This comprehensive guide covers SSC CGL previous year question papers, exam pattern, vacancies, and the benefits of solving past papers for the upcoming SSC CGL 2023 exam.
SSC CGL Previous Year Paper
Introduction
The SSC CGL examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission is one of the most popular government job recruitment exams in India. It is conducted to fill up various Group B and Group C posts in ministries and government organizations.
With lakhs of students appearing for the highly competitive SSC CGL exam every year, it becomes imperative to have a rigorous preparation strategy in place. One of the best ways to prepare is by solving previous year question papers.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern
From 2023 onwards, the SSC CGL exam comprises only 2 tiers without any descriptive paper or skill test.
Tier 1 Exam Pattern:
- 200 marks objective exam
- 100 multiple choice questions divided into 4 sections - General Intelligence and Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and English Comprehension
- Negative marking of 0.50 marks for each wrong answer
Tier 2 Exam Pattern:
- Divided into 3 papers - Paper 1, Paper 2, and Paper 3
- Paper 1 has 3 sections with a mix of subjects like Reasoning, English, Computer Knowledge, General Awareness etc.
- Papers 2 and 3 focus on Statistics and Economics/Finance
- Negative marking applicable in Tier 2 papers as well
Tier 1 is a qualifying exam and final merit list is created based on Tier 2 performance.
Access SSC CGL Previous Year Papers
We have compiled section-wise and shift-wise question papers of past SSC CGL exams held in 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. The question paper pdfs can be downloaded along with their official answer keys.
Practicing using these papers helps you understand the actual level of exam difficulty, topics covered, type of questions asked, and scoring areas to focus more on.
Analyze Previous Year Exam Trends
Going through the past papers gives you an insight into the examination trends over the years. The frequency of topics asked, difficulty level, ideal attempt strategy - these key aspects can be analyzed to fine tune your preparation accordingly.
For instance, certain subjects like Reasoning, English Comprehension, and Quantitative Aptitude have more weightage in terms of number of questions asked year on year in the SSC CGL exam.
Benefits of Solving Previous Year Papers
Here are some of the major benefits of making previous year papers a part of your SSC CGL exam strategy:
- Gets you familiar with the actual exam pattern and question format
- Improves speed and accuracy as you get used to solving questions against the clock
- Boosts confidence levels before taking the final exam
- Allows you to self-evaluate your topic-wise preparation level
- Gives insights into small exam-specific tricks that you can apply
Students have reported scoring very high marks in sections like Reasoning and Quant in the actual SSC CGL exam simply by practicing questions from previous papers extensively.
| Year | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 8121 |
| 2018-19 | 11271 |
| 2019-20 | 8582 |
| 2020-21 | 7035 |
The above table highlights the total SSC CGL vacancies filled over the past few years, showing an increasing hiring trend.
Cracking SSC CGL 2023
By starting your preparation with a sharp focus on previous year question papers, section-wise analysis, and identifying your weak and strong areas, you can develop an effective study plan.
Regular revision of past papers will equip you in mastering all facets of the multi-layered SSC CGL exam pattern.
Conclusion:
Solving SSC CGL previous year papers consistently is the most effective method to build fundamental concepts, increase accuracy, exposure to actual exam questions and ultimately maximize scores.
FAQ:
Q1: How many attempts are permitted in the SSC CGL exam?
A1: There are no explicit restrictions on the number of attempts. Candidates fulfilling the age and education criteria can appear multiple times.
Q2: Will there be sectional timing in the Tier 1 paper?
A2: No, there is no sectional timing in the SSC CGL Tier 1 paper which is for total 2 hours duration.
Q3: Do the previous year papers also include state-level vacancies?
A3: No, the vacancy details given for past years only contain central government postings.
Q4: Is rechecking allowed for the SSC CGL exam?
A4: There is no rechecking provision for the SSC CGL exam as papers are machine-evaluated accurately using OMR technology.
Q5: Will qualifying descriptive test be introduced again?
A5: As per the latest exam pattern, there will be no descriptive paper and SSC CGL selection will be based on the 2 tier performance.
Q6: Are admit cards verified during entry to exam venue?
A6: Yes, admit cards are thoroughly checked along with ID proof before candidates are permitted inside test centres.
