SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I paper analysis: summary (as of 30 October 2026)
- Exam window: 30 September – 30 October 2026, computer-based, 100 questions / 200 marks / 60 minutes.
- New format point: a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each of the four sections (notice para 13.8).
- Overall level reported by candidates: mostly moderate; some shifts reported as easy-to-moderate or moderate-to-difficult.
- Toughest sections reported: Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness; good attempts reported between 75 and 85 depending on the shift.
- Your exact score: calculate it from your response sheet once SSC releases the tentative answer key.
Difficulty ratings and “good attempts” below are based on candidate feedback collected by coaching websites after each shift. They are not SSC data, and they differ between sources. Use them to compare your own experience, not to predict the cut-off.
Exam structure: what changed in 2026
| Section | Questions | Marks | Sectional time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | 15 min |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 60 min |
With a fixed 15-minute block per section, time saved in Reasoning or English cannot be moved to Quantitative Aptitude or General Awareness, the two sections reviews most often rate as harder.
Shift-wise difficulty level (reported)
| Date / shift | Overall (reported) | Section levels and good attempts (reported) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2026, Shift 1 | Moderate | Reasoning and English easy-to-moderate, GA and Quant moderate; good attempts 75–82 | Prepp |
| 1 Oct 2026, Shift 2 | Moderate | Reasoning easy-to-moderate, others moderate; good attempts 80–85 | Prepp |
| 1 Oct 2026, Shift 3 | Moderate to difficult | Quant and English moderate-to-difficult; good attempts 75–80 | Prepp |
| 3 Oct 2026, Shift 1 | Moderate | Reasoning and English easy-to-moderate, GA and Quant moderate | Prepp |
| 8 Oct 2026 | Moderate | No change from earlier shifts reported; good attempts 79–83 (Reasoning 21–22, GA 19–20, Quant 19–20, English 20–21) | Career Power |
Section-wise trends reported across shifts
| Section | Reported level (range across shifts above) | Reported good attempts (out of 25) |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Easy to moderate | 18–23 |
| General Awareness | Easy-to-moderate to moderate | 14–20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Moderate to difficult | 14–21 |
| English Comprehension | Easy-to-moderate to difficult | 19–23 |
Why shift difficulty does not decide your result
Tier-I was held in many shifts, so SSC normalises marks across shifts using its procedure notified on 02.06.2025 (notice para 13.2). A tougher shift does not mean a lower final score: the normalised score is what decides Tier-II shortlisting. In 2025, candidates rescheduled to the re-exam were clubbed with their original shift for normalisation (SSC corrigendum, January 2026).
How to review your attempt now
- Write down the number of questions you attempted in each section while you still remember.
- When the tentative answer key opens, download your response sheet before the window closes: SSC does not provide it later.
- Calculate the raw score: +2 for each correct answer, −0.50 for each wrong one.
- Compare with the official Tier-I cut-offs of past years on the SSC CGL cut-off page, remembering that those were normalised marks.
- Start Tier-II Paper-I preparation without waiting for the result: Tier-II decides the final merit.
Previous-year comparison
| Cycle | Tier-I UR cut-off (all other posts) | Candidates shortlisted for Tier-II (List-3) |
|---|---|---|
| CGL 2024 | 153.18981 / 200 | 1,65,240 |
| CGL 2025 | 136.40215 / 200 | 1,31,027 |
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Hindi summary
एसएससी सीजीएल 2026 टियर-1 (30 सितंबर – 30 अक्टूबर 2026) का स्तर अधिकतर पालियों में उम्मीदवारों ने मध्यम बताया। क्वांट और सामान्य जागरूकता सबसे अधिक समय लेने वाले खंड रहे। इस वर्ष हर खंड के लिए 15 मिनट का सेक्शनल टाइमर था। ये रेटिंग अनौपचारिक हैं; अपना सही स्कोर आंसर की आने पर रिस्पॉन्स शीट से निकालें।
Frequently asked questions
How was the SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I paper?
Candidate reviews published by coaching websites rated most shifts of SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I as moderate. Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness were reported as the most time-consuming sections, while Reasoning and English were reported as easier.
Was there a sectional timer in SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I?
Yes. The SSC CGL 2026 notice gives a sectional timer of 15 minutes for each of the four Tier-I sections, within a total time of 1 hour.
What are good attempts in SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I?
Coaching websites reported good attempts of roughly 75 to 85 out of 100 for different shifts. These are unofficial estimates based on candidate feedback, not SSC figures.
Does a tough shift reduce my chances in SSC CGL?
No. SSC normalises Tier-I marks across shifts, and the normalised score is used for shortlisting candidates for Tier-II.
When can I check my SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I score?
You can calculate your raw score from your response sheet when SSC releases the tentative answer key. Official normalised marks are published after the Tier-I result.
Official sources
- SSC notice: CGL 2026 Tier-I schedule (12.09.2026)
- SSC CGL 2026 notice of examination, para 13.2 and 13.8
- SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I result (18.12.2025) and corrigendum (14.01.2026)