SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025: Comprehensive Guide for Tier 1 & Tier 2

SSC CGL 2025 exam pattern for effective preparation. Tier 1 consists of 100 MCQs testing general knowledge, while Tier 2 includes three papers for different posts. Focus on the marking scheme, time management, and specific sections to ace the exam.


The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) Exam 2025 is a very competitive exam that is conducted each year in which candidates get a chance to join different central government departments. This exam is a great gateway to a career in government services and gives the chance to start working with posts from Assistants to Statistical Officers. SSC CGL exam has its stages which are conducted in a separate pattern and difficulty level in each stage. The exam pattern is important as it gives a structure to the exam, the kinds of questions will the candidates encounter and how to arrange their time well.

SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025

SSC CGL 2025 exam has 3 stages: Tier 1, Tier 2 and also Tier 3 wherein each stage works on testing different skills. Whereas, Tier 1 is mainly based on general talent and knowledge testing, whereas, Tier 2 is more specific and specific. As such, candidates should be familiar with the structure of each stage, the marking scheme and the sorts of questions they might be asked. In this article, we will see SSC CGL 2025 Exam pattern for Tier 1 and tier 2 to make a way cleared for you in every stage.

SSC CGL Exam 2025 Tier 1 will start from 9th September 2024 to 26th September 2024. SSC CGL Exam 2024 Tier 2 will be organised between 18th January 2025 to 20th January 2025. DEST is now the third paper for the Tier 2 exam and is to be taken during this tier. Previously there were four papers in Tier 2 each with a distinct DEST. Also, there is no longer a Document Verification (DV) stage, which will now occur after a candidate is appointed.

SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025 Overview 

The SSC CGL Exam 2025 is taken in the online mode and has two stages to it—Tier 1 and Tier 2 both containing multiple choice questions (MCQs). We will also be conducting skill tests for some posts such as Typing Tests. It has been decided to conduct SSC CGL 2025 screening process for various positions under the SSC CGL 2025 recruitment through three or more stages (all qualifying namely) TIER I, TIER II and other tests such as DEST Data Entry Skill Test as per the post for which the candidate has applied.

Organization Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Exam Name SSC CGL 2025
Category Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Selection Process Tier 1 and Tier 2
Exam Mode Online
Question Type MCQ-based
Tier 1 Exam 100 Questions, 200 Marks
Tier 2 Exam Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3
Negative Marking Yes (0.50 Mark for wrong answers)

Given the online mode of exam, candidates should prepare with online study materials, practice tests and be ready with the MCQ format having precision and perfect time management skills.

In SSC CGL Tier 2, candidates must take Paper I, while Paper II is specific to those applying for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) positions. Paper III is for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer applicants.

Let’s Briefly Discuss about SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025 for Tier 1 & Tier 2

SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025: Tier 1

The SSC CGL Exam Tier 1 is an online test with four sections, including 100 Multiple Choice Questions, totaling a maximum score of 200. Candidates have 60 minutes to finish the exam.The Tier 1 exam serves solely as a qualifying stage, and its scores are not considered in the final selection procedure.

The sections covered from which questions are drawn for the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam are:

  • General Intelligence Reasoning
  • General Awareness
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • English Comprehension

SSC CGL Exam Pattern for Tier-1

SSC CGL Exam Pattern

Tier-I Exam

Exam Type

Objective Multiple Choice

Exam Duration

60 minutes/ 1 hour

Exam Mode

Online Computer Based Test (CBT)

Subjects

1. General Intelligence and Reasoning

2. General Awareness

3. Quantitative Aptitude

4. English Comprehension

Total Marks

200

Number of Questions

100

Negative Marking

0.50 marks (For every incorrect answer options)

Language

English/Hindi (Except English Paper)

SSC CGL 2025 Tier 1 : Marking Scheme 

SSC CGL Tier-I Sections & Subjects Number of Questions Sectional Marks Duration 
Part A: General Intelligence Reasoning 25 50 60 Minutes(1 Hour)
 
 
  1 hour and 20 minutes for the candidates eligible for scribe
Part B: General Awareness 25 50
Part C: Quantitative Aptitude 25 50
Part D: English Comprehension 25 50
Total 100 200

SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025: Tier 2

SSC CGL 2025 Tier 2 exam is a more advanced stage and you have to clear it in 2 stages. The examination pattern will include Paper 1, Paper 2 & Paper 3. In Paper 1, all candidates take the paper, whereas in Paper 2 and Paper 3 you need to be a candidate for a specific post.

  • Paper I: Compulsory for all candidates
  • Paper II: For candidates applying for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) positions
  • Paper III: For candidates applying for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer positions

Key Features of SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam 2025:

  • Number of Papers: 3 papers (Paper I, Paper II, Paper III)
  • Total Marks: Paper I (450 marks), Paper II (200 marks), Paper III (200 marks)
  • Duration: Paper I - 2.5 hours, Paper II and Paper III - 2 hours each
  • Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for incorrect answers in Paper II and Paper III
  • Syllabus: The syllabus for each paper is designed to test a candidate’s proficiency in their respective subject area.

Breakdown of Sections in SSC CGL Tier 2: Paper 1

Section Number of Questions Total Marks Duration Weightage
Mathematical Abilities 30 90 1 hour 23%
Reasoning and General Intelligence 30 90   23%
English Language and Comprehension 45 135 1 hour 35%
General Awareness 25 75   19%
Computer Knowledge Test 20 60 15 minutes Qualifying
Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) 1 Task Qualifying 15 minutes Qualifying

Breakdown of SSC CGL Tier 2: Paper 2 (Junior Statistical Officer - JSO)

Subject Number of Questions Total Marks Duration Weightage
Statistics 100 200 2 hours Qualifying

Breakdown of SSC CGL Tier 2: Paper 3 (Finance and Economics)

Subject Number of Questions Total Marks Duration Weightage
General Studies (Finance and Economics) 100 200 2 hours Qualifying

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern for Paper 1

SSC CGL 2025 Exam Tier 2 Paper 1 consists three sections. Section I comprises a total of 180 marks, with 30 questions on Mathematical Abilities totaling 90 marks and 30 questions on Reasoning and General Intelligence totaling 90 marks. Section II totals 210 marks, comprising 45 questions on English Language and Comprehension totaling 135 marks, and 25 questions on general awareness totaling 75 marks. Section III includes 20 questions on a computer knowledge test totaling 60 marks and one Data Entry task.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern for Paper 2

SSC CGL 2025 Exam Tier Paper 2 covers statistics, comprising 100 questions worth a total of 200 marks. Candidates have a maximum of 2 hours to complete this paper.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern for Paper 3

SSC CGL Exam Tier 2 Paper 3 covers General Studies (Finance & Economics), containing 100 questions totaling 200 marks. Candidates have a maximum of 2 hours to complete this paper.

SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025: Tier 1 & Tier 2 Negative Marking

SSC CGL 2025 Tier Paper Marks Awarded per Question Section Negative Marking
SSC CGL Tier-1 1 Paper 2 4 0.5
SSC CGL Tier-2 3 Paper Paper 1: 3 Marks Section-I,
Section-II
Module-I of Section-III
1 mark
Paper 2: 2 Marks 1 0.50 marks
Paper 2: 2 Marks 1 0.50 marks

SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2025: Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) 

Candidates who qualify for the SSC CGL 2025 Tier 2 exams will need to undergo the Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) during Paper 1. As per the updated SSC CGL 2025 exam pattern, DEST will serve as Paper II of Module 3. During this test, candidates will be presented with a passage comprising approximately 2,000 key depressions, for which they will have 15 minutes to showcase their data entry skills.

The SSC CGL DEST is mandatory for all positions, albeit it will be considered qualifying in nature. Detailed instructions regarding the Skill Test will be communicated by the Regional Offices of the Commission.

Participants in the SSC CGL 2025 under the OH category will be exempt from the DEST requirement. Additionally, PwBD candidates eligible for scribes will receive an extra 5 minutes for the skill test.

FAQ

Yes, the SSC CGL 2025 pattern includes the removal of the descriptive section and the introduction of the Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) in Tier 2.

SSC CGL 2025 has two main stages:

  • Tier 1: 100 MCQs (200 marks)
  • Tier 2: Three papers (Paper 1 for all, Paper 2 for JSO, Paper 3 for Assistant Audit Officer).

For the SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam, each incorrect answer incurs a penalty of 0.50 marks. In Paper 1 of the Tier 2 Exam, each incorrect answer deducts 1 mark, while in Papers II and III, 0.50 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.

The maximum time given for SSC CGL Tier 1 examination is 1 hour or 60 minutes.

The time limit for Paper 1 is 2 hours 30 mins and for Paper 2 & 3 is 120 Minutes
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