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Government jobs · Staff Selection Commission (SSC)

SSC CGL Mock Tests, Syllabus & Complete Exam Guide

Staff Selection Commission — Combined Graduate Level Examination. Practise 35 full-length mock tests on the official pattern, drill every topic, and get the eligibility, syllabus, cut-off, rank and college details you need — all in one place.

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SSC CGL at a glance

Tier-1 questions
100
Tier-1 marks
200
Duration
60 min
Marking
+2 / −0.5
ModeComputer-based test (online)
FrequencyOnce a year
LanguagesEnglish & Hindi
By the ExamguruX Editorial TeamReviewed for pattern accuracy against Staff Selection Commission (SSC)Last updated 30 September 2026

SSC CGL full-length mock tests

Attempt 35 full-length SSC CGL mock tests built on the official 100-question pattern. The first mock is free — every test comes with instant results and a step-by-step solution for each question.

SSC CGL Tier 1 Full Mock 01

Free
100 Qs · 200 marks60 min10.8K attemptsModerate
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SSC CGL Tier 1 Full Mock 02

100 Qs · 200 marks60 min14.5K attemptsHard
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SSC CGL Tier 1 Full Mock 03

100 Qs · 200 marks60 min18.3K attemptsEasy
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SSC CGL Tier 1 Full Mock 04

100 Qs · 200 marks60 min22.1K attemptsModerate
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SSC CGL Tier 1 Full Mock 05

100 Qs · 200 marks60 min25.8K attemptsEasy
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SSC CGL Tier 1 Full Mock 06

100 Qs · 200 marks60 min29.6K attemptsModerate
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SSC CGL Tier 1 Full Mock 07

100 Qs · 200 marks60 min33.4K attemptsHard
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SSC CGL Tier 1 Full Mock 08

100 Qs · 200 marks60 min37.1K attemptsEasy
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SSC CGL Tier 1 Full Mock 09

100 Qs · 200 marks60 min40.9K attemptsModerate
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Unlock all SSC CGL tests

Try the first full-length mock free. Get the complete SSC CGL mock library, every topic test and all available languages for 3 months — a one-time ₹399 / 3 months.

SSC CGL — full access

₹399/ 3 months
  • Every full-length mock test
  • All topic-wise tests, every subject
  • All available languages
  • Step-by-step solution for every question
  • Indicative marks-to-rank & cut-offs

Secure payment by Razorpay · one-time ₹399 for 3 months

SSC CGL topic-wise tests & syllabus

450 topic tests across 4 subjects — a focused set of 15 tests for every topic in the SSC CGL syllabus, tagged with approximate exam weightage so you practise where the marks are.

450 topic-wise tests · 15 per topic across 4 subjects. Pick a subject, expand a topic, and start drilling.

Analogy & Classification — Test 01

15 Qs · 30 marks15 min101K attemptsModerate
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Analogy & Classification — Test 02

15 Qs · 30 marks15 min135K attemptsEasy
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Analogy & Classification — Test 03

25 Qs · 50 marks25 min169K attemptsHard
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Analogy & Classification — Test 04

15 Qs · 30 marks15 min203K attemptsModerate
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Analogy & Classification — Test 05

15 Qs · 30 marks15 min237K attemptsEasy
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Analogy & Classification — Test 06

25 Qs · 50 marks25 min10.7K attemptsHard
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Analogy & Classification — Test 07

15 Qs · 30 marks15 min44.6K attemptsModerate
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Analogy & Classification — Test 08

15 Qs · 30 marks15 min78.5K attemptsEasy
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Analogy & Classification — Test 09

25 Qs · 50 marks25 min112K attemptsHard
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Analogy & Classification — Test 10

15 Qs · 30 marks15 min146K attemptsModerate
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Analogy & Classification — Test 11

15 Qs · 30 marks15 min180K attemptsEasy
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Analogy & Classification — Test 12

25 Qs · 50 marks25 min214K attemptsHard
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Analogy & Classification — Test 13

15 Qs · 30 marks15 min248K attemptsModerate
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Analogy & Classification — Test 14

15 Qs · 30 marks15 min21.9K attemptsEasy
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Analogy & Classification — Test 15

25 Qs · 50 marks25 min55.8K attemptsHard
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SSC CGL sample questions

A few real SSC CGL questions with answers and step-by-step solutions, in the exact style of the full mock tests.

ReasoningSample 1

Cat : Kitten :: Dog : ?

  • A.Puppy
  • B.Calf
  • C.Cub
  • D.Foal

Solution: A young cat is a kitten; a young dog is a puppy.

General AwarenessSample 2

What is the capital of Australia?

  • A.Sydney
  • B.Canberra
  • C.Melbourne
  • D.Perth

Solution: Canberra is the capital of Australia, not Sydney.

Quantitative AptitudeSample 3

What is 25% of 200?

  • A.25
  • B.50
  • C.75
  • D.100

Solution: 25% of 200 = (25/100) × 200 = 50.

EnglishSample 4

Choose the synonym of 'Happy'.

  • A.Sad
  • B.Joyful
  • C.Angry
  • D.Tired

Solution: 'Joyful' means happy.

About the SSC CGL exam

Recruitment of graduates to Group B and Group C posts across central government ministries, departments and organisations.

What is SSC CGL?

SSC CGL — the Combined Graduate Level Examination — is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to recruit graduates into a wide range of Group B and Group C posts under the Government of India. A single exam feeds departments as varied as the Income Tax Department, CGST, the CBI, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and central secretariat services.

The selection runs in two stages: a computer-based Tier 1 (objective, qualifying) followed by Tier 2 (the evaluative stage that decides your merit). Because one exam opens the door to dozens of posts across pay levels 4 to 8, SSC CGL draws among the largest applicant pools of any Indian government exam — the 2026 cycle advertises 10,731 tentative vacancies (after 14,582 in 2025).

Why the post you get depends on your rank

Every qualified candidate submits a preference order of posts, and the Commission allocates posts by merit rank, category and the vacancies available — so two candidates with similar marks can end up in very different roles. A few extra marks can be the difference between Inspector of Income Tax and an Assistant post, which makes rank, not just qualifying, the real target.

This is why smart SSC CGL preparation is speed-and-accuracy preparation: at +2/−0.5 in Tier 1 and +3/−1 in Tier 2, a handful of avoidable errors moves your rank by thousands. Practising sectional drills against the clock, then full-length mocks in the exact interface, is what converts knowledge into a higher post.

SSC CGL eligibility & exam pattern

Check whether you meet the SSC CGL eligibility criteria and understand exactly how the paper is structured and marked before you plan your preparation.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifying exam
A Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university (some posts, such as JSO and Statistical Investigator, need specific subjects).
Age limit
Generally 18–32 years, but the band varies by post (18–27, 20–30 or 18–32). Age is reckoned as on the cut-off date in the notification.
Age relaxation
Standard relaxations apply — 3 years for OBC, 5 for SC/ST, 10/13/15 for PwD (as per category), and others per government rules.
Nationality
Indian citizens (and certain categories of Nepal/Bhutan subjects and eligible migrants, subject to conditions).
Physical standards
Certain posts (e.g. Inspector, Sub-Inspector) have additional physical and medical standards.
Number of attempts
No fixed limit on attempts — you can apply every year until you cross the upper age limit for your category.

Exam pattern & marking

SubjectQuestionsMarks
General Intelligence & Reasoning2550
General Awareness2550
Quantitative Aptitude2550
English Comprehension2550
Total100200

Tier 1 awards +2 for every correct answer and −0.5 for every wrong answer, with no penalty for unattempted questions. Tier 1 is qualifying; the Tier 2 score (Paper 1 carries +3/−1) decides the final merit.

Duration: 60 minutes (80 minutes for PwD candidates).

How to prepare for SSC CGL

A fresher-friendly SSC CGL roadmap — understand the paper first, follow a month-by-month plan, build a weekly routine and peak with reviewed full-length mocks.

Beginner-friendly roadmap

Your SSC CGL plan: first day to exam day

Start with the paper structure, build concepts in layers, then use timed practice and review to turn preparation into a repeatable score.

Coverage4 subjects
Exam clock60 minutes (80 minutes for PwD candidates)
MarkingTier 1 awards +2 for every correct answer and −0.5 for every wrong answer, with no penalty for unattempted questions. Tier 1 is qualifying; the Tier 2 score (Paper 1 carries +3/−1) decides the final merit.

The first 12 weeks

A plan a fresher can actually follow

  1. Month 1

    Understand the paper and build your base

    Read the official pattern first, then make a realistic subject map for 4 subjects. Begin with Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude. Focus on concepts before speed.

    Take one diagnostic topic test. Its purpose is to find gaps, not to judge your score.
  2. Month 2

    Finish the core syllabus through practice

    Cover the remaining syllabus, including English, while revising Month 1 every week. Move from untimed questions to short timed sets.

    Keep a single error log: concept missed, why it happened and the correct method.
  3. Month 3

    Build exam temperament with mocks

    Use the real exam time limit (60 minutes (80 minutes for PwD candidates)) in full-length practice. Review every mock longer than it took to attempt it; the review is where improvement happens.

    Turn each weak area from your error log into a 30–45 minute repair session.

Your repeatable week

The study loop that makes revision stick

  1. 1
    Learn

    Read one focused concept block and make a short revision sheet.

  2. 2
    Solve

    Immediately answer topic questions; do not wait until you have ‘finished’ the syllabus.

  3. 3
    Review

    Log mistakes by concept, not just by score. Revisit them after 2–3 days.

  4. 4
    Simulate

    Use a timed section or mock to practise decisions under the clock.

Mock-test ladder

Don’t start with a full mock every day

  • Month 1: topic tests after each completed concept.
  • Month 2: one timed sectional test each week, plus error-log revision.
  • Month 3: one or two full mocks weekly under the real 60 minutes (80 minutes for PwD candidates) clock.

SSC CGL-specific priorities

What to focus on as you move through the plan

  1. 1

    Lock down Quant and Reasoning first

    These two sections are the most scoring and the most improvable with practice. Master shortcut methods for percentages, ratios, time-speed-distance and number series until you solve them almost by reflex.

  2. 2

    Make General Awareness a daily habit

    GA is fast to attempt but wide in scope. Revise static GK — polity, history, science — in small daily doses and follow current affairs consistently, since roughly a third of GA comes from the last year's events.

  3. 3

    Turn English into free marks

    For most aspirants English is the quickest section. Build vocabulary from previous-year synonyms/antonyms, drill common error-spotting rules, and practise idioms and one-word substitutions that repeat across years.

  4. 4

    Train for speed and negative marking

    You have 60 minutes for 100 questions. Practise picking the questions you can solve fastest first, and learn when to skip — at −0.5 per wrong answer, disciplined guessing protects your score.

  5. 5

    Solve previous-year papers relentlessly

    SSC reuses concepts and even question patterns heavily. Working through the last several years of papers, topic-wise and then as timed sets, is the single highest-return activity in SSC preparation.

  6. 6

    Bridge into Tier 2 early

    Because Tier 2 decides your merit, don't treat it as an afterthought. Once Tier 1 fundamentals are solid, start practising the tougher Tier-2 Quant and English so the jump in difficulty never surprises you.

Final 7 days

Revise your short notes and error log; do not begin major new topics.

Take only the number of mocks you can properly review; protect sleep and routine.

Confirm the official admit-card instructions, reporting time, centre and permitted items.

Want personal support?

Request an online trainer for your SSC CGL preparation.

Get help with your study plan, difficult concepts and mock-test review, subject to trainer availability.

Request a trainer

SSC CGL marks vs rank & cut-offs

Use this practice benchmark to understand score ranges, qualifying cut-offs and the selection stages for SSC CGL. The conducting authority sets official merit and appointments.

SSC CGL marks vs. rank

Score rangeMerit zoneLikely posts
460+ / 700Top meritInspector (Income Tax / CGST), ASO (CSS/MEA)
440–460High meritAssistant Section Officer, Inspector (Exam. / PO)
420–440Upper-midAssistant Enforcement Officer, Sub-Inspector (CBI)
395–420Mid meritAuditor, Accountant, Assistant posts
360–395Lower-midTax Assistant, Senior Secretariat Assistant
330–360Cut-off zoneUpper Division Clerk, other Group-C posts

Qualifying cut-offs by category

General (UR)Tier-1 cut-off (List-3)

Indicative marks: 153.19

OBCTier-1 cut-off (List-3)

Indicative marks: 146.26

EWSTier-1 cut-off (List-3)

Indicative marks: 142.02

SCTier-1 cut-off (List-3)

Indicative marks: 126.46

STTier-1 cut-off (List-3)

Indicative marks: 111.89

Tier-1 cut-offs are the official SSC CGL 2024 figures (List-3, all other posts, out of 200). Pattern is from the SSC CGL 2025 cycle; dates are for the SSC CGL 2026 cycle (Tier 1 from 30 September 2026). Merit-to-post mappings and salary bands are indicative and depend on vacancies, category and preferences each year. Verify current-year specifics on ssc.gov.in.

Top posts you can get through SSC CGL

SSC CGL fills dozens of central government posts across pay levels 4 to 8. The table below lists popular posts with their department and pay level — final allocation depends on your merit rank, category and post preferences.

PostDepartment / MinistryPay levelTier-1 cut-off '24 (List-3)
Assistant Audit / Accounts OfficerCAG / CGA (Group B Gazetted)Pay Level 8≈ ₹88k–1.07L
Inspector of Income TaxCBDTPay Level 7≈ ₹68k–86k
Inspector (CGST & Central Excise)CBICPay Level 7≈ ₹68k–86k
Assistant Section OfficerCSS / MEA / AFHQPay Level 7≈ ₹66k–85k
Assistant Enforcement OfficerDirectorate of EnforcementPay Level 7≈ ₹66k–85k
Sub-InspectorCBIPay Level 7≈ ₹66k–85k
Inspector of PostsDepartment of PostsPay Level 6≈ ₹56k–72k
Auditor / AccountantCAG / CGDA / CGAPay Level 5≈ ₹48k–62k
Tax AssistantCBDT / CBICPay Level 4≈ ₹44k–58k
Upper Division ClerkVarious ministriesPay Level 4≈ ₹44k–58k

A representative view of posts and selection routes linked to SSC CGL. Confirm vacancies, stages and final appointments in the current official notice.

SSC CGL important dates

The typical SSC CGL recruitment timeline, from notification to result and document verification. Dates are tentative until the official notice is released.

  1. SSC CGL 2026 notification (10,731 tentative vacancies)

    21 May 2026

  2. Online application

    21 May – 22 June 2026

  3. Tier 1 admit card

    From 27 September 2026

  4. Tier 1 exam

    30 September – 30 October 2026

  5. Tier 1 result

    Expected December 2026

  6. Tier 2 exam & final result

    2027 (as per SSC notice)

SSC CGL news & guides

The latest dates, notices and preparation guides for SSC CGL, checked against official sources.

SSC CGL — frequently asked questions

Quick, reliable answers to the questions SSC CGL aspirants ask most.

What is the SSC CGL exam pattern and marking scheme?

SSC CGL Tier 1 is a 60-minute computer-based test with 100 questions worth 200 marks — 25 questions each from General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. Each correct answer earns +2 and each wrong answer loses 0.5. Tier 1 is qualifying, while Tier 2 (Paper 1 at +3/−1) is the evaluative stage that decides the final merit.

What is the eligibility for SSC CGL?

You need a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, and to be within the age band for the post (broadly 18–32 years, varying by post) with the usual category relaxations. A few posts such as Junior Statistical Officer require specific subjects. There is no limit on the number of attempts until you cross the upper age limit.

Which posts are offered through SSC CGL?

SSC CGL recruits for posts across pay levels 4 to 8 — from Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer (the highest, Level 8) and Inspector of Income Tax, CGST Inspector and Assistant Section Officer, down to Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant and Upper Division Clerk. The post you receive depends on your merit rank, category and stated preferences.

Which is the most sought-after SSC CGL post?

The Assistant Audit Officer / Assistant Accounts Officer post under the CAG and CGA is the highest, carrying Pay Level 8 and Group B gazetted status. Inspector of Income Tax and Assistant Section Officer in the central secretariat are also highly preferred for their pay, profile and career growth. Note that AAO is offered only in cycles where vacancies are announced.

How much can a fresher earn through SSC CGL?

In-hand salaries range from roughly ₹44,000 for Level-4 posts such as Tax Assistant and UDC to about ₹88,000–1,07,000 for the Level-8 Assistant Audit Officer, depending on the post, city and allowances. Government perks, job security and defined career progression add substantially to the package.

How do mock tests help with SSC CGL preparation?

Because SSC CGL is a speed-and-accuracy exam under negative marking, mock tests are essential. Start with topic tests to build accuracy in one area at a time, then take full-length Tier-1 mocks in the real interface to practise attempting 100 questions in 60 minutes, manage section balance, and learn when to skip — then review the analysis and re-drill your weak topics.

Official sources & references

Use Staff Selection Commission (SSC)'s official sources below to verify the latest SSC CGL pattern, marking, eligibility, dates and notices. Exam details can change each cycle, so confirm current specifics before relying on them.

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Devaseelan

Devaseelan

Cleared NEET