit about everything.

Last 15 Days SSC CGL 2021 Preparation: Key Takeaways

• You have 60 minutes for the exam, that is, only 15 minutes per section.
• Thus, try to attempt your paper with the GK section, complete it speedily and then move to other sections. If you get stuck, move onto the next. Don’t waste time.
• In the last 15 days, focus on solving the full set of the previous year’s question papers. Concentrate on your strong points.
• The difficulty level of the paper has been at an easy-moderate level in the last few years.However, if you find a tough nut, leave it and come back after you have completed the rest.
• In the last week especially, don’t start any new topic. Stick to whatever you have learned.
• Take rest, sleep adequately and drink plenty of fluids. Your physical well-being improves your performance on the exam.
• The most important point of all is to be patient and confident in yourself and your efforts. If you have put in the hours, the results will show.

We believe you will pass with flying colors.