“Scoring just above the cut-off is risky in SSC CGL. Candidates should always target
a safe score that keeps them ahead after normalization and rising competition.
Example:
Post Safe Score Target🎯
SSC CGL post post wise off
ASO (CSS) 330+
Income Tax Inspector 310–325
CBI Sub Inspector 300–320
Examiner 295+
Auditor 250–270
Aspirants should aim for a score well above the expected cut-off.
SSC CGL safe score 2026
SSC CGL target score
Section Safe Attempts
English 22–24
Reasoning 22–23
Quant 20–22
GA 15–18
For SSC CGL Tier-1,
your target should be based on accuracy + smart attempts,
not just attempting all 100 questions.
SSC CGL expected cut off
Safe Attempt Strategy (Out of 100 Questions)
SSC CGL Tier 1 Safe Score
Recent analyses show that around 71–76 good attempts with strong accuracy
are usually considered safe for Teir -1.
Ideal Section-Wise Attempts
Section Target Attempts Safe Correct
English 22–25
Reasoning 22–25
Maths 18–22
GK/GA 12–18
then aim for 80+ attempts
90% accuracy
Avoid random guessing
Smart Exam Order
Many toppers follow so don't skip this:
1. English (easy scoring)
2. Reasoning
3. GK
4. Maths at the end
This helps save time and build confidence early.
Point to be noted✍️
SSC CGL has become more competitive recently, and many aspirants feel:
English is trickier than before
Maths is more calculation-based
Accuracy matters more than blind attempts
Enrich Your Word Power
Master Your Future!
Building a strong vocabulary requires regular and active interaction with the language. One of the best ways to improve is by learning words through context. Reading extensively, applying new words in your writing and conversations, and revising them at regular intervals help transfer vocabulary from passive memory to active usage.
Effective Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary
Read Widely: Explore different types of content such as novels, newspapers, magazines, and
scientific articles to learn new words naturally. Whenever you find an unfamiliar word, try to understand its meaning through the context before checking the dictionary. This is the easiest way to upgrade your vocabulary. Read editorials from The Hindu, Indian Express, or English novels. Keep a vocabulary notebook and write down new words with their meanings.
Maintain a Vocabulary Notebook: Write down newly learned words along with their meanings and the sentences where you discovered them. Also, create your own sentences using those words to remember and apply them effectively.
Use Spaced Revision:
Revise vocabulary regularly with flashcards or apps like Anki at fixed intervals. This method strengthens memory and helps you retain words for a longer period. Don't cram. Use spaced repetition apps like Anki or to revise. Repeat after 1day,3 days, 7 days, and so on.
• Understand Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes:
Many English words are formed from common word parts. By learning roots
such as bene- (meaning good) and mal- (meaning bad), you can easily guess
the meanings of many unfamiliar words without using a dictionary.
The Root " Bene" - Good/ "Well
Benefactor: A person who gives money or helps another person or cause.
Benediction: A blessing or the expression of good wishes.
Beneficial: Favorable, helpful, or producing a good effect.
Benign: Gentle, mild, and harmless.
The Root "mal-" (Bad/Evil)
Malady: A disease, sickness or physical disorder
Malfunction: To fail to work or operate properly
Malevolent: Wishing or intending to do harm or evil to others.
• Enjoy Learning Through Word Games:
Make vocabulary practice fun by solving crosswords or playing games like Scrabble.
These activities improve your thinking skills and help strengthen your command of
language.
• Replace the overuse of “very” with stronger and more specific adjectives to make your
language more impactful. For example, instead of saying “very slow,” you can use “sluggish.”
Tips to Improve Vocabulary
Improve your vocabulary by reading regularly, keeping a vocabulary notebook, and
applying effective Oxford learning techniques. You can also use platforms like
Recommended Books
To build a strong vocabulary foundation, you can start with these popular books that
are easily available in India:
Word Power Made Easy
A widely trusted book that includes interactive exercises and self-evaluation activities to improve vocabulary effectively.
Recommended Books
To build a strong vocabulary foundation, you can start with these popular books,
which are easily available across India:
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis — A widely trusted guide that includes
exercises and self-evaluation sections to strengthen vocabulary skills.
A practical self-study book designed to help learners improve their vocabulary quickly
and effectively.
For competitive exams like the SSC CGL, phrasal verbs are high yield because they test both vocabulary and prepositions. Examiners often use them in Sentence Improvement, Cloze
Test, and Error Spotting sections.
20 Essential Phrasal Verbs (Vocabulary for Exams)
Abide by means to follow a rule/decision
Sentence: Candidates must abide by the rules set by the Commission.
Back out means to withdraw from a commitment
Sentence: He signed the contract but later tried to back out.
Bear with means to be patient with someone
Sentence: Please bear with me while I fix the technical glitch in the live stream.
Blow up means to explode or start suddenly
Sentence: The dispute blew up into a major political scandal.
Break down means to stop functioning (machine/person)
Sentence: The elevator broke down, so we had to take the stairs.
Bring about means to cause something to happen
Sentence: Digital education has brought about a revolution in learning.
Call off means to cancel
Sentence: The strike was called off after the management agreed to the terms.
Carry out means to execute or perform a task
Sentence: Scientists are carrying out experiments on the new vaccine.
Come across means to find by chance
Sentence: He came across an old photo of his school while cleaning the attic.
Cut down on means to reduce consumption
Sentence: You should cut down on sugar to stay healthy.
Fall through means to fail (plans/agreements)
Sentence: Our travel plans fell through due to the sudden heavy rain.
Get along means to have a friendly relationship
Sentence: It is important for colleagues to get along in a workspace.
Give in means to surrender or yield
Sentence: The government refused to give in to the protesters' demands.
Hold on means to wait for a short time
Sentence: Please hold on for a moment while I transfer your call.
Look into means to investigate
Sentence: The police are looking into the cause of the accident.
Make up for means to compensate for
Sentence: No amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one.
Put off means to postpone
Sentence: Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Run out of means to have none left
Sentence: We have run out of ink for the printer.
Take after means to resemble a parent/relative
Sentence: He takes after his father in both looks and temperament.
Turn down means to reject an offer or request
Sentence: She turned down the job offer because the salary was too low.
Practice Exercise: Cloze Test Style
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrasal verbs listed above.
1. The committee decided to __________ the meeting because the director was unwell.
Ans: Put off
Explanation: Put off means to postpone. Since the director was not well, the meeting
was likely moved to a later date.
2. While researching for my dissertation, he __________ an important manuscript in the library.
Ans: Came across
Explanation: Here, past tense is used. It means to find something by chance. Since the person was researching, he came across the important manuscript, "came across" is simple past tense.
3. If you want to improve your health, you must __________ oily food.
Ans: Cut down on
Explanation: It means to reduce the consumption of something. In this case of oily food and
health, reducing the amount is the most logical advice.
4. The plan to build a new stadium __________ due to a lack of funding.
Ans: Fell through
Explanation: It is the past tense of "fall through", it means a plan or arrangement
failed to happen. The "lack of funding" is the main reason, the stadium project failed.
5. A good teacher knows how to __________ a positive change in her students' lives.
Ans: Bring about
Explanation: It means to cause a change or a result. It highlights the teacher's role as
a catalyst for change.
Grammar Tip: In SSC exams, pay close attention to the tense of the phrasal verb.
If the sentence is in the past, "Bring about" must become "Brought about."
“Instead of preparing only for the cut-off, candidates should prepare for a safe score
with high accuracy. Consistent mock analysis and smart attempts can significantly
improve selection chances.”
