How to Crack SSC CGL Tier 1 in 60 Days: Study Plan & Tricks

Cracking the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam in just 60 days might seem tough, but with the right strategy and smart study techniques, you can definitely achieve it. Instead of wasting time on random topics, a structured approach with proven tricks will help you maximize efficiency and score higher.

This blog outlines a realistic, tried-and-tested study plan, along with unique tips and shortcut techniques that will help you manage time, improve accuracy, and reduce negative marking.

Understanding the SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam

Before jumping into preparation, let’s get a clear idea of the exam structure:

• Total Questions: 100
• Total Marks: 200
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Negative Marking: 0.5 marks per wrong answer
• Sections:
  • General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 Questions)
  • General Awareness (25 Questions)
  • Quantitative Aptitude (25 Questions)
  • English Comprehension (25 Questions)

Since the time per question is less than a minute, speed and accuracy are crucial. Let’s see how you can master this in just 60 days.

60-Day Study Plan (With Practical Tricks)

Instead of blindly following a timetable, here’s a more effective and proven strategy to cover the syllabus efficiently.

Weeks 1-2: Strengthen Your Core Concepts

• General Intelligence & Reasoning:
  • Learn to visualize patterns instead of solving them on paper. This saves 10-15 seconds per question.
  • Focus on series, syllogisms, direction sense, and blood relations, as they are scoring topics.
  • Trick: Use the “2-second elimination rule” – If you can’t figure out a logic within 2 seconds, eliminate wrong options and move on.
• General Awareness:
  • Prioritize static GK (History, Geography, Polity, Science) and last 6 months of current affairs.
  • Trick: Use mnemonics for remembering historical dates and events (e.g., “Bapu Got Salt in 1930” for the Dandi March).
• Quantitative Aptitude:
  • Memorize tables up to 30, squares up to 50, and cubes up to 20.
  • Trick: Use the “Digit-Sum Method” to verify answers in percentage-based and simplification questions.
  • Solve at least 20 questions daily from core topics like simplification, ratio, percentage, and number system.
• English Comprehension:
  • Focus on error spotting, active-passive voice, and direct-indirect speech.
  • Trick: In cloze tests, eliminate wrong choices first instead of reading all options.
  • Read The Hindu editorial daily for vocabulary and grammar improvement.

Weeks 3-4: Speed and Accuracy Boosting

• Reasoning:
  • Solve 50-60 puzzles weekly to enhance speed.
  • Trick: For seating arrangement questions, draw diagrams instead of reading repeatedly.
• General Awareness:
  • Revise important government schemes, economic terms, and sports events.
  • Take daily quizzes to test retention.
• Quantitative Aptitude:
  • Start solving Data Interpretation questions using approximation techniques.
  • Trick: In percentage and profit-loss problems, use fraction equivalents (e.g., 25% = 1/4) instead of formulas.
• English Comprehension:
  • Practice RCs and Para Jumbles daily.
  • Trick: Look at first and last sentences in Para Jumbles to eliminate wrong sequences quickly.

Weeks 5-6: Exam Simulation

• Full-Length Mock Tests (Every Alternate Day)
  • Attempt 3 full-length tests per week, increasing to 1 test daily in the last 15 days.
  • Analyze mistakes and create a revision notebook for repeated errors.
• Final Revision Strategy
  • Revise all formulas, tricks, and shortcuts.
  • Trick: Instead of rereading notes, teach someone else—this improves recall power.
  • Focus on strengthening weak areas rather than attempting new topics.

Proven Tricks to Solve More Questions in Less Time

Here are some battle-tested techniques to maximize accuracy while saving time:

1. The “Elimination First” Rule – Instead of solving complex questions, eliminate wrong options first. Works well in reasoning and English.
2. Digit-Sum Trick for Multiplication & Division – In aptitude questions, adding digits of each option and matching with the sum of digits in the question helps find correct answers faster.
3. “Read Questions Before Passages” in Comprehension – Always glance through questions first before reading an RC passage. This helps in identifying key points quickly.
4. “Skip & Return” Strategy – If you can’t solve a question in 15 seconds, skip it and return later. Don’t get stuck.
5. Smart Calculation Techniques:
   • Memorize fraction to percentage conversion for quick problem-solving.
   • Use unit digit method in number system questions.

Final Thoughts!

Cracking SSC CGL Tier 1 in 60 days is possible if you follow smart strategies rather than just studying blindly. Focus on shortcuts, elimination techniques, time management, and continuous mock practice.

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Also Read –

How to Reduce Negative Marking in SSC CGL