Complete SSC Selection Post Exam Guide
Your ultimate resource for SSC Selection Post Examination – covering eligibility criteria, exam pattern, detailed syllabus, preparation strategies, cut-off trends, recommended books, and expert form filling assistance.
10L+ Aspirants
Appear for SSC Selection Post exam annually
4 Sections
General Intelligence, English, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness
60 Minutes
Total duration for the examination
Various Posts
Across different government departments and ministries
Eligibility Criteria
The SSC Selection Post exam has specific eligibility requirements that candidates must fulfill. Below are the detailed criteria:
Educational Qualifications
The educational requirements vary based on the post you’re applying for. Here’s a general overview:
Matriculation Level
For some posts, candidates need to have passed Matriculation (10th) or equivalent from a recognized board.
Intermediate Level
Many posts require candidates to have passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board or university.
Graduation Level
For higher-level posts, a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is required. Some posts may require specific subject degrees.
Note: The exact educational qualification required is specified in the detailed notification for each post. Always refer to the official notification for precise requirements.
Age Limit
The age criteria for SSC Selection Post examination varies based on the post and category:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | As per post requirements (typically 18-30 years) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwD (Unreserved) | 10 years |
| PwD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deduction of military service |
Important: Age is calculated as on the cutoff date mentioned in the official notification. The upper age limit varies for different posts.
Nationality Requirements
To apply for SSC Selection Post examination, a candidate must be either:
Citizen of India
Must be a citizen of India with valid proof of citizenship.
Subject of Nepal/Bhutan
A subject of Nepal or Bhutan with proper documentation.
Tibetan Refugee
A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Person of Indian Origin
A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Physical Standards
Some posts may have specific physical requirements. These are generally applicable for posts in paramilitary forces or similar organizations:
Height requirements vary by post and category. For example:
- General category males: 165 cm
- General category females: 155 cm
- Relaxation for hilly areas and certain categories: 5 cm
For certain posts, chest measurements may be required:
- Male candidates: 81-86 cm (with 5 cm expansion)
- Relaxation for certain categories: 5 cm
Some posts may have specific vision requirements:
- Distant vision: 6/6 or 6/9 (with or without glasses)
- Near vision: N6 or N9 (with or without glasses)
- Color vision may be tested for certain technical posts
Note: Not all posts have physical requirements. Check the specific notification for the post you’re applying to see if physical standards apply.
Exam Pattern & Selection Process
Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. Here’s the detailed structure of the SSC Selection Post examination:
Computer Based Examination
The exam is conducted online with multiple-choice questions covering four main sections.
Learn MoreDuration & Marks
60 minutes duration with 100 questions carrying 100 marks. Negative marking of 0.25 marks for wrong answers.
Learn MoreSections
General Intelligence, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness.
Learn MoreDetailed Exam Pattern
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allocated |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence | 25 | 25 | 60 minutes (total) |
| English Language | 25 | 25 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | |
| General Awareness | 25 | 25 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Note: The exam is conducted in multiple shifts. The difficulty level may vary between shifts, and normalization procedures are applied to ensure fairness.
Selection Process
Computer Based Examination
The first stage is a computer-based test with 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates must clear the cutoff marks to proceed.
Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates are called for document verification to confirm their eligibility based on educational qualifications, category, age, etc.
Final Selection
Based on performance in the computer-based test and successful document verification, the final selection list is prepared.
Detailed Syllabus
The SSC Selection Post examination covers a wide range of topics across four sections. Here’s the comprehensive syllabus:
General Intelligence & Reasoning
This section tests logical thinking, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills.
Verbal Reasoning
Analogies, classification, series completion, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense test.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Pattern completion, figure series, analogy, classification, embedded figures, mirror images, water images.
Logical Reasoning
Syllogism, statement-conclusions, statement-assumptions, arguments, course of action, Venn diagrams.
Complete Topic List:
- Analogies
- Similarities and differences
- Space visualization
- Spatial orientation
- Problem-solving
- Analysis
- Judgment
- Decision making
- Visual memory
- Discrimination
- Observation
- Relationship concepts
- Arithmetical reasoning
- Verbal and figure classification
- Arithmetical number series
- Non-verbal series
- Coding and decoding
- Statement conclusion
- Syllogistic reasoning
English Language & Comprehension
This section evaluates understanding of English language, vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills.
Grammar
Parts of speech, tenses, voice, narration, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases, spelling corrections.
Comprehension
Reading passages followed by questions to test understanding, inference, and vocabulary.
Complete Topic List:
- Spot the Error
- Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms/Homonyms
- Antonyms
- Spelling/Detecting Mis-spelt words
- Idioms & Phrases
- One word substitution
- Improvement of Sentences
- Active/Passive Voice of Verbs
- Conversion into Direct/Indirect narration
- Shuffling of Sentence parts
- Shuffling of Sentences in a passage
- Cloze Passage
- Comprehension Passage
Quantitative Aptitude
This section tests numerical ability, accuracy in calculations, and understanding of mathematical concepts.
Arithmetic
Number systems, computation, whole numbers, decimals, fractions, relationships between numbers.
Algebra & Geometry
Basic algebraic identities, elementary geometry, mensuration, statistical charts.
Commercial Math
Ratio and proportion, percentage, profit and loss, interest, discount, time and distance.
Complete Topic List:
- Number Systems: Computation of Whole Number, Decimal and Fractions, Relationship between numbers
- Fundamental arithmetical operations: Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest (Simple and Compound)
- Profit and Loss, Discount, Partnership Business
- Mixture and Allegation
- Time and distance, Time and work
- Algebra: Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra and Elementary surds
- Graphs of Linear Equations
- Geometry: Familiarity with elementary geometric figures and facts
- Triangle and its various kinds of centers, Congruence and similarity of triangles
- Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles
- Mensuration: Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism, Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder
- Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base
- Trigonometry: Trigonometry, Trigonometric ratios, Complementary angles, Height and distances
- Statistical Charts: Use of Tables and Graphs: Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar-diagram, Pie-chart
General Awareness
This section tests knowledge of current events, India and its neighboring countries, history, culture, geography, economic scene, general policy, and scientific research.
Geography
Indian and World Geography, physical, social, economic geography of India and the world.
History & Culture
Indian history, culture, freedom movement, important historical events, art forms.
Current Affairs
Latest events in India and around the world, sports, awards, important appointments.
Complete Topic List:
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
- Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change
- General Science
- Current events of national and international importance
- Sports
- Awards and Honors
- Books and Authors
- Important Days
- National and International Organizations
- Science and Technology
- Defense
- Art and Culture
Preparation Strategy & Tips
Effective preparation requires a strategic approach. Here are expert tips to help you succeed in the SSC Selection Post examination:
Effective Study Plan
A well-structured study plan is essential for comprehensive preparation. Here’s a suggested timeline:
Phase 1: Foundation Building (2-3 months)
Understand the syllabus and exam pattern. Gather study materials and resources. Create a realistic study schedule covering all subjects.
Phase 2: Subject Mastery (3-4 months)
Focus on one subject at a time. Learn concepts, formulas, and rules. Practice basic to moderate level questions.
Phase 3: Practice & Mock Tests (2-3 months)
Take regular mock tests. Analyze performance and identify weak areas. Work on speed and accuracy.
Phase 4: Revision & Final Preparation (1-2 months)
Focus on revision of important topics. Take full-length mock tests. Work on time management and question selection strategy.
Pro Tip: Adjust this plan based on your strengths and weaknesses. Allocate more time to subjects you find challenging.
Time Management Strategies
Effective time management is crucial both during preparation and in the examination hall:
Daily Study Schedule
Create a realistic daily schedule with dedicated time slots for each subject. Include short breaks to maintain focus.
Priority-based Approach
Identify high-weightage topics and prioritize them. Allocate more time to difficult subjects while maintaining practice in stronger areas.
Exam Time Management
During the exam, allocate approximately 30-45 seconds per question. Don’t spend too much time on difficult questions – mark them for review and move on.
Rotation Strategy
Rotate between subjects during study sessions to prevent boredom and maintain engagement with different types of content.
Subject-wise Preparation Strategies
Each subject requires a different approach. Here are specific strategies for each section:
- Learn and practice different types of questions regularly
- Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing
- Develop shortcuts and tricks for solving problems quickly
- Practice puzzles and analytical reasoning questions
- Take timed tests to improve speed
- Read newspapers, magazines, and quality literature daily
- Learn 10-15 new words every day with their usage
- Practice grammar rules with exercises
- Work on reading comprehension with time constraints
- Solve previous years’ question papers
- Memorize important formulas and theorems
- Practice calculations without calculator to improve speed
- Learn shortcut methods for complex calculations
- Focus on data interpretation and arithmetic topics
- Solve problems from various sources to expose yourself to different question types
- Read newspapers daily for current affairs
- Follow reliable news sources and government websites
- Make notes of important events, dates, and facts
- Use flashcards for memorizing facts and figures
- Revise regularly as this section requires good retention
- Focus on static GK along with current affairs
Effective Revision Techniques
Revision is crucial for retention and recall. Here are some effective revision strategies:
Create Summary Notes
Prepare concise notes with important formulas, rules, and facts. Use these for quick revision before the exam.
Mind Maps & Diagrams
Use visual aids like mind maps, flowcharts, and diagrams to remember complex information and relationships between concepts.
Spaced Repetition
Revise topics at increasing intervals to transfer information from short-term to long-term memory.
Practice Previous Years’ Papers
Solve previous years’ question papers to understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and important topics.
Take Mock Tests
Regularly take full-length mock tests under exam conditions to improve time management and identify weak areas.
Cut-off Trends & Analysis
Understanding previous years’ cut-off trends helps you set realistic targets and gauge the competition level.
Previous Years’ Cut-off Marks
The cut-off marks vary based on the category and the post. Here’s a general overview of cut-off trends:
| Category | Approximate Cut-off Range | Factors Affecting Cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| General | 70-85 marks | Difficulty level, number of vacancies, number of applicants |
| OBC | 65-80 marks | Difficulty level, number of vacancies, number of applicants |
| SC | 60-75 marks | Difficulty level, number of vacancies, number of applicants |
| ST | 55-70 marks | Difficulty level, number of vacancies, number of applicants |
| EWS | 65-80 marks | Difficulty level, number of vacancies, number of applicants |
Note: These are approximate ranges based on previous trends. The actual cut-off varies each year based on multiple factors including difficulty level, number of vacancies, and number of applicants.
Factors Influencing Cut-off Marks
Difficulty Level
Harder exams generally have lower cut-offs, while easier exams have higher cut-offs.
Number of Applicants
Higher competition typically leads to higher cut-off marks.
Number of Vacancies
More vacancies usually mean relatively lower cut-offs, and vice versa.
Category-wise Reservation
The reservation policy followed in SSC Selection Post examination is as per Government norms:
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) | 4% (horizontal reservation) |
Recommended Books & Resources
Choosing the right study materials is crucial for effective preparation. Here are the most recommended books for SSC Selection Post examination:
General Intelligence & Reasoning Books
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Comprehensive coverage, ample practice questions |
| Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey | Focus on logical reasoning, good for advanced practice |
| Test of Reasoning | Edgar Thorpe | Concept explanations with practice exercises |
| Logical and Analytical Reasoning | Ashok Gupta | Problem-solving techniques, shortcut methods |
English Language Books
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi | Comprehensive grammar coverage, vocabulary exercises |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | Vocabulary building, root words approach |
| High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin | Classic grammar book, detailed explanations |
| English for Competitive Exams | From Pearson or Arihant | Exam-focused content, practice questions |
Quantitative Aptitude Books
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | Comprehensive coverage, practice questions |
| Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma | Shortcut methods, quick calculation techniques |
| Magical Book on Quicker Maths | M.Tyra | Short tricks, speed mathematics |
| Quantum CAT | Sarvesh Kumar Verma | Conceptual clarity, practice exercises |
General Awareness Books
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Lucent’s General Knowledge | Lucent | Comprehensive static GK, well-organized content |
| Manorama Yearbook | Mammen Mathew | Current affairs, general knowledge |
| Pratiyogita Darpan | Pratiyogita Darpan | Monthly magazine for current affairs |
| General Knowledge | Arihant | Exam-focused, year-wise current affairs |
Online Resources & Platforms
YouTube Channels
Free video lessons on all subjects: Adda247, SSC Adda, RBE, Wifistudy, etc.
Mobile Apps
Test series and practice: Gradeup, Adda247, Testbook, Unacademy, Byju’s.
Websites
SSC official website, AffairsCloud, GKToday, Jagran Josh.
Note: While online resources are helpful, they should complement your book-based study, not replace it. Be selective and choose reputable sources.
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