Get set for SSC

For the first time, the on-going SSC CGl Tier I examination has gone online with some major changes in the exam pattern. Shobhit Bhatnagar gives our some last minute preparation tips

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is one of the most popular and prestigious Government body that conducts various exams at different levels for Government job seeker. Amongst the most important exams conducted by the organisation is the SSC CGl (Common Graduate level) exam which is conducted by SSC every year and over 17 lakh candidates appeared for it in 2015. While the number of candidates may increase this year, but there are fewer seats in comparison to 2014 and 2015, so the competition will be higher.

New pattern

This is the first time that the SSC CGl exam debuted online. Besides that, there is also a change in the exam pattern. Earlier, students had to attempt 200 questions in 120 minutes. This year, it has been reduced to 100 questions to be attempted in 75 minutes. Overall, those who attempted the exam were happy and have rated it as easy so far with the exception of General Studies, which was slightly difficult. 

Tips for preparation

While your preparation is a long term process, with some of you spending over a year into preparing for the exam, it is equally important to get into the right mindset just before the exam. The last few days is very critical towards building the right mindset along with right preparation. Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you get into the right mindset and qualify CGl Tier I exam.

Speed & Accuracy

To increase your speed, take at-least three mock tests in last few days and try to solve them in 65 or 55 minutes. Note that the topics which are taking more time, attempt them towards the end of the exam. Focus on improving your accuracy as you practice more.

Revision

• Revision is necessary, so revise important chapters and topics before the exam
• Revise the important Maths formulas, especially the key topics in advanced Maths
• Revise the short tricks for time and distance, profit and loss, percentage, mixture and alligation and ratio and proportion. These will help you save crucial time during the exam.
• Revise the important one word and idioms and phrases in English section
• Don’t try to learn new words/vocabulary in last few days
• In General Studies, revise your strong sections. Don’t read any new topics as you will lose your confidence level.

Maintain Confidence

• If you are confident about your success then you will surely achieve it
• ou will get confidence from your strong portions, so revise and practice your strong portions
• nTo maintain your confidence level, do some light exercises and play any games that you like. Games or any physical exercise is necessary to balance your physical and mental energy.
• If the energy level is balanced then you feel highly confident, and it will help you handle exam pressure better.
• Have faith in yourself and you will be through. Have a positive attitude and keep yourself motivated.

Time Management

• Time management is the key to success so you must have proper plan
• Don’t spend too much time on a single question; mark it for review and come back to it only in the end
• Your main aim is to utilise every second of exam time, for this you need to have a proper strategy of attempting the question paper.
• First of all, attempt reasoning section in first 15 minutes then attempt Maths in next 30 minutes followed by English section in next 15 minutes. In last 10 minutes, solve the GS portion. In the last 5 minutes, don’t attempt Maths or reasoning in the end. Solve either GS or English as you can utilise every second of exam
• leave the last five minutes to act as a buffer for the questions which you have marked for attempting in the end

Relax your mind

• Don’t take too much stress on the difficulty level of the exam
• Make sure you get ample sleep in the last week as it will help you in reducing your stress levels
• Do some yoga or meditation in last one week to keep your mind calm.
• At last always remember that success is the result of your attitude and your hard work. So choose your path and work towards your destination with full determination.

(The writer is CEO and co-founder, Gradeup).