5 Time Management Tips for SSC CGL Tier I

1. Be ready with the SSC CGL Tier I 2016 Exam Pattern

The SSC CGL Tier I 2016 Exam Pattern has been given below.

Subject	Questions	Marks	Time
General Intelligence & Reasoning	25	50	75 minutes (Total) For VH & Candidates suffering from Cerebral Palsy: 100 minutes
General Awareness	25	50
Quantitative Aptitude	25	50
English Language	25	50
Total	100	200

SSC CGL exam paper has 100 questions worth 200 marks. But you have only 75 minutes to solve it. This gives you 0.75 minutes per question i.e. 45 seconds. If you take away 10 of those 75 minutes in switching between questions, and another 15 minutes in reading questions, you are left with 50 minutes to handle 100 questions. This means you are effectively left with 0.5 minutes per question or 30 seconds to understand and solve the questions.

The good part is that there are no sectional time limits. This lets you allocate your time the way you may see fit. Trying out different time management strategies will help you figure out the best way for you to solve the paper. If you find out how to manage your time well, half the work is already done. Also remember that wrong answers carry a penalty of 0.5 marks. So let us look at the section-wise as well as overall time management tips for SSC CGL Tier I exam. Before we do that though, it is best to take a look at previous year’s cut offs.

Previous Years' SSC CGL Cut Offs

Now that you have a good idea about what scores are expected in the paper, let us take a look at Time Management Tips for SSC CGL Tier I exam to help you achieve them.

2. Time Management Tips for SSC CGL Tier I – General Intelligence & Reasoning

You have 25 questions from this section, each worth 2 marks. This section needs your attention as it is quite a tricky one to solve. However, it is advised that you allocate no more than 20 minutes to this section. You are required to work hard on the paper keeping the time factor in mind. You need to devise methods and tricks while solving the questions in your practice sessions. You need to derive quicker ways to solve questions other than the usual methods to save time. You should be able to comfortably attempt at least 15-20 questions in the 20 minutes with reasonable accuracy if you are well prepared. Do not spend over a minute on any question of this section. If you get stuck on a question, leave it and move on to the next one.

3. Time Management Tips for SSC CGL Tier I – General Awareness

This is the most scoring section of the SSC CGL Tier I paper. If you are well prepared in this section, it would take you no more than 10-15 minutes in attempting the entire section. The time saved in this section can be utilized in attempting the more difficult and lengthy Quantitative Aptitude and General Reasoning Section. But unless you are a genius, please don’t attempt all the questions. Only attempt those questions which you are sure about. You may also attempt those questions whose answers you can be reasonably certain of after eliminating one or two options. Don’t attempt questions based on complete guess work. This can bring down your overall performance as there is negative marking. Do not spend over half a minute on a single General Awareness question as these will be trivia based. 

4. Time Management Tips for SSC CGL Tier I – Quantitative Aptitude

The Quantitative Aptitude section may be the most difficult and time consuming section among all the sections of the Tier I paper. It also comprises of 25 questions worth 2 marks each. You should invest no more than 25 minutes in this section. As there are no sectional cut-offs in SSC CGL, you are advised to attempt this section at the very end. Start attempting the paper with the easier sections like General Awareness. Complete all the other sections before moving to the Quantitative Aptitude Section.

Questions related to Arithmetic, Simplification, Number System, Trigonometry, Geometry, Data Interpretation, Probability, Average, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Interest, Profit & Loss, Time Speed & Distance, Time & Work, Number Series etc. are asked in this section. You need to have a clear idea of concepts and formula before applying it for a question. Do not to use guess-work in the paper. On the contrary it is wise enough to move to other known questions rather than getting stuck to any specific question for long.

5. Time Management Tips for SSC CGL Tier I – English Language

English Language is one such section that can place you in a better position to further get selected in the recruitment process. This section demands your skills in Basic English Language Comprehension, Vocabulary and Grammar. If you could attain proficiency, over the two half the job is done for you. The questions are on a set pattern that gets repeated in this subject. With proper preparation you can finish the entire section in less than 15 minutes. Try to attempt the Reading Comprehension at the beginning and quickly.