Complete Guide to SSC CGL Subjects Tips & Preparation

Last Updated on December 13, 2025 by admin

The SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level) exam is one of the top-most competitive examinations in India. Given the large number of Aspirants (in lakhs) vs. the number of available government sector positions (in hundreds) across the states, adequate preparation in a multi-faceted, structured manner is of utmost importance for SSC CGL subjects. To a large extent, knowledge and understanding of the subjects CGL examiners consider for the examination are key to determining your success. In this guide, we help you understand the subjects in SSC CGL, the study approaches we recommend, and the most critical components for succeeding at Tier 1 and 2 of the exam. Whether you are a new Examinee or, to an extent, a mature one, this document intends to help you most decisively.

Understanding the SSC CGL Subjects

The subjects you are required to prepare for in CGL Tier One and Tier Two vary in difficulty. In Tier 1, the focus is on the basic knowledge and understanding needed for the focal subjects of CGL. In Tier 2, the subjects are related to the same CGL Tier 1 subjects but at a deeper level. From these two sessions, you will have accumulated knowledge on six subjects. Let’s break down the subjects you will encounter in both Tiers.

SSC CGL Tier 1 Subjects Overview

As one of the earliest stages in the personnel recruitment process for the administrative services of the Government of India, the Tier 1 examination aims to gauge a candidate’s general problem-solving skills and Awareness. This is evaluated across four fields of study:

• General Intelligence and Reasoning
• General Awareness
• Quantitative Aptitude
• English Comprehension

As with every examination, personnel recruiting will test a candidate’s logical and mathematical abilities, proficiency and comprehension in English, and Awareness of current issues.

Key Areas in SSC CGL Tier 1

1. General Intelligence and Reasoning: measures problem-solving skills and logical thinking.
2. General Awareness: General Awareness is made up of current affairs, as well as general knowledge in a variety of fields such as history, geography, science, and politics.
3. Quantitative Aptitude: Quantitative Aptitude is made up of questions in arithmetic, introductory algebra, elementary plane and solid geometry, and especially data analysis.
4. English Comprehension: English Comprehension is made up of questions where a candidate is expected to read and understand a passage, as well as involving questions of grammar and vocabulary.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Subjects Overview

In Tier 2, more advanced subjects are introduced, which require a higher degree of specialization and focused advanced study in these fields. They include the following:

1. Mathematics (Advanced)
2. English Language and Comprehension
3. General Studies (Finance and Economics)

Key Areas in SSC CGL Tier 2

1. Mathematics (Advanced): includes advanced units in algebra, coordinate geometry, as well as basic trigonometry, and some degree of statistics.
2. General Studies (Finance and Economics): comprises studies in basic principles of Economics, major and minor financial policies, and basic principles of accounting.

Complete SSC CGL Subject List

The SSC CGL subjects taught in Tier 1 and Tier 2 are presented below:  

• General Intelligence and Reasoning  
• General Awareness  
• Quantitative Aptitude  
• English Comprehension  
• Mathematics (Advanced)  
• General Studies (Finance and Economics)  

Every subject has its own difficulties and requires a different plan and customization in preparation.  

How to Prepare for Each SSC CGL Subject: Tips and Strategies

General Intelligence and Reasoning

This Tier 1 section tests one’s cognitive ability and logical reasoning. Therefore, the following points should be focused on:  

• Enhancing problem-solving speed to help solve puzzles and logical reasoning problem sets quickly.  
• Learning and understanding different patterns and sequences to quicken the solving of puzzles of a particular type.  

Tip to Prepare: To build one’s confidence, one should start with reasoning puzzles of lower difficulty and gradually increase the difficulty over time. To help with this, one should aim to solve different puzzles each day.  

General Awareness (Tier 1)

This section is designed to test one’s knowledge of current political affairs, as well as history, geography, and science worldwide. To do well in this section:  

• One should constantly be on the lookout for current political affairs and updates by reading newspapers, tracking government updates and news through apps.  
• One should prepare for static General Knowledge (GK) by memorising important historical, geographical, and political facts.  

Tip to Prepare: Use current affairs notes and review them weekly. Regularly recording quiz completion is a good practice for testing one’s knowledge of a given subject.

Quantitative Aptitude (Tier 1)

This section tests your comprehension of mathematics, particularly with respect to arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.

• The best way to prepare is to study core concepts such as percentages, profit and loss, and time and work.
• Data interpretation questions, which compose a significant portion of this section, should be practiced regularly.

Preparation Tip: Practice solving problems under time constraints to simulate exam conditions. Use online tools for timed mock tests.

English Comprehension Tier 1

The English Comprehension Tier 1 section assesses your ability to recognize English grammar, vocabulary, and make sentence corrections. You could consider:

• Reading: Always a great option to improve skills. Stick to reading newspapers, novels, and blogs frequently.
• Vocabulary: Aim to learn a few new words daily and practice using them in sentences.
• Advice: Do practice reading comprehension while looking for the central idea of the passage.

Mathematics Advanced Tier 2

Mathematics Advanced Tier 2 assesses your knowledge of complex mathematical concepts. Some of the main areas of focus are:

• Algebra: You should know your equations, inequalities, and polynomial functions.
• Coordinate Geometry: Understand the distance formula and slopes, along with graph plotting.
• Statistics and Probability: Know the mean, median, and mode along with the basic probability theory.
• Advice: Understand the formulae and concepts, and practice complex problems repeatedly.

General Studies (Finance and Economics) Tier 2

This section measures your knowledge of economic concepts, financial regulations, and business. You should know:

• Economic Principles: Understand the concepts of supply and demand, inflation, and fiscal policy.
• Finance and Accounting: Be familiar with the concepts of balance sheets, financial statements, and budgets.
• Advice: You should frequently read about basic economic policies and financial terminology. You should be aware of current financial news and government budget policies.

SSC CGL Subjects Weightage  

Knowing the weightage of each subject helps you set your preparation priorities. Below is the weightage of different subjects that you can expect to be a part of Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams: 

Tier 1:  

• General Intelligence and Reasoning – 25%  
• Quantitative Aptitude – 25%  
• General Awareness – 20%  
• English Comprehension – 30%  

Tier 2:  

• Mathematics (Advanced) – 50%  
• General Studies – 50%  

Concentrating on subjects with the highest weightage is a strategy that would definitely improve your chances of qualifying.  

Conclusion:

To reach your full potential for this competitive exam, you need to master the SSC CGL subjects to the best of your ability. Scoring highly is certainly attainable with a good strategy, consistent improvement of your weaknesses, and, most importantly, reading practice. Each subject needs a combination of commitment and strategy when taking either Tier 1 or Tier 2. Use this guide to optimize your preparation and position yourself ahead of the competition.

Your SSC CGL success comes from your own consistency, continued revision, and practice. So keep up the good work!

FAQs

1. What are the primary subjects in SSC CGL?  

The primary subjects in SSC CGL are General Intelligence and Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, English Comprehension, and then in Tier 2, Mathematics (Advanced) and General Studies (Finance and Economics).

2. How should I prepare for CGL Tier I SSC Subjects? 

Concentration towards logical reasoning, speed in maths, current affairs, english comprehension, and completing numerous mocks and past papers, is required for fine-tuning your efficiency.  

3. Which subject in Tier 2 of the SSC CGL is the hardest?  

If a Tier 2 candidate struggles most with the mathematics field, especially with advanced topics like algebra and statistics, it is one of the most common areas of nervousness.  

4. How can I do well in the General Awareness part?  

In the General Awareness section, do well by staying up to date on current events and focusing on key issues, and by periodically revising an effective outline of history, politics, and science. Knowledge should be subject to control with mocks.  

5. What is the most effective method to prepare for the topics in the SSC CGL?  

Knowing the outline and creating a timetable is the starting point. After that, practicing the subject extensively should be done. Time management becomes vital, and the most important subjects should be done first. Do the mocks.