Best Books for SSC CGL 2025 – Tier I & Tier II (Subject-wise Top Picks + PYQ Strategy)
Preparing for SSC CGL? Here’s a concise, field-tested list of the best books for Tier I and Tier II, arranged logically to help you move from fundamentals to exam-level speed and accuracy. We’ve also added a 12-week plan, edition tips, and FAQs so you don’t waste time figuring things out.
📑 Table of Contents
- Best Books – Quantitative Aptitude
- Best Books – English (Grammar, Vocab, Comprehension)
- Best Books – Reasoning
- Best Books – General Awareness
- Best Books – Computer Awareness
- PYQs & Practice Sets (Tier I & II)
- 12-Week Study Plan (Sample)
- Edition & Buying Tips
- Important Links
- Long-form FAQs
🧮 Best Books – Quantitative Aptitude
| Book | Why it’s good | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| R.S. Aggarwal – Quantitative Aptitude | Clear basics, plenty of beginner-to-intermediate problems. | Foundation; quick daily drills (30–45 mins). |
| Arihant – Fast Track Objective Arithmetic (Rajesh Verma) | Shortcut frameworks and speed-math for SSC style. | After basics; improve speed & accuracy. |
| Rakesh Yadav – Advance Maths (SSC) | Targeted higher-level topics appearing in SSC CGL. | Tier I advanced Qs; Tier II depth in geometry/algebra/modern math. |
Pro tip Finish a chapter conceptually (Aggarwal) → speed methods (Arihant) → SSC PYQs (Kiran). Track errors in a dedicated “mistake notebook”.
🗣️ Best Books – English (Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension)
| Book | Why it’s good | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| S.P. Bakshi – Objective General English | Rule-wise coverage; SSC-friendly structure. | Grammar rules & spot-the-error practice. |
| Neetu Singh – Plinth to Paramount | Highly SSC-oriented explanations and examples. | Rule consolidation & SSC-type questions. |
| A.K. Singh – A Mirror of Common Errors | Eliminates frequent grammar pitfalls. | Error correction; sentence improvement. |
| Norman Lewis – Word Power Made Easy | Systematic vocabulary building via roots & sessions. | Vocab enrichment; 15–20 mins daily. |
Tier II Do one unseen passage + one cloze test daily after finishing grammar rules; maintain a personal “confusables” list (affect/effect, principal/principle, etc.).
🧠 Best Books – Reasoning
| Book | Why it’s good | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| R.S. Aggarwal – A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | Comprehensive topic coverage; graded difficulty. | Concept building + timed practice. |
| Kiran – SSC CGL Reasoning (Topic-wise PYQs) | Exact SSC framing; time-management practice. | After concepts; daily 30-minute speed sets. |
🌍 Best Books – General Awareness (Static + CA)
- Lucent’s General Knowledge — concise static GK reference.
- Monthly Current Affairs Compilations — revise last 6–9 months before exam.
How to use Read Lucent 20–25 pages/week + weekly CA notes. Create 1-page mind maps per subject (Polity, Geo, Eco, History, Science).
💻 Best Books – Computer Awareness
- Arihant – Objective Computer Awareness — basics of hardware, software, OS, networking, MS-Office; helpful for foundation + rapid revision.
📚 PYQs & Practice Sets (Highly Recommended)
| Series | Why it’s good | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Kiran – SSC CGL Tier-I Solved Papers | Year-wise trend analysis; answer keys; shortcuts. | After finishing basics; 1–2 sets/day. |
| Kiran – SSC CGL Tier-II Papers/Practice | Closer to mains difficulty; time calibration. | Last 6–8 weeks before Tier II. |
🗓️ 12-Week Study Plan (Sample)
| Phase | Duration | Focus | Daily Drill (example) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase-1: Concepts | Weeks 1–4 | Basics in Quant/English/Reasoning + Lucent GK | 2 Quant chapters, 1 English grammar topic, 1 Reasoning topic, 10 pages GK |
| Phase-2: Speed | Weeks 5–8 | Arihant speed-math, Mirror of Errors, daily CA revision | 60-minute mixed set + 1 PYQ section/day |
| Phase-3: Exam Mode | Weeks 9–12 | Full-length mocks + error log revisions | 1 mock/day (alternate Tier I/II) + notebook review |
Time-boxing Keep strict timers (e.g., 2 mins/Q Quant, 45–60 sec/Q Reasoning, 30–45 sec for grammar spotting). Record accuracy weekly.
🛒 Edition & Buying Tips
- Prefer latest revised editions (watch for “Revised/Updated” on the cover).
- Skim the contents page for SSC-specific chapters (e.g., Trigonometry/Geometry/Algebra in Advance Maths).
- Use one primary book per subject + PYQs; avoid hoarding multiple similar books.
- Maintain an error log and revise mistakes every 3–4 days.
🔗 Important Links
| Resource | Why | Link |
|---|---|---|
| SSC Official Website | Notices, exam calendar, syllabus updates | ssc.nic.in |
| Latest Sarkari Jobs | Stay updated on SSC & other exams | Browse Jobs |
❓ Long-form FAQs — Best Books for SSC CGL
- How many books should I use per subject?
One core book + PYQs per subject is usually enough. Add a second only if you identify a gap (e.g., Advance Maths). - Are coaching materials necessary?
Not mandatory. If you self-study, combine standard books with mocks and PYQs; supplement with short video explainers where stuck. - How much time should I give to GK daily?
30–40 minutes. Alternate static topics with monthly CA revision; use spaced repetition. - How do I balance Tier I & Tier II?
Build fundamentals early, then switch to full-length timers. For Tier II English, prioritize vocab + comprehension drills daily. - How to pick the latest edition?
Check “Revised/Updated” on the cover and the preface date; avoid very old printings due to outdated patterns/errata.
✅ Thanks for visiting Sarkari Result Daily. Bookmark for instant updates on Latest Sarkari Jobs, Admit Cards, Results & Answer Keys.
Disclaimer: Book selections are recommendations based on common SSC-prep practice. Always verify the latest editions and align your preparation with the official SSC syllabus and recent PYQ trends.
