How to prepare for SSC CGL ? (Book-list and Tips)

Even one month of serious studies can prove fruitful for CGL. But you will have to use your days judiciously. Some tips from my side-

1. Your most important source is the previous year question papers because many questions are repeated as it is. I just purchased a single book(Kiran Prakashan) containing previous year papers and solved it 3-4 times. After completing that book, I got the feeling that 75% syllabus is al ready covered.

2. General Awareness - This section has the least benefit-cost ratio. You will invest more time, but your return will be low. I will recommend you not to waste much time here(at max 1 hour daily). Moreover I have found that Lucent's GK book/Manorama Year Book has the best compilation, especially for CGL. So instead of referring multiple sources and wasting your limited time, just go for them(either of the two).

3. Reasoning - Most scoring section of Tier-1, because the questions are pre-defined. Just practise the question papers, and you will definitely score well (you should at least get 40+ here, in less than 30 minutes).

4. Quantitative Aptitude - Most important part of the syllabus. This is the section where you should devote most of your time. Just purchase any good book (Kiran's Quickest Mathematics is fine) and practise thoroughly. Mugging shortcuts will help you to get an edge over others. Try solving every question within 1 minute.

5. English - Most tricky portion. Every section of this portion is unpredictable. You can't guess which idioms, antonyms, synonyms, phrasal verb, etc. will be asked.
   Error correction - at least prepare the rules used in previous year papers
   Idioms, One word substitution, Synonyms, etc. - Learn 10 words each, daily.
   Direct- Indirect and active-passive- Very scoring. Just mug the rules
   Comprehension - You can't do much here. Reading news paper can help.

I think I have touched every portion and I will re-iterate, don't ignore the previous year question papers.

Book-list

First of all, own publicity :)
I wrote an ebook containing all the shortcuts one needs to know for clearing CGL. It covers all the topics of quantitative aptitude, reasoning and some important topics of english. You can purchase it from here-

SSC Hack book

Moving on to other books-

1) Quantitative Aptitude

         (i)
             
             OR

              

          (ii)
                

2) English

           (i) Main reference book

                 

             OR

                 

              (ii) For vocabulary
                   Normal Lewis
                    
                 OR
                 MB Publication (good for Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, One Word Substitution, etc.)
                    

                (iii) For grammar
                    

3) General Awareness

              (i)

                   

               (ii)
                   

4) Previous Year Papers (a single book for both Tier-1 and Tier-2) - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

                    

5) Ultimate Guide to SSC CGL (covers entire syllabus including Reasoning)

                   

I would recommend you to buy only one book for each section (unless you can finish both). For English, I have mentioned two books : Plinth to Paramount covers grammar rules well and SP Bakshi is good for idioms, phrasal verbs, vocabulary, etc. You can buy both the books if you want. Moreover, I haven't explicitly mentioned any book for Reasoning section, as it will be covered by Ultimate Guide to SSC CGL (book no. 5 above) and previous year papers. But still if you think your reasoning in poor, you can go for either of the two books given below(although they are more suited for Banking exams)-

6) Reasoning

       (i)

                    
        (ii)

                    


Finally to give final touch to your preparation, solve mock tests, that will help you in time-management during the exams-

(7) Mock Tests

           (i)

                   

            (ii)

                    

Although both the books contain errors, but these are the only ones available in the market. So buy any one of them.

Best of Luck :)