A high level of SSC CGL preparation strategy is needed to crack the exam SSC CGL Exam. This article will provide a list of SSC CGL Books and the syllabus for SSC CGL Preparation.
The SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exam is one of the most sought-
The SSC CGL Exam is conducted in 4 stages, and each stage has a different exam pattern. The SSC CGL Exam pattern is as follows:
| Tier | Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time allowed |
| Tier I | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes (Total)
For VH/ OH (afflicted with Cerebral Palsy/ deformity in writing hand- Pl 80 Minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | ||
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | ||
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | ||
| Tier II | Paper-I: Quantitative Abilities | 100 | 200 | 120Minutes
For VH/ OH (afflicted with Cerebral Palsy/ deformity in writing hand- 160 Minutes |
| Paper-II: English Language and Comprehension | 200 | 200 | ||
| Paper-III: Statistics | 100 | 200 | ||
| Paper-IV: General Studies (Finance and Economics) | 100 | 200 | ||
| Tier III | Descriptive Paper in Hindi/English( Essay, Letter, applications, precis) | – | 100 | 60 Minutes
For VH/ OH (afflicted with Cerebral Palsy/ deformity in writing hand- 80 Minutes |
Tier IV Exam evaluates the Computer Proficiency Test/ Skill Test (wherever applicable) of candidates. Post this; Document Verification is done as per the provisions of the notice of examination.
SSC CGL Books
The SSC CGL preparation will require a reference to many books.
SSC CGL Books for English
Candidates must leave no stone unturned for SSC CGL English Preparation both in Paper I and Paper-II. The important SSC CGL Books for English are given below:
- Objective General English by SPBakshi (Arihant).
- Quick Learning Objective General English by RS Aggarwal & Vikas Aggarwal.
- Objective English for Competitive Examinations by H M Prasad.
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension – By Arun Sharma.
- Wren & Martin – High School English Grammar and Composition,
- Perfect Competitive English V.K. Sinha.
- Competitive General English Kiran Prakashan.
- From Plinth to Paramount- Neetu Singh.
- A Mirror of Common Errors- Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh.
Books for SSC CGL Maths
Below are the best books for SSC CGL Maths:
- Advanced Maths by Rakesh Yadav.
- Magical Book on Quicker Maths by M Tyra.
- SSC Elementary and Advanced Maths BY Kiran.
- NCERT Maths from Grade 6 to Grade 11.
- Quantitative Aptitude by Dr. R.S Agarwal is also one of the best books for SSC CGL Maths.
SSC CGL Reasoning Books
The important SSC CGL Reasoning Books are given below:
- Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by. Dr. R.S. Aggarwal.
- Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey.
- Logical and Analytical Reasoning by A.K. Gupta.
- How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning by Arun Sharma.
SSC CGL General Awareness Books
The SSC CGL General Awareness Books have been listed below:
- Manorama Yearbook.
- General Knowledge- Lucent Publication.
- NCERT Books of Class X, XII- History, Geography, Economics.
Topics for SSC CGL Preparation for the Exam
Important topics for the SSC CGL Exam, according to the Tiers have been highlighted below:
Tier I Exam
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Questions from both verbal and non-verbal types are asked. Topics like analogies, similarities, and differences, space visualization, spatial orientation, problem-solving, analysis, judgment, decision making, visual memory, discrimination, arithmetic number series, non-verbal series, coding and decoding, statement conclusion, syllogistic reasoning, etc. Apart from these below topics are also included:
- Statement and Conclusions.
- Seating Arrangements.
- Data Sufficiency.
- Reasoning Analogies.
- Order & Ranking.
- More such concept-based articles on reasoning topics can be found on the Logical Reasoning page linked here.
General Awareness
This section includes all important topics related to History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research. For the preparation of current affairs, candidates must go through:
- Daily Current Affairs.
- Daily News Analysis.
Topics for General Awareness section candidates must prepare below mentioned important topics:
- Governors in India.
- Members of Parliament.
- Members of Lok Sabha.
- List of Arjuna Award Winners.
- FIFA World Cup Winners List.
- Fathers Of Various Fields.
Quantitative Aptitude
The important topics in this section are whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and relationships between nPercentagesrcentage. Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time & Work, Basic algebraic identities, geometrical problems, etc.
The candidate must be well aware of the below-listed topics:
- Shortcut tricks For Squares & Cube Roots.
- Tips to solve Number Series.
- Maths Tricks for Competitive Exams.
- Quadratic Equation.
English Comprehension
SSC CGL English section includes cover essays, grammar, passages, etc.
A few of the relevant topics have been listed below:
- List Of Synonyms and Antonyms.
- List of One Word Substitutions.
- List Of Homophones, Homonyms & Homographs.
- Idioms And Phrases.
- Letter writing format, rules, and list of prepositions, articles, conjunctions, etc. candidates can check the link provided.
Tier-II Exam
Paper-I (Quantitative Abilities)
This paper tests a candidate’s calculation and numeric skills. The topics included in this are whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, Profit and Loss, Discount, distance, surds, Graphs of Linear Equations, Complementary angles, Heights and Distances, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram & Pie chart, etc.
Paper-II (English Language and Comprehension)
Paper-II of SSC CGL English preparation evaluates a candidate’s grammar and language skills. The topics included in this are– spotting the error, filling in the blanks, synonyms, and antonyms, spelling/ detecting misspelled words, idioms one-word, one-word substitution, active/ passive voice of verbs, conversion into direct/ indirect narration, shuffling of sentence parts, shuffling of sentences in a passage, etc.
Check out important questions and answers on relevant English Topics.
- One Word Substitution Questions & Answers.
- Tenses Questions and Answers.
- Direct & Indirect Speech Questions & Answers.
Paper-III (Statistics)
This paper consists of topics related to the Collection and Representation of data, Skewness & kurtosis, Measures of Central Tendency, correlation & regression, Probability Theory, and time series analysis, Index numbers, etc.
Paper-IV (General Studies-Finance and Economics)
Part – A- (Finance & Accounts)
This paper will be for 80 marks, and includes topics related to Rectification of Errors, Manufacturing, Trading, Profit & Loss Appropriation Accounts, Balance Sheet Distinction between Capital and Revenue Expenditure, Depreciation Accounting, Valuation of Inventories, Non-profit Organizations Accounts, Receipts and Payments, and Income & Expenditure Accounts, Bills of Exchange, Self-Balancing Ledgers, etc.
Part -B- (Economics and Governance)
This paper will be for the remaining 120 marks and includes topics related to Money & Banking, Economic reforms, Theory of demand and supply, Economics- Micro & macro, Market supply analysis, etc.
Tier III Exam
This exam is a subjective paper and can be attempted in Hindi/English. Candidates need to prepare for applications, letters, essays, etc.
Tier IV Exam
- This exam will be done to evaluate a candidate’s typing and basic computer-related skills.
- The “Data Entry Speed Test” Skill Test will be conducted for a passage of about 2000 (two thousand) key depressions of 15 (fifteen) minutes.
- The Computer Proficiency Test (CPT), will have Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and Generation of Slides as the test topics.
- There are certain tests reserved for specific candidates and posts. Referring to the SSC CGL Eligibility criteria would help the candidates a lot in knowing the details regarding those tests.