SSC CGL Exam Pattern: How Both Tiers Are Scored
Tier 1 decides who advances. Tier 2 decides the rank. The scoring rules differ between them.
SSC CGL selects through two online tiers. Tier 1 is a 60-minute objective test that works as the gateway: clear its cut-off and you sit Tier 2. Tier 2 Paper I is a longer, harder paper that every candidate takes, and it is where final ranks are largely decided. Two more Tier 2 papers, Statistics and Finance/Economics, apply only to specific posts.
Both tiers penalise wrong answers, and the penalty is not the same across sections. Knowing the exact deductions changes how you attempt the paper, so they are worth reading twice.
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What Is the SSC CGL Exam Pattern?
SSC CGL has two tiers. Tier 1 is a 60-minute online test with 100 questions for 200 marks, split evenly across Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English. Tier 2 Paper I is a 2-hour paper for all candidates; Paper II (Statistics) and Paper III (Finance/Economics) are role-specific.
Tier 1: Section-Wise Breakdown
Online CBT, 60 minutes, 100 questions, 200 marks.
General Intelligence & Reasoning
Questions
25
Marks
50
General Awareness
Questions
25
Marks
50
Quantitative Aptitude
Questions
25
Marks
50
English Comprehension
Questions
25
Marks
50
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 |
Tier 2 Paper I: Section-Wise Breakdown
Online CBT, 120 minutes, mandatory for all candidates.
Mathematical Abilities
Questions
30
Marks
90
Reasoning & General Intelligence
Questions
30
Marks
90
English Language & Comprehension
Questions
45
Marks
135
General & Financial Awareness
Questions
25
Marks
75
Computer Knowledge Module
Questions
20
Marks
60
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 |
| Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 |
| English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 |
| General & Financial Awareness | 25 | 75 |
| Computer Knowledge Module | 20 | 60 |
The format described here, as real questions. No signup.
Negative Marking: The Rules That Change Your Strategy
- check_circleTier 1 deducts 0.50 marks for every wrong answer.
- check_circleTier 2 Paper I deducts 1 mark per wrong answer in the 90-mark Quant section and 0.25 marks in the other sections.
- check_circleThere is no penalty for leaving a question blank, so a blind guess in Tier 2 Quant risks a full mark to gain three.
- check_circleAccuracy discipline built in Tier 1 practice transfers directly: the candidates who blind-guess through mocks carry that habit into the heavier Tier 2 penalties.
Tier 1 Qualifies You. Tier 2 Ranks You.
Tier 1 is about clearing a cut-off with a buffer; a working target from experienced candidates is 45+ questions right out of 100 with clean accuracy. Tier 2 Paper I is where merit is built, and its 135-mark English section is the largest single block of marks in the whole exam.
Patterns Get Revised Between Cycles
SSC adjusts timing rules and section details through its notifications. The structure above reflects the pattern as we last verified it. Before your attempt, confirm the current cycle's pattern in the official notification on ssc.gov.in.
SSC CGL Exam Pattern FAQs
Is there negative marking in SSC CGL Tier 1?expand_more
Yes. Each wrong answer in Tier 1 deducts 0.50 marks. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
How is negative marking different in Tier 2?expand_more
In Tier 2 Paper I the deduction is 1 mark per wrong answer in the 90-mark Quant section and 0.25 marks in other sections, so careless attempts cost more in Quant than anywhere else.
How many questions does SSC CGL Tier 1 have?expand_more
100 questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes: 25 questions of 50 marks each in Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English.
Does everyone take all Tier 2 papers?expand_more
No. Paper I is mandatory for all candidates. Paper II (Statistics) and Paper III (Finance and Economics) apply only to candidates for specific posts, such as Statistical Investigator for Paper II.
Is there an interview in SSC CGL?expand_more
No interview stage appears in the two-tier structure. Selection runs on written performance across Tier 1 and Tier 2, followed by document verification for the final merit list.
Next steps
Take a full SSC CGL mock testSimulate Tier 1 with real timing and negative marking.