How to Score 45+ Marks in Reasoning Section of SSC CGL Tier-1 Exam?

The General Intelligence & Reasoning section of the SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam tests the candidates’ ability for problem-solving and decision-making. The SSC CGL Paper 1 Exam 2024 is going to be conducted from 9 September to 26 September 2024 by the Staff Selection Commission in multiple shifts. The General Intelligence & Reasoning section will carry 25 questions worth 50 marks which makes it a very significant part of the selection process. To score more than 45 marks in the Reasoning section of the SSC CGL exam, the candidates require a smart strategy as suggested in this article.

How to score 45+ Marks in the Reasoning Section Of the SSC CGL Exam?

As mentioned above the General Intelligence & Reasoning section holds a very significant place in the SSC CGL Exam 2024. To score a high score of more than 90% in this section, the candidates need to have a good grip on both speed as well as accuracy in solving the questions. The questions asked in this section are based on a wide range of topics which require them to have a clear understanding of the related concepts combined with a lot of practice.

General Intelligence & Reasoning Preparation Strategy for SSC CGL 2024

The questions asked in the General Intelligence & Reasoning section examine the candidates on multiple levels. In the sections below, we have presented an integrated approach toward making an effective strategy to score 45+ marks in the Reasoning section of the SSC CGL Exam 2024.

1. Analyze the Exam Pattern and Syllabus for the Reasoning section

The Paper 1 exam of the SSC CGL Selection Process contains a total of 100 questions out of which 25 are asked in the General Intelligence & Reasoning section. Each of these questions carry an equal value of 2 mark and there is a one-fourth negative marking applicable to this section. For each incorrect answer submitted by the candidates, 0.50 marks will be deducted from the overall score.

The General Intelligence & Reasoning section of the SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam contains questions on a wide variety of topics. These topics are decided by the commission and mentioned in detail in the official notification released on ssc.gov.in. The candidates can get an idea of the syllabus for the Reasoning section of the SSC CGL Exam in the table below.

2. Get Acquainted with the Topic-Wise Weightage

The candidates while preparing for this section should be aware of the number of questions asked from each topic in the previously held SSC CGL exams. The overall weightage of topics helps the candidates make a smart strategy that will help them maximize their marks in the upcoming SSC CGL Exam 2024. The table below provides a clear distribution of questions among the various topics mentioned in the official notification.

3. Make the Previous Year Questions your Priority

The most authentic resource for the preparation of the General Intelligence & Reasoning section of the SSC CGL Exam is the Previous Year Questions. These questions act as a guide for the candidates before, during and after the preparation phase. The candidates should analyze the previous year’s papers to get an idea about the level and trends in the questions asked in the different topics of the General Awareness section. This will help them to make a smart strategy and select the proper sources.

The PYQs act as the best repository of exam-level questions for the candidates to practice when they have learned the topics mentioned in the detailed syllabus. For the Reasoning section, solving the previous year’s questions is the best source for the candidates preparing for SSC CGL 2024 as it has been observed that these questions also get repeated in the Exam.

These PYQs also act as sectional and topic-wise mock tests for the upcoming exam. It will help them identify their strengths and weaknesses which require their immediate attention. This will also integrate the Reasoning section with other sections of the question paper and thus help them perform better in the actual exam.

4. Learn Concepts and Practice

The points discussed till now are all about getting familiar with the Reasoning section of the SSC CGL Exam. The main component of the preparation process, however, is the process of learning the various concepts as mentioned in the detailed syllabus section of the official notification released by the commission. The candidates should select the sources according to the topics and should go through them multiple times.

After learning the concepts, practicing various types of questions will help them identify the various doubts and queries related to these topics. The candidates should practice a lot of questions on each topics and be ready for all possible types of questions they will have to face in the exam hall.

5. Do a lot of Revision and Testing

The Reasoning section of the SSC CGL Exam requires the candidates to have a good grip on the various topics that can be asked in the exam in any form. Doing multiple revisions of the concepts learned and questions solved will help them recall the concepts in split seconds in the examination hall. This will decrease the time taken and increase the possibility of getting a high score on the exam.

The candidates should attempt sectional as well as full-length tests as part of the preparation process. The sectional tests will help them identify their strong and weak areas and the full-length tests will help them in time management and in raising the accuracy level of the entire paper.

SSC CGL General Intelligence & Reasoning Preparation Tips

Apart from having an effective strategy in place, the candidates should follow a set of guidelines throughout the preparation process to make the most efficient use of the strategy. Provided below is a set of tips and tricks for the reference of the candidates.

• Keep the sources limited and go through them multiple times.
• In addition to the PYQs of the SSC CGL Exam, also solve the Reasoning section questions asked in the recently held exams of CPO, CHSL, MTS, GD, JE, etc. This will help them be ready for any type of questions that can be presented to them in the upcoming exams.
• Maintain handwritten notes for all the concepts learned and the mistakes committed during practice and testing and keep revising them.
• Gain a good grip over the rest three sections of the SSC CGL Tier 1 as it can help them utilize those concepts in solving questions in the analogy, mathematical operations and language-based questions.
• Attempt quizzes and mini-tests to refresh various concepts and utilize the little gaps in the daily schedule.
• Try to observe daily life events from the angle of problem-solving and decision-making.