GSSSB CCE Exam: Prelims, Mains Pattern and Preparation

The Gujarat Subordinate Service Selection Board recruits staff for Class 3 posts of the state government. Earlier, it held separate exams for different posts. With the Combined Competitive Examination, many such posts are now filled through a single advertisement and a common prelims.

This saves time for both the Board and candidates. A candidate fills one form, gives preferences for posts, and is allotted a post based on merit, category and preference.

Class 1 and Class 2 posts of Gujarat are filled by the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC), not by GSSSB.

Each CCE advertisement lists posts under two groups:

• Group A - some posts with more responsibility, where the mains tests language and general studies in longer papers.
• Group B - other posts, where the mains is a single paper.

The list of posts in each group, their departments, pay and qualifications are given in the advertisement. A candidate can apply for posts in one or both groups if eligible, and must give a clear order of preference.

The exact age limit, cut-off date and qualification for each post are given in the advertisement. Read the post-wise table carefully before applying.

In the recent cycle, the prelims was a qualifying objective test of 100 questions for 100 marks in one hour:

Each wrong answer cost 0.25 marks. Prelims marks are used only to shortlist candidates for the mains. Notice that the prelims has no general studies section - reasoning and maths make up 70% of it.

In the recent cycle, the mains was different for the two groups:

Group B's mains has had these sections: English 20, Gujarati 20, polity and public administration 30, history, geography and heritage 30, economy, environment, science and technology 30, current affairs 30 and reasoning 40. The question type, marks and time for each paper are given in the notice, so confirm them for your cycle.

• Reasoning - series, coding, analogy, blood relations, directions, puzzles, data sufficiency.
• Quantitative aptitude - percentage, ratio, average, profit and loss, interest, time and work, data interpretation.
• Gujarati - grammar (vyakaran), vocabulary, idioms, comprehension and, for Group A, writing skills.
• English - grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and, for Group A, writing skills.
• General studies - Indian polity with the RTI Act and Gujarat-related administration, history and culture of India and Gujarat, geography, economy, environment, science and current affairs.

Questions on Gujarat - its history, rulers, saints, festivals, rivers, ports, dams and government schemes - are common, so keep a separate notebook for Gujarat GK.

1. Prelims - qualifying screening test.
2. Mains - Group A or Group B, decides the final merit.
3. Document verification - checking of age, qualification, category and other papers.
4. Allotment - posts given by merit, category and the preferences filled by the candidate.

Some posts may have extra conditions such as a computer certificate within a set time after joining. Read the conditions of appointment in the notice.

Since the prelims has no general studies, many toppers clear it on reasoning and maths, then switch fully to GS and languages for the mains.

Reasoning and quant. These carry 70 of the 100 prelims marks. Practise daily with a timer, since one hour for 100 questions is tight.

Gujarati. Revise sandhi, samas, alankar, chhand, synonyms, antonyms and idioms. Read a Gujarati newspaper editorial daily.

English. Focus on grammar rules, error spotting and vocabulary. For Group A, practise letter, essay and precis writing.

General studies. Use standard books for polity, history and geography, and add Gujarat-specific notes. Read current affairs of the last eight to ten months.

Exam-day plan. In the prelims, attempt reasoning and quant first while you are fresh, then the languages. Avoid blind guesses because of negative marking.

• Class 10 certificate for date of birth.
• Marksheets and certificates of the qualification asked for your post.
• Caste, EWS, non-creamy layer or disability certificate in the format given in the notice, where relevant.
• Domicile or residence proof if the notice asks for it.
• Photo identity proof, recent photographs and a signature scan for the online form.

Make sure your name and date of birth match across all documents. Category certificates must usually be valid on the closing date of the application.

1. Studying only GS for the prelims. It has no GS section.
2. Weak Gujarati grammar. It appears in both stages.
3. Careless preference filling. Post allotment depends on it.
4. Too much guessing with negative marking.
5. Using an old pattern. Follow the latest GSSSB advertisement.

For other Gujarat and clerical exams, see the GPSC Class 1-2, SSC CHSL and IBPS Clerk guides.