SSC CGL exam is conducted every year to recruit candidates to various Grade B and C posts in various departments and ministries of the Government of India.
SSC CGL exam pattern and syllabus are based on the notification issued by the officials.
Candidates must go through the SSC CGL Syllabus before starting the preparation for SSC CGL Exam.
It is believed by many that the SSC CGL exam is tough. If you also have such a question in your mind about whether Is SSC CGL tough then you must read this article of ours so that you will get answers to your questions.

Is SSC CGL tough
Yes, the SSC CGL exam is very tough. It covers a wide range of topics and also tests the candidate’s knowledge in Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language and General Awareness.
However, with proper preparation strategy and practice, one can easily crack the exam.
How difficult this exam is depends on the knowledge level you have. If you have just started, then understand that you will have to have a good command over Arithmetic, Trigonometry, Geometry, Algebra chapter of Mathematics.
If you are already comfortable with these, then the difficulty level automatically reduces for you. English comes second, in this you will need to strengthen the chapters of English grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension.
If you are expert in this then your difficulty will be less. Just clearing these two pillars makes you a strong contender and can easily clear tough exams like SSC-CGL.
SSC CGL Examination – Data Point
SSC CGL selection process involves Tier 1 and Tier 2 stages. The SSC CGL Tier 2 exam will be considered for merit, and the CGL tier 1 exam is compulsory to appear for getting to qualified for tier 2.
The SSC CGL selection process consists of two tiers. SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2 are computer-based exams. Candidates have to qualify in all tiers to get selected for various posts under SSC CGL. The minimum qualifying marks in Tier 1, each Paper of Tier 2 exam are as follows UR 30%, OBC / EWS 25% and others 20%.
We have got some data points for the aspirants which will help them analyse the data related to the past three examinations of SSC CGL and know that Is SSC CGL tough.
S.No | Exam Year | Total No. of Students Applied | Appeared Candidates | Overall Attendance % | No. of the Candidates Cleared Tier1 | Tier 1 Cleared % | Remarks |
01 | 2018-19 | 25,97,000 | 8,37, 000 | 32.33% | 1,50,396 | 17.96% | The competition was 6% as compared to applied students. |
02 | 2019-20 | 21,59,512 | 9,78,103 | 45.29% | 1,25,279 | 12.8% | The competition was 5.80% (Almost 6%) as compared to applied students. |
03 | 2020-21 | 2189791 | 8,26,457 | 37.74% | 1,14,135 | 13.8% | The competition was 5.21% (Almost 6%) as compared to applied students. |
SSC CGL Minimum Qualifying Marks
The minimum required marks to pass the Tiers 1, 2, and 3 of SSC CGL are given in the table below:-
Category | Qualifying Marks |
---|---|
UR/ General | 30% |
OBC/ EWS | 25% |
Others | 20% |
The Minimum Qualifying Marks remain the same whereas the cutoff marks differ every year.
SSC CGL Selection Process 2023
The SSC CGL Exam is conducted in two stages: Tier 1 and Tier 2. For a candidate to clear the SSC CGL Exam must clear all the stages one by one. Candidates have to clear tier 1 to appear for the tier 2 exam.

- Tier-I: Computer-Based Examination
- Tier-II: Computer-Based Examination (It will include conducting of Paper-I, Paper-II and Paper-III in separate shift/ day).
Tier | Type of Examination | Mode of examination |
---|---|---|
Tier-I | Objective Multiple Choice (MCQ) | CBT (Online) |
Tier – II (Paper I, II, III) | Paper I (Compulsory for all posts), Paper II for candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Paper III for candidates who apply for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer. | CBT (Online) |
NOTE- Objective Type, Multiple choice questions, except for Module-II of Section-III of Paper-I.
Paper-I is compulsory for all the posts whereas Paper-II will be for only those candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and who are shortlisted in Tier-I for these Posts.
Paper-III will be for only those candidates who are shortlisted in Tier-I for Paper-III i.e. for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer.
SSC CGL Selection Process 2023: Tier 1
Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 min 80 min with Scribe |
General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
- SSC CGL Tier 1 is a computer based examination.
- It consists of objective MCQ questions.
- Normalization of scores is followed for this as the exam is conducted in multiple shifts.
- Except for English Comprehension and all the questions are in English as well as in Hindi.
- There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
SSC CGL Selection Process 2023: Tier 2
For Session 1
The exam pattern of SSC CGL Tier 2 given below:
Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Negative Marks | Time allowed |
---|---|---|---|---|
Module-I: Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 30*3 = 90 | ⅓ or 1 Mark for each wrong Answer | 1 Hour or 60 Minutes (1 hour 20 Minutes for Candidates with a scribe) |
Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 30*3 = 90 | ||
Module-I: English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 45*3 = 135 | ||
Module-II: General Awareness | 25 | 25*3 = 75 | 15 Minutes | |
Module-I: Computer Knowledge Module | 20 | 20*3 = 60 | ⅙ or 0.5 marks | 15 Minutes |
Total | 150 | 150*3=450 | 2 Hour 30 Minutes |
- There will be negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section-I,
- Section-II and Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I and of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer in Paper-II and Paper-III.
For Session 2
Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time allowed |
---|---|---|---|
Module-II: Data Entry Speed Test Module | Data Entry Task within time limit | 15 Minutes |
SSC CGL Exam 2023 Notification Pdf download
SSC CGL Preparation Tips 2023
If you are preparing for SSC CGL exam, then you must pay attention to the following things for preparation, so that you can be successful-
- Know about SSC CGL exam pattern
- Study according to the SSC CGL Exam Syllabus.
- Never get misled by others.
- Pay special attention to the basis of the subject.
- Make sure to make a time table of your own.
- Prepare your own study notes.
- Make sure to revise the topics on which you have read.
- Pay extra attention to the subject or topic in which you are weak.
- Start practising mock tests only after a month or two of starting your preparation.
- Be sure to take care of time management while giving mock tests.
- Rely only on one study source.
- If you are having trouble with anything, then try to find its solution immediately, do not put it off for tomorrow.
- Do Group Discussion for difficult topics like General Awareness, so that you will remember things quickly.
- Never compare yourself with others.
- Try to improve your performance from today.
Conclusion
In today’s article, we have come to know that is the SSC CGL exam difficult?I hope that by reading today’s article, you would have got information about this subject.
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