How to Prepare General Awareness

for SSC CGL 2017

The General Awareness section of SSC CGL Tier I exam can be very scoring if you
tackle it wisely. Unlike other sections of SSC CGL Tier I, the general awareness
section doesn't require any calculations and is thus the least time-
consuming section. You can attempt this section
very quickly and accurately (accuracy means the chances of getting an answer
right). So let us start off by understanding what sort of topics and questions to
expect while studying the syllabus of General Awareness and then move on
to tips to prepare General Awareness for SSC CGL 2017 based on new
Pattern.

How GA section can Improve your Marks in SSC

CGL Tier I

If you think that you don't need to focus on GA as long as you are strong in
Reasoning and Quants, you are wrong! Here's why you need to prepare General
Awareness for SSC CGL Tier I:

More marks in less time: Since it is less calculation based, you can
complete the GA section quickly. Even if you prepare science and technology,
sports and current affairs nicely, you can expect to get at least 20 marks.

Low Chances of Getting Negative Marks: Again, since there is nothing to

solve in General Awareness questions, you will always know whether you
know the answer or not. This means there is no chance that you will
knowingly mark an answer wrong.

1|Page
Let us now look at what topics are mostly asked and how to maximise your score in
GA awareness for SSC CGL Tier I 2017.

Overall Analysis of General Awareness for SSC

CGL Tier I

The above pie chart is based on 2015 and 2016 papers. As you can see, you can divide
your GA preparation into 3 major parts - Static GK, Science and Miscellaneous
topics. Here is what is covered under these 3 subtopics:

Subtopics and Mark Distribution

No. of
Subject Topic Total
Qs

Culture 1-2

Indian History 2-3

Static GK 8-14
Geography
2-3
(Indian + World)

2|Page
 Environment 1-2

Economy 1-2

Polity 1-2

Biology 1-2

Chemistry 1-2

Physics +
2-3
Space Science

Computer &
Science 4-8
Mobile 0-1
Technology

Diseases,
0-1
Pollution

Nutrition 0-1

Current Affairs 1-2

Important Dates,
Portfolios, 1-2
Schemes
Others 3-6
Miscellaneous GK:
Sports,
1-2
People in News,
Books etc.

Now that you know the weightage of each topic, take a look at the list of topcis that
asked in SSC CGL TierI General Awareness section.

Subject-Wise Important Topics:

3|Page
 Science
Physics Chemistry Biology

Uses, Common Names and

Parts of Plant & their
Gravity Composition of Various
Functions
Chemicals

Parts of Human
Motion Alloys Body & their
Functions

Definition Based Questions Basics of Animal

Work
(Heat, Oxidation, Reduction etc.) Kingdom.

Diseases, Prevention
Pressure SI units
& Cure

Units of Chemical Change & Physical Nutrients &

Measurement Change Deficieny Diseases

Sound Chemistry in Everyday life

Heat - -

Electronics - -

Magnetism - -

History
Ancient
Medieval History Modern History
History

Establishment &
Indus Valley European Penetration &
Expansion of the Delhi
Civilization British Conquest of India
Sultanate

4|Page
 Religious Movements
Buddhism &
in the Fifteenth & Major Battles
Jainism
Sixteenth Centuries

Social & Cultural Awakening

The Mauryans Mughal Dynasty
in India

Post-Mauryan
Later Mughals The Great Revolt of 1857
Kingdoms

The Gupta
The Maratha State Indian National Congress
Period

Nationalist Movement, 1905-

- - 1918: Growth of Militant
Nationalism

Struggle for Swaraj - I, 1919 -

- -
1927

Struggle for Swaraj - II, 1927-

- -
1947

- - Governor-Generals of India

- - Indian Princely States

Geography
Movement Of Earth Winds Soils In India

Ocean & Ocean

Interior Of Earth Agriculture In India
Currents

Latitudes & Volcanoes

Transportation In India
Longitudes & Earthquakes

5|Page
 Mineral Resources In
Solar System Habitats
India

Physical Features Of
Atmosphere Forests In India
India

All you need to

World Geo. Facts I.E.
know about States Rivers In India
Continents in the World.
of India

Polity
Framing Of The
President Governor
Constitution

Sources Of Indian
Vice President Vidhan Sabha
Constitution

Schedules & Parts Of Attorney General Of

Vidhan Parishad
Indian Constitution India

Comptroller Auditor
Chief Minsters Panchayats
General

Citizenship Lok Sabha Parliamentary Funds

Article 370 Rajya Sabha Supreme Court

Emergency In India Bills High Court

Prime Minister
Commissions & Cabinet Writs
Ministers

Miscellaneous

6|Page
 1. Population Census
2. Union Budget, Demonetization and Economic Survey
3. Important Books & Writers
4. Oscar Winners
5. First in Sports for India and World like First Olympics, First Asian Games etc.
6. Famous Sea Ports, Airports and their locations
7. State Animals and Symbols
8. Important Institutions of India and World & their locations (like BRICS,
World Bank, IMF and RBI etc.)
9. Indian Art & Culture, Awards & their Significance
10. Nobel Laureates & their Fields

Computer & Mobile Technology

1. Development of Computers
2. Input & Output Devices
3. Memory
4. Abbreviations

What not to Do in General Awareness for SSC

CGL

While preparing for General Awareness, the common tendency of students is to focus
on the current affairs section as this is the general requirement in banking and other
recruitment exams. From the trend of SSC CGL General Awareness section visible
above, you will notice that the weightage to the static portion is way higher than the
current affairs.

So you need to go about preparing for this section smartly. You need to look at how
the paper setters have been leaning because otherwise preparing for this section can
get to be a never-ending task. For example, a new trend nowadays is higher number

7|Page
of questions from the topic of Science. It is also not wise to say ignore current affairs
completely, but do not invest too much time in them.

Tips to Prepare General Awareness for SSC CGL

You need to focus on each section according to the order of priority given below:

Science>> Polity>> History>> Geography>> Economy>> Misc.

You may search for free GK capsules on Testbooks Blog or you can go by the
detailed study from following sources:

1. Polity: The most important book on this topic is Indian Polity by M.

Laxmikanth. You can also attempt to solve questions in NIOS study material
and Lucent books.
2. History: You may start by reading Tamil Nadu State Education Board
textbooks of class 11 and 12. Once again, Lucents GK book is also good for this
section. Questions on Culture can also be easily solved by reading Lucents GK
books.
3. Geography: NCERT Textbooks for Social Science Class 7 to 10 and for
Geography Class 11, 12.
4. Economy: Mostly straightforward questions are asked. e.g. Definition and
concepts of Economy. NCERTs Economy book of Class 11 (Indias Economy &
Development) is a good read for basic idea of Indian Economy.
5. Science: NCERT textbooks of Science from class 6 to 10 are the best source.
6. Miscellaneous: Lucents GK book is more than sufficient to tackle the
miscellaneous topics.

Note: Frequent revision of these topics is the golden rule for securing good marks in
this section.

Get More SSC CGL Updates here:

8|Page
 Detailed Syllabus & Guide for SSC CGL Tier I

How to Prepare for SSC CGL in 2 Months

Also check out:

SSC CGL Recruitment Notification 2017

SSC CGL Exam Analysis 2016 All Slots & All Days
SSC CGL Questions Asked 2016 All Days & All Shifts
Official SSC CGL Tier I Cut Off 2016

9|Page