In our previous post, we have discussed everything you need to know about SSC CGL Tier 1 exam. After you clear Tier 1 exam, the next challenge in the selection procedure is to do well in Tier 2.
SSC CGL tier 2 comprises of three four different papers – Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 and Paper 4. You don’t have to appear for all of these! Your papers will depend upon the posts you are applying for. As in Tier 1, all the questions are of multiple choice type.
Which Papers Apply To You
- Paper-I & II – These are compulsory for all the categories of posts. The Paper I tests your Quantitative ability while Paper II judges your understanding over the English language.
- Paper-III – This paper is only for those who have applied for the post of Statistical Investigators Grade II and Compilers.
- Paper IV – This is only for those who have applied for the post of Assistant Audit Officer.
Check the table below for more details of each paper.
| Paper | Subject | Maximum Marks | Number of Questions | Exam Duration and Timings |
| 1 | Quantitative Abilities | 200 | 100 | 2 Hours,
10 AM to 12 Noon |
| 2 | English Language & Comprehension | 200 | 200 | 2 Hours,
2 PM to 4 PM |
| 3 | Statistics | 200 | 100 | 2 Hours,
2 PM to 4 PM |
| 4 | General Studies (Finance and Economics) | 200 | To be announced | 2 Hours,
10 AM to 12 Noon |
The Tier 2 papers will be conducted over two days. Paper 1 and Paper 2 on the first day. And Paper 3 and Paper 4 on the second day.
Level Of Questions In Tier 2 Vs Tier 1
The level of questions asked in this Tier 2 is different from that in Tier 1. The preparation level for Tier 2 is higher, as the level of difficulty and pattern is completely different.
So, if you are reading this post before the Tier 1 exam, then try to cover the topics which are common between Tier 1 and Tier 2 in detail. As this will save you some time later on. However, do keep in mind that your first aim is to clear SSC CGL Tier 1. So strike a balance.
For the preparation of Tier 2, candidates get a period of approximately three months. You should use this time judiciously as this exam needs better speed and understanding than your Tier 1.
Let’s now dive into each individual paper of SSC CGL Tier 2 exam.
Paper 1: Quantitative Ability
100 questions each of 2 marks will be asked in this paper. Time allotted for solving them would be two hours. Now you may be thinking that’s a lot of a time and it would be a cake walk.
But let me tell you one thing.
The level of these questions would be much more difficult (sorry that I’m repeating this point but it is important). And if you have not practised well, and are slow, your time will go through the window.
Also, there is a negative marking of 0.50 mark for each wrong answer.
Keeping the time and negative marking in mind, it is very important that you have a high accuracy.
Topics to focus for Paper 1
For this tier, the key topics would be Geometry, algebra, trigonometry, date interpretation and percentage. Around 60 to 70 %questions are asked from these topics.
Again, if you are reading this before Tier 1, prepare these topics well.
In any case, since you would have practised these topics for Tier 1 and your concepts are supposed to be crystal clear, you will not have to start afresh. Speed, command over the topic and accuracy are the three crucial elements to shine in this section.
And all three come from a single source – practice!
Spend a lot of your quality time to practice previous year’s solved papers. To strengthen your chances of clearing Tier 2, you should aim to get about 80 % of the questions with accuracy.
Paper 2: English Language & Comprehension
There will be 200 questions each carrying 1 mark.
There would be negative marking for every incorrect answer. 0.25 mark will be deducted from your total score for each wrong answer. So, if you are unsure about a particular question it is advisable not to attempt it.
The pattern of this section is very similar to tier 1 but the difficulty level is higher in this tier.
Topics To Focus For Paper 2
Around 40- 50 % of question are grammar based. So, if you are good with the language you won’t face too many hurdles in attempting this paper.
These days quality of most of the newspapers is just bad. I guess only the editorial section is checked properly – try reading those. Books on grammar and practicing exam pattern questions would surely help you to stand out from the crowd.
Paper 3: Statistics
You have to attempt 100 questions in two hours. Each correct answer will earn you 2 marks while 0.50 mark will be deducted from your score for every wrong answer.
Topics To Focus For Paper 3
Not enough study materials or books are available online for this paper. However, if you focus on areas like Skewness and Kurtosis, Correlation and Regression, Probability Theory, Time Series Analysis, Sampling Theory, Statistical Inference etc; you would be able to do fairly well in the examination.
Paper 4: General Studies (Finance and Economics)
With the addition of the new post of Assistant Audit Officer in SSC CGL exam, Paper 4 has been added to CGL Tier 2. As of now we don’t even know how many questions this paper will have!
I’ll update this post as and when I get to know something about this. Meanwhile, you can check the syllabus in the official notification to get some idea.
Books For SSC CGL Tier 2
Books for SSC CGL Tier 2 will be added in due course. Remember to bookmark this page for reference. Best of luck!
View Comments (70)
Hi. I have not applied for the post of statistical investigator as well as compiler neither am I eligible as per my qualification (B.Tech in Electronics and Communication) but still I have received the admit card for statistics. My doubt, is it ok if I don't appear for paper 3? Will I be eligible for the other 2 papers if I don't appear for Paper 3?
I have written to SSC asking these doubts but they haven't replied yet.
Sorry it took me a while to get back to you.
It seems you are in a difficult position! But don't worry, keep calm.
First of all, check your application form, had you (maybe by mistake) applied for the Statistical investigator or compiler positions? In any case I think it would be possible for you to appear only for Paper 1 and Paper 2, even if you don't appear for Paper 3, provided you have applied for positions which require only Paper 1 and Paper 2.
SSC people will never reply to your email, to be fair they would be receiving hundreds, if not thousands of email a day!
It would be a better idea to contact your respective centre over phone, in case the numbers given below don't work please look for contact information on the site of your regional centre. Remember these are office numbers, choose your calling time wisely.
Hope this helps
SSC(NR), New Delhi - 01164715222, 01165021888,01124363343,01124360840
SSC(CR), Allahabad - 05322460511, 05326541021
SSC(SR), Chennai - 09445195946, 04428251139
SSC(WR), Mumbai - 09869730700, 07738422705
SSC(ER), Kolkata - 09477461228, 09477461229
SSC(MPR) Raipur - 09407921504, 09407921505
Best of Luck
Dear sir ,
can u guide me about ssc and its various posts .
I'v completed MBA in HR ,,
Sorry it took me a while to get back to you.
It seems you are in a difficult position! But don't worry, keep calm.
First of all, check your application form, had you (maybe by mistake) applied for the Statistical investigator or compiler positions? In any case I think it would be possible for you to appear only for Paper 1 and Paper 2, even if you don't appear for Paper 3, provided you have applied for positions which require only Paper 1 and Paper 2.
SSC people will never reply to your email, to be fair they would be receiving hundreds, if not thousands of email a day!
It would be a better idea to contact your respective centre over phone, in case the numbers given below don't work please look for contact information on the site of your regional centre. Remember these are office numbers, choose your calling time wisely.
Hope this helps
SSC(NR), New Delhi - 01164715222, 01165021888,01124363343,01124360840
SSC(CR), Allahabad - 05322460511, 05326541021
SSC(SR), Chennai - 09445195946, 04428251139
SSC(WR), Mumbai - 09869730700, 07738422705
SSC(ER), Kolkata - 09477461228, 09477461229
SSC(MPR) Raipur - 09407921504, 09407921505
Best of Luck,
Competition Digest
Sir, I am B.TECH(electronics) student. In SSC (CGL) which type of post are required.
Hi Megha,
Please refer to the section "Educational Qualifications For SSC CGL 2015" above. As you can see, with a B.Tech you are eligible for all positions except - Compiler and Statistical Investigator Grade II. Does that help?
Sir, i had business statistics as a paper in graduation ...am i eligible for stat investigator post ?
Hi Dev,
If you look at the Educational Qualifications For SSC CGL 2015, particularly for Statistical Investigator Grade II it says you need - Bachelor’s Degree in any subject from a recognized University or Institute with at least 60% in Mathematics at 12th standard level: OR Bachelor’s Degree in any subject with Statistics as one of the subjects at degree level.
So the simpler question to ask is are you a graduate AND did you also get 60% in Mathematics at 12th standard? If yes then you qualify.
Otherwise, I am afraid you will have to call the SSC office. In fact I found a case where someone had gone to court against SSC due to reasons similar to you (read it here), but I couldn't find what came out of it.
Sir,
I have applied for SSC CGL 2015.. but i have noticed a mistake in application after submission.. In the preference list i have listed Statistical investigator and compiler but when they have asked have you applied for those two posts in other dialog box, I have answered it "NO".
will there be any problem regarding this.. i m engineering student, having no knowledge of statistics, will i need to take exam of tier 2 paper 3?
Thanks in this regard
Niha
Your case is really very complex. This may cause problems if you intend to appear for Statistical investigator and compiler posts, otherwise you should be Ok. A lot depends on SSC. I can only wish you luck!
Sir is there any minimum qualifying marks in case of statistics paper?
I have secured above 60% marks in maths in 12th and I intend to apply for statistical investigator post but if I apply for the post and then later I decide not to appear in paper III of statistics or I am not able to secure minimum marks to be allotted this post then whether this will have impact on my other interview-based preferred posts as I have given priority to assistants post in CSS, railway, AFHQ, CVC, IB and so on?
Hi Nivedita. SSC has not placed any qualification criteria for statistics paper.
I have given preference to statistical investigator post in my options.Later, I realised that I do not have knowledge of the subject required for this paper-3 of tier-2.Now, can I skip this paper-3.If I don't write this paper, will I have to face any problem if I qualify tier-2?
Ideally you should not. And I have heard people not face any problems. BUT please confirm by calling up your regional SSC centre. In case you are not able to confirm, there is no harm in appearing for the paper.
NOTE TO OTHERS: PLEASE be careful when you are filling up your application forms, don't get into tricky situations which can be avoided!
Sir, I wanted to know when the admit cards for tier II will be available. I tried searching but there is no download link available on the website.
Different regions start releasing admit cards on different dates. Please check your date on SSC website. Don't panic!
sir i am not graduate yet,,, i applied for statistical officer (i have 60% marks in 12th standard in math),,,,am i eligible?
No, you are not eligible because you have NOT FINISHED your graduation. Only if you have finished your graduation can you register for the exam.
Respected Sir,
I have cleared tire 1 of ssc cgl. I completed btech ece. I also opted for compiler post in cgl. so i got hall ticket with all three papers schedule. but i don't want to write paper 3 . am I eligible to get job other than compiler if I got sufficient marks in the exam.
Please help me as early as possible.
Thank you.
Hi Shamshuddien,
Your selection depends on both the marks you score and your post priority list. So skipping/not passing paper 3 should not be a problem. However, please call up your zonal SSC office to clarify this. In case of doubt, appear for the paper 3 - even if you don't clear it, you will be eligible for other posts. PROVIDED you have filled them as your choice in the application form.