Cracking the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam is not just about what you know—it’s about how smartly you can apply it in a very short amount of time. You have exactly 60 minutes to solve 100 questions, spread across four sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. That leaves you just 36 seconds per question, which is where smart SSC CGL time management can make or break your score.
1. Know the Battlefield: Understand the Question Distribution
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: 25 questions
- General Awareness: 25 questions
- Quantitative Aptitude: 25 questions
- English Comprehension: 25 questions
Each section carries equal weightage, but not equal time demand. Quant and Reasoning are generally more time-consuming, while English and GK can be quicker if well-prepared.
2. Use the “60-30-10 Rule”
A unique way to break down the 60 minutes:
- 60% of time (36 minutes): For Reasoning and Quant (approx. 18 min each)
- 30% of time (18 minutes): For English and GK (approx. 9 min each)
- 10% of time (6 minutes): Reserved for revision or solving skipped questions
This breakdown helps you stay aware of where you’re spending your time and when to move on.
3. Attempt in Waves: The Layered Approach
Instead of solving questions linearly, solve in three waves:
- Wave 1 (First 25 mins): Attempt only the questions you are 100% sure of—your strong topics.
- Wave 2 (Next 20 mins): Attempt medium difficulty questions that need 10–30 seconds of thinking.
- Wave 3 (Last 15 mins): Tackle tougher questions if time allows. Prioritize sections where you still have time left.
This way, you secure the easy marks first and don’t lose time struggling.
4. Smart Elimination in GK and English
- In GK, if unsure, eliminate the obviously wrong options.
- In English, focus on keywords in passages or question stems.
These sections can be wrapped up fast if you stay sharp and don’t overthink.
5. Use Mental Marking
When doing the first pass (Wave 1), mentally mark questions you want to revisit later in Wave 2 or 3. Avoid re-reading all the questions. This trick saves at least 3–4 crucial minutes.
6. Train for Speed, Not Just Accuracy
- Take sectional mock tests with a stopwatch.
- Solve 25-question quizzes in 10–12 minutes.
- Focus on calculation tricks for Quant (e.g., Vedic Math methods).
The goal is to reduce hesitation time while maintaining 80–90% accuracy.
7. Avoid Time Sinkholes
- Don’t get emotionally attached to a tricky question.
- If you’ve spent more than 40 seconds on one, skip and revisit.
- Don’t try to solve puzzles or DI sets unless you’re confident about all questions in the set.
8. Always Leave Time for Revision
No matter what, keep the last 5–6 minutes free. Use it to:
- Recheck marked questions
- Correct silly errors
- Attempt educated guesses
Final Thoughts!
The SSC CGL Tier 1 is a test of your preparation, mindset, and time management skills. By strategically dividing your paper, using wave-based solving, and training with mock tests, you’ll significantly improve your chances of attempting all 100 questions with good accuracy.
Want to practice under real-time pressure? Download the NetPractice App and start attempting full-length timed mock tests built exactly like the SSC CGL pattern. Build your timing muscle before exam day!
Also Read –
SSC CGL Best Timetable for Working Professionals