In competitive exams, the number of people who fail is much higher than those who succeed. So apart from learning what the people who succeeded did differently, you can learn a lot more by analyzing why people fail. In this post, Simar shares his analysis of the most common SSC CGL strategy mistakes that ruin the career of potentially good aspirants.
The competition for SSC CGL exam is massive. A single mistake can end your chances of being selected in one of the many offices that fall under Staff Selection Commission’s reach. Most people fail various competitive exams in India due to simple avoidable mistakes.
But please note that ‘simple’ does not mean easy. In addition to intelligence, it is your SSC CGL Strategy that will help you to practice questions in a disciplined manner and develop fast and consistent problem-solving skills.
So here are the 8 most common mistakes that lead to failure among students while preparing SSC CGL. Make sure that you fine-tune your exam preparation strategy to avoid these
SSC CGL Strategy Mistake 1 — Misunderstanding the exam pattern
2017 saw a slight change in the pattern of SSC Combined Graduate Level examination.
- Tier 1 and Tier 2 will now be conducted online.
- The time limit of 75 minutes for Tier 1 exam has been reduced to 60 minutes. You need to attempt 100 questions in 60 minutes, all of being objective type and falling equally in four different subjects (25 each).
- Tier 2 exam is conducted on the same day. This has 100 and 200 questions that deal in Quantitative Aptitude and English respectively with 2 hours for each section.
- Tier 3 and 4 remains exactly the same as before.
Understanding the paper pattern is similar to knowing the rules of a game. How can you ever win a game if you don’t know the rules for the game you are playing?
For a complete analysis of previous papers pattern and comments on important topics – read my post on SSC CGL paper pattern and analysis.
SSC CGL Strategy Mistake 2 — Preparing only offline
It is good to start your initial preparation with pen and paper. This will help you to gain speed, accuracy and more importantly, confidence. However, during the second half of your preparation practicing questions and full-length mock papers through online demo mode is a must.
The reason for this is simple. You cannot win a cycling race if you practice running on foot! Practicing on a computer will give you an idea of the actual time that you will take to solve the paper in online mode. Doing this a number of times will also help you develop your own strategy for undertaking the actual exam, the sequence of questions you will solve, how you will cycle between questions/sections etc.
Doing this a number of times will also help you develop your own strategy for undertaking the actual exam, the sequence of questions you will solve, how you will cycle between questions/sections etc.
If you don’t do this you may panic knowing the actual length of un-attempted paper left after few minutes on the online mode.
SSC CGL Strategy Mistake 3 — Excessive study materials
Referring to reliable books for knowledge and practice is a very very important for your exam preparation. But going through multiple authors or collecting a lot of free SSC CGL study material will never help you succeed. During exam preparation, many students pick up a topic and then study and revise it again and gain from 3 or 4 books. This is nothing but wastage of time and in the end, leads to time shortage for other topics.
During exam preparation, many students pick up a topic and then study and revise it again and gain from 3 or 4 books. This is nothing but wastage of time and in the end, leads to time shortage for other topics.
Don’t forget to read our detailed post on the best books to prepare for SSC CGL exam. This would be especially useful if you are preparing on your own.
SSC CGL Strategy Mistake 4 — Underestimating General Awareness section
If you have read our post on how to prepare for SSC CGL GK section you will agree that General Awareness takes the least time to solve and can act as a bonus for other subjects. You don’t need pen and paper to attempt this section and thus, focusing on this could help you clear the exam with ease. While the other sections are definitely important, having a good strategy for the SSC CGL GK section can make a big difference to your score.
Plus, you don’t need pen and paper to attempt this section! So preparing for this section smartly will help you clear the exam with ease. While the other sections are definitely important, having a good strategy for the SSC CGL GK section can make a big difference to your score.
SSC CGL Strategy Mistake 5 — Preparing for multiple entrance exams at once
Every exam has a different pattern and preparing for multiple exams at once will make a mess of your priorities. Multi-tasking is a myth. In fact, you will spend a lot of time under stress and confusion. Some exams are time specific while others concentrate more on the quality of content. Most candidates try to act over smart and end up being disappointed.
Some exams are time specific while others concentrate more on the quality of content. Most candidates try to act over smart and end up being disappointed.
SSC CGL Strategy Mistake 6 — Not taking notes
Note making using pen and paper is a great way to study. It increases your concentration and keeps you focused. On top of this, it also helps to revise quickly as you will have all the important dates, formulas, information etc. on a single page for one last look before the exam. My only suggestion here would be to take notes smartly. If you are writing down the complete book by hand, you are not taking notes!
My only suggestion here would be to take notes smartly. If you are writing down the complete book by hand, you are not taking notes!
SSC CGL Strategy Mistake 7 — Getting stuck
Everyone has a personal preference for a subject and is normally good in it. But sometimes, especially during exams, this can become a problem. If you get a difficult question during exam from your favorite topic you will most probably waste time by getting stuck on that one question. Don’t do this. There is no need to let emotions and ego come in the way of your success. Take 30 seconds or less and try to solve the question. If you are not able to solve it then leave it and attempt the next one!
If you get a difficult question during exam from your favorite topic you will most probably waste time by getting stuck on that one question. Don’t do this. There is no need to let emotions and ego come in the way of your success. Take 30 seconds or less and try to solve the question. If you are not able to solve it then leave it and attempt the next one!
Don’t do this. There is no need to let emotions and ego come in the way of your success. Take 30 seconds or less and try to solve the question. If you are not able to solve it then leave it and attempt the next one!
There is no need to let emotions and ego come in the way of your success. Take 30 seconds or less and try to solve the question. If you are not able to solve it then leave it and attempt the next one!
SSC CGL Strategy Mistake 8 — Not planning any time for revision
Revision builds confidence and further aids concentration. If you don’t revise what you are studying on a regular basis, you will forget a lot and your final performance will be sub-optimal. Unplanned moves are a common sight among candidates at the last moment. Without the confidence from revision, you may panic and try something new. And this can confuse you further. While revising you can follow the rule of 3 revisions for whatever you study. This basically means that you should revise anything you study 3 times. Once the next time
Unplanned moves are a common sight among candidates at the last moment. Without the confidence from revision, you may panic and try something new. And this can confuse you further.
While revising you can follow the rule of 3 revisions for whatever you study. This basically means that you should revise anything you study 3 times. Once you have studied something, revise it once each on the next day, next week and next month. For weekly and monthly revisions you can fix a day when you will only revise and maybe relax a little.
Once you have studied something, revise it once each on the next day, next week and next month. For weekly and monthly revisions you can fix a day when you will only revise and relax a little.
Final words
Most of the candidates spend a lot of time collecting books and study material and day daydreaming about success. You, dear reader, should understand that the strategy you use to prepare for the exam is actually much more important for your success in the exam. Taking care of the points above will save a lot of time and effort.ave something else in mind? Do share the points and help everyone improve for a bright future.
Taking care of the points above will save a lot of time and effort.
Do you have anything to add? Please share your suggestions in the comments below.
This useful post was written by Simar who is a Content Marketing Manager with Biggedu — an educational news portal. Simar is a writer by day and a reader by night.
Photo credit: Foter.com
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