ABOUT EXAM
As an aspirant, attempting the SSC CGL Exam Mock Test every week should be your goal. A good Mock Test SSC CGL mimics the actual exam pattern and simulates the exam day conditions, which prepares you for D-Day in the best possible way. It trains your mind so that you tackle the exam pressure without facing any problem and feel confident in your preparation.
Attempt SSC CGL Tier II mock tests
Key Features of the SSC CGL Mock Test Series
1. Dual Test Modes Available
Smartkeeda offers you two unique test modes, they are:
- Testzone Test Player (Normal Mode) – For the aspirants who are in their early stages of preparation
- New Pattern Test Player – Mirrors the SSC CGL exam’s new pattern with real-time simulation. It can be used by both beginners who want to understand the pattern and advanced aspirants who want to improve their time management.
2. 70+ Mock Tests Available
3. Varying Difficulty Levels And Test Modes
4. Available in both English and Hindi
5. Both Sectional Mocks and Full-Length Mock Tests Available
6. Exam-Like Interface with Timer
7.Smart Performance Analysis and Results
8. Detailed Solutions and Explanations with Doubt Support
9. Multiple Attempts Allowed
10. Free Mock Tests Available
Advantages of Regular Practice with SSC CGL Mock Tests
Focus on improving your accuracy
Smartkeeda’s SSC CGL Mock Test series boosts your accuracy by training your brain to spot the traps and avoid getting negative marking. The more you practice, the better you will get!
Smart Strategy to Improve Your Speed
Targets Your Weak Areas
Mirrors The Actual Exam Pressure
Monitor Your Progress Over Weeks
Builds Confidence and Exam Temperament
Higher Chances of Getting Selected
Important dates of the SSC CGL Exam
| Events | Dates |
| SSC CGL Notification Release Date | March 2026 |
| SSC CGL Apply Online Starts | March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | April 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay the Fee | April 2026 |
| SSC CGL Admit Card (Tier 1) | June 2026 |
| SSC CGL Exam Date (Tier 1) | May-June 2026 |
| Tier 1 Answer Key | October 2026 |
| CGL Tier 2 Exam Date 2026 | to be announce |
SSC CGL 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Let's see the in-depth eligibility criteria for the SSC CGL 2026 Examination as per the notification to further boost our understanding. And kindly make sure to read and understand these requirements carefully to ensure that you fit in all given conditions.
Nationality / Citizenship:
- A Citizen of India or
- A subject of Nepal or
- A subject of Bhutan or
- A Tibetan Refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India or
- The individual of Indian descent who has travelled to India with the intention of settling there permanently is originally from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (previously Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. As long as the candidate falls into one of the above mentioned categories (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v), and is holding an eligibility certificate from the Indian government
EXAM PATTERN
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern
SSC CGL Tier-1 exam is qualifying in nature, and the marks obtained will not be counted towards final selection. A total of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are asked in the SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam, with 4 sections which has to be completed in 60 minutes. The total marks are 200, and there is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer.
There are 4 sections in the SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam 2026, they are:
-
General Intelligence & Reasoning
-
General Awareness
-
Quantitative Aptitude
-
English Comprehension
| SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026 | ||||
| S.No. | Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Time Allotted |
| 1 | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 |
A cumulative time of 60 minutes |
| 2 | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| 4 | English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | ||
SSC CGL Tier II Examination Pattern
The SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam is conducted in 2 phases:
- Paper I: Compulsory for all posts
- Paper II: Only for candidates applying for JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade II
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026 | ||
| S.No. | Papers | Time Allotted |
| 1 | Paper I: (Compulsory for all posts) | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| 2 | Paper II: Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Gr. II | 2 hours |
The complete breakdown of the exam pattern of the SSC CGL Tier 2, Paper I is given below:
| Session | Section | Module | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Weightage | Duration |
| Session I | Section I | Module-I | Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 23% | 1 hour |
| Module-II | Reasoning & General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | 23% | |||
| Section II | Module-I | English Language & Comprehension | 45 | 135 | 35% | 1 hour | |
| Module-II | General Awareness | 25 | 75 | 19% | |||
| Section III | Module-I (Qualifying) | Computer Knowledge Test | 20 | 60 | — | 15 minutes | |
| Session II | Module-II (Qualifying) | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | One task | — | — | 15 minutes |
The complete breakdown of the exam pattern of the SSC CGL Tier 2, Paper II (only for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator Gr. II) is given below:
| SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026 [Paper 2] | ||||
| Papers | Sections | No. of question | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| Paper II | Statistics | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
Minimum Qualifying Marks
In Tier-I, Section I, Section II, and Module-I of Section III of Paper-I of Tier-II, as well as in Paper-II and Paper-III of the Tier-II Examination, the following minimal qualifying marks are needed:
OBC/ EWS: 25%
All other categories: 20%
UR: 20%
OBC/ EWS: 25%
All other categories: 30%
Resolution of Tie Cases
1. Total marks scored in Paper-II & Paper-III of the Tier-II Examination will be considered for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer respectively, if applicable.
2. Then, the marks scored by both candidates in Section-I of Paper-I of the Tier-II Examination will be evaluated and considered for solving the tie case.
3. If still the tie case is not resolved then, the date of birth of the candidates will be taken into consideration, and in this case, the older candidate being given preference.
4. Finally, if the tie case still remains unresolved, the alphabetical order in which the names of the candidates appear will be considered as final step.
SSC CGL Previous Year Cutoff
The deciding these cutoffs involves a comprehensive analysis, where the examining authorities considers all possible factors to establish fair benchmarks in terms of cutoffs. After completion of each stage of the examination, the commission releases post-wise and category-wise cutoffs along with the number of candidates available under each category and provids a comprehensive overview of the competitive landscape.
Such transparent disclosure of cutoff scores serves two main purposes: firstly, it offers candidates insight into their performance compare the established standards set by commission, enabling them to gauge their standing in the competition. Secondly, it improve transparency and accountability of examination process and instill confidence among candidates in the fairness of the selection process.
SSC CGL 2025 Cut Off
| Category | Cut-off Marks (FOR) | Candidates Available (FOR) | Actual Cut-off Marks (READ AS) | Actual Candidates Available (READ AS) |
| SC | 114.97063 | 25,338 | 115.02843 | 25,229 |
| ST | 106.36936 | 11,729 | 106.38576 | 11,722 |
| OBC | 130.36617 | 43,260 | 130.36617 | 43,260 |
| EWS | 127.4163 | 20,268 | 127.4163 | 20,268 |
| UR | 136.83159 | 20,035* | 136.40215 | 20,723* |
| ESM | 92.8046 | 3,511 | 92.8204 | 3,509 |
| OH | 100.87394 | 1,667 | 100.87394 | 1,667 |
| HH | 68.79973 | 1,550$ | 68.79973 | 1,550$ |
| VH | 72.00006 | 1,615# | 72.05369 | 1,612# |
| Other-PWD | 41.70541 | 1,445^ | 40.17527 | 1,487^ |
| Total | — | 1,30,418 | — | 1,31,027 |
SSC CGL 2024 Cut off
Here is the category-wise cutoff for different posts in SSC CGL 2024
| Category | Revised cut-off | Candidates Qualified | Additional Candidates Qualified |
| SC | 126.42 | 31131 | 49 |
| ST | 111.85 | 16019 | 25 |
| OBC | 146.23 | 50191 | 115 |
| EWS | 141.82 | 23746 | 275 |
| UR | 152.97 | 23746 | 145 |
| ESM | 69.92 | 11133 | -- |
| OH | 113.10 | 2093 | -- |
| HH | 64.79 | 2042 | -- |
| VH | 102.97 | 1694 | -- |
| Other-PwD | 45.74 | 1377 | -- |
| Total | 165240 | 609 | |
SSC CGL Cut Off for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) Post
| Category | SSC CGL JSO Cut-Off | Candidates Qualified |
| SC | 143.53 | 3640 |
| ST | 135.23 | 1935 |
| OBC | 160.65 | 6839 |
| EWS | 161.73 | 2504 |
| UR | 167.02 | 2844 |
| OH | 133.35 | 217 |
| HH | 95.45 | 210 |
| VH | 122.51 | 247 |
| Total Candidates | 18436 | |
SSC CGL Tier 1 Cut-Off for the post of Statistical Investigator Gr. II
| Category | SSC CGL Statistical Investigator Gr.II Cut-Off | Candidates Qualified |
| ST | 134.49 | 485 |
| OBC | 161.13 | 1106 |
| EWS | 163.50 | 352 |
| UR | 170.65 | 276 |
| HH | 60.66 | 213 |
| VH | 92.05 | 181 |
| Others PWD | 40.30 | 220 |
| Total | 2833 | |
SSC CGL 2026 - Points to Remember
The SSC CGL exam is renowned for its competitiveness and serve as a gateway for students aspiring to secure top positions across various departments and ministries within the Government of India. This national-level examination, conducted every year by the SSC. Exam witnesses a staggering influx of candidates with lakhs and lakhs of aspirants compete for securing a promising career within the central government and ministries.
To clinch success in this highly sought-after exam on your very first attempt and secure a desired seat in the ministries and departments, it's crucial to excel in the mains exam by dedicated preparation and a robust performance in SSC CGL exam. Your performance in the mains holds significant weightage as It's not just about passing; it's about achieving a competitive edge to stand out among the sea of candidates vying for similar opportunities. Also, your performance in mains exam will determines whether you will get your preferred department and location.
Here are some important points that should be kept in mind while preparing for SSC CGL Examination:
1. Understand the examination pattern: Since the commission has recently revised the examination pattern, you must have a comprehenssive understanding of the latest exam pattern and the changes introduced in it.
And to gain this understanding firstly Go through the revised exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly to develop a structured study plan, and look for a topics that carry higher weightage and create a personalize study plan according to that.
Additionally remember a fact that, sectional cutoff has also been introduced this year, therefore, you need to give an appropriate focus to all the sections asked in the second phase of the examination, so that you would be considered eligible for the further process.
2. Do not turn a blind eye to Tier-I score: It's essential to bear in mind that the Tier-I exam serves as a qualifying stage but sometimes, this realization leads to negligence towards Tier-I. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that despite being a qualifying round, clearing Tier-I isn't a cake walk. Many candidates face elimination at this stage only. Additionally, some posts within the SSC CGL entail higher cutoffs and for that achieving a score higher than the average cutoff is imperative to eligible for this posts. Hence, while Tier-I may seem less significant due to its qualifying nature, it demands thorough preparation and diligent effort to ensure qualifying for subsequent stages of the examination.
3. Attempt New Pattern Mock Tests: Mocks play an extremely important role in your preparation. New pattern mock tests will help you get familiarize yourself with the latest pattern of SSC CGL. SSC CGL mock tests at Smartkeeda are designed to replicate an exam-like environment.
4. Analyze your performance: Solving a mock test is only half of the equation; the most crucial aspect follows afterward, which is analyzing your performance in that mock. Analyzing your performance after each mock test is very crucial and it offers numerous benefits. It helps you in identifying your strengths and weaknesses, understanding the mistakes you made during mock solving, and recognizing areas which needs improvement. Furthermore, it enables you to review your progress and adjust your study plan accordingly. This ultimately enhances exam preparation and maximizes your of success in examination.
5. Avoid Guessing: There will be a penalty of 0.50 marks for each incorrect attempt in the SSC CGL 2026 examination, therefore it is better to go for accuracy rather than maximizing your attempt in this examination. But sometime taking calculated risks in sections like English section and General Knowledge can be helpful.
Thanks & Regards
(Team Smartkeeda)
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