How To Prepare For SSC CGL at Home Without Coaching

How To Prepare For SSC CGL at Home Without Coaching:- The SSC CGL 2025 Notification has been released by the officials on 9th of June 2025, for filling 14582 vacancies. This exam, conducted by the Staff Selection Commission, offers more than 10,000 vacancies every year for Group B and C posts in central government departments and ministries. The online application process is open from 9th June to 4th July 2025, and the Tier I exam will be held between 13th and 30th August 2025.
Many students often ask how to prepare for SSC CGL without coaching, and the good news is, you absolutely can. With proper planning, regular study hours, and the right resources, SSC preparation from home becomes both possible and effective. You don’t need expensive coaching if you’re ready to stay focused and practise regularly. Check out the article below to learn How To Prepare For SSC CGL at Home Without Coaching.
Check Out: PW SSC Books
SSC CGL 2025 Notification
The Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit candidates for government posts under Group B (Gazetted), Group B (Non-Gazetted), and Group C. The exam requires the minimum qualification, a graduate degree. The SSC CGL 2025 notification includes all important details like eligibility, age limit, and exam pattern. Candidates must read the official notification carefully before applying. The SSC CGL 2025 Tier I exam will be held from 13th to 30th August 2025. Go through the SSC CGL 2025 details below:-
Feature |
Details |
Exam Level |
National |
Exam Frequency |
Once a year |
Application Start Date |
9th June 2025 |
Last Date to Apply |
4th July 2025 |
Application Fee Payment (Online & Offline) |
By 4th July 2025 |
Application Correction Window |
To be notified (likely after application deadline) |
Tier-I Exam Dates |
13 Aug - 30 Aug 2025 |
Tier-II Exam Dates |
December 2025 |
SSC CGL 2025 Vacancies |
14582 |
Category |
Government Jobs |
Eligibility |
Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
Age Limit |
18 to 32 years (as of 1st August 2025) |
Exam Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) for Tiers I & II |
Total Registrations (expected) |
Approx. 20 lakh |
Application Fee |
₹100 (General/OBC); exempted for women, SC/ST, PwBD, Ex‑Servicemen |
Exam Duration |
Tier-I: 60 mins Tier-II: Paper 1 - 150 mins; Paper 2 - 120 mins; Paper 3 - 120 mins |
Purpose of Exam |
Recruitment for Group B & C posts across central government |
Exam Languages |
English & Hindi |
Helpdesk Number |
011‑69999845 |
Official Website |
SSC CGL 2025 Exam Pattern
If you're planning to crack the SSC CGL exam, understanding the Tier 1 exam pattern is the first and most important step in building your SSC CGL preparation strategy. The exam consists of four sections, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension, with each section carrying 50 marks.
Many beginners often wonder how tough is SSC CGL. While the competition is high due to lakhs of applicants each year, the difficulty level of Tier 1 is considered moderate. The real challenge lies in managing time and accuracy. To overcome this, aspirants are advised to solve SSC CGL previous year papers regularly and take topic-wise mock tests:-
Feature |
Details |
Sections |
General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension |
Total Marks |
200 (50 marks per section) |
Marking Scheme |
+2 for each correct answer, -0.5 for each incorrect answer |
Exam Mode |
Online (Computer-Based Test) |
Duration |
60 minutes (80 minutes for visually handicapped candidates) |
Check Out: SSC Previous year Papers
SSC CGL 2025 Syllabus
A clear understanding of the syllabus is crucial when you're deciding how to start preparation for SSC CGL. The SSC CGL Tier 1 syllabus covers four major areas, and each section tests different skill sets. For example, General Awareness focuses on current events, history, and static GK, while Quantitative Aptitude tests your speed and accuracy in maths concepts.
If you're studying online, free SSC CGL books PDF and topic-wise practice sets can also be very useful. Additionally, analysing SSC CGL previous year papers will help identify important topics and question patterns:-
Section |
Topics Covered |
General Intelligence & Reasoning |
Analogies, similarities/differences, visual memory, spatial orientation, problem-solving, judgement |
General Awareness |
Current affairs, history, culture, geography, economic scene, general science |
Quantitative Aptitude |
Number systems, decimals, ratios, algebra, geometry, percentage, profit and loss, etc. |
English Comprehension |
Reading comprehension, fill in the blanks, spelling, idioms, sentence correction, error spotting |
How To Prepare For SSC CGL at Home Without Coaching
Preparing for the SSC CGL exam at home can be done easily with the right approach, discipline, and reliable study material. Many students feel confused at first and ask, “How to prepare for SSC CGL without coaching?” or “How tough is SSC CGL?” The truth is, it's not tough if you know what to do. Below is a complete step-by-step SSC CGL preparation strategy designed for home learners:-
1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Before starting your preparation, the first and most important step is to know the exam pattern and syllabus completely. Without knowing what the exam includes, you will not be able to prepare the right way. Also, go through the full SSC CGL syllabus and highlight topics you are strong or weak in. This will help in making your study plan better. The SSC CGL exam is conducted in different stages:
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Tier 1: Online objective test with four sections – General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Total marks: 200. Time: 60 minutes.
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Tier 2: Includes multiple papers, mostly related to Maths, English, Statistics, and General Studies depending on the post applied.
2. Create a Simple Daily Study Schedule
The next step is to make a proper timetable. Many students study without any schedule and feel lost or tired quickly. A good study routine helps your brain work better. You can adjust the timings according to your day, but try to study for at least 4–5 hours every day. Take breaks after every 45–60 minutes. Don’t study for long hours at a stretch as it will only make you tired. Make a daily routine like this:
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Morning session: 2 hours, focus on tough subjects (like Quant or Reasoning).
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Afternoon session: 1.5 hours, read General Awareness or English.
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Evening session: 1.5 hours, practice questions or revise.
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Before sleep: 30 minutes, go through short notes or vocabulary.
3. Complete the Full Syllabus in 2–3 Months
SSC CGL syllabus is large, so it is important to divide it into smaller parts. Make a monthly target for completing subjects. Use a planner or app to mark chapters as complete. Try to study theory first and then solve questions on that topic. It helps you remember the concept. Example:
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Month 1: Complete basic chapters of Maths, English grammar rules, and start Reasoning.
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Month 2: Start higher-level Maths like Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry. Read daily current affairs. Do GK facts from History, Polity.
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Month 3: Focus more on solving mock tests and revision.
4. Make Easy and Useful Notes
While studying, always make your own notes. You don’t need to write everything. Just the important points, rules, shortcuts, and formulas. How to make notes:
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Use separate notebooks for each subject.
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Use coloured pens to highlight rules or tricky points.
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Keep notes clean and short.
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Good notes save a lot of time during revision. They also help you understand topics in your own language
5. Focus on Important Topics & Marking Scheme
Some topics in the SSC CGL exam are more important and asked frequently. Giving them extra attention can help you score better. Focus on high-weightage chapters. As per the marking scheme, every correct answer gives you +2 marks and wrong ones cost -0.5. So, avoid guessing in the exam.
Section |
Important Topics |
General Intelligence & Reasoning |
Analogy, Classification, Number Series, Alphabet Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Directions & Distances, Venn Diagrams, Non-Verbal Reasoning |
General Awareness |
Polity, Geography, History, Physics, Chemistry, Biology (basics), Current Affairs (last 6 months), Government Schemes, Indian Economy |
Quantitative Aptitude |
Number System, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Data Interpretation |
English Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension, Spotting Errors, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, Cloze Test, Active Voice, Passive Voice |
6. Revise Daily and Weekly
Revision is often ignored by many students. But if you revise daily, your memory will become stronger. Revision will help you feel confident before the exam. It is a very important part of your SSC CGL preparation strategy.
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Revise what you learned in the morning by the evening.
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On Sunday, revise the full week’s topics.
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Make quick revision notes for last-minute brushing.
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Keep a separate revision notebook for formulas, vocab, and short tricks.
7. Practice Mock Tests and SSC CGL Previous Year Paper
One of the most effective ways to prepare is by practising as many mock tests and previous year papers as possible.
Solve at least 3–4 mock tests every week. After solving, spend time analysing your mistakes. Practice SSC CGL previous year paper to understand question trends.
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You understand the exam pattern better.
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You learn time management.
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You find your weak areas.
SSC CGL Books
For effective SSC preparation at home, Physics Wallah (PW) offers dedicated SSC CGL books that cover the full syllabus in a simple and clear format. These books are made for self-learners, with topic-wise explanations, practice sets, and previous year questions, all at a student-friendly price. Check out the books below:-
Products |
PDFs |
SSC CGL without CoachingFAQs
1. Can I prepare for SSC CGL without coaching?
Yes, you can definitely prepare for SSC CGL at home without coaching by following a disciplined study plan, using the right resources, and practising regularly.
2. What is the SSC CGL exam pattern for Tier 1?
The Tier 1 exam has four sections, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Each section has 25 questions worth 50 marks, totaling 200 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes.
3. How much time should I study daily to prepare for SSC CGL at home?
A daily study schedule of 4 to 5 hours is recommended. Break your study time into focused sessions with short breaks to maintain concentration and avoid burnout.
4. Is the SSC CGL exam difficult?
The SSC CGL Tier 1 exam is of moderate difficulty. Success depends on your preparation, speed, accuracy, and time management.
5. How important is practising previous year SSC CGL papers?
Practising previous year papers is crucial to understand the exam pattern, question types, and time management. It also helps identify your strengths and weaknesses.


