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SSC CPO Exam 2023: How to Crack It in One Go with These Proven Tips

SSC CPO Exam: How to Crack It in One Go with These Proven Tips

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Central Police Organization (CPO) exam every year to recruit candidates for various posts such as Sub-Inspector (SI) in Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The SSC CPO exam is one of the most competitive and prestigious exams in India, as it offers a lucrative career opportunity for those who aspire to serve the nation.

However, clearing the SSC CPO exam is not an easy task, as it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, strategy and preparation. The exam consists of four stages: Paper-I (Prelims), Physical Standard Test / Physical Endurance Test (PST/PET), Paper-II (Mains) and Medical Examination Test. Each stage has its own syllabus, pattern and difficulty level, and candidates need to qualify each stage to move on to the next one.

So, how can you clear the SSC CPO exam in your first attempt? Is it possible to do so with a month’s preparation? What are the best books and study materials for SSC CPO preparation? How can you avoid common mistakes and pitfalls while preparing for the exam? In this article, we will answer all these questions and provide you with some useful tips and tricks that will help you ace the SSC CPO exam in your first attempt.

Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The first and foremost step in your SSC CPO preparation is to understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. This will help you to know what to expect in the exam, how much time you have to complete each section, what are the topics covered in each section, what are the marks allotted for each question, what are the negative marking rules, etc. Having a clear idea of the exam pattern and syllabus will also help you to plan your study schedule accordingly and allocate time for each topic.

The SSC CPO exam pattern and syllabus for Paper-I and Paper-II are given below:

SSC CPO Exam Pattern for Paper-I

Paper-I is an objective type online test that consists of four sections: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude and English Comprehension. Each section has 50 questions carrying one mark each, making a total of 200 questions for 200 marks. The duration of the paper is two hours. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.

SectionsNumber of QuestionsMarks allotted
General Intelligence and Reasoning5050
General Knowledge and Awareness5050
Quantitative Aptitude5050
English Comprehension5050
Total200200

SSC CPO Exam Pattern for Paper-II

Paper-II is also an objective type online test that consists of only one section: English Language and Comprehension. This section has 200 questions carrying one mark each, making a total of 200 marks. The duration of the paper is two hours. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.

SectionNumber of QuestionsMarks Allotted
English Language and Comprehension200200

 

SSC CPO Exam Pattern for PST/PET

The PST/PET is a physical test that assesses the candidates’ height, chest measurement, weight and physical endurance. The candidates who qualify Paper-I are eligible to appear for this stage. The PST/PET has different criteria for male and female candidates, as given below:

PST Criteria

CategoryHeight (in cms)Chest (in cms)
Male (General)170Unexpanded - 80; Expanded - 85
Male (Hill areas)165Unexpanded - 80; Expanded - 85
Male (ST)162.5Unexpanded - 77; Expanded - 82
Female (General)157NA
Female (Hill areas)155NA
Female (ST)154NA

PET Criteria

CategoryMale CandidatesFemale Candidates
Race1.6 km (1 mile) in 6 min 30 sec - 7 min800 meters in 4 min - 4 min 30 sec
Long JumpMinimum 11-12 feetMinimum 9-10 feet
High JumpMinimum 3.5-4 feetMinimum 3-3.5 feet

SSC CPO Exam Pattern for Medical Examination Test

The Medical Examination Test is conducted to check the medical fitness of the candidates who qualify Paper-II and PST/PET. The candidates have to undergo various tests such as eye sight test, blood pressure test, urine test, etc. The candidates who are found medically fit are eligible for document verification and final selection.

Attempt Mock Tests to Analyse Your Strengths and Weaknesses

One of the best ways to prepare for any exam is to attempt mock tests regularly. Mock tests are simulated tests that mimic the actual exam pattern, syllabus, difficulty level and time limit. They help you to assess your preparation level, identify your strengths and weaknesses, improve your speed and accuracy, manage your time effectively, familiarize yourself with the online interface, overcome your exam fear and anxiety, etc.

You should attempt at least one mock test every week during your SSC CPO preparation. You should also analyse your performance after each mock test and find out where you are making mistakes, which topics you need to revise more, which sections you are scoring well or poorly in, etc. You should also compare your scores with other aspirants and see where you stand among them.

There are many online platforms that provide free or paid mock tests for SSC CPO exam. You can choose any reliable source that offers quality mock tests with detailed solutions and feedback. Some of the popular sources are Oliveboard, BYJU’S, Gradeup, etc.

Revise All the Topics Given in the Syllabus

Revision is one of the most important aspects of any exam preparation. Without revision, you will not be able to retain what you have learned and recall it during the exam. Revision helps you to refresh your memory, consolidate your concepts, clear your doubts, improve your confidence, etc.

You should revise all the topics given in the syllabus at regular intervals during your SSC CPO preparation. You should also revise the important formulas, facts, rules, shortcuts, tricks, etc. that you have learned or noted down while studying. You should also revise the previous year question papers and mock tests that you have attempted.

You should plan your revision schedule in such a way that you cover all the topics at least once before the exam. You should also allocate some time for last-minute revision before each stage of the exam.

Go Through the Previous Year Question Papers

Another effective way to prepare for any exam is to go through the previous year question papers. Previous year question papers give you an idea of what kind of questions are asked in the exam, how they are framed, what are their difficulty level, what are their weightage, etc. They also help you to understand the trend and pattern of the exam over the years.

You should solve as many previous year question papers as possible during your SSC CPO preparation. You should try to solve them in a time-bound manner as if you are taking the actual exam. You should also check your answers with the official answer keys or solutions provided by various sources.

You can find previous year question papers from various online platforms or books available in the market. Some of them are:

  • SSC CPO Previous Year Papers by Disha Experts
  • Kiran’s SSC CAPF Delhi Police/CAPFs Sub-Inspector & CISF Assistant Sub-Inspector Exams Solved Papers by Kiran Prakashan
  • SSC CAPFs Sub Inspector & Assistant Sub Inspector Bharti Pariksha Previous Years Solved Papers by Arihant Experts
  • SSC CAPF/CISF/ASI/SI Practice Work Book by Kiran Prakashan
     

Buy Good SSC CPO Books to Clear Your Concepts

Books are one of the most essential study materials for any exam preparation. Books help you to clear your concepts, learn new topics, practice questions, revise important points, etc. However, not all books are equally good or suitable for SSC CPO preparation. You need to choose the best books for SSC CPO that cover the syllabus comprehensively, explain the topics clearly, provide ample examples and exercises, and have accurate and updated information.

There are many books available in the market or online for SSC CPO preparation. However, you should not buy or refer to too many books, as it will only confuse you and waste your time. You should select one or two books for each section and stick to them throughout your preparation. You should also supplement your books with online study resources such as videos, notes, quizzes, etc.

Here are some of the best books for SSC CPO preparation that are recommended by experts and toppers:

Best Books for SSC CPO General Intelligence and Reasoning

The General Intelligence and Reasoning section tests your logical and analytical skills. It requires daily practice with a good variety of questions to cover all the topics. You should also learn the shortcuts and tricks to solve the questions quickly and accurately. Some of the best books for SSC CPO General Intelligence and Reasoning are:

  • A Modern Approach To Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal
  • A New Approach to Reasoning by Arihant Publication
  • Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey
     

Best Books for SSC CPO General Knowledge and Awareness

The General Knowledge and Awareness section tests your knowledge of current affairs and static GK. It requires regular reading of newspapers, magazines, GK digests, etc. You should also memorize important facts, dates, events, personalities, etc. that are frequently asked in the exam. Some of the best books for SSC CPO General Knowledge and Awareness are:

  • Lucent’s General Knowledge by Lucent Publication
  • Manorama Yearbook by Mammen Mathew
  • General Knowledge by Arihant Publication
     

Best Books for SSC CPO Quantitative Aptitude

The Quantitative Aptitude section tests your numerical and mathematical skills. It requires a strong command of basic concepts, formulas, calculations, etc. You should also practice a lot of questions of different types and difficulty levels to improve your speed and accuracy. Some of the best books for SSC CPO Quantitative Aptitude are:

  • Elementary and Advanced Mathematics by Kiran Prakashan
  • Quicker Mathematics by M Tyra
  • Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
     

Best Books for SSC CPO English Language and Comprehension

The English Language and Comprehension section tests your language skills, vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, etc. It requires a good command of English language rules, idioms, phrases, synonyms, antonyms, etc. You should also read a lot of English articles, novels, magazines, etc. to improve your reading and comprehension skills. Some of the best books for SSC CPO English Language and Comprehension are:

  • Objective General English by SP Bakshi
  • Quick Learning Objective General English by RS Aggarwal & Vikas Aggarwal
  • High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
     

Avoid Common Mistakes and Pitfalls While Preparing for SSC CPO Exam

While preparing for SSC CPO exam, you may encounter some common mistakes and pitfalls that can hamper your performance and result in the exam. You should avoid these mistakes and pitfalls at any cost and follow some best practices to ensure your success in the exam. Here are some of the common mistakes and pitfalls that you should avoid while preparing for SSC CPO exam:

  • Not following a proper study plan: A study plan is a roadmap that guides you through your preparation journey. It helps you to set your goals, prioritize your topics, allocate your time, track your progress, etc. Without a proper study plan, you may end up wasting your time on irrelevant or less important topics or skipping some important topics altogether. You may also lose your focus and motivation without a clear direction. Therefore, you should follow a proper study plan that is realistic, flexible and customized according to your strengths, weaknesses and availability. You should also review and revise your study plan regularly to make necessary changes and improvements.
  • Not clearing your concepts: Concepts are the building blocks of any subject or topic. If you do not clear your concepts, you will not be able to understand or solve the questions in the exam. You will also face difficulties in learning new topics or revising old topics. Therefore, you should clear your concepts from the best books or online resources that explain the topics clearly and comprehensively. You should also practice questions based on the concepts to test your understanding and application.
  • Not revising enough: Revision is the key to retention and recall. If you do not revise enough, you will forget what you have learned and struggle to remember it during the exam. You will also miss out on some important points or details that can make a difference in your score. Therefore, you should revise all the topics at regular intervals during your preparation. You should also revise the important formulas, facts, rules, shortcuts, tricks, etc. that you have learned or noted down while studying. You should also revise the previous year question papers and mock tests that you have attempted.
  • Not practicing enough: Practice makes perfect. If you do not practice enough, you will not be able to improve your speed and accuracy in solving the questions in the exam. You will also not be able to manage your time effectively or handle the pressure and stress of the exam. Therefore, you should practice as much as possible from various sources such as books, online platforms, mock tests, etc. You should also practice different types and difficulty levels of questions to prepare yourself for any kind of scenario in the exam.
  • Not taking mock tests seriously: Mock tests are simulated tests that mimic the actual exam pattern, syllabus, difficulty level and time limit. They help you to assess your preparation level, identify your strengths and weaknesses, improve your speed and accuracy, manage your time effectively, familiarize yourself with the online interface, overcome your exam fear and anxiety, etc. Therefore, you should take mock tests seriously and attempt them regularly during your preparation. You should also analyse your performance after each mock test and find out where you are making mistakes, which topics you need to revise more, which sections you are scoring well or poorly in, etc. You should also compare your scores with other aspirants and see where you stand among them.
  • Not updating yourself with current affairs: Current affairs are an important part of the General Knowledge and Awareness section of SSC CPO exam. They test your knowledge of the latest happenings and events in India and around the world. If you do not update yourself with current affairs, you will miss out on some easy and scoring questions in the exam. You will also lose an edge over other aspirants who are well-informed about current affairs. Therefore, you should update yourself with current affairs regularly by reading newspapers, magazines, GK digests, etc. You should also note down the important facts, dates, events, personalities, etc. that are relevant for the exam. You should also revise them periodically and take quizzes or tests to check your knowledge and awareness.
  • Not taking care of your health and well-being: Health and well-being are often neglected by many aspirants during their preparation. They tend to compromise on their sleep, diet, exercise, relaxation, etc. in order to study more or better. However, this can have adverse effects on their physical and mental health and well-being. They may suffer from fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc. that can affect their performance and result in the exam. Therefore, you should take care of your health and well-being during your preparation. You should get enough sleep, eat healthy food, drink plenty of water, do some physical activity, meditate, relax, etc. to keep yourself fit and happy.
     

Conclusion

The SSC CPO exam is a golden opportunity for those who want to join the police forces and serve the nation. However, it is also a challenging exam that requires a lot of preparation and hard work. By following the tips and tricks given in this article, you can clear the SSC CPO exam in your first attempt with flying colors. You just need to have a clear goal, a proper plan, a positive attitude and a strong determination.

We hope that this article has helped you in your SSC CPO preparation and given you some useful insights and guidance. We wish you all the best for your SSC CPO exam 2023!

Some Common FAQs

Is it easy to crack SSC CPO exam?

The difficulty of cracking the SSC CPO (Staff Selection Commission Central Police Organization) exam can vary greatly depending on the individual's preparation, understanding of the syllabus, and exam strategy. It is a competitive exam and requires a good amount of preparation. Therefore, it may not be considered "easy" for everyone. However, with consistent study, understanding of the exam pattern, and regular practice, it is certainly possible to crack the exam.

How to crack SSC CPO exam in first attempt?

Here are some tips to crack the SSC CPO exam in the first attempt:

  • Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: The first step is to understand the pattern of the exam and the syllabus thoroughly. This will help you to plan your study schedule effectively.
  • Create a Study Plan: Make a study plan that covers all the topics in the syllabus. Allocate time for each subject based on your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Study Material: Use good study material for preparation. This can include books, online resources, and mock tests.
  • Practice Regularly: Regular practice is key to success in any competitive exam. Solve previous year question papers and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
  • Revision: Regular revision is important to keep the topics fresh in your mind. Make sure to revise all the topics before the exam.
     

Can I clear SSC CPO without coaching?

Yes, it is possible to clear the SSC CPO exam without coaching. Self-study can be a good option if you have the right resources and dedication. However, coaching can provide a structured learning environment and guidance from experienced teachers, which can be beneficial. Ultimately, it depends on your personal learning style and preferences.

Is CPO harder than CGL?

The difficulty level of SSC CPO and SSC CGL (Combined Graduate Level) can vary depending on the individual's preparation and understanding of the subjects. Both exams are conducted by the Staff Selection Commission and have a similar pattern, but the syllabus and job roles differ. Some may find CPO harder due to the physical endurance test, while others may find CGL harder due to its broader syllabus. It's subjective and depends on individual preparation and aptitude.

Is SSC CPO maths easy?

The difficulty level of the Maths section in the SSC CPO exam can vary depending on the individual's understanding and preparation in the subject. The Maths section covers topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, and Statistics. If you have a good understanding of these topics and practice regularly, you can find this section manageable. However, if you are weak in Maths, you may find it challenging and may need to put in extra effort to improve.

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