How to Prepare General Knowledge for SSC CGL
SSC CGL is one of the known exams which occur every year in India. This exam paper is divided into four sections General Awareness, General Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. The general knowledge section is one of the best parts in which you can score quickly. You have to learn from the basic GK and you should get regularly updated with the current affairs happening globally. This section of the exam paper has no calculation to do not even we have to apply any logics. In GK, your general awareness and alertness are being judged. Here in this post, we will go to tell you about best tips to prepare General Knowledge for SSC CGL 2017 examination.
The General Awareness section of SSC CGL Tier I exam can be very scoring if you tackle it wisely. Unlike other sections of SSC CGL Tier I, the general awareness section doesn’t require any calculations and is thus the least time-consuming section. You can attempt this section very quickly and accurately (accuracy means the chances of getting an answer right). So let us start off by understanding what sort of topics and questions to expect while studying the syllabus of General Awareness and then move on to tipsto prepare General Awareness for SSC CGL 2017 based on new Pattern.
Where most students lack is not in effort, but in proper study planning. You do not want to be amongst them and therefore, need to start your preparations. To prepare your strategy for an exam, you need to know about the expected areas, their weightage in exam and also your strengths and weaknesses. All these are required to have an efficient preparation. Doing these things manually takes a lot of time and toll.
SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern for General Awareness (GK)
The SSC CGL recruitment underwent a major change in the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam pattern in 2016. It is expected that the format will remain the same for SSC CGL 2017. The key aspects of the SSC CGL Tier 1 exam Pattern are discussed as below:
- Mode of exam: Computer Based / Online
- Type of questions: 100 objective questions of multiple choice type, with four answer choices, only one of which is correct.
- Marking Scheme: 2 marks per correct answer, negative marking of 0.5 for incorrect answer.
- Total Time: 75 minutes, without separate timings for different sections.
Specifically, General Awareness will consist of 25 questions for a total of 50 marks. While there is no separate timing, you should aim to spend not more than 15 minutes on this. And this will not be a difficult task if you follow the guidelines provided in the Exam strategy section of this article.
How GA section can Improve your Marks in SSC CGL Tier I
If you think that you don’t need to focus on GA as long as you are strong in Reasoning and Quants, you are wrong! Here’s why you need to prepare General Awareness for SSC CGL Tier I:
- More marks in less time: Since it is less calculation based, you can complete the GA section quickly. Even if you prepare science and technology, sports and current affairs nicely, you can expect to get at least 20 marks.
- Low Chances of Getting Negative Marks: Again, since there is nothing to solve in General Awareness questions, you will always know whether you know the answer or not. This means there is no chance that you will knowingly mark an answer wrong.
Let us now look at what topics are mostly asked and how to maximise your score in GA awareness for SSC CGL Tier I 2017.
SSC CGL Cut Offs for General Awareness (GK) of Tier 1 exam
The overall cut offs for SSC CGL Tier 1 exam for 2016 were as below:
Category | SC | ST | OBC | Ex.S | OH | HH | VH | UR (Gen) |
Cut off out of 200 | 114 | 103 | 125.5 | 92 | 97 | 20 | 68 | 137 |
The overall cut offs for SSC CGL Tier 1 exam for 2015 were as below:
Category | SC | ST | OBC | Ex.S | OH | HH | VH | UR (Gen) |
Cut off out of 200 | 80.25 | 74.25 | 89.5 | 92 | 69 | 20 | 50 | 102.25 |
There are no sectional cut offs in any of the SSC CGL examinations. However, marks of each of the Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 examinations are added to make the final merit list. Therefore, scoring high in each of these exams becomes of utmost importance. Due to this, the SSC CGL GK section of Tier 1 exam becomes very important. As the GK section does not require any calculations or analysis, you only need to mark the answer if you know it. Therefore, ideally, it should not take more than 15 – 20 seconds to answer or leave the question. So, you should be able to complete the GK section in about 8 minutes, giving you a lot of time for other sections such as Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning. Additionally, you should target 25 to 30 marks from this section. And, below we will provide you with a great strategy to ensure that you can reach there
SSC CGL Tier 1 exam Trend Analysis of GK section based on previous year papers
The most important thing to understand before developing our exam preparation strategy for SSC CGL GK for tier 1 is the trend of areas from which questions can be expected and their quantity. We can safely categorize General Awareness section into four parts – Current Affairs and GK, Sciences, Arts and Economics. The expected number of questions from each of these, along with their units, is provided in the table below:
S.No. | Area | Unit | No. of questions |
1 | Current Affairs & GK(8 / 25 questions) | Current Affairs | 5-6 |
GK | 2-3 | ||
2 | Sciences(7 / 25 questions) | Biology | 2 |
Chemistry | 2 | ||
Physics | 2 | ||
Computer Science | 1 | ||
3 | Arts(8 / 25 questions) | Geography | 4 |
History | 2 | ||
Political Science | 2 | ||
4 | Economics(2 / 25 questions) | Economics | 2 |
TOTAL | 25 |
What is clearly evident from the table above is that the questions are evenly spread out irrespective of whether you are a Science or an Arts student. However, if you are a Commerce student, you will need to pick up one side atleast and prepare it thoroughly. Also, if the Arts/ Science students prepare their sections well, alongwith Current Affairs, they can easily attempt 15 questions accurately, fetching you 30 marks. Therefore, irrespective of which area you have graduated from, you have an even chance in scoring in this section. Now let us look at the important chapters in each of these areas, and also the sources from where you can prepare.
How to Prepare General Knowledge for SSC CGL 2017?
Here below we have listed some best tips to prepare SSC CGL 2017 General Knowledge by which you can quickly grasp the happening around the world. This section is to check your general awareness and knowledge of the world. Mostly all the competitive exam is comprised of this GK part. Let us discuss some fantastic tips to learn GK efficiently.
Best tips to prepare GK Section for SSC CGL 2017
1. Newspaper: We know the reading newspaper is boring for some of you but for your knowledge we want to tell you that the journal has the summary of the world happening. In the newspaper, you can find all the enough news. Reading is very beneficial to learn anything new. We advise you to read the newspaper daily.
2. Online Test Series: The best way to enhance your silks is to test yourself. Join the best test series online which is totally same as the Online examination. You should read daily current affairs 2017 which helps you to know all the latest updates.
3. E-News: If you are from one of those who does not love to read the newspaper, then you can go for the E- news. You can read e-news anywhere in your laptop or your phone. You can browse current affairs daily on the internet where you can find the number of global happenings which will be enough for the exam point of view.
4. Headlines: We want to convey you that you do not need to go through the whole newspaper only headlines are enough. Most of the question asked is from the Headlines only. No one will ask you detailed news. You just have the basic knowledge of Global Affairs.
5. You can also accede GK in Hindi which is available online to read. It is good from exam point of view. Here, we proved GK Quiz & General Knowledge questions and answers whereby you will get the study material easily.
6. Keep yourself update: The traditional events like cricket, Olympics, the declaration by the government, New policies are most relevant topics which mostly come in exam.
7. Maintain Notes: You cannot memorize all the news in your head. It is impossible for all human beings. So it is better to make notes and revise them daily. This is the best way to solve the problem of memorizing.
SSC CGL GK General Awareness Important Chapters and Sources of Tier 1 exam
While we have looked at the areas and units and their weightage in the table above, it is not time to go a bit deeper to understand the specific important topics to study from each of these units and also the sources from where we can do so. This is provided in the table below: NOTE: Click for the complete syllabus with greater detail for SSC CGL Tier 1 GK exam.
S.no. | Units | Important Chapters | Sources |
1 | Current Affairs | Government policies and agreements, Sports, Awards and Honors, Society | Newspapers, compiled lists |
2 | GK | Indian States and UTs, Scientific Research, Philosophies | GK books |
3 | Biology | Structural Organization in Plants and Animals, Biology in Human Welfare, Human Physiology | NCERT 9 -12 |
4 | Chemistry | Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry | NCERT 9 – 12 |
5 | Physics | Mechanics, Optics, Thermodynamics | NCERT 9 – 12 |
6 | Computer Science | Internet and Networking, Computer Organization and Architecture, Database Management | Computer Science books |
7 | Geography | Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Indian Physical Environment, India People and Economy | NCERT 9 – 11 |
8 | History | Indian Freedom Movement, Vedic Period and Mahajanpadas, Social and Religious Movements | History books for competitive exams |
9 | Political Science | Political structure and functioning, Duties, Functions and Appointments | Graduation level Political Science books/ notes |
10 | Economics | Macro Economics, Banking |
NCERT 12, terms and glossary |
SSC CGL General Knowledge Syllabus :-
- Offices Under Government of India
- S.I. Units
- Indian History – Important Dates
- Geographical Facts about Nations of The World
- Important Lines and Boundaries
- Zonal Railways
- Biggest, Highest and Largest in The World
- Highest Mountain Peaks of The World
- Countries and Their Main
- Produces/Industries
- River Side Cities
- Five Year Plans in India
- Scientific Instruments
- Dada Sahib Phalke Award
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
- Sahitya Akademi Award
- Important Congress Session
- World History: Important Dates
- Governors Of Bengal (1757–74)
- Governor-generals of India (1833–58)
- International Organization
- Olympic Games
- Metals and Their Ores
- Alloys & Their Uses
- Trophies and Cups
- Places Associated With Sports
- Popular Names of Eminent Persons (Sobriquets)
- Famous Tourist Spots of India
- Famous Sites Of World
- Wonders Of The World
- Pulitzer Prize
- Bharat Ratna
- Padma Awards
- Grammy Awards
- Jnanpith Award
- List of Jnanpith Awardees
- Asian Games
- Ramon Magsaysay Award
- Books By Indian Authors
Subject-Wise Important Topics:
Science :-
Physics
- Gravity
- Motion
- Work
- Pressure
- Units of Measurement
- Sound
- Heat
- Electronics
- Magnetism
Chemistry
- Uses, Common Names and Composition of Various Chemicals
- Alloys
- Definition Based Questions (Heat, Oxidation, Reduction etc.)
- SI units
- Chemical Change & Physical Change
- Chemistry in Everyday life
Biology
- Parts of Plant & their Functions
- Parts of Human Body & their Functions
- Basics of Animal Kingdom.
- Diseases, Prevention & Cure
- Nutrients & Deficieny Diseases
History :-
Ancient History
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Buddhism & Jainism
- The Mauryans
- Post-Mauryan Kingdoms
- The Gupta Period
Medieval History
- Establishment & Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate
- Religious Movements in the Fifteenth & Sixteenth Centuries
- Mughal Dynasty
- Later Mughals
- The Maratha State
Modern History
- European Penetration & British Conquest of India
- Major Battles
- Social & Cultural Awakening in India
- The Great Revolt of 1857
- Indian National Congress
- Nationalist Movement, 1905-1918: Growth of Militant Nationalism
- Struggle for Swaraj – I, 1919 – 1927
- Struggle for Swaraj – II, 1927-1947
- Governor-Generals of India
- Indian Princely States
Geography :-
- Movement Of Earth
- Interior Of Earth
- Latitudes & Longitudes
- Solar System
- Atmosphere
- Winds
- Ocean & Ocean Currents
- Soils In India
- Agriculture In India
- Transportation In India
- Mineral Resources In India
- Forests In India
- Habitats
- Volcanoes & Earthquakes
- Physical Features Of India
- Rivers In India
- All you need to know about States of India
Polity :-
- President
- Vice President
- Attorney General Of India
- Comptroller Auditor General
- Lok Sabha
- Rajya Sabha
- Bills
- Prime Minister & Cabinet Ministers
- Governor
- Vidhan Sabha
- Vidhan Parishad
- Panchayats
- Parliamentary Funds
- Supreme Court
- High Court
- Writs
- Framing Of The Constitution
- Sources Of Indian Constitution
- Schedules & Parts Of Indian Constitution
- Chief Minsters
- Citizenship
- Article 370
- Emergency In India
- Commissions
Miscellaneous
- Population Census
- Union Budget, Demonetization and Economic Survey
- Important Books & Writers
- Oscar Winners
- First in Sports for India and World like First Olympics, First Asian Games etc.
- Famous Sea Ports, Airports and their locations
- State Animals and Symbols
- Important Institutions of India and World & their locations (like BRICS, World Bank, IMF and RBI etc.)
- Indian Art & Culture, Awards & their Significance
- Nobel Laureates & their Fields
Computer & Mobile Technology
- Development of Computers
- Input & Output Devices
- Memory
- Abbreviations