The Staff Selection Commission – Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) exam is one of the most sought-after competitive exams in India. Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for this exam, hoping to secure a prestigious government job at officer level. Knowing the SSC CGL exam difficulty level can help you to prepare for the exam more easily.
Aspirants who are planning to appear in the SSC CGL 2025 exam have one of the most common questions among them:
“How tough is the SSC CGL exam?”
“What is the difficulty level of the exam?”
“What are the important topics for each section?”
If you’re also looking for the same, then you are at the right place. This blog has provided a detailed breakdown of the SSC CGL exam difficulty level, previous year trends, and section-wise analysis. This information will help you to plan for the exam systematically and effectively.
Know SSC CGL Exam Difficulty By Attempting These Free Resources
As we know that the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam consists of four sections, and knowing the section-wise difficulty level is important. This will enable you to prepare for the exam more effectively.
SSC CGL Previous Year Exam Trends
To estimate the latest trend for the SSC CGL 2025 exam, first, you need to analyze the previous year’s exam trends. For that, we have provided the SSC CGL exam analysis data for the tier 1 exam, which was conducted in 2024 with section-wise difficulty level and good attempts. By analyzing the data, you can predict the upcoming exam trends.
| SSC CGL Exam Analysis 2024 | |||
| Part | Subjects | Difficulty Level | Good Attempt |
| A | General Intelligence and Reasoning | Easy to Moderate | 20-22 |
| B | General Awareness | Moderate | 19-21 |
| C | Quantitative Aptitude | Moderate | 18-20 |
| D | English Comprehension | Easy to Moderate | 22-24 |
| Total | Moderate | 75-80 | |
SSC CGL Topic-wise Questions asked in Previous Year Exam
Here we have provided the number of questions asked from a particular topic for each section. This will allow you to know which topics are scoring and which are scoring. By analyzing these things, you can prepare for the exam accordingly, which will help you in SSC CGL exam difficulty level.
| Section | Topic/Type | Number of Questions / Details |
| Reasoning | Series (Number Mixed) | 3-4 questions |
| Syllogism | 1 question | |
| Counting of Figure (Triangle) | 1 question (implied) | |
| Coding Decoding (Letter to Number) | 3 questions | |
| Blood Relationship (Coded) | 1 question (implied) | |
| Mathematical Operator | 3 questions | |
| Mirror Image | 3-4 questions | |
| Alphabetically Arranged | 1 question (implied) | |
| Dice (Closed) | 1 question | |
| Number Series (Addition based) | 2 questions | |
| Analogy | 2-3 questions | |
| General Awareness | Five-Year Plan | 1 question (implied) |
| Human Rights Commission | 1 question (implied) | |
| PM Jhan Dhan Yojana | 1 question (implied) | |
| Khudi Ram Bose (Freedom Struggle) | 1 question | |
| Who decoded Ashoka Pillar script? | 1 question | |
| Nilgiri Hills | 1 question (implied) | |
| Satvahan Rulers | 1 question (implied) | |
| Culture | 1 question (implied) | |
| Current Affairs | 3 questions | |
| Festivals | 1 question (implied) | |
| Article of Gram Panchayat | 40 questions | |
| Dodabetta Peak | 1 question (implied) | |
| Formic Acid | 1 question (implied) | |
| Redox Reaction | 1 question (implied) | |
| Bharat Ratna to Lata Mangeshkar in 2001 | 1 question | |
| Question related to CM of Tamil Nadu | 1 question (implied) | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Percentage | 1 question |
| Profit and Loss | 1 question | |
| Number System (Divisibility Rule) | 6 questions | |
| Circle | 1 question (implied) | |
| Data Interpretation | Not specified | |
| Mensuration (3D Cuboid, 2D) | 2 questions | |
| Trigonometry | 2 questions | |
| Geometry | 3 questions | |
| Time & Work | 1 question | |
| Ratio | 1 question (implied) | |
| English Comprehension | Synonyms | Words: Fatal, Innuendo, Toxic, Jovial |
| Antonyms | Rigorous | |
| Error Detection | 2 questions | |
| Sentence Improvement | 2 questions | |
| Cloze Test | Topic: Forest Density | |
| Active Passive | 2 questions | |
| Idioms | Call it a day, Piece of cake | |
| Spelling | Antiquity, Relevant |
What to Expect in the Upcoming SSC CGL 2025 Exams
After carefully analyzing the previous year’s exam trends, we have provided the upcoming exam trends for each section. You are highly advised to go through this section of the blog so that you can know how to prepare for the exam. Along with each section, we have provided free topic-wise tests so that you can prepare for each section.
SSC CGL Reasoning Section Difficulty
The reasoning section will have a mix of topics like number series, coding-decoding, mirror images, and some questions on mathematical operators. Most questions won’t be overly tough but will need you to be sharp, especially with mixed series and blood relation puzzles where coding is involved. Mirror image and analogy questions might make you pause for a moment, but one can score good marks with steady practice; they’re quite manageable.
SSC CGL General Awareness Section Difficulty
This section looks easy, but it requires a lot of study and revision. You’ll see questions from static general knowledge, such as history, geography, economics, and along with that, it consists of good weightage from current affairs. One thing to watch out for is the heavy focus on government-related questions. On top of that, there will be questions related to recent events, freedom struggle heroes, and important awards. Staying updated and revising these facts thoroughly will enable you to boost your preparation for the exam.
SSC CGL Quantitative Aptitude Section Difficulty
This part could feel slightly challenging. The questions cover a range of topics, such as number system (especially divisibility rules), geometry, trigonometry, and mensuration. Geometry and divisibility rules tend to be emphasized more, so make sure you’re comfortable with those. There’s also some data interpretation, though the exact number of questions isn’t clear. Trigonometry and mensuration problems often require careful calculations, so brushing up on those will help you avoid careless mistakes.
SSC CGL English Comprehension Section Difficulty
The English section will test your vocabulary and grammar. Expect synonyms and antonyms, error detection, sentence improvement, and active-passive voice questions. Focus on the most scoring topics, such as cloze test, as this will help you to maximize your score in the exam. It checks your understanding of context. Idioms and spelling questions should be straightforward if you’ve got a good grip on vocabulary. Overall, the English questions will be moderate in difficulty but will need focused practice, especially on grammar basics.
What Does This Mean for Your Preparation?
Here we have mentioned some pointers that will help in understanding how the SSC CGL exam difficulty level can help you in your exam preparation, what is the importance of knowing the SSC CGL exam difficulty level, and much more.
- Consistency is key: Regular practice of all four sections will help you face any difficulty level confidently.
- Focus on speed: We know that one hour duration is not enough for 100 questions, but speed can help you to attempt the paper effectively, so speed without sacrificing accuracy is critical.
- Smart attempt strategy: Attempt easier sections like Reasoning and English first, then move to quant and general awareness. This can help you to attempt the exam strategically.
- Attempting Mock tests: Taking frequent mock tests will not only build speed but also help you identify your weak areas and avoid silly mistakes. As the exam is coming so you are advised to attempt mock tests as much as possible.
Join our exclusive Telegram group for expert guidance, personalized tips, and real-time solutions to boost your SSC exam prep. [Click here to join now!]
| Other Blogs of SSC CGL 2025 | |
| SSC CGL Notification | SSC CGL Syllabus |
| SSC CGL Study Plan | SSC CGL Exam Pattern |
| SSC CGL Cut Off | SSC CGL Preparation Strategy |
| SSC CGL Previous Year Question Papers | |
SSC CGL Exam Difficulty Level: FAQs
The SSC CGL exam is moderately difficult. One can score well in the exam by following the right preparation strategy and regular practice.
Generally, the Quantitative Aptitude section is considered the most challenging due to its lengthy calculations and time consuming.
You can analyze the difficulty level of the SSC CGL exam by solving previous year papers, attempting mock tests, and reviewing expert analysis of past exams.
One can improve their performance in difficult sections by attempting topic-wise tests, sectional tests, full-length mock tests, regular revision, and practice.
- Sign Up on Practicemock for Updated Current Affairs, Topic Tests and Mini Mocks
- Sign Up Here to Download Free Study Material
Free Mock Tests for the Upcoming Exams
- IBPS PO Free Mock Test
- RBI Grade B Free Mock Test
- IBPS SO Free Mock Test
- NABARD Grade A Free Mock Test
- SSC CGL Free Mock Test
- IBPS Clerk Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB PO Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB Clerk Free Mock Test
- RRB NTPC Free Mock Test
- SSC MTS Free Mock Test
- SSC Strenographer Free Mock Test
- GATE Mechanical Free Mock Test
- GATE Civil Free Mock Test
- RRB ALP Free Mock Test
- SSC CPO Free Mock Test
- AFCAT Free Mock Test
- SEBI Grade A Free Mock Test
- IFSCA Grade A Free Mock Test
- RRB JE Free Mock Test
- Free Banking Live Test
- Free SSC Live Test