SSC CGL, CHSL and GD 2026: exam pattern and the new 15-minute sectional timing

SSC CGL Tier 1

1. General Intelligence and Reasoning: 25 questions, 50 marks
2. General Awareness: 25 questions, 50 marks
3. Quantitative Aptitude: 25 questions, 50 marks
4. English Comprehension: 25 questions, 50 marks
5. 100 questions, 200 marks, 60 minutes — 15 minutes per section
6. +2 for a correct answer, −0.50 for a wrong one

• Take the free SSC CGL Tier 1 mock test (sectional timing)

SSC CHSL Tier 1

Same structure as CGL, in this order: English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness — 25 questions and 15 minutes each, +2 / −0.50.

SSC GD Constable

1. Four sections of 20 questions each: Reasoning, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics, English or Hindi
2. 80 questions, 160 marks, 60 minutes, one timer
3. +2 for a correct answer, −0.25 for a wrong one

• Take the free SSC GD mock test

What sectional timing changes

You can no longer finish General Awareness in 6 minutes and spend the saved time on Maths. Unused time in a section is lost, and you cannot go back.

1. Plan each section as its own 15-minute test.
2. In General Awareness and English, answer what you know quickly, then use the remaining minutes on doubtful questions instead of leaving early.
3. In Maths, do one quick pass of easy questions first (about 8 minutes), then attempt the longer ones.
4. Practise with the same timers: our SSC mocks lock each section after 15 minutes, exactly like the exam.

Sources

• Mahendras: SSC CGL syllabus and exam pattern
• Mahendras: SSC CHSL exam pattern
• Physics Wallah: SSC new exam pattern 2026 (15 minutes per section)
• PW Store: SSC GD exam pattern 2026

Last updated 15 October 2026. Always check the official notification for your exam.