SSC CPO Exam Pattern: How All Three Stages Fit Together
Two written papers with a physical test between them. That ordering shapes the whole preparation.
SSC CPO selects Sub-Inspectors through three stages: Paper I, a 2-hour computer-based test; the Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test; and Paper II, a second 2-hour computer-based test covering English alone. A medical examination follows for candidates who clear all three.
The ordering matters more than it looks. The physical tests sit between the two written papers, so you cannot treat fitness as something to sort out after the written result. This page covers the written mechanics; the physical standards have their own page.
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- Paper I & Paper II full mocks
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Paper I: The Preliminary CBT
Paper I runs 2 hours online, with four sections of 50 questions each:
General Intelligence & Reasoning
Questions
50
Marks
50
General Knowledge & Awareness
Questions
50
Marks
50
Quantitative Aptitude
Questions
50
Marks
50
English Comprehension
Questions
50
Marks
50
Total
Questions
200
Marks
200
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 |
| General Knowledge & Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Paper II: English Language and Comprehension
Paper II is a single-subject paper, also 2 hours online:
English Language & Comprehension
Questions
200
Marks
200
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 |
Why Paper II Changes the Preparation Math
Both papers carry 200 marks, and one of them tests a single subject. That makes English worth half of your total written score before you count its 50 questions in Paper I. Reading comprehension takes up the largest share of Paper II, so speed and accuracy with long passages decide more marks in CPO than in a typical SSC paper.
The other three Paper I sections still matter: they decide whether you reach the physical stage at all. But between two candidates who both clear Paper I and the PET, Paper II usually separates them.
The format described here, as real questions. No signup.
The Full Selection Sequence
- 1
Paper I
The 200-question CBT above. Clearing it earns the call to the physical stage.
- 2
PET and PST
Running, jumping and measurement standards, detailed on the physical test page. Qualifying, and eliminating.
- 3
Paper II
The 200-mark English paper, held months after Paper I for candidates who cleared the physicals.
- 4
Medical examination
The final check before posting, covering vision and general fitness standards.
Marking Scheme: Check the Current Notification
SSC states the exact marking scheme, including any deduction for wrong answers, in each cycle's official notification on ssc.gov.in. Read the current notification before building an attempt strategy around guesswork rules.
Exam Pattern FAQs
How many stages does SSC CPO have?expand_more
Three stages: Paper I (a 2-hour, 200-question CBT), the PET/PST physical tests, and Paper II (a 2-hour, 200-mark English paper). A medical examination follows.
How long is each SSC CPO paper?expand_more
Both papers run 2 hours each. Paper I has 200 questions across four sections; Paper II has 200 English questions.
Does everyone take SSC CPO Paper II?expand_more
No. Paper II is held after the PET/PST, so only candidates who clear Paper I and then meet the physical standards sit it.
Next steps
Take a full SSC CPO mock testSimulate Paper I with real timing and scoring.