Analysis of SSC CGL tier-1, phase-1 and suggestions for second phase

Analysis of SSC CGL tier-1, phase-1 and suggestions for second phase: 

The Staff Selection Commission (Combined Graduate Level) Examination was held on Sunday, April 21, 2013. The paper was conducted in two slots. Though the pattern remained the same but the difficulty level was higher in the Slot 2.

There were four sections in the paper, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. There are 50 questions in each section which totals to 200 questions. Let us have a look at the section wise analysis:

General Intelligence and Reasoning
This section was of easy to moderate level. The topics of the questions were Analogy, Series, Odd Word Out, statement-Conclusion, Visual Reasoning, Maths based questions, Coding Decoding, Directions, Analytical Reasoning, Kangaroo Words and Venn Diagrams.

General Awareness
This section was quite tough and majority of the questions were on static GK. Though the difficulty level of the Slot 2 paper was easier but it remained the toughest section in the entire paper in both the slots. The questions were on History, Science, Geography, Polity, Economy, Current Affairs and Miscellaneous.

Quantitative Aptitude
The difficulty level of this section was easy. The areas covered in this section were Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Number System and Data Interpretation. Arithmetic area consisted the maximum number of questions. The topics are Ratio, Profit & Loss, Averages, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work and Percentages.

English Comprehension
This section is a mix of English Comprehension and English Usage. However, the section was dominated with grammar and vocabulary questions. The difficulty level was easy. The vocabulary questions were on Antonyms, Synonyms, One word for many, Idioms and Fill in the blanks. Grammar questions were on Sentence Correction, Spot the Error and Fill in the Blanks.

There were two Reading Comprehension passages with five questions in each. Two questions in one of the sets were created confusion as more than one option was correct. One question in one of the slot was incorrect. The slot one was tougher in terms of this section.

Questions and answers:

Q: What are the areas which are tested in the exam and what is the pattern of the SSC CGL exam?
A: There are four sections in the SSC CGL exam, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. The total number of questions is 200, 50 in each section. This is a multiple choice question patterned exam. There is negative marking of 0.25 marks and total marks is 400.

Q: What was the level of difficulty for SSC CGL 2013 exam?
A: The overall difficulty level can be said to be moderate to tough. While the Quantitative Ability and English Comprehension section were easy to moderate, the General Awareness and Reasoning section was the toughest of the lot. The level of questions was of very high standard.

Q: Were you expecting this high level of difficulty in the SSC CGL 2013 paper?
A: Well, since there is a well defined syllabus for the mathematics and English areas, it is somewhat easy to prepare. On the other hand, there cannot be a fixed syllabus for General Awareness. It is a vast field, hence the toughness. We were prepared for it.

Q: What is the cut off you are expecting for SSC CGL 2013 paper?
A: To my understanding, if a student attempts 85 to 90 questions with full accuracy, they can be assured of getting shortlisted for the Tier II exam of SSC CGL 2013.

Q: What is your advice to the students who have taken SSC CGL 2013 exam?
A: Firstly, tally your performance through the answer keys. If you are crossing the cut off of 85 to 90 correct answers, don’t waste any further time and prepare for the Tier 2 exam. The Tier 2 exam would be subjective in nature and of higher difficulty level.