Start by understanding the complete syllabus and exam pattern for the SSC
CGL and any other exams you're targeting.
Identify the subjects and topics with the highest weightage.
Study Material:
Gather essential books, online resources, and previous year question papers. Select standard books for each subject to avoid confusion.
Daily Study Routine:
Allocate 4-5 hours daily for focused study. Divide your time among Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General Awareness, and Reasoning, ensuring each subject gets enough attention.
Month 3-4:
Practice & Application
Conceptual Clarity:
Focus on understanding concepts rather than rote learning. Use online tutorials and videos for difficult topics.
Regular Practice:
Solve practice sets and exercises daily. Attempt sectional tests to build speed
to simulate exam conditions. Analyze your performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Month 5:
Revision & Strengthening Weak Areas
Focused Revision:
Revise each subject thoroughly. Create summary notes for quick revision of important formulas, vocabulary, and
current affairs.
Weak Areas:
Dedicate extra time to areas where you score lower. Use additional resources or seek help to strengthen these topics.
Speed & Accuracy:
Work on increasing your speed without compromising accuracy. Timed practice sessions can be particularly beneficial.
Month 6:
Final Preparation & Exam Readiness
Mock Test Frequency:
Increase the frequency of mock tests to every alternate day. Continue analyzing results to fine-tune your strategy.
Stress Management:
Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing and ensure you maintain a balanced diet and sleep schedule.
Exam Strategy:
Plan your exam day strategy, including time allocation for each section and question selection tactics.
General Tips for Scoring 150+:
Time Management:
Develop efficient time management skills during preparation and apply them during the exam.
Accuracy Over Guesswork:
Avoid negative marking by focusing on accuracy rather than guessing answers.
Stay Updated:
Keep abreast of current affairs and general knowledge topics, as they are crucial for scoring well.
Consistent Review: Regularly review
all subjects to ensure retention and understanding of key concepts.
By following this strategy with discipline and motivation, you can enhance your chances of achieving a high score in competitive exams like the SSC CGL.
Reading + Cloze (10 questions)
Reading Comprehension (5 questions)
Cloze Test (5 questions)
Practice them as they are fixed, that is why we should master such
type of questions.
Usually toppers focus only on:
Skimming + keyword technique
Context - based vocabulary
Enhancing your English vocabulary for SSC CGL and other competitive exams can be a gamechanger, and using memory tricks can make this process more effective.
One popular technique is the use of mnemonic devices, which involve creating associations between new words and familiar concepts. For example, to remember the word "gregarious," meaning sociable, you might think of "Greg" who is always surrounded by friends. Flashcards are another powerful tool, allowing for spaced repetition, which reinforces long-term memory retention. Additionally, engaging with words in context, such as reading articles or books, helps you understand
and recall their meanings more effectively.
To score 150+ in competitive exams, it's crucial to develop a strategic study plan. Begin by identifying your strengths and weaknesses, focusing your efforts on areas that need improvement. Practice regularly with mock tests to become familiar with the exam format and time constraints. Prioritize understanding over rote memorization, ensuring that you can apply concepts rather than just recall them. Furthermore, maintaining a balanced study schedule, incorporating breaks, and engaging in physical activities can help keep your mind sharp and reduce stress.
Remember, consistency and perseverance are key to achieving high scores in competitive exams.
Mostly, there are 8 - 10 questions, so try to focus on these topics:
If you master these topics, you will crack any competitive exam (English Section) easily.
At last, if we want to obtain 150 overall, and gain 45 or 50 marks in English, it means it is perfect because English and Reasoning are considered as scoring subjects while Maths and G S are unpredictable and time taking too.
Sentence Improvement
1. She has been working here since five years.
A) working here since five years
B) working here for five years
C) working here in five years
D) No improvement
Answer: B) working here for five years
Explanation: The correct preposition to indicate a period of time is "for," not "since," when referring to a duration.
2. The manager asked if I can complete the task by tomorrow.
A) can complete
B) could complete
C) will complete
D) No improvement
Answer: B) could complete
Explanation: In indirect speech, "can" changes to "could" to match the past tense "asked."
Spotting the Error
3. Neither of the two candidates have submitted their applications.
A) Neither of
B) the two candidates
C) have submitted
D) No error
Answer: C) have submitted
Explanation: "Neither" is singular, so it should be followed by "has submitted" instead of "have submitted."
4. Each of the girls were given a prize.
A) Each of
B) the girls
C) were given
D) No error
Answer: C) were given
Explanation: "Each" is singular and should be followed by "was given."
Vocabulary
5. Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to "benevolent."
A) Kind
B) Malevolent
C) Charitable
D) Generous
Answer: B) Malevolent
Explanation: "Benevolent" means kind and well-meaning, while "malevolent" means having ill will or wishing harm to others.
6. Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to "abate."
A) Increase
B) Intensify
C) Diminish
D) Aggravate
Answer: C) Diminish
Explanation: "Abate" means to lessen in intensity or amount, which is similar in meaning to "diminish."
Stay Consistent and Crack Your Competitive Exam. Whether You're a first-time test taker or looking to improve your score, this guide is your roadmap to success in the competitive world of SSC CGL.
Don't just read grammar - see it, understand it, and remember it forever.
Another image (Adjective + Preposition) clearly helps you to know the difference between them. Visual learning makes grammar simple, clear, and long - lasting in memory.
If we analyze these two "Take off" and "Motivated by
Take off: Phrasal Verb
Take: Verb
Off: Preposition
He takes off his shoes the moment they feel tight.
Here, the phrase "takes off" is used in present tense, but you can use it in past tense also.
My friend told me that he took off his shoes as soon as they started pinching.
While "motivated by" acts as a passive phrase (it is used to show the cause) Usually,
we use it in a passive voice, indicating that the subject is driven by a specific impulse.
Structure: Subject + Be verb + motivated by + Cause/Reason
He was motivated by his father.
It uses the 'ed' form (motivated), it doesn't always represent a past tense verb; it acts
as a past participle. At last, we come to the conclusion that we use "take off " to
describe a sudden departure or rapid success.
On the other hand, we use "motivated by" to explain the underlying reason or passion
behind an action.
If a noun is followed by a specific preposition to show relation, cause, purpose,
π If the main word is a thing, idea, feeling, or name, it is usually
a noun + preposition combination.
Quick Comparison
Verb + Preposition ➡️ Action word
Adj + Preposition ➡️Describing word
Noun + Preposition ➡️ Naming word
Learning prepositional verbs (verbs followed by a specific preposition) is one of the most challenging parts of English for competitive exams because they often don't follow a logical pattern. Mastering them requires a mix of structural understanding and consistent exposure.
Here is a strategic approach to mastering them:
1. Group by "Verb" (The Root Method)
Instead of memorizing random lists, group prepositions around a single verb.
This helps you see how the meaning shifts when the preposition changes.
Look at: means to direct one's gaze.
Look for: means to search.
Look into means to investigate.
Look after: means to take care of.
2. Group by "Preposition" (The Logic Method)
Sometimes, prepositions carry a "vibe" or a consistent logic. Grouping them this
way helps you make educated guesses.
"On" (Often implies dependency or focus):
Depend on
rely on
congratulate on
insist on
"From" (Often implies separation or origin):
Abstain from
refrain from
emerge from
prohibit from
"With" (Often implies accompaniment or agreement):
Comply with
sympathize with
provide with.
3. Focus on "Confusing Pairs"
Examiners love to test verbs that take different prepositions depending on the context.
Focus your energy here:
Verb: Agree
Preposition 1: with a person
Preposition 2: to a proposal
Verb: Angry
Preposition 1: with a person
Preposition 2: at a thing/action
Verb: Die
Preposition 1: of a disease
Preposition 2: from a cause (overwork /hunger)
4. Use Visual Memory Aids
Create a "Preposition Wheel" or a flowchart for high-frequency verbs. Seeing the
verb in the center with its various prepositional "spokes" creates a stronger mental