About the SSC exam
Staff Selection Commission (CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD and more) is one of the better-known exams in India. It is administered by Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and attracts a large number of candidates each cycle. The exam is held each exam is held once a year; SSC publishes an annual exam calendar.
Format of the real exam: Computer-based test (CBT) at examination centres. Practising in the same style is the quickest way to remove surprises on exam day, which is exactly why SSC mock tests matter.
SSC eligibility
Varies by exam: Class 10 for MTS and GD, Class 12 for CHSL, and a bachelor's degree for CGL. Age limits and relaxations are set in each notification.
Eligibility rules, age limits and relaxations can change between cycles, so always confirm the details in the latest official notification from Staff Selection Commission (SSC) before you apply.
SSC exam pattern and marking scheme
SSC CGL Tier 1 has 100 questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes, split equally across Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English. Each wrong answer costs 0.50 marks. Later tiers add a Maths and English paper, a typing or skill test and document verification.
- Subjects and sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension.
- Mode of the real exam: Computer-based test (CBT) at examination centres.
- Frequency: Each exam is held once a year; SSC publishes an annual exam calendar.
SSC syllabus: what to study
The SSC syllabus is organised around 4 main areas. Plan your preparation so that every area gets a revision cycle before your first full-length mock test.
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: revise concepts, practise topic-wise questions, then test yourself under timed conditions.
- General Awareness: revise concepts, practise topic-wise questions, then test yourself under timed conditions.
- Quantitative Aptitude: revise concepts, practise topic-wise questions, then test yourself under timed conditions.
- English Comprehension: revise concepts, practise topic-wise questions, then test yourself under timed conditions.
How to prepare for SSC
A good SSC plan combines concept study, topic-wise practice and regular full-length mock tests. Use the checklist below as a starting point.
- Speed matters more than depth in Tier 1, so practise finishing each 25-question section in about 15 minutes.
- Learn the shortcuts for percentage, ratio, profit and loss, and time and work until you can solve them mentally.
- Read a daily newspaper or a monthly current-affairs digest to keep General Awareness sharp.
- Analyse every mock test: separate errors into concept gaps, calculation slips and time pressure, and fix one group at a time.
- Keep a short error notebook and revise it weekly, since repeated mistakes cost more marks than new ones.
Why practise SSC mock tests online
Reading and notes build knowledge, but only timed practice builds exam performance. A SSC mock test trains time management, question selection and stress control. Mock Archive gives you instant scoring, subject-wise accuracy, time spent per question and a full answer review the moment you submit.
- Real CBT interface: question palette, section timers and review marking.
- Instant result with accuracy, attempts and a question-by-question review.
- Works on mobile, tablet and desktop, and can be installed like an app.
- Free forever: no login, no signup and no payment.