Quantitative Aptitude Weightage Breakdown
In SSC CGL and CHSL Tier 1, Quantitative Aptitude carries 25 questions (50 marks). In Tier 2 CGL Paper 1, Section 1 features 30 questions carrying 90 marks (3 marks per question with -1 negative marking).
Arithmetic topics (Percentage, Profit & Loss, Ratio, Time & Work, SI/CI, Speed Distance) represent approximately 12-14 questions in Tier 1. Advanced Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, and Coordinate Geometry) accounts for 11-13 questions.
- Arithmetic Core: 48-52% of total math questions.
- Advanced Math Core: 44-48% of total math questions.
- Data Interpretation: 1 set of 3-4 questions based on tables or bar charts.
General Awareness Shift: Static GK & Polity Dominance
Recent question papers from 2024 to 2026 demonstrate a definitive shift away from generic trivia toward structured Static GK and Indian Constitutional articles.
Static GK alone (classical dances, musical instruments, gharanas, festivals, national parks, and sports trophies) accounts for 8 to 11 questions. Indian Polity contributes another 3 to 5 questions.
Prioritize Static GK and Indian Polity articles before spending weeks on ancient history details.
Reasoning & English Language Distribution
Reasoning is the highest-ROI section. Coding-decoding, analogies, series, syllogisms, and paper folding account for 20 out of 25 questions.
In English, Tier 1 focuses on vocabulary (6-8 marks), error spotting & sentence improvement (6-8 marks), and a 5-question Cloze test (10 marks). Tier 2 introduces extended Reading Comprehension passages and complex narration questions.