How to crack SSC CGL in 60 days?

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) exam is one of the toughest and most popular exams in India. It is often called a “mini UPSC” because it offers many good government job opportunities. With the SSC CGL 2025 Tier 1 exam scheduled between August 13 and August 30, 2025, only about 60 days are left for preparation. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who has prepared before, you now need a clear and smart plan to crack the exam. This Article will help you prepare step by step over the next 60 days. It includes important strategies, subject-wise tips, and details about free study resources to improve your chances of success.

Understanding SSC CGL and Why It Matters

The SSC CGL Tier 1 exam is of 200 marks with 100 questions (25 each from English, GK, Reasoning, and Maths). There is 0.5 negative marking for each wrong answer. Based on 2024 cut-offs, the competition is high:

Why Choose SSC CGL?

SSC CGL jobs offer good salary, job security, and respect in society. For example:

• MTS Salary: Around ₹32,000
• Inspector Salary: Around ₹90,000

With the 8th Pay Commission expected soon, salaries may rise further. It’s a great chance for those seeking a stable and rewarding government job.

Can You Crack SSC CGL in 60 Days?

Yes, cracking SSC CGL in 60 days is possible — but it depends on how strong your basics are.

• For Beginners: If your Maths, English, or Reasoning from school (10th/12th level) is good, you can prepare well in 60 days with the right strategy.
• Smart Study is Key: Focus only on important topics and practice daily.
• Take the Exam Anyway: Even if you’re not fully prepared, appearing in the exam gives you real experience of the pressure and exam pattern.
• For Experienced Aspirants: If you’ve already been preparing for 1–2 years, these 60 days are perfect for revision and mock test practice. You’ll still have 5.5 months after Tier 1 to prepare for Tier 2 in detail.

60-Day Plan to Crack SSC CGL

Step 1: Take the First Step

• Fill the Form Now: Only around 57 days are left. Even if you’re not fully ready, apply now. Taking the exam will help you understand how it works and what to expect.
• Understand the Exam: There’s no change in the SSC CGL 2025 pattern.

1. Tier 1: English, GK, Reasoning, and Maths.
2. Tier 2: Includes Computer and Typing.
3. Two new posts—OS and Selection Head—have been added (more details will be shared later).

Step 2: Set Clear Goals

• Tier 1 Target: Try to score 140–150 marks (around 70–75 correct answers). Attempt 85 questions to cover for negative marking.
• Tier 2 Target: Aim for 330+ out of 390 marks. Remember, Tier 1 marks won’t be counted in the final selection—but you must clear it to move to Tier 2.

Step 3: Subject-Wise Preparation

English (25 Questions, 50 Marks)

• Time to Spend in Exam: 7–8 minutes.
• What to Do: Don’t waste time on grammar rules. Focus on solving actual questions.

Important Topics:

• Vocabulary: (Synonyms, Antonyms, One-Word Substitution) – Solve previous-year questions (PYQs).
• Comprehension, Active/Passive, Direct/Indirect: Practice by topics to increase speed.

Adda247 Resources:

• Use English PYQ PDFs (last 4–5 years) available on Adda247 app or website.
• Solve 50+ questions daily and review answers to understand the pattern.

General Knowledge (GK) (25 Questions, 50 Marks)

• Time to Spend in Exam: 5–6 minutes.

Important Topics Based on 2024 Data:

• History: 132 questions (Ancient, Medieval, Modern) – Study all parts.
• Polity: Around 100 questions – Constitution, governance.
• Biology: 61 questions – Focus more than Physics/Chemistry.
• Chemistry: 62 questions.
• Geography: 102 questions – Focus on 9 major topics (like rivers, climate).
• Economics: 96 questions – Focus on Five-Year Plans, GDP, Government schemes.
• Static GK: 270 questions – Festivals, Sports, Census, Temples, Kings, Instruments.
• Current Affairs: 53 questions – Study from Jan 2024 to May 2025.

Study Plan:

• Focus more on Static GK – this is very important for Tier 1.
• For Current Affairs, study only from Jan 2024 to May 2025 using Adda247’s free PDFs.
• Watch Adda247’s YouTube videos for fast learning.

Adda247 Resources:

• YouTube Playlists for Static GK, History, Polity, Science.
• Daily GK quizzes on the app (just 3–4 minutes).
• Free Current Affairs PDFs on Adda247’s website or Telegram.

Reasoning (25 Questions, 50 Marks)

• Time: Divide with Maths based on which section is more difficult.

Important Topics:

• Analogy, Coding-Decoding, Series (Numbers/Alphabets), Sign/Digit Interchange, Mirror Image, Paper Cutting.

Study Plan:

• Solve PYQs from 2020–2022 using Adda247 PDFs.
• Use the SSC CGL mock tests on Adda247 app to improve speed.
• Watch YouTube videos for quick tricks (especially for Coding-Decoding).
• Skip hard puzzles like Seating Arrangement in Tier 1 to save time.

Adda247 Resources:

• Reasoning PYQ PDFs (2020–2022).
• YouTube tutorials for reasoning tricks.
• Mock tests on Adda247 app.

Maths (25 Questions, 50 Marks)

• Time: Share time with Reasoning.

Important Topics:

• Percentage, Ratio, Profit & Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Probability, Permutation & Combination.

Study Plan:

• Beginners: Start with Adda247’s previous-year questions (CGL, CHSL, MTS, CPO). This covers 70–80% of expected questions.
• Advanced Learners: Revise using Adda247’s detailed Maths PDFs.
• Practice 100–150 important questions to improve speed.

Adda247 Resources:

• Maths PYQ PDFs from SSC exams.
• Free YouTube videos on important topics like Percentage, Ratio.
• Daily quizzes on the Adda247 app.

Step 4: Master Mock Tests and Time Management

Mock Test Plan:

• First 30 Days: Give 1 full mock test per week (total 4–5 mocks).
• Last 30 Days: Give 1 mock test daily (30–50 mocks in total). Try to attempt 85 questions, and target a score of 140–150.

How to Improve:

• After each mock test, check your mistakes and work on weak areas (like errors in Maths).

Time Management for Real Exam:

• English + GK: Finish in 12–14 minutes (half of your paper).
• Reasoning + Maths: Use remaining time smartly.
• Tip: Skip 4–5 very tough questions.
• Goal: Attempt 85 questions with smart guessing (5–10 guesses max), and aim for a raw score of 150–160.

Step 5: Use Adda247 Resources

Stick to One Source:

• Don’t use too many books or materials—it creates confusion. Trust Adda247 completely for Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Notes Tip:

• No need to make separate notes. Use Adda247’s ready-made PDFs.

Free Resources from Adda247:

• YouTube: Free videos for Static GK, History, Geography, Polity, Science, Maths.
• App/Website: Daily quizzes, previous-year question PDFs, and Current Affairs PDFs.
• Telegram: Free e-books and daily updates.

Step 6: Be Ready for Tier 2

Tier 2 Preparation (Exam in Dec 2025 – 5.5 months after Tier 1):

• Focus more on Science – it carries 30–35% weightage.
• Study Computer Knowledge and Typing – these are now added.
• Revise Static GK – though it’s less important in Tier 2, it’s still useful.

Mindset Tip:
Treat Tier 1 as the first step. Start preparing for Tier 2 from now to save time later.

Top Tips to Crack SSC CGL

• Apply Now: Fill the form and give the exam even if you’re not fully prepared—it will teach you a lot.
• Study Smart: Focus more on Static GK, History, Polity, Biology, and 9 important Geography topics.
• Practice Daily: Complete 30–50 mock tests on Adda247 app. Aim for 85 attempts.
• Believe in Yourself: SSC CGL can change your life. Even if you don’t crack it now, you’ll improve for next time.