SSC CGL 2025 Tier 2 Syllabus and Exam Pattern at a Glance
Quick Answer: SSC CGL 2025 Tier 2 consists of Paper 1 (compulsory for all posts), Paper 2 (Statistics, for JSO) and Paper 3 (General Studies — Finance & Economics, for AAO). Paper 1 has two sessions: Session 1 carries 130 questions for 390 marks in 2 hours 15 minutes, while Session 2 includes the qualifying Computer Knowledge Test (45 questions) and DEST. Negative marking is 1 mark in Paper 1 and 0.5 marks in Papers 2 and 3.
- SSC CGL 2025 Tier 2 Syllabus and Exam Pattern at a Glance
- SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2025: Paper 1 Overview
- Session 1 (2 hours 15 minutes)
- Session 2
- Module I & II: Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning Syllabus
- Mathematical Abilities — key topics
- Reasoning — key topics
- Module I Section II: English Language and Comprehension Syllabus
- Module II Section II: General Awareness Syllabus
- Module II Section III: Computer Knowledge Test
- Paper 2: Statistics (JSO) Syllabus and Pattern
- Paper 3: General Studies (Finance & Economics) Syllabus
- Part A: Finance and Accounts (80 marks)
- Part B: Economics and Governance (120 marks)
- Marking Scheme and Negative Marking in Tier 2
- Section-wise Preparation Strategy for Tier 2
- SSC CGL Tier 2 2025: Important Dates and Next Steps
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Is SSC CGL Tier 2 qualifying or marks counted in final merit?
- Q: What is the negative marking in SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1?
- Q: How many questions are asked in SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1?
- Q: Which paper is for JSO posts in SSC CGL Tier 2?
- Q: Can I skip the Computer Knowledge module in Tier 2?
| Paper | Modules | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Session 1 (Section I + II) | Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning; English + General Awareness | 60 + 70 = 130 | 3 × 130 = 390 | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Paper 1 — Session 2 (Section III) | Computer Knowledge Test + DEST | 45 + 1 typing task | 60 (Computer) + qualifying DEST | 60 minutes (Computer) + 15 minutes (DEST) |
| Paper 2 — Statistics (JSO) | 100 statistics questions | 100 | 200 (2 marks each) | 2 hours |
| Paper 3 — Finance & Economics (AAO) | 100 questions | 100 | 200 (2 marks each) | 2 hours |
All details below follow the pattern notified by the Staff Selection Commission on its official website, ssc.gov.in. For how Tier 2 differs from Tier 1, read our companion piece on the SSC CGL 2025 syllabus change explained.
SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2025: Paper 1 Overview
Paper 1 is conducted in a single day across two sessions, with no break between them.
Session 1 (2 hours 15 minutes)
- Section I, Module I: Mathematical Abilities — 30 questions
- Section I, Module II: Reasoning and General Intelligence — 30 questions
- Section II, Module I: English Language and Comprehension — 45 questions
- Section II, Module II: General Awareness — 25 questions
Section I is allotted 1 hour, Section II 1 hour, and Section III Module I 1 hour — each section is individually timed and screens close automatically. Every question carries 3 marks; every wrong answer deducts 1 mark.
Session 2
- Section III, Module II — Computer Knowledge Test: 45 questions × 1 mark = 45 marks in 60 minutes (qualifying). One-week computer exemption applies to certain categories as per notification.
- Module I of Section III (Session 2): DEST (Data Entry Speed Test) — 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes, qualifying only.
Module I & II: Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning Syllabus
Section I of Paper 1 combines Maths and Reasoning with a shared 1-hour sectional window, so time allocation is entirely your choice.
Mathematical Abilities — key topics
- Number systems, LCM–HCF, computation of whole numbers, decimals and fractions
- Fundamental arithmetic operations, percentages, ratio and proportion, mixtures and alligation
- Profit and loss, discount, simple and compound interest, instalments
- Time and work, pipes and cisterns, time, speed and distance, boats and streams
- Algebra: basic identities, linear equations, polynomials
- Geometry: triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, congruence and similarity
- Mensuration: 2D and 3D figures (triangle, quadrilaterals, circle, cone, cylinder, sphere, hemisphere, rectangular parallelepiped)
- Trigonometry: ratios, identities, heights and distances
- Statistics and probability: tables, graphs (histogram, frequency polygon, bar graph, pie chart), probability of elementary events
Reasoning — key topics
- Semantic analogy, symbolic/number analogy, figural analogy
- Semantic and figurative classification, symbolic operations
- Trends, space orientation, Venn diagrams, drawing inferences
- Coding–decoding, puzzle solving, word building, critical thinking
- Emotional and social intelligence, embedded figures, figure matching
- Number and symbolic series, statement–conclusion, syllogism
Weightage: Maths typically contributes around 25–30 of the 60 Section I questions, with Arithmetic (percentage, ratio, profit-loss, time-work) dominating, followed by Algebra, Geometry and Mensuration.
Module I Section II: English Language and Comprehension Syllabus
With 45 of the 70 Section II questions, English is the single highest-weight module in Paper 1.
- Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms, Antonyms, Spelling/detecting mis-spelt words
- Idioms and Phrases, One-word substitution
- Improvement of Sentences, Active/Passive Voice
- Direct to Indirect transformation of sentences
- Cloze passage, Parajumbles (shuffling of sentence parts/parts of a sentence)
- Reading Comprehension passages — typically 3–5 passages carrying 20+ questions
Typical distribution: Reading Comprehension ~20–25, vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, idioms, one-word) ~10–12, grammar (error spotting, sentence improvement, voice/narration) ~10–12.
Module II Section II: General Awareness Syllabus
Only 25 questions, but at 3 marks each this module can swing ranks dramatically.
- Static GK: Indian and world history, geography, polity (Constitution and its features — strengthen basics with our Fundamental Duties of India: Article 51A notes), art and culture, economy basics
- Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology and everyday science up to Class 10 level
- Current affairs: Last 10–12 months — awards, sports, schemes, appointments, summits, books and authors
- Others: Scientific research, static organizations, books and authors, important days
Module II Section III: Computer Knowledge Test
This module is qualifying in nature — marks are not added to the merit list, but SSC sets a qualifying cut-off you must clear.
- Computer basics: organization of a computer, CPU, input/output devices, memory
- Software: Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), internet, email
- Networking and cyber security basics: LAN/WAN, web browsing, search engines
- Basics of accounting software and e-governance applications
Pattern: 45 questions × 1 mark in 60 minutes, with negative marking of 0.50 marks per wrong answer in this module.
Paper 2: Statistics (JSO) Syllabus and Pattern
Paper 2 is attempted only by candidates shortlisted for the Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) post.
- Collection, classification and presentation of data
- Measures of central tendency and dispersion
- Moments, skewness and kurtosis
- Correlation and regression
- Probability theory — classical and axiomatic approaches, Bayes’ theorem
- Random variables and probability distributions (Binomial, Poisson, Normal, Exponential)
- Sampling theory — SRS, stratified, systematic, cluster sampling; sampling distributions
- Statistical inference — estimation, tests of hypotheses, chi-square, t and F tests
- Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
- Time series analysis, index numbers
Pattern: 100 questions × 2 marks = 200 marks in 2 hours, negative marking 0.5 marks per wrong answer.
Paper 3: General Studies (Finance & Economics) Syllabus
Paper 3 is for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer level posts.
Part A: Finance and Accounts (80 marks)
- Fundamental principles of financial accounting
- Basic concepts of accounting — single and double entry, bank reconciliation
- Journal, ledgers, trial balance, rectification of errors
- Depreciation, valuation of inventories, capital and revenue expenditure
- Bills of exchange, final accounts, non-profit organisations
Part B: Economics and Governance (120 marks)
- Comptroller & Auditor General of India, Finance Commission
- Basic concepts of economics, demand and supply, production and cost
- Market structures, price determination, national income
- Money and banking, role of RBI, fiscal and monetary policy
- Economic reforms since 1991, inflation, budget and taxation basics
Pattern: 100 questions × 2 marks in 2 hours, negative marking 0.5 per wrong answer.
Marking Scheme and Negative Marking in Tier 2
| Paper/Module | Marks per Question | Negative Marking | Merit / Qualifying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Sections I & II | 3 | −1 | Counted in merit |
| Paper 1 — Computer Test | 1 | −0.50 | Qualifying |
| Paper 1 — DEST | — | — | Qualifying (2000 key depressions/15 min) |
| Paper 2 (Statistics) | 2 | −0.5 | Counted in JSO merit |
| Paper 3 (Finance & Economics) | 2 | −0.5 | Counted in AAO merit |
SSC announces qualifying cut-offs for the Computer Test and DEST in the result notification; Section III Module I (Session 1) is also qualifying in nature for certain evaluation purposes — always verify the current notification on ssc.gov.in.
Section-wise Preparation Strategy for Tier 2
- Maths: Master Arithmetic first (highest weightage), then Geometry and Mensuration. Solve previous-year Tier 2 papers in timed 60-minute Section I simulations mixing Maths and Reasoning.
- Reasoning: Practice speed-based topics — series, analogy, coding — since Section I’s shared hour rewards quick Reasoning attempts to buy time for Maths.
- English: Read one editorial daily; maintain an error notebook for grammar rules and a vocabulary log for idioms and one-word substitutions. RC practice under timed conditions is non-negotiable.
- General Awareness: Revise static GK from one standard book, and follow a monthly current affairs digest for the last 10–12 months. Attempt daily 25-question GK quizzes.
- Computer: Cover MS Office shortcuts, hardware basics and networking terms from Class 10–12 NCERT-level material — 10 days of focused revision is usually sufficient.
- DEST: Start typing practice 30 minutes daily for at least two months before the exam; target 30+ words per minute with 95% accuracy.
SSC CGL Tier 2 2025: Important Dates and Next Steps
The Tier 1 exam for SSC CGL 2025 is expected in August–September 2025, with the Tier 1 result and Tier 2 exam expected around November–December 2025. These dates are tentative — confirm on ssc.gov.in and keep an eye on PIB (pib.gov.in) for official announcements.
- Check Tier 1 result and cut-off on ssc.gov.in
- Download Tier 2 admit card from your regional SSC website about 1–2 weeks before the exam
- Appear for Paper 1 (all candidates) plus Paper 2/3 if shortlisted for JSO/AAO
- Watch for the final answer key, cut-offs and result on the SSC website
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is SSC CGL Tier 2 qualifying or marks counted in final merit?
Most Paper 1 modules count toward the final merit. However, the Computer Knowledge Test and DEST/Data Entry modules are qualifying in nature — you must clear SSC’s qualifying standard, but those marks do not add to your merit score.
Q: What is the negative marking in SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1?
1 mark is deducted for each wrong answer in Paper 1 Sections I and II (3 marks per correct answer). In the Computer module, 0.50 marks are deducted per wrong answer. Paper 2 and Paper 3 carry 0.5 marks negative marking per wrong answer.
Q: How many questions are asked in SSC CGL Tier 2 Paper 1?
Session 1 has 130 questions (60 in Section I, 70 in Section II) with 45-minute/1-hour sectional time limits, and Session 2 adds the 45-question Computer Knowledge Test plus the DEST typing task.
Q: Which paper is for JSO posts in SSC CGL Tier 2?
Paper 2 (Statistics) is for the Junior Statistical Officer post. Only candidates shortlisted for JSO on the basis of their Tier 1 and Paper 1 performance appear for it.
Q: Can I skip the Computer Knowledge module in Tier 2?
No. It is qualifying but mandatory — you must meet the qualifying standard set by SSC, failing which your candidature will not be considered for final selection.
Quick revision
- Section I, Module I: Mathematical Abilities — 30 questions
- Section I, Module II: Reasoning and General Intelligence — 30 questions
- Section II, Module I: English Language and Comprehension — 45 questions
- Section II, Module II: General Awareness — 25 questions
- Section III, Module II — Computer Knowledge Test: 45 questions × 1 mark = 45 marks in 60 minutes (qualifying). One-week computer exemption applies to certain categories as per notification.
- Module I of Section III (Session 2): DEST (Data Entry Speed Test) — 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes, qualifying only.
Have a doubt on this topic?
