SSC Exam Pattern 2026 – Tier 1 & Tier 2 Marking Scheme, Section-Wise Weightage
The SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026 has been officially released by the Staff Selection Commission along with the CGL 2026 Notification on 21 May 2026. The selection process consists of two tiers — Tier 1 (qualifying CBT) and Tier 2 (merit-determining CBT) — followed by document verification. There is no interview or personality test. Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for planning a section-wise strategy and managing time effectively during the exam.
SSC CGL 2026 Selection Process Overview
|
Stage |
Type |
Nature |
Basis of Selection |
|
Tier 1 |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Qualifying |
Used only to shortlist for Tier 2 |
|
Tier 2 Paper I |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Merit-determining |
Final merit based on Tier 2 marks |
|
Tier 2 Paper II |
CBT (Statistics) |
Merit (only JSO/SI) |
For JSO and Statistical Investigator posts |
|
Document Verification |
Offline |
Mandatory |
Post-selection verification |
Important: Tier 1 is qualifying in nature. Final selection and merit list are based entirely on Tier 2 marks. Tier 1 scores are not added to the final merit.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2026
|
Parameter |
Details |
|
Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
Total Questions |
100 |
|
Total Marks |
200 |
|
Duration |
60 minutes (80 minutes for PwBD candidates using scribe) |
|
Nature |
Qualifying |
|
Negative Marking |
0.50 marks per wrong answer |
|
Language |
English & Hindi (bilingual, except English section) |
|
Type of Questions |
Objective MCQs |
Tier 1 – Section-Wise Breakdown
|
Section |
Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
|
General Intelligence & Reasoning |
25 |
50 |
Integrated 60 minutes |
|
General Awareness |
25 |
50 |
(No sectional timing) |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
25 |
50 |
|
|
English Language & Comprehension |
25 |
50 |
|
|
Total |
100 |
200 |
60 Minutes |
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2026
Tier 2 is the merit-determining stage. It consists of two papers: Paper I is compulsory for all candidates; Paper II is only for candidates applying for JSO and Statistical Investigator Grade-II posts.
Tier 2 Paper I – Structure
Paper I is conducted in two sessions on the same day:
Session I:
|
Section |
Module |
Questions |
Marks |
Negative Marking |
|
Section I |
Mathematical Abilities |
30 |
90 |
1 mark |
|
Section I |
Reasoning & General Intelligence |
30 |
90 |
1 mark |
|
Section II |
English Language & Comprehension |
45 |
135 |
1 mark |
|
Section II |
General Awareness |
25 |
75 |
1 mark |
|
Section III |
Computer Knowledge Test (Module I) |
20 |
Qualifying |
No negative marking |
Session II:
|
Module |
Type |
Nature |
|
Section III – Module II |
Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) |
Qualifying (mandatory for most posts) |
Note: In Paper I, 1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer in Section I, Section II, and Module I of Section III. There is no negative marking in the Computer Knowledge and DEST modules.
Tier 2 Paper II – Statistics (Only for JSO / SI)
|
Parameter |
Details |
|
Total Questions |
100 |
|
Total Marks |
200 |
|
Duration |
2 hours |
|
Negative Marking |
0.50 marks per wrong answer |
|
Type |
Objective MCQs |
|
Medium |
English & Hindi |
Marking Scheme – SSC CGL 2026
|
Tier |
Correct Answer |
Wrong Answer |
Unattempted |
|
Tier 1 |
+2 marks |
−0.50 marks |
0 |
|
Tier 2 Paper I (Sections I, II, Module I) |
+3 marks |
−1 mark |
0 |
|
Tier 2 Paper I (CKT / DEST) |
Qualifying |
No penalty |
0 |
|
Tier 2 Paper II (Statistics) |
+2 marks |
−0.50 marks |
0 |
SSC CGL 2026 vs Other SSC Exams – Pattern Comparison
|
Exam |
Tiers |
Total Marks (Tier 1) |
Negative Marking |
Final Merit Based On |
|
SSC CGL 2026 |
2 Tiers |
200 |
0.50 (Tier 1), 1 mark (Tier 2) |
Tier 2 only |
|
SSC CHSL 2026 |
2 Tiers |
200 |
0.50 (Tier 1) |
Tier 2 |
|
SSC MTS 2026 |
1 Tier + Skill Test |
150 |
0.25 |
Tier 1 |
|
SSC CPO 2026 |
2 Tiers + Physical |
200 |
0.50 |
Tier 1 + Tier 2 |
|
SSC Stenographer 2026 |
1 Tier + Skill Test |
200 |
0.50 |
Tier 1 + Skill Test |
DEST (Data Entry Speed Test) – Details
The DEST is qualifying in nature and mandatory for most posts in SSC CGL:
|
Parameter |
Requirement |
|
Speed Required |
8,000 key depressions per hour |
|
Duration |
15 minutes |
|
Nature |
Qualifying (not counted in merit) |
|
Medium |
English |
|
Exemption |
Candidates applying only for Compiler posts are exempt |
Time Management Strategy for SSC CGL Tier 1
With 100 questions in 60 minutes (i.e., 36 seconds per question on average), effective time allocation is critical:
|
Section |
Suggested Time |
Target Attempts |
|
General Intelligence & Reasoning |
12–15 minutes |
22–25 questions |
|
General Awareness |
8–10 minutes |
22–25 questions |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
18–20 minutes |
18–22 questions |
|
English Language & Comprehension |
12–14 minutes |
22–25 questions |
|
Total |
60 minutes |
85–97 questions |
Key Tips:
-
Attempt GK and English first — these take the least time
-
Reasoning and Maths require more time per question — pace yourself
-
Never guess randomly — 0.50 mark penalty per wrong answer affects score significantly
-
A net score of 145–160 marks (out of 200) is generally considered competitive for Tier 2 shortlisting in the General category
The SSC CGL 2026 exam pattern rewards accuracy over speed. Practice at least 30–40 full-length mock tests aligned with the current pattern for optimal performance on exam day.
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