This Is How I Scored 353 out Of 400 In SSC CGL Tier 2

This Is How I Scored 353 out Of 400 In SSC CGL Tier 2

Updated on Oct 05, 2022 08:56 AM IST | #SSC CGL
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SSC CGL  Application Date : 09 Jun' 2025 - 04 Jul' 2025

SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission. Through SSC recruitments of inspectors, auditors, Junior Accountants etc are done in various departments across India. The exam was conducted as tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 and tier 4 for some of the posts. But in 2022 the final selections are based on the SSC CGL tier 2 paper. Tier 3 and 4 are combined with tier 2 in 2022 SSC CGL. Here I share SSC CGL preparation tips for tier 2 and a brief about tier 3 which I had attempted in 2018. I achieved an AIR of 912 and today I am currently working as Inspector of Customs (Preventive Officer) at Custom House, Cochin.

This Is How I Scored 353 out Of 400 In SSC CGL Tier 2
This Is How I Scored 353 out Of 400 In SSC CGL Tier 2

Tips for SSC CGL Tier 2

1. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

As the SSC CGL syllabus for Tier 2 QA is the same as that of Tier 1 QA, I did not invest much time in learning new topics. I referred to the same books and materials that I used for Tier 1 QA, to prepare for Tier 2 QA. I was sure I had prepared all the topics of QA by the time I wrote Tier 1. I focused on writing mock tests (offline as well as online) to increase speed and accuracy. The first step I took in preparing for CGL 2018 Tier 2 QA was solving the 2017 SSC CGL Tier 2 question paper. SSC generally follows the pattern of previous year questions, I solved 2017 Tier 2 QA papers of all shifts conducted by SSC. As 2017 Tier 2 QA was one of the hardest QA exams conducted by SSC, I thought SSC would ask questions of the same difficulty in 2018 CGL also. So, I learned all concepts and theorems that were used to solve the QA of 2017 SSC CGL Tier 2 papers.

After solving the SSC CGL Tier 2 previous year paper, I gave an offline SSC CGL tier 2 mock test provided by the institute, which consisted of questions of various difficulties. I noted down the questions which I found difficult in a notebook, so that I can refer to them intermittently and grasp the concept and be well-versed in it. Then I started practising through online mock tests which I still believe is the key to scoring good marks. Like my peers, I too found the online mocks to be very difficult and it was not easy to sit through the examination for two hours in front of a screen. But through patience and persistence, I started writing online mocks provided by various online platforms like Testbook, Qmaths etc. To know where I stand on a national level, I started writing live weekly mocks. I used to write at least two live mocks every week to assess myself.

2. English Comprehension

Just like QA, the syllabus of Tier 1 English Comprehension and Tier 2 English Comprehension are the same. Therefore, I followed the same strategy for English Comprehension as I did for Tier 2 QA. Soon after Tier 1, I started revising the books again for my preparation for Tier 2. Also, the institute where I did my SSC CGL preparation gave us an umpteen number of offline mock tests for Tier 2 English. Just like QA, I then started solving 2017 Tier 2 English Comprehension with my peers.

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I also attempted online mocks provided by various online platforms and noted down the questions where I made mistakes or which were difficult. The directors of the institute were retired English professors, so they were a great help in understanding the grammatical rules and its exceptions, usage of phrasal verbs etc. Also, I made use of my peer group to revise the topics which seemed easily forgettable. To increase my reading skills, rather than reading The Hindu newspaper or its editorial, I practised previous year passage questions and Cloze tests, which further decreased my revision time. Also, like Tier 2 QA, I did weekly live SSC CGL mock tests for English Comprehension so as to know where I should improve and to know what my standing was on an All-India basis.

Note: Attempting mock tests plays a crucial role in your performance in the examination. So, if you are serious about your SSC CGL preparation, try to start doing mock tests once you have covered 50 - 60 per cent of your syllabus. Don’t wait for your syllabus to be finished to start writing mock tests. You may get very low marks in the beginning, but you will be able to learn new topics on the way and will definitely have an edge in the long run.

Tier 3: Descriptive Paper (100 marks)

The directors of the institute where I studied played a crucial role in my securing of 64/100 for Tier 3 (Descriptive Paper). My mentors used to give a random essay and letter topic each day and I would write them with the limited knowledge that I possessed. Then they corrected those essays and letters and instructed me on how to write, how to be neutral in my writing etc. I went through several online websites to learn basic facts about India, indices of India in various rankings, problems faced by our society and its solutions, various schemes by Government of India, current events etc. so as to substantiate the points that I write on the answer paper. I practised writing about 20-25 essays and letters before I attended my Tier 3.

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Questions related to SSC CGL

Have a question related to SSC CGL ?

Hello Aspirant,

Yes, B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering) is considered as a Graduation (Bachelor’s Degree) for SSC CGL and all other government exams.

In the SSC CGL application form, you should select the option “Graduation” (or Bachelor’s Degree if given).

All the best for your SSC CGL preparation.


Hello Aspirant,

No, there won’t be any problem during SSC CGL document verification if you have:

Consolidated Marksheet (showing all semester-wise subjects and marks)

Provisional Degree Certificate

These are accepted for verification, especially if your final degree certificate is yet to be issued by IGNOU. Many universities, including IGNOU, issue provisional certificates until the original degree is awarded at convocation.

All the best for your SSC CGL journey.

Hello Chandan,

Yes , a PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) graduate is eligible to write the SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) examination after completing their course. The SSC CGL examination is open to candidates from various educational backgrounds, including those with a PharmD degree. However, it is important to review the specific eligibility criteria and requirements for the SSC CGL examination to ensure compliance before applying.

Depending on their specific educational background and field of study, diploma holders may be able to do the following jobs:

  • Junior Engineer (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, etc.)
  • Statistical Investigator Grade-II
  • Assistant Section Officer (CSS)
  • Assistant Section Officer (MEA)
  • Assistant Audit Officer
  • Junior Statistical Officer
  • Tax Assistant (CBDT/CBEC)
  • Assistant (Central Vigilance Commission)
  • Sub-Inspector (National Investigation Agency)
  • Sub-Inspector (Central Bureau of Narcotics)
  • Divisional Accountant
  • Inspector (Central Excise)
  • Inspector (Preventive Officer)
  • Inspector (Examiner)
  • Assistant (Other Ministries/Departments/Organizations)

Well, this list needs to be more comprehensive, and more jobs may accept Diploma as an educational qualification. Please refer to the official notification regarding this.

I hope this helps.

Dear student,

Yes, as a Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy) graduate, you are eligible to apply for the SSC CGL exam, as long as you meet the other basic criteria like age and nationality.

The minimum educational qualification for most SSC CGL posts is a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Even though Pharm.D is a professional doctorate, it is treated as a graduate-level qualification for SSC CGL purposes. So, you qualify academically for almost all general posts under SSC CGL.

However, some specific posts like Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) or Statistical Investigator do require a background in Mathematics or Statistics , either in your 12th standard or as a core subject in your degree. If you don’t meet that, you’ll have to skip those specific posts.

The general age limit for SSC CGL is between 18 and 32 years , depending on the post, with relaxations for reserved categories. You should check the exact age criteria for the post you're targeting in the official notification.

Also, a few posts like Inspector or Sub-Inspector may require you to meet certain physical standards.

To sum up, with a Pharm.D degree, you're eligible for SSC CGL , especially for most of the administrative and officer-level roles. Just be sure to read the official notification for any post-specific requirements.

Hello Aspirant,

Yes, as a 33 years and 9 months old OBC candidate, you can apply for most of the posts in SSC CGL with the benefit of age relaxation by three years provided to OBC candidates. So, in an effective sense, your upper age limit would be 33 years for posts with upper age limit 30 years and 36 years for posts in which the upper limit is 33 years. You are eligible for Assistant Audit Officer and Inspector of Income Tax posts. Just make sure you meet the educational qualification for AAO, which may include a desirable qualification in CA/MBA/Cost Accounting, etc.

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