How to Create a 90-Day Study Plan for SSC CGL Tier 1

Introduction

The Staff Selection Commission – Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) Tier 1 examination is the gateway to some of the most coveted Group “B” and Group “C” posts in the Government of India. Although the Tier 1 paper is considered preliminary, it is the first elimination stage and therefore demands a strategic, time-bound approach. A 90-day (three-month) study plan is ideal because it strikes the perfect balance between intensity and realism: it is long enough to revise the entire syllabus twice, yet short enough to maintain momentum and prevent burnout. Below is a structured, step-by-step blueprint—complete with weekly milestones, daily targets, and revision slots—that you can tailor to your personal pace and commitments.

Know the Terrain: Exam Pattern & Weightage

• General Intelligence & Reasoning – 25 questions / 50 marks
• General Awareness – 25 questions / 50 marks
• Quantitative Aptitude – 25 questions / 50 marks
• English Comprehension – 25 questions / 50 marks

Each section carries equal weight, but the time you devote to them should reflect your personal strengths and weaknesses. The golden rule: never let any one area become a blind spot. Even a subject you are “good at” must be revised regularly to avoid rust.

The 90-Day Framework at a Glance

1. Phase 1 (Days 1–30): Foundation & Coverage
2. Phase 2 (Days 31–60): Intensification & Practice
3. Phase 3 (Days 61–90): Revision & Mastery

The overarching philosophy is simple:

• Learn ➜ Practice ➜ Analyze ➜ Refine ➜ Repeat

Phase 1 – Building the Base (Days 1–30)

Weekly Objectives

• Week 1: Syllabus decoding, resource finalization, diagnostic mock test.
• Week 2: Reasoning basics (coding-decoding, series), Arithmetic fundamentals (percentage, ratio, averages), Essential English grammar (parts of speech, subject-verb agreement), Static GK (polity & geography).
• Week 3: Advanced Reasoning (syllogism, blood relation), Arithmetic (profit-loss, simple interest), Vocabulary building (roots & prefixes), Science basics (biology & chemistry).
• Week 4: Data Interpretation (bar/line/PIE charts), Algebra basics, Reading comprehension drills, Modern history timeline.

Daily Time-Table (Average 6 hours)

1. Concept Class / Self-study – 2 hours
2. Guided Practice – 1.5 hours
3. Sectional Quiz – 45 minutes
4. Error Analysis & Notes – 45 minutes
5. Current Affairs – 30 minutes

At this stage your focus is breadth. Take concise notes—preferably one notebook per subject—so that future revisions are seamless.

Phase 2 – Sharpening the Saw (Days 31–60)

Shift in Strategy

The second month demands a pivot from pure learning to aggressive problem-solving. Start timing yourself, maintain an error log, and escalate difficulty gradually.

Weekly Objectives

• Week 5: High-level Reasoning puzzles, Trigonometry basics, Cloze tests, Economy (budget & schemes).
• Week 6: Geometry, Number Series, Para-jumbles, Environment & ecology.
• Week 7: Mixed DI sets, Mensuration, Error-spotting marathon, Art & culture facts.
• Week 8: Mock Test Festival — three full-length mocks with deep dive analysis.

Daily Time-Table (Average 7 hours)

1. Timed Practice Sets – 2 hours
2. Mock or Sectional Test – 1 hour
3. Detailed Review – 1 hour
4. Concept Patch-ups – 1 hour
5. Reading (newspaper/editorials) – 45 minutes
6. Flash-card Revision – 45 minutes

By day 60 you should have attempted at least 8–10 full mocks and several sectional tests. Celebrate incremental improvements, but scrutinize every repeated mistake—this is the period where marks are made or lost.

Phase 3 – Polish & Peak (Days 61–90)

Key Goals

• Convert knowledge to exam-ready speed.
• Fine-tune guesswork strategies (intelligent elimination).
• Memorize formulae, rules, and static facts through rapid revision cycles.

Week-wise Breakdown

• Week 9 (Days 61–67): Revise Quant & Reasoning formula sheets; attempt two mocks in real-time slots (e.g., 10 a.m.–11 a.m.)
• Week 10 (Days 68–74): English & GK blitz: daily 500-word reading plus mixed MCQ drills; one mock every alternate day.
• Week 11 (Days 75–81): Full Syllabus Grand Tests (three); focus on stamina and mental composure. Replicate exam hall conditions: no phones, strict timer, one water bottle.
• Week 12 (Days 82–90): Golden Week: light study, micro-revision, sleep discipline, confidence-building. Two final mocks (Days 83 & 86) followed by zero-study days (Days 84 & 87) for mental recovery. Last three days: only flash-cards and previous error logs.

Micro-Revision Techniques

1. The 1-1-1 Rule

Every concept appears thrice: once while learning, once in practice within 24 hours, and once in revision within a week. Cognitive science shows this drastically improves retention.

2. Last-Minute Booklets

• Formula Digest – Quant & geometry equations
• Root Word List – English vocabulary amplifiers
• Static GK Snapshot – 100 must-remember facts

3. Error Log Reflection

Maintain a spreadsheet (or a dedicated notebook) capturing:

1. Question ID / Mock No.
2. Topic
3. Error Type (Concept / Calculation / Silly)
4. Correct Approach

Review it thrice a week; your objective is to make the “silly” column zero by Day 90.

Daily Discipline Mantras

• Pomodoro Blocks: 25 minutes study + 5 minutes break; four blocks form one set, then a longer 20-minute break.
• Digital Hygiene: Keep social media off during study hours. Use website blockers if needed.
• Health Matrix: 7 hours sleep, 2 litres water, 30 minutes brisk walk or yoga. A fatigued mind cannot outperform a refreshed one.

Common Pitfalls & How to Dodge Them

1. Over-focusing on One Subject: Timetable imbalances lead to lopsided scores. Stick to rotational study.
2. Skipping Mock Analysis: A test not analysed is time wasted. Spend at least equal time reviewing.
3. Ignoring Previous Year Papers: They reveal pattern trends; integrate one paper every Sunday.
4. Neglecting Mental Health: Stress hampers accuracy. Schedule micro-breaks and pursue a hobby.

“The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.” — Juma Ikangaa

Conclusion

A 90-day study plan is less about cramming and more about orchestrating your preparation into manageable, trackable chunks. When executed faithfully, it creates a compounding effect: each day’s learning reinforces the previous day’s work, and every mock test hones your instinct for speed and precision. Remember that Tier 1 is only the first milestone; efficient preparation here builds the momentum you need for Tier 2 and beyond. Stay disciplined, stay adaptive, and trust the process—success will follow.