SSC CGL Exam Analysis, Tier 1 & Tier 2 Exam Review

May 25, 2026 by C.Suvarna

SSC CGL Exam Analysis

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is a well-known recruitment body for government jobs in India. SSC hs releases its 2026 recruitment notification, announcing vacancies for various positions. The Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam, conducted by SSC, aims to fill Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ posts in various Ministries, Departments, and Organizations of the Government of India.

The SSC CGL exam serves as the initial stage to shortlist candidates for the Tier 2 examination. For the 2026 cycle, 12,256 Group B and C vacancies will be filled through a two-tier selection process, as outlined in the official notification.

According to the SSC CGL exam pattern, the Tier 1 exam consists of 100 objective-type questions covering General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension, carrying a total of 200 marks to be attempted in 60 minutes. Candidates must download their SSC CGL admit card from the official regional SSC websites to access their exam schedule and center details.

Staying informed through SSC CGL exam analysis on the day of the exam can be particularly helpful, as it provides insights into the question pattern, difficulty level, and topics with high weightage. This can guide candidates in fine-tuning their strategy and managing their time effectively for upcoming shifts or future exams.

The SSC CGL exam analysis tier 1 is quite important for those seeking a stable career in government. Tier 1 serves as a qualifying round, and candidates who clear it proceed to the subsequent stages. The Tier 1 exam comprises 100 questions spread across four sections and carries a total of 200 marks.

Candidates have 60 minutes to finish the paper, with a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer. No marks will be deducted for questions left unanswered. Understanding the SSC CGL tier 1 exam analysis helps future candidates focus on the most important areas.

SSC CGL Exam Shift Timings

As the SSC CGL exam analysis tier 1 reveals, the exam duration is 1 hour, and candidates must report to their designated exam centers before the reporting time. The shift schedule is as follows:

Shift 1: Exam timing is 9 am to 10 am; reporting time is 7:45 am.
Shift 2: Exam timing is 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm; reporting time is 11:15 am.
Shift 3: Exam timing is 4 pm to 5 pm; reporting time is 2:45 pm.

SSC CGL Exam Analysis

With the first day and first and second shifts already completed, we can now begin to assess the SSC CGL exam analysis today for candidates who are still preparing.

Conducting an in-depth SSC CGL exam analysis tier 1 allows candidates to adapt their preparation strategies for the upcoming shifts. The section-wise and overall SSC CGL tier 1 exam analysis of the first and the Second shift provides insights into the difficulty level and types of questions asked.

Topic	Shift 1	Shift 2
Coded Blood Relation	1	1
Alphabetical Series	1	1
Missing Number	1	1
Word Formation	1	1
Non-verbal Series	1	1
Counting of Figures(Triangular)	1	1
Odd One Out	1	___
Order Ranking	2	1
Syllogism	2	3
Mirror Image	2	2
Mathematical	2	2
Number Series	2	1
Coding- Decoding	3	3
Dice	2	2
Paper Cutting	___	2
Analogy(Number related)	2	2

📖 Table of Contents

SSC CGL Exam Analysis
SSC CGL Exam Shift Timings
SSC CGL Exam Analysis
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Analysis 2024: Shift 1 Difficulty Level
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Analysis 2024: Quantitative Aptitude
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Analysis 2024: Reasoning Ability
(9 September 2024)
10 September 2024
(11 September 2024)

SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Analysis 2024: Shift 1 Difficulty Level

Candidates who appeared in the first shift on September 9, 2024, reported that the exam was of "Easy to Moderate" difficulty. The SSC CGL exam analysis for the Quantitative section highlighted it as the most time-consuming, while the English and Reasoning sections were comparatively easier.

SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Analysis 2024: Quantitative Aptitude

According to the SSC CGL exam analysis tier 1, the Quantitative Aptitude section was lengthy, with most questions coming from the Arithmetic section. Key topics included Ratio, Average, Successive Discount, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Number System, Trigonometry, Data Interpretation (DI), and Triangle Counting. Detailed SSC CGL exam analysis provides further insight into which sections candidates should focus on.

SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Analysis 2024: Reasoning Ability

The Reasoning Ability section consisted of 25 questions, and according to the SSC CGL tier 1 exam analysis, the overall difficulty was "Easy." Candidates reported this section to be more manageable compared to others. The SSC CGL exam analysis today includes a detailed breakdown of the topics covered in this section.

By reviewing the SSC CGL exam analysis, candidates still preparing for the upcoming shifts can fine-tune their strategy to maximize their chances of success in the SSC CGL 2024 Tier 1 examination and prepare better for the SSC CGL Tier 2 exam as well.

(9 September 2024)

Reasoning

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
Coded Blood Relation	1	1	1
Alphabetical Series	1	1	1
Missing Number	1	1	___
Non-verbal Series	1	1	___
Counting of Figures(Triangular)	1	1	1
Odd One Out	1	___	2
Order Ranking	1	1	1
Syllogism	2	2	2
Mirror Image	2	2	2
Mathematical	2	2	2
Number Series	2	1	2
Coding- Decoding	2	2	2
Dice	1	2	1
Paper Cutting	___	1	___
Analogy(Number related)	2	2	2
Distance & Direction	1	1	2
Dictionary order	1	1	1
Seating Arrangement	2	2	2
Venn diagram	1	1	1
Total	25	25	25

Quantitative Aptitude

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
Discount	1	____	____
Ratio	2	1	2
Mensuration	2	2	1
Time & Work	3	1	1
SI/CI	1	2	1
Geometry	4	3	3
Cylinder	1	____	____
Trigonometry	2	2	2
Profit and Loss	2	1	2
Algebra	1	1	1
Percentage	1	1	1
DI (Tabular)	4	2	3
Number System	1	2	1
Pipe & Cistern	____	1	____
Speed, Time & Distance	____	1	2
Average	____	2	3
LM & HCF	____	1	1
Simplification	____	2	1
Total	25	25	25

English Language

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
Fill in the blanks	2	2	3
Narration	2	____	____
Spellings	2	1	2
Error detection	2	2	1
Spotting error	2	____	____
Idioms & Phrases	3	2	2
Synonyms	2	2	2
Antonyms	2	2	1
Active Passive	2	2	2
One word substitution	2	2	1
Direct-Indirect	2	2	2
Cloze test	3	2	2
Sentence Improvement	____	2	3
Parajumble	____	2	2
Sentence rearrangement	____	2	2
Total	25	25	25

General Awareness

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
History	3	1	2
Polity	3	2	2
Geography	3	1	2
Economics	1	1	1
Static Awareness	4	2	3
Biology	3	2	2
Chemistry	1	1	1
Physics	1	____	1
Current Affairs	6	3	4
Sports	____	2	2
Total	25	25	25

10 September 2024

Reasoning

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
Coded Blood Relation	1	1	1
Classification	1	2	3
Odd one out	1	2	------
Word formation	1	------	------
Counting of Figures	1	1	1
Distance & Direction	1	1	------
Order Ranking	1	1	------
Syllogism	2	1	2
Mirror Image	2	1	2
Mathematical	2	2	3
Number /Alphabetical Series	1	2	3
Coding- Decoding	2	3	3
Dice	1	1	------
Paper Folding	1	1	------
Analogy	3	2	2
Dictionary order	1	------	------
Seating Arrangement	2	2	------
Venn diagram	1	------	------
Set Similarity	------	2	3
Non-verbal Series	------	------	2
Total	25	25	25

Quantitative Aptitude

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
Ratio	1	2	2
Mensuration	1	2	2
Time & Work	2	1	1
SI/CI	2	1	2
Geometry	2	2	2
Trigonometry	1	2	2
Profit and Loss	1	2	2
Algebra	1	2	2
Percentage	1	2	1
DI	3	3	2
Number System	2	1	2
Speed, Time & Distance	2	1	1
Average	2	2	2
LM & HCF	2	____	____
Simplification	2	2	2
Total	25	25	25

English Language

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
Fill in the blanks	2	2	2
Spellings	1	2	2
Error detection	1	2	2
Idioms & Phrases	2	2	2
Synonyms	2	2	2
Antonyms	2	2	2
Active Passive	2	1	2
One word substitution	2	2	2
Direct-Indirect	3	1	1
Cloze test	3	1	2
Sentence Improvement	3	2	2
Parajumble	2	2	______
Sentence correction	______	2	2
Sentence Rearrangement	______	2	2
Total	25	25	25

General Awareness

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
History	1	3	3
Polity	2	4	3
Geography	3	2	3
Economics	1	1	2
Static Awareness	4	4	4
Biology	2	2	2
Chemistry	2	2	2
Physics	2	2	2
Current Affairs	4	4	4
Sports	2	1	____
Total	25	25	25

(11 September 2024)

Reasoning

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
Blood Relation	2	2	1
Classification	____	2	3
Odd one out	1	1	2
Distance & Direction	2	1	____
Order Ranking	2	____	____
Syllogism	3	3	2
Mirror Image	1	2	2
Mathematical	2	1	2
Number /Alphabetical Series	1	3	2
Coding- Decoding	3	3	2
Dice	1	1
Paper Folding	1	1	1
Analogy	2	3	5
Seating Arrangement & Puzzle	2	1	____
Venn diagram	2	1	____
Counting of figure	____	____	1
Figure series	____	____	2
Total	25	25	25

Quantitative Aptitude

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
Ratio	2	2	2
Mensuration	2	2	2
Time & Work	2	1	2
SI/CI	2	2	2
Geometry	1	2	2
Trigonometry	3	2	2
Profit and Loss	2	2	2
Algebra	2	2	2
Percentage	2	2	2
DI	1	1	1
Number System	2	2	2
Speed, Time & Distance	1	2	1
Average	1	1	1
Simplification	2	2	2
Total	25	25	25

English Language

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
Fill in the blanks	2	2	2
Spellings	2	2	2
Error detection	2	3	2
Idioms & Phrases	2	2	2
Synonyms	2	2	2
Antonyms	2	3	2
Active Passive	2	2	2
One word substitution	2	2	2
Direct-Indirect	2	1	1
Cloze test	3	1	4
Sentence Improvement	2	3	2
Parajumble	2	2	2
Total	25	25	25

General Awareness

TOPIC	SHIFT 1	SHIFT 2	SHIFT 3
History	3	3	3
Polity	4	3	3
Geography	2	2	3
Economics	2	2	2
Static Awareness	4	4	3
Biology	2	3	2
Chemistry	2	2	3
Physics	1	2	2
Current Affairs	4	4	4
Total	25	25	25

Ssc Cgl Exam Analysis FAQs

Q1 What is SSC CGL Exam Analysis?

SSC CGL Exam Analysis provides a detailed review of the exam's overall difficulty, types of questions asked in each section, and the exam pattern. It helps candidates understand the level of complexity, trends in question formats, and offers insights to improve their preparation for future exams.

Q2 How is the difficulty level of SSC CGL determined?

The difficulty level of SSC CGL is assessed by reviewing the types of questions in each section—Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness—along with student feedback and expected cutoffs. This analysis provides a clear understanding of the exam's complexity and helps predict performance trends.

Q3 What are the most important topics to focus on for SSC CGL ?

Key topics for SSC CGL include arithmetic and algebra in Quantitative Aptitude, puzzles and series in Reasoning, grammar and vocabulary in English, and current affairs in General Awareness. Focusing on these subjects can help candidates strengthen their preparation and perform well in the exam.

Q4 Does the SSC CGL exam follow the same pattern as previous years?

Although the SSC CGL exam pattern generally stays consistent, occasional changes are introduced by SSC. The exam analysis will pinpoint any variations in the pattern compared to previous years, helping candidates understand new trends and adjust their preparation strategies accordingly.

Q5 What is the expected cutoff for SSC CGL ?

The expected cutoff for SSC CGL is calculated by considering several factors, including the overall difficulty level of the exam, the total number of applicants, and the performance of students across various shifts. A higher difficulty level or increased competition may lead to a lower cutoff, while easier exams or better performance can result in higher cutoffs. This estimate helps candidates gauge their chances of qualifying for the next stage.

Q6 How does SSC CGL Tier 1 compare to Tier 2 in terms of difficulty?

Tier 1 of the SSC CGL exam is generally viewed as easier, as it covers a broader range of basic topics across various subjects. It serves as a preliminary screening stage. In contrast, Tier 2 is more challenging, focusing on specific and advanced subject knowledge, especially in mathematics and English. The in-depth nature of Tier 2 requires a stronger grasp of concepts, making it more demanding for candidates.

Q7 Which section of SSC CGL is the toughest?

The toughest section in the SSC CGL exam can vary depending on individual strengths and weaknesses. However, the Quantitative Aptitude section is historically considered the most challenging by many candidates. This is due to its complex calculations, time-consuming questions, and tricky problem-solving approaches. Mastery of this section often requires extensive practice and strong mathematical skills to manage both accuracy and time during the exam.

Q8 Are there any surprise questions or new question formats in SSC CGL ?

The SSC CGL exam analysis will uncover whether any new question formats or unexpected topics were introduced, providing valuable insights for future candidates. By identifying these changes, students can adjust their preparation strategies, accordingly, focusing on areas that may not have been emphasized in previous exams. This helps candidates better anticipate potential surprises and improve their chances of performing well in future SSC CGL exams.

Q9 How does the SSC CGL exam compare to mock tests?

Comparing the actual SSC CGL exam with mock tests allows students to evaluate how well their practice aligned with the real exam in terms of difficulty, question patterns, and time management. This comparison helps candidates identify areas where their preparation was effective and pinpoint sections that may need improvement. Regularly taking mock tests can also build confidence and enhance performance by simulating the exam environment more accurately.

Q10 What is the best way to analyze SSC CGL for future preparation?

Students should thoroughly review detailed exam analyses to gain insights into question patterns, difficulty levels, and effective time management strategies. These analyses also highlight common mistakes made by candidates, offering valuable lessons for future preparation. By understanding these aspects, students can refine their study techniques, avoid pitfalls, and improve their performance in subsequent exams, leading to better results and a more strategic approach to their preparation.