How to Improve Accuracy and Speed in SSC CGL Exam?

How to Improve Accuracy and Speed in SSC CGL Exam: The SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission, Combined Graduate Level) exam is one of the most competitive government exams in India, attracting lakhs of aspirants each year. It is conducted in multiple tiers and assesses candidates on subjects like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness. In Tier 1, for example, candidates have to solve 100 questions (25 from each section) in just 60 minutes. Similarly, in Tier 2, 200 questions across various papers must be attempted with tight time constraints. 

This is when accuracy and speed become important for a candidate. Managing time during the exam is very crucial as you need to complete all the questions within the time limit. If your speed is slow, you may miss some questions and lose marks even if you know the answers. Whether it’s solving numerical problems or reading long comprehension passages, being quick and correct helps you attempt more questions and score better. 

Many aspirants often wonder how to increase speed in SSC CGL exam or how to increase writing speed in exam, especially during the descriptive paper stage. So, check out the article below to learn How to Improve Accuracy and Speed in SSC CGL Exam.

SSC CGL Exam Pattern

The SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission, Combined Graduate Level) exam is conducted in four stages or tiers to recruit candidates for various Group B and Group C posts in ministries, departments, and organisations of the Government of India. Understanding the SSC CGL exam pattern is very important for proper preparation. 

It helps candidates know how many questions will be asked, what subjects they need to study, how much time they’ll get, and how the marks are distributed. The exam includes both objective-type and descriptive-type papers, and some posts may also require a skill test or computer proficiency test in the final stage. Below is the detailed SSC CGL exam pattern for each tier:

How to Improve Accuracy and Speed in SSC CGL Exam?

Improving accuracy and speed is a key part of SSC CGL exam preparation. Since the exam is highly competitive and time-bound, even a small delay in solving questions or writing answers can affect your overall score. So, check How to Improve Accuracy and Speed in SSC CGL Exam:-

Tier 1: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Nature of the Exam: Tier 1 is the first stage of the SSC CGL exam and is conducted online. It includes 100 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes, covering subjects like General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension.

How to Increase Speed in Competitive Exam, Tier 1 Tips:

• Daily Practice: Solve mock tests and topic-wise questions daily using a timer.

• Shortcut Techniques: Learn Vedic Maths tricks for calculations and shortcuts for reasoning.

• Sectional Time Management: Allocate specific time for each section during practice to match the real exam pattern.

• Accuracy First: Don’t guess too much; wrong answers lead to negative marking. Practice to reach 90% accuracy.

Tier 2: Advanced CBT with Complex Papers

Nature of the Exam: Tier 2 is also online and includes several papers depending on the post applied. Paper 1 is compulsory for all, including Maths, English, Reasoning, General Awareness, and Computer Knowledge. It has 150 questions in 2 hours and an additional DEST typing test.

Here, questions are tougher and require deeper understanding. You need speed to attempt maximum questions and accuracy to avoid negative marking.

How to Improve:

• Revise Formulas and Grammar Rules: Keep all formulas and English rules handy for quick revision.

• Speed Tests: Attempt full-length mock tests to improve overall timing and accuracy.

• Typing Speed: For DEST (Data Entry Speed Test), regular typing practice is essential.

• Smart Study Strategy: Focus more on your weaker areas without ignoring your strong sections.

Tier 3: Descriptive Paper

Nature of the Exam: This tier is pen-and-paper based and tests your writing skills in Essay, Letter, or Precis writing. You have to complete the paper in 1 hour with a word limit of around 250–300 words per task.

In this paper, many students struggle with completing the paper on time. They may know what to write, but they can’t write fast enough, which leads to incomplete answers and lower marks.

How to Increase Writing Speed in Exam – Tier 3 Tips:

• Practice Writing by Hand: Write essays, letters, and precis manually every week.

• Time Yourself: Use a timer to complete your tasks within the 1-hour limit.

• Improve Handwriting: Neat handwriting increases readability, which can help you score better.

• Plan Before Writing: Spend 2–3 minutes making a rough structure to avoid pauses while writing.

Tier 4: Skill Test (DEST or CPT)

Nature of the Exam: This stage tests your typing and computer skills, depending on the post. It is qualifying in nature but mandatory for certain posts. Even though it’s qualifying, slow typing or too many errors can lead to disqualification.

Tips:

• Typing Practice: Use typing software or websites like TypingClub daily.

• Focus on Accuracy: Don't just go fast, make sure your spelling and punctuation are correct.

• Practice on SSC Format: Use the same text types and passage lengths as SSC DEST for better preparation.

Also Check, SSC Textbooks

SSC CGL Exam Preparation Books

If you're planning to appear for the SSC CGL 2025 exam, choosing the right books is one of the most important steps in your preparation. With so many options available, it’s easy to get confused. 

That’s why we’ve put together a clear and helpful list of the quality SSC CGL books you should use. These books cover all the subjects, follow the latest syllabus, and match the exam pattern: 

SSC CGL Exam FAQs

1. How can I increase speed in SSC CGL exam?

You can increase your speed by solving mock tests regularly, learning shortcut methods for maths and reasoning, and practising each section under a time limit. 

2. How to increase writing speed in exam, especially for SSC CGL Tier 3?

To improve writing speed, write essays and letters by hand every week. 

3. Why is speed important in SSC CGL Tier 1?

Tier 1 has 100 questions to be answered in just 60 minutes. That means less than a minute per question. If you’re not fast, you may miss many questions even if you know the answers.

4. How can I avoid mistakes while trying to solve questions quickly?

Work on accuracy first, then increase speed. Don’t rush through questions. 

5. What is the best way to improve speed in competitive exams like SSC CGL?

Solve time-based practice sets, focus on weak areas, and regularly revise concepts. Apps, test series, and previous year papers are great tools for speeding up your preparation.