SSC CGL mock test
Government Exams · Exam Pattern
SSC CGL Exam Pattern 2026
The full SSC CGL exam pattern for 2026 — 3 stages, with the sections, question count, marks, duration and negative marking for each, as set by Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Then take a free SSC CGL mock in the real pattern below.
Tier 1 (Computer Based Test)
- Mode
- Online CBT, multiple shifts
- Sections
- General Intelligence & Reasoning · General Awareness · Quantitative Aptitude · English Comprehension
- Questions
- 100 (25 per section)
- Marks
- 200 (50 per section)
- Duration
- 60 minutes (80 min for PwD candidates)
- Negative marking
- -0.50 marks per wrong answer
Qualifying in nature — Tier 1 marks are NOT counted in final merit. Used only to shortlist candidates for Tier 2.
Tier 2 — Paper 1 (compulsory for all posts)
- Mode
- Online CBT
- Sections
- Section I: Maths Abilities + Reasoning & GI · Section II: English + General Awareness · Section III: Computer Knowledge (qualifying) + Data Entry Skill Test (DEST, qualifying)
- Questions
- Section I: 60 (30+30) · Section II: 70 (45+25) · Section III Mod 1: 20
- Marks
- Total Paper 1 = 450
- Duration
- Section I: 1 hour · Section II: 1 hour · Section III Mod 1 (Computer): 15 min · DEST: 15 min
- Negative marking
- -1 mark per wrong answer in Section I, II and Computer Knowledge module. No negative marking in DEST.
Section I and Section II have fixed time windows — you cannot carry leftover time from one to the other. Computer Knowledge module is qualifying only. Final merit is based on Section I + Section II scores.
Tier 2 — Paper 2 (only for JSO and Statistical Investigator)
- Mode
- Online CBT
- Sections
- Statistics
- Questions
- 100
- Marks
- 200
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Negative marking
- -0.50 marks per wrong answer
Only candidates applying for Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) and Statistical Investigator (Grade II) posts attempt this paper.
You know the pattern — now practise in it.
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