SSC CPO Preparation 2025: Tips, Strategies, and Books
SSC CPO preparation 2025: Understanding the prerequisites of the examination and creating a proper study plan is the first step toward the preparation for SSC CPO recruitment. Practising a good number of SSC CPO previous year papers can help you get an idea about the exam pattern. Candidates must thoroughly understand the SSC CPO syllabus to plan their strategy accordingly.
*Steps to attempt the mock test are mentioned below in this article.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will release the SSC CPO recruitment notification on July 2025, on its official website. Interested candidates, who are looking to take advantage of this incredible opportunity, should apply and set themselves up with the preparation. Scroll down to learn the best SSC CPO preparation tips which candidates can follow for the exam.
SSC CPO Preparation Tips 2025
Before we get into the details of SSC CPO preparation 2025, let’s have an overview of the exam:
Particulars
Details
Conducting Body
Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Exam Name
SSC CPO
Level of Exam
National Level
Posts
Sub-Inspector (GD) in CAPFs, Sub Inspector (Executive) – (Male/Female) in Delhi Police
Vacancy
Not yet announced
Eligibility Criteria
Graduate in any Discipline and Departmental Candidates*
Application Mode
Online
Mode of Exam
Paper 1 will be conducted in Computer Based Test
Selection Process
Paper 1, Physical Standard Test (PST)/ Physical Endurance Test (PET), Paper 2 and Detailed Medical Examination (DME)
Access unlimited SSC CPO mock tests at Embibe and boost your confidence to face the examination. Candidates can follow the below-mentioned steps to take the mock test series:
1st Step: Visit Embibe’s official website, i.e., embibe.com.
2nd Step: Use your mobile number/email to log in.
3rd Step: Select your Goal as ‘SSC’ under the Government Job section.
4th Step: Click Next and select ‘SSC CPO Paper-I’.
5th Step: Click Next and select your preferred language.
6th Step: Once done, you can practice questions and take mock tests.
Know SSC CPO Selection Procedure
Candidates who are planning to appear for the SSC CPO 2025 recruitment process must know the selection process. The SSC CPO selection process involves the following stages.
Written Examination – Paper 1 (Prelims)
Physical Standard Test/Physical Endurance Test
Written Examination – Paper 2 (Mains)
Medical Examination Test
Document Verification
Final Selection
Analyse SSC CPO Exam Pattern
Before we go into the SSC CPO preparation tips and strategies, let’s look at the SSC CPO exam pattern:
SSC CPO Exam Pattern for Paper1
Sections
Number of Questions / Maximum Marks
Quantitative Aptitude
50 / 50
English Comprehension
50 / 50
General Intelligence & Reasoning
50 / 50
General Awareness
50 / 50
Total
200 / 200
SSC CPO Exam Pattern for Paper2
Subject
Number of Questions / Maximum Marks
English Language and Comprehension
200 / 200
Note: Paper 1 and Paper 2 are of 2 hours duration each. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in both papers. Click the link below to check the latest detailed SSC CPO Exam Pattern.
Section-wise SSC CPO Preparation Tips
In this section, we will be covering the section-wise preparatory strategies. After analysing the complete exam pattern and syllabus, we have created a very specific SSC CPO preparation strategy and tips to crack the exam.
SSC CPO Preparation: General Intelligence and Reasoning
The Reasoning section will check your quick decision-making ability and visualising power. To score high in this section, you must practice the questions daily. The difficulty level of this section is comparatively easy than the other sections. Let’s take note of a few important points regarding this section of SSC CPO preparation:
The Reasoning section is one of the easiest and high scoring areas of the SSC CPO exam.
General Intelligence & Reasoning section consists of 50 questions.
Each question carries 1 mark.
SSC CPO Preparation: General Knowledge
General Awareness is quite vast. Keep your focus on important topics and not on the entire subject. Static GK mainly pertains to Culture, Indian History, Geography (India+World), Environment, Science and Technology, Economy, and Polity. For current affairs stay updated with current news Newspapers are a very good source of daily information for everyone. Candidates should revise their GK skills by taking more and more tests. You can practice mock tests here at Embibe.
Sections/ Topics
Preparation Strategy
History
Focus more on Indian History. Pay attention to Ancient and Modern History. Practice questions on Buddhism, Jainism, Vedas, and Indus Valley civilization. Modern history focuses on pre-independence and post-independence events. NCERT History books are the best resources to cover History.
Geography and Economics
Focus on Physical and Indian Geography. Pay attention to climate change, diversity, and major events in Indian Geography. Questions are usually asked from Indian Economics. Refer to NCERT Geography of classes 7 to 11 to get in-depth knowledge.
Current Affairs
Current affairs are most important. Read newspapers on a daily basis to enhance your knowledge. Go through important information like names of people, famous places, National award winners, etc. Make a note of important events. It will be easier to revise. Keep an eye on the national budget.
Science
Most of the questions on the SSC CPO Paper 1 are from Science. Follow basic NCERT science books from classes 7 to 10. Solve a good number of previous years’ papers, sample papers and mock tests for a better understanding of the question types. Environment, Biology, Nutrition, Chemistry, Diseases, and Physics, are important topics.
SSC CPO Preparation for Quantitative Aptitude
Aspirants need to improve their calculation speed. They need to learn short methods and tricks for the Arithmetic section. This subject also requires special attention to Algebra, Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry, and Mensuration.
You can start your preparation with Number System, which involves the most basic concepts.
To master the topic of Profit and Loss, solving questions with high values will greatly help.
Interest is quite similar to Profit and Loss. Thus, you can prepare for this topic by brushing up on the basics and practising more and more questions.
Topics like Circles, Slopes are covered under Geometry. Brushing up on your basic knowledge of Angles, Congruence, Axioms, and Co-ordinate Geometry will be helpful for that.
Ratio and Proportion sums can be prepared by understanding the working rules of ratios and proportions.
SSC CPO Preparation: English Language
Aspirants need to read English newspapers on a daily basis. It will help to improve your knowledge of current affairs and your vocabulary and reading speed. The SSC CPO English Section will be based on vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. In grammar, the questions will be asked from Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement, Active Passive Voice, and Direct-Indirect Speech topics. You must work on your reading skills to handle the vocabulary and comprehension part.
SSC CPO Section-wise Weightage
Candidates must know the weightage of each section or topic mentioned in the syllabus. More focus must be laid on topics that carry more weight. Check the subject-wise expected weightage of sections in SSC CPO:
English Grammar Error Spotting, Phrase Replacement, Active Passive Voice, Direct Indirect Speech, etc.)
8-10 questions
Reading Comprehension
5-10 questions
Best Books for SSC CPO 2025
Candidates must have good study material and books covering the SSC CPO syllabus. The best SSC CPO books will have all the important topics and a good number of practice questions. Referring to these books will definitely help in cracking the exam easily. Check the table below to know the section-wise best books of SSC CPO:
General Intelligence and Reasoning Books
Books
Author
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Kunwar Ishwar Singh Rathore
General Intelligence & Reasoning
S Chand
A New Approach to Reasoning
B.S. Sijwalii and Indu Sijwali
SSC Reasoning
V S Srivastava
General Knowledge Books
Books
Author
India Year Book
Government of India
Manorama Year Book
M. Mathew and Mammen Mathew
Lucent’s General Knowledge
Dr Binay Karn
General Knowledge
Manohar Pandey
Quantitative Aptitude Books
Books
Authors
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams
R.S Aggarwal
Study Notes for Quantitative Aptitude
Sourav Das
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT
Arun Sharma
Short Cuts in Quantitative Aptitude
Disha Experts
English Books
Books
Author
Word Power Made Easy
Norman Lewis
Reading Comprehension
Ajay Singh
Objective English
R.S Aggarwal
High School English Grammar
Wren & Martin
General Tips for SSC CPO Exam 2025
Once you have a clear knowledge of the SSC CPO Exam Pattern and Syllabus, you have to start your preparation methodically. The following tips will help you in your SSC CPO preparation:
Create a Timetable: Once you have reviewed the entire syllabus and exam pattern for the SSC CPO exam, mark out the areas in which you are strong and weak. You should create a proper SSC CPO timetable and allocate the required time based on your strengths and weaknesses.
Develop Reading Habits: Most of the subjects of SSC CPO require one to read a lot. Reading helps in better understanding and retention. So, we encourage you to develop reading habits.
Understand the Basic Concepts: As you read, understand the underlying theories of every concept in detail. You need to clear your basics to score well in your exam. Make proper notes of all the specific points you cover.
Solve Practice Questions: As you finish studying a topic, solve a sufficient number of practice questions, and monitor the time. Improve your question-solving abilities in terms of both accuracy and speed.
Take Mock Tests: Start taking mock tests once you have finished the entire syllabus. Attempting the mock tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses is equally important. Then you have to work on your weak areas and improve.
Let us answer some of the frequently asked questions about SSC CPO preparation tips:
Q: Which book should I refer to for the SSC CPO exam preparation?
Ans: Some of the important books which can be useful for your SSC CPO preparation are: – Verbal and Nonverbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal – General Knowledge by Dr Binary Karn (Lucent Publications) – Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal
Q: How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning?
Ans: Both Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning require immense practice. Therefore, you must clear your basics first and then diligently practice questions.
Q: What are the SSC CPO preparation tips to be followed?
Ans: A proper study plan must be prepared and divided between your weak and strong subjects. Make the best use of the best books to help you finish your syllabus on time. Once you have completed your entire syllabus, start taking mock tests, and improve your score.
Q: Can I block the nighttime to give my mock tests?
Ans: Yes, candidates can take the mock tests anytime at their convenience. However, they must analyse the mock at the end and should NOT leave it for the next day.
Q: Which online mock is good for SSC CPO preparation?
Ans: Candidates can attempt SSC CPO mock tests at Embibe.
We hope that this detailed article on SSC CPO preparation 2025 helps you. Feel to check our website or download our app if you have any queries. We will surely help you.
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