There’s something they don’t tell you when you start preparing for SSC CGL: knowing the answer isn’t always the fastest way to solve a question. In reality, a lot of toppers aren’t solving everything. They’re spotting what doesn’t need to be solved. That’s where option elimination comes in. Quiet, subtle, but insanely effective—this is one of those rare tricks that works across Math, Reasoning, even English. You don’t need shortcuts. You need filters. And this is exactly what this SSC CGL Exam Hack is about.
Forget the motivational pep talk. Let’s get straight into the kind of elimination strategies that can actually get you 10+ marks extra, without spending 10 extra hours a week.
First, Why Does Option Elimination Work So Well in SSC CGL?
Because most SSC CGL questions are objective, numerical, and built with one thing in mind: testing your speed and decision-making.
It’s not a test of deep math. It’s a test of pattern recognition.
And when questions are MCQ-based, there’s always a logic hiding in the options—sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle, but nearly always exploitable.
The best part? You don’t need to know the concept 100%. Sometimes, partial understanding + elimination logic = full marks. Hence this SSC CGL Exam Hack.
Real Option Elimination Tricks You Should Actually Use
Let’s break this down. No theoretical nonsense. Just tricks that have worked in Tier I and II for hundreds of smart (but not necessarily genius) candidates.
1. Check Unit Digits — Don’t Calculate, Just Observe
If a question is asking for a square, cube, or any calculation-heavy result, your first move should be this:
Look at the unit digit.
Example:
What’s the square of a number that ends in 3?
3² = 9. So the square of any number ending in 3 will also end in 9.
Now go check the options. Eliminate anything that doesn’t end in 9. You just cut your options by 50–75% without writing a single line.
This works beautifully in:
- Squares/Cubes
- Simplification
- Number system
- Even some algebra questions
2. Reverse-Testing: Plug the Options Back In
Probably the most underused but overpowered trick out there.
Instead of solving, treat the options as suspects. Plug them into the equation or condition and see which one fits.
This is gold in:
- Time-Speed-Distance
- Algebra
- Time & Work
- Pipes & Cistern
Let’s say the question gives you an equation like:
“A alone can do a job in x days. B is twice as fast. Together, they do it in 12 days. Find x.”
Try each option. See which one makes the combined rate come out to 1/12. Done.
No LCM. Not algebra. No equation juggling.
3. Estimate Instead of Calculating Full Values
Estimation isn’t guessing. It’s controlled approximation.
Let’s say a question asks:
“Find 18.5% of 685.”
First thought: Don’t calculate it.
Instead:
- 10% of 685 = 68.5
- So 20% would be ~137
- Hence, 18.5% will be slightly under 137
Now scan options. Anything below 120 or above 140? Out.
That alone narrows you down to one or two probable answers. You now know where to focus your exact calculation, if needed at all.
4. Look for Impossible Values or Misfit Units
This is a sneaky one.
In Geometry or Mensuration questions, check what the unit should be.
If it’s asking for an area, the answer must be in square units. Volume? Cubic units.
If you see options like:
- 12 cm
- 36 cm²
- 48 cm³
- 4.5 cm²
You already know half of them are irrelevant. Eliminate fast. No need to even understand the question fully sometimes.
5. Reasoning? Eliminate on Pattern Break
Odd-one-out, series, coding-decoding—these aren’t always about solving. They’re about spotting what doesn’t fit.
Let’s say a number series goes like:
3, 6, 12, 24, ?, 96
Looks like x2, right? But if the fifth number doesn’t fit that pattern, toss it out.
Scan the options. Which one breaks that rhythm?
This kind of elimination works especially well if you’ve seen similar patterns before—which is why practicing 100+ questions per topic is still non-negotiable.
6. Option Pairs and Symmetry — When SSC Gets Lazy
Sometimes, the options themselves give away clues.
Ever see choices like:
- A) 2
- B) 4
- C) 1/2
- D) 1/4
It screams “reciprocal trap.” If you don’t know the answer, try multiplying or squaring each with another option.
This trick works often in Algebra, especially where the question involves rational expressions or functions.
Even without solving, you can get a pretty good sense of what can’t be the answer.
How This Translates to +10 Marks, Realistically
Let’s say:
- Use elimination to crack 4 math questions that you’d usually skip
- Eliminate to narrow options on 3 reasoning questions, and get them right
- You shave off 10–15 seconds on 5 more questions by shortcutting
That adds up.
You either attempt more or avoid getting stuck—both ways, you gain marks.
And in SSC, where cut-offs hover in tight ranges, these marks matter a lot more than you think.
The Real Hack Isn’t Just Knowing These — It’s Using Them on Time
Most people read about tricks. Some even practice them once or twice.
But the only ones who benefit are those who apply these hacks repeatedly in mocks—so that in the exam, they’re second nature.
What you can do:
- After every mock test, go back and ask:
Could I have solved this faster with elimination? - Create a tiny notebook: “Questions cracked by elimination”
- Revisit it before every major mock or actual exam
It becomes your personal exam hack library—shaped by your own test experience.
Final Thoughts!
This isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about using what the system allows.
Option elimination is the quiet skill that top-rankers use, but rarely talk about. It’s subtle, reliable, and repeatable.
It doesn’t replace knowledge. But it enhances decision-making under pressure—and that’s where most people crumble.
If you’re serious about boosting your SSC CGL score, this one SSC CGL Exam Hack could be the smartest 10-mark investment you make.
Train your brain to spot answers, not just solve questions.
Practice these SSC CGL Exam Hacks daily on the NetPractice app with real SSC-level questions, instant feedback, and mock drills that sharpen your instincts.
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