SSC CGL — Important Topics & Questions

Quantitative Aptitude

Q: A shopkeeper marks goods 25% above cost and gives 10% discount. Profit %?

Let CP = 100
MP (Marked Price) = 100 + 25% = 125
SP (Selling Price) = 125 - 10% of 125 = 125 - 12.5 = 112.5
Profit = SP - CP = 112.5 - 100 = 12.5
Profit % = 12.5/100 × 100 = 12.5%

Formula shortcut: Profit% = (1+m/100)(1-d/100) - 1 × 100
= (1.25)(0.9) - 1 = 1.125 - 1 = 0.125 = 12.5%

Q: Ratio of speeds A:B = 3:4. A gives B a head start of 20m. 100m race?

When B runs 100m, A runs 100 × 3/4 = 75m
A is 25m behind when B finishes.
With 20m head start for B: B only needs to run 80m
When B runs 80m: A runs 80 × 3/4 = 60m
B finishes at 80m | A is at 60m (A loses by 20m from finish = needs 40m more)
Wait — A started at 0, B started at 20. When B at 100 (running 80m), A at 60.
B wins by 100-60 = 40m? No — both start at same position, B gets 20m head start.
A has 100m to run | B has only 80m to run
Time for B: 80/4 = 20 units | Time for A: 100/3 = 33.3 units
B finishes first. At that time A ran: 20 × 3 = 60m. B wins by 40m.

General Intelligence

Q: Analogy — Book : Library :: Painting : ?

Book is stored/displayed in Library
Painting is stored/displayed in Gallery/Museum
Answer: Gallery or Museum

SSC analogy tips:
  Identify the exact relationship (part-whole, tool-material, worker-place)
  Apply SAME relationship to second pair
  Watch for traps (superficially similar, not relationally similar)

Q: Missing number in series: 2, 6, 14, 30, ?

Differences: 4, 8, 16, ?
Pattern: differences double each time → next difference = 32
Next term: 30 + 32 = 62

OR: 2×2-1=3? No. Try: 2×1+4=6? 6×2+2=14? 14×2+2=30? 30×2+2=62 ✓

English Language

Q: One-word substitutions — most commonly asked in SSC.

Ambidextrous: able to use both hands equally well
Bibliophile: lover of books
Carnivore: flesh-eating animal
Egoist: person who is self-centred
Fanatic: person with extreme enthusiasm/views
Gregarious: fond of company/sociable
Herbivore: plant-eating animal
Inevitable: that which cannot be avoided
Juvenile: relating to young people
Misanthrope: person who hates mankind
Nocturnal: active at night
Omnivore: eats both plants and animals
Panacea: remedy for all diseases
Pseudo: false, pretending
Verbose: using too many words

General Awareness

Q: Name the First Five Prime Ministers of India.

1. Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-1964) — longest serving PM
2. Gulzarilal Nanda (interim, 1964, 13 days)
3. Lal Bahadur Shastri (1964-1966) — Jai Jawan Jai Kisan
4. Gulzarilal Nanda (interim, 1966, 13 days)
5. Indira Gandhi (1966-1977, 1980-1984) — first woman PM

Bank PO tip: Also know: First President (Rajendra Prasad), First CJI (Harilal Kania),
             First RBI Governor (Osborne Smith, British) | First Indian: CD Deshmukh

Revision Notes

SSC CGL PATTERN:
  Tier 1: 100Q, 60 min, 200 marks (online, 0.5 negative)
  Tier 2: Paper 1 (Quant+English+GK+Computer) | Paper 2 (Stat/Accounts — specific posts)

QUANT FOCUS AREAS:
  Percentage, profit-loss, SI/CI, ratio-proportion (20-25%)
  Time-work, speed-distance, pipes-cistern
  Geometry, mensuration (area/volume formulas)
  Number system, HCF/LCM, surds, indices

SHORTCUTS:
  Profit/loss: always work with CP=100
  Time-work: work rates add directly
  Speed: LCM method for meeting/catching problems
  Mixture: alligation rule (cross-multiply)

ENGLISH: Vocabulary + Error detection + Sentence improvement + Reading comprehension
GK: Static (history, geography, polity, science) + Current affairs (3 months)