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How to Score 40+ marks in the General Awareness Section in the SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the SSC CGL exam every year to fill various Group B and Group C posts in the Government of India. Many students find the General Awareness section tough because of its wide syllabus. This article solves the doubt on how to score 40+ marks in the General Awareness Section in the SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam. In Tier 1 of the SSC CGL exam, there are 25 questions each from General Awareness, Reasoning, Mathematics, and English, with 50 marks per subject. General Awareness often sees the most variation in scores, so doing well in it can give you a strong edge. Bookmark this article for effective preparation for the exam.

How to Score 40+ marks in the General Awareness Section in the SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam?

Completing the vast syllabus of General Awareness requires time, and consistent effort is necessary to score well in this section. Let’s have a look at the preparation strategy discussed in this article.

Know the Complete Syllabus of SSC CGL

Ensure a thorough understanding of the entire syllabus outlined by the commission. Print a copy of the syllabus and meticulously identify the areas where you need improvement. The following is a compilation of topics covered in the General Awareness section of the SSC CGL. Below is the list of topics asked in the General Awareness section of the SSC CGL examination.

  • Static General Knowledge that includes the History, Geography, Polity, and Economics of India and neighboring countries.
  • Science
  • Current Affairs
  • Sports
  • Books and Authors
  • Important Schemes
  • Portfolios
  • People in the News, etc

Click Here For SSC CGL Mock Test

Apart from knowing the detailed syllabus of SSC CGL, candidates should be aware of the distribution of questions in the recent installments of the exam. This will give them an idea regarding the weightage of the topics mentioned in the syllabus. The table below will provide the candidates with an idea of the recent trend in the exam.

Topic Number of Questions
History 3
Polity 3
Geography 3
Economics 2
Science 3
Current Affairs 5
Miscellaneous 6
Total 25

Prepare Study Notes and Revise Every Day

In the preparation for any competitive exam, it is necessary to prepare for each and every topic mentioned in the syllabus. Just follow the guidelines below for each subject.

Static GK (General Knowledge)

Static GK covers topics such as History, Geography, Polity, Economics, General Science, Art, Culture, and Environment. Art and Culture comprise various subtopics like Classical and Folk dances, musical gharanas, ancient temples, fairs and festivals of India, tribes of India, and others. Typically, 4 to 5 questions are asked on these topics.

Make separate notes for these topics and revise them regularly, 1-2 times a week. For other static topics, use standard books and focus on important subjects that you will identify after analyzing previous years’ questions. Prepare these topics from video lectures prepared by Adda247, as they aid in better understanding and retention.

Click Here to access SSC CGL Live Classes

Current Affairs

Create a daily journal to note down important events like Persons in News, Awards, Sports, Defense exercises, Science, Environment updates, National and State News, Government Schemes, International News, Banking, Reports, Books and Authors, Important Days, and other relevant topics. Review these notes the next day before writing new ones to improve memory. Handwritten notes are helpful for quick revision later. Stay updated using reliable newspapers and websites. For better understanding, go through monthly and yearly compilations, revise topic-wise, and regularly practice MCQs to strengthen your current affairs preparation.

Mock Tests

Taking weekly mock tests enhances your preparation, and these can be sectional as well as full-length. This is generally done after going through the learning and practice phase of the preparation. However, while learning the concepts, candidates can engage in daily quizzes or weekly mock tests to aid memory retention. SSC ADDA offers complimentary quizzes for the SSC CGL Tier I Exam. You can access and study them through the Adda247 app too.

Preparation Tips For Candidates

Follow the below preparation tips for smarter and effective exam preparation.

  • Time Management: Allocate time wisely for each section during practice sessions to enhance efficiency.
  • Stay Updated: Follow reputable sources for current affairs to stay informed about recent developments.
  • Consistency: Success in GA requires long-term effort and consistent study habits. Stay motivated throughout the preparation phase, knowing improvement comes with persistent effort.

Analyze the Previous Year Question Papers

  • It gives an idea of recurring themes

  • Helps in understanding the depth of questions

  • Saves time by avoiding less relevant topics
    Use PYQ books or apps like Adda247 to practice and analyze patterns.

Avoid These Common Mistakes in GA Preparation

  • Ignoring current affairs of the last 3–4 months

  • Not revising handwritten notes regularly

  • Relying only on MCQs without conceptual clarity

  • Studying from too many sources. Stick to one trusted source for each topic, revise regularly, and solve mixed-topic quizzes for practice.

By following this structured approach, you can improve your chances of scoring 40+ marks in the GA section of the SSC CGL exam. Stay focused, stay consistent, and success will follow.

How to Score 40+ marks in the General Awareness Section in the SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam_4.1

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How to Score 40+ marks in the General Awareness Section in the SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam_5.1

FAQs

How many questions are there from General Awareness in SSC CGL Tier-1?

There are 25 questions worth 50 marks in the General Awareness section.

What are the most important topics in General Awareness?

History, Polity, Geography, Science, Current Affairs, and Economics are key topics.

About the Author

I'm Shobha from Uttar Pradesh, particularly from Varanasi. I have 3 yrs. of experience in Content Writing and hands on experience in SEO. To know more about me, you can visit my LinkedIn profile here: www.linkedin.com/in/shobhak20