SSC CGL exam pattern 2023 is released by the Staff Selection Commission for the CGL exam along with the official notification on 17 September 2022. It is important for the candidates going to appear for the exam to go through the latest SSC CGL exam pattern and make appropriate changes needed in their study plan. SSC CGL is a national-level exam that is conducted every year to recruit candidates eligible for the Group B and Group C posts in various ministries of the Government of India.
The new SSC CGL exam pattern comprises 2 stages - Tier 1 and Tier 2. While Tier 1 contains multiple-choice questions (MCQ), Tier 2 exam will be conducted in 3 phases- Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3. It will be mandatory for the candidates to appear for Paper 1, whereas paper 2 and 3 will be for selective posts only. In this post, we have explained the SSC CGL revised exam pattern, marking scheme, and more to help candidates prepare optimally,
SSC CGL exam pattern 2023 consists of 2 tiers designed to test the candidates on various aspects of knowledge and their abilities. There are two stages of the SSC CGL exam i.e. Tier 1 and Tier 2 which are further categorized into different papers. Candidates need to appear for both tiers to proceed to the final stage. The Tier 1 exam will be a Computer Based Test, whereas Tier 2 is CBT + Skill Test. Here, we have shared the SSC CGL pattern for all stages.
Candidates should take SSC CGL paper pattern into consideration while preparing. It is the blueprint on which the SSC CGL question paper will be based. Additionally, it also acquaints candidates with SSC CGL marking such as total marks and negative markings which help candidates be mindful during the exam. Let us check the new SSC CGL exam pattern for each tier separately below.
The SSC CGL Tier 1 exam pattern comprises four sections that are divided into 25 questions each. These subjects are - English, Quantitative Aptitude, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and General Awareness. The exam consists of 100 questions, with each question carrying two marks, and there is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer. Candidates need to attempt all four sections within 60 minutes.
The complete exam pattern of SSC CGL Tier 1 is tabulated below for your better understanding.
| SSC CGL Exam Pattern Tier 1 | |||
Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Time |
General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
60 minutes* |
General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
Total | 100 | 200 | |
*Note: For candidates who suffer from cerebral palsy or are visually challenged, the time limit is 80 minutes.
The SSC CGL Tier 1 exam is a screening test, and the candidates who qualify in this stage are eligible to appear for the subsequent stages of the selection process.
Candidates who clear the Combined Graduate Level Tier 1 exam will be asked to appear for tier 2. This exam will be conducted in 3 phases- Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3. Paper 1 will be compulsory for all the posts, whereas, Paper 2 will be mandatory for the candidates who applied for Junior Statistical Officer and Paper 3 for Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer.
| Papers | Time Duration |
|---|---|
| Paper-1: (Compulsory for all posts) | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Paper-2: Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) | 2 hours |
| Paper-3: Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer | 2 hours |
Going by the revised SSC CGL Tier 2 exam pattern 2023, Paper 1 has to be completed within the timeframe of one hour i.e, 60 minutes, and Paper 2 & 3 in 2 hours each. Check out the SSC CGL exam pattern for Tier 2 below:
SSC CGL Tier 2 is divided into 3 sections, further categorized into 2 modules each. There will be a total of 150 questions that candidates need to attempt within the stipulated time. In section 1, there will be 60 questions carrying the weightage of 3 marks each, and 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.
| Sections | Module | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allotted |
| Section 1 | Module-I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 hour |
| Module-II | Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | ||
| Section 2 | Module-I | English Language and Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 1 hour |
| Module-II | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | ||
| Section 3 | Module-I | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | 15 minutes |
| Module-II | Data Entry Speed Test | 2000 Key Impressions | 15 minutes | ||
| Total | 150 | 450 | |||
| Paper | Section | No. of question | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| Paper II | Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper III | General Studies (Finance and Economics) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
Candidates who clear the Paper 1 of SSC CGL Tier 2 will be qualified to take the Data Entry Test and Computer Proficiency Test. This is a skill test designed to evaluate the computer proficiency skills of the candidate. This exam is conducted for certain posts only. It is qualifying in nature, which means, the marks obtained in the skill test are not included in the final merit list, but candidates must qualify it to be considered for the post. The detailed SSC CGL Exam Patter for Skill test is explained below.
As per the revised SSC CGL paper pattern, this test evaluates candidates' typing skills and ability to work efficiently with computers. It is conducted for those aiming at the post of Tax Assistant (Central Excise and Income Tax). In this test, candidates are given a passage to type on a computer within a specific time duration in either English or Hindi languages. To clear this stage, they must have a typing speed of 2000 keystroke in 15 minutes.
Candidates are required to type the given passage accurately without any errors within the given time limit. The typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), and the accuracy is measured in terms of the number of errors made while typing. The final score of the candidate is based on the speed and accuracy of typing.
Candidates apart from the exam pattern should also be well acquainted with the SSC CGL marking scheme to attempt the Tier efficiently. Being aware of how the SSC CGL marking is done will allow candidates to attempt questions mindfully. As there are various tiers involved in this exam, knowing the total marking for each along with negative marking is essential to score well. We have provided an overview below to help candidates gain useful insights into the SSC CGL exam pattern and marking.
| SSC CGL Marking | |
| SSC CGL Tier 1 Total Marks | 200 Marks |
| SSC CGL Total Marks for Tier 2 | Paper 1: 450 Paper 2 & 3: 200 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | Tier 1: 2 Marks Tier 2: Paper 1 - 3 Marks Tier 2: Paper 2 & 3 - 2 Marks |
| SSC CGL Negative Marking | Tier 1: 0.50 Mark Tier 2: Paper 1 - 1 Mark Tier 2: Paper 2 & 3 - 0.50 Marks |
| Deduction for Unattempted Questions | None |
A lot of changes have been observed in the SSC CGL exam pattern over the years. While the SSC CGL Syllabus has remained more or less the same with similar topics, there have been many changes in the paper pattern. Earlier, before 2016, CGL exam was conducted in offline mode. Here is a list of all the changes that took place in the SSC CGL exam pattern in the last few years:
From the year 2016-17 a major change took place as the exam is now conducted through Computer Based Test (CBT) viz. online mode for both Tier 1 and Tier 2. The time duration of SSC CGL was reduced from 2 hrs. to 1 hr and 15 minutes. The number of questions also decreased from 200 to 100 questions but, the total marks remained the same with each correct answer now having a value of 2 marks. The below table shows the Exam Pattern for SSC CGL 2016-17:
The major change in SSC CGL from 2016-17 to 2017-18 took place in the exam duration. Earlier, in CGL 2016-17, aspirants were given 75 mins to attempt 100 questions, whereas, in 2017-18, the time was reduced to 60 mins. The below table enlists the exam pattern for the year 2017-18:
Normalisation was introduced in the SSC CGL 2018-19 exam, this ensured that the result is fair for all candidates irrespective of the difficulty level in different shifts of SSC CGL. The below shown below enlists the exam pattern for the year 2018-19:
A change was also observed in the SSC CGL 2019-20 pattern. Earlier, candidates who qualified Tier 1 were considered eligible for Tier II, and candidates who cleared Tier 2 were eligible for Tier 3. This process was a bit time-consuming and tedious. To solve the purpose this process was changed, and now, candidates who qualify Tier 1 can sit for both Tier 2 and Tier 3. However, Tier 3 paper will only be evaluated if the candidate qualifies Tier 1 and Tier 2 combined cut off. This has improved the overall efficiency of the selection process for the SSC CGL 2019-20. Here is the depiction of the new pattern:
Note: The exam pattern may change as per the official notification released by SSC board for CGL 2019-20 Tier 2 Exam.
The below-mentioned table states the exam pattern for 2020-21:
The SSC CGL exam pattern 2023 is divided into 2 tiers. As per the revised SSC CGL paper pattern, tier 1 is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted to test candidates' knowledge in specific domains like Mathematics, Reasoning, Basic English, Economics, etc. Tier 2 exam will be conducted in 3 phases- Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3. It will be mandatory for the candidates to appear for Paper 1, whereas Paper 2 and 3 will be conducted for the selective posts only.
Yes, the Staff Selection Commission has changed the exam pattern of the SSC CGL examination this year. As per the SSC CGL new pattern, there will be only 2 tiers, instead of 4. The Tier 1 will be CBT, however, tier 2 exam will be conducted in 3 phases- Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3. It will be mandatory for the candidates to appear for Paper 1, whereas Paper 2 and 3 will be for the JSO and Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer.
As per the latest SSC CGL exam pattern shared by the commission, 0.50 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer in Tier 1. In Tier 2, 1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer marked while attempting Paper 1, whereas 0.50 marks will be deducted for incorrect answers marked in paper 2 & 3 of SSC CGL Tier 2.
Authorities have released SSC CGL new pattern according to which will be only 2 tiers. Tier 1 will be CBT. Tier 2 exam will be conducted in 3 phases- Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3. Paper 1 is compulsory for all whereas Paper 2 and 3 will be for selective posts only.
As per the revised SSC CGL exam pattern, Tier 2 exam will be conducted in 3 phases. The Paper 1 of SSC CGL Tier 2 is a computer-based test and is divided into four sections- Quantitative Abilities, English, Reasoning and General Awareness. It will also comprise of Data Entry Test and Computer Proficiency Test. The Paper 2 and Paper 3 of SSC CGL Tier 2 will comprise of 100 questions on Statistics and General Studies, respectively.
The SSC CGL exam pattern includes 2 stages: Tier 1 & Tier 2. The Tier 2 is further categorized into 4 sections: Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3. The details about the revised SSC CGL exam pattern are mentioned in this post.
There are six subjects in the SSC CGL paper pattern of Tier 2 which are as follows: English Language and Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, General Awareness, Statistics, and General Studies (Finance and Economics). 100 questions will be asked from Statistics and General Studies each that need to be completed in 2 hours.
The exam pattern of SSC CGL Tier 1 consists of 100 questions from 4 different subjects, 25 questions from each subject. The subjects include Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Candidates have to solve all the questions within a time frame of 60 minutes.
SSC CGL exam pattern for AAO consists of two exams. The Tier 1 exam consists of 4 subjects and is common for all posts. However, the Tier 2 exam for SSC CGL AAO consists of an additional Paper 3 which has a weightage of 200 marks. This paper has two parts: Finance and Accounts and Economics and Governance.
SSC CGL total marks for Tier 1 are 200 marks. For tier 2, the total marks for Paper 1 are 450 whereas the total marks for Paper 2 and 3 are 200 each.
SSC CGL exam pattern for Income Tax Inspector consists of two CBT exams. Tier 1 exam is common for all posts. For tier 2 exam, it is an Objective Type, Multiple choice questions, except for Module-II of Section-III of Paper-I.
SSC CGL new exam pattern PDF has been released in the official notification. However, we have explained SSC CGL exam pattern here in detail so, candidates can have all the information about it in one place in a concise manner.
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