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SSC CGL 2023 – Reasoning Topics & Strategy

One of the most popular competitive exams SSC CGL 2023 is hanging on aspirants’ heads like the sword of the Damocles. The Tier I Exam is on the 14th of July and there’s no time to play with. Since the candidates get very little time between Prelims & Mains it’s better to band the preparation of both Tiers together and just throw yourself into the preparation once and for all.

Reasoning Syllabus of SSC CGL Exam

Tier I

The reasoning is part of both Tier I & Tier II Exams. So let’s have a look at the syllabus before we move on to the topics.

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Tier II

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As we can see above, in Tier I there are 25 questions from General Intelligence & Reasoning, a total of 50 marks. While in Tier II there are 30 questions of a total of 90 marks.

Reasoning Topics for SSC CGL Exam

Now let us have a look at the most common reasoning topics around which questions are prepared.

Analogy
Syllogism
Coded equations
Classification
Blood Relation
Direction questions
Arithmetic Reasoning
Venn Diagram
Visual Reasoning
Paper folding; unfolding questions
Alphabet test

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Preparation Strategy for Reasoning

The purpose of reasoning questions in exams is to assess the candidate’s cognitive abilities i.e., their general mental capability involving reasoning, problem-solving, planning, abstract thinking, complex idea comprehension, and learning from experience.

Dip into previous years’ papers

First, dig into the previous 10 years’ questions. Get yourself familiarized with the questions pattern. Try to solve them while going over them.

Make an effective study plan

Making a study plan is another important part of preparation study. Collect the topics, make a high-priority and low-priority list aligned with your command of the topics and place them in the routine accordingly. Follow up on your study plan religiously.

Time management

Managing time is essential. You can’t afford to lose marks or rush through questions at the last moment only to incur the wrath of negative marking. Hence, learning to allocate specific time for each question is important. While stuck on any question, leave it there and move on to the next question and come back to them after you have attempted all the questions.

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Take mock tests

It’s important to know where you stand on your preparation journey. Taking a Mock Test is a must. Mock Tests put you into the exam environment and help you assess your preparation. Apart from that they build the exam confidence in the student. Regular practice of mock tests removes exam anxiety altogether while the candidate’s knowledge.

Break the monotony

Losing momentum is one of the very common points of bother for many students. Hence, it’s crucial to keep yourself motivated. Take some time apart for daily walks, and listen to music to break the monotony.

Practice keeping calm

Keeping calm is another virtue that will help you enormously during the exams. Practising mock tests helps you with this and saves you from overwhelm. Learn breathing exercises, and meditation that not only increase your concentration but also help you keep calm during the examination.