SSC CGL 2017: Notification expected soon, here’s the study plan for Tier 1 exam
You need to study 7-8 hours daily in order to cover all the topics and revise thoroughly at least 3 times till your CGL tier-1 exam.
The Staff Selection Commission that conducts Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination every year for recruitment to non-technical Group ‘B’ and Group ‘C’ non-gazetted posts in various ministries, departments and organisations of the government will issue the notice about the test on May 16.
It is important to start preparing for the exam if you are a serious aspirant as approximately only 75 days are left. You need to utilise these 75 days in the best possible way.
You need to study 7-8 hours daily in order to cover all the topics and revise thoroughly at least 3 times till your CGL tier-1 exam. The competition is getting tougher and tougher day by day and the cut-off was surprisingly very high last year. In 2017 CGL Tier-1 exam, you can expect the same more or less.
All candidates are trying their level best to get a government job but to qualify such a difficult exam you need to do something extra from ordinary to be extraordinary.
So, divide these 75 days in a three stage preparation plan.
The first 30 days should be dedicated to basics and fundamental concept building for all four subjects. Quantitative aptitude and English need special attention as there is a lot to be learned primarily. Formulas and trick in quant, grammar rules and idioms/one-word substitution in English Section. In this primary stage of your preparation, make notes of all the important topics. These notes will help you in your last days of revision and that would be stage 3 of the smart plan.
The next 30 days should be focused and dedicated to online mock tests. Every day, attempt 2 online mock tests and assess your preparation. Track your improvement and if you are not improving then go back to Stage 1 and clear your concepts and get back to mock test practice. Compare your score to last year’s cut off. You need to score 150+ marks consistently in mock tests. At this stage, your concept building and practice should be done without fail. Do not leave anything for the last moment.
In the last 15 days, your focus should be on practice only, no new concept should be studied or learned because it will make you nervous and confused. Just keep calm and keep revising all the hand-written notes. In this whole process, you need to stay motivated and optimistic through this period of time. Your positive attitude is equally as important as your studies and practice.
Understand exam pattern and syllabus
The first and foremost thing you need to do is to understand the syllabus and the pattern of the exam including all the 3 tiers. Take a print out of the syllabus and have good look at it and plan your studies accordingly.
Select standard study material
There are so many books for the exam and most of them are just a waste of money and your precious time. So, make a wise selection of books and don’t read multiple books on a single topic. Instead of reading 3 different books, read a single book thrice. It would be more effective. Make optimum use of online preparation channels and technology. Adda247 YouTube channel provides to the point and good study material for all SSC CGL aspirants. On the Adda247 app, you can find a plethora of study material for all subjects that are updated daily.
Know your weak and strong areas
We all have our strengths and weaknesses. So, after a thorough analysis of the syllabus find out the topics you know well and topics that are alien to you and you really need to put an effort into them. Note down your weak and strong areas and start working on it. Keep increasing your strong areas list.
Make an effective, practical study plan
It is not just the hard work but an effective study plan makes all the difference. Your schedule should be such that you make the best out of it. It should not be exhaustive there should be a break after an hour. This way you will have greater outcomes. We know that our mind can’t concentrate on a particular thing for a long time and needs some diversions at regular intervals.
Study important topics
Give more preference to English and quant section as these are the most important sections of the exam. But don’t ignore the GS portion completely. Divide your time in such a way that you should be able to score at least 25 marks in GS otherwise it might create problems for you.
Revision: The most important factor
Revision is the only way out if you have any difficulty in a particular topic. Keep revising your strong topics as these will fetch you maximum marks with the greatest accuracy. And your weak areas need more attention, frequent revision must be done in order to master them. Revision is the key for all competitive exams and the single most factor in your success and failure.
Stay focused no matter what
In this digital era, there are so many distractions so try to avoid them. Devote most of the time to self-study only. Visit the internet only when you need some guidance. Try to avoid Facebook and WhatsApp as much as possible. Keep your mobile phone in the do-not-disturb mode most of the time. Give your maximum energy to the exam preparation only.
(Nagar is the founder and CEO of Adda247. Views expressed here are personal.)
