Want to know how to prepare for SSC without coaching? You’re not alone. Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for the Staff Selection Commission exam, and a good number do it all on their own.
If you’re aiming to crack SSC CGL or CHSL in your first attempt without paying for coaching, you can absolutely do it with the right approach.
This guide breaks everything down: from what to study, how to study, and how to speed up your math skills. Whether you’re starting from scratch or restarting after a gap, this plan is simple, effective, and easy to follow.
Why Do Most Students Fail the SSC Exam?
It’s not always because they don’t know the answers. The real problem? Time management.
You’ve got 60 minutes to solve 100 questions. That means roughly 36 seconds per question. If you’re slow at calculations or get stuck on tricky reasoning questions, it’s easy to fall behind.
Common reasons people don’t clear SSC exams:
- Slow in solving Quantitative Aptitude questions
- Wasting too much time on a single question
- No clear study plan
- Lack of revision
- Skipping mock tests
SSC Without Coaching: Step-by-Step Study Plan
1. Understand the Latest SSC Syllabus
Start by downloading the SSC CGL or CHSL syllabus from the official SSC website. Break it down by sections:
Tier-I Sections:
- Quantitative Aptitude – Percentages, Time & Work, Profit/Loss, SI & CI, Simplification, Graphs
- Reasoning – Series, Coding-Decoding, Syllogism, Puzzle
- English – Grammar, Vocabulary, Cloze test, Comprehension
- General Awareness (GK) – History, Geography, Polity, Science, Current Affairs
Focus more on Quant and Reasoning—they carry more weight and can be scored faster once mastered.
2. Make a Daily Study Routine
Without coaching, you’ll need to give yourself structure.
- Study 3–4 hours daily
- Use the Pomodoro method (25 min study + 5 min break)
- Split your time:
- 1 hour – Quant
- 1 hour – Reasoning
- 1 hour – English or GK
- 1 hour – Mock tests or revision
Stay consistent. That matters more than long study sessions.
3. Boost Your Calculation Speed
Speed matters. Even if you know how to solve a problem, if it takes too long—you’ll miss out.
Tips to improve math speed:
- Learn Short Tricks with Tezmaths App
- Use approximation in Data Interpretation
- Memorize fraction-to-percentage conversions
- Use elimination when options are far apart
- Practice with apps like Tezmaths, made for SSC aspirants
4. Solve Previous Year Question Papers
Old SSC papers are one of your best resources.
- Practice the last 5 years’ question papers
- Solve under time pressure
- Track questions where you take too long
- Relearn those topics using short tricks
Patterns repeat in SSC exams. You’ll start noticing question types and formats.
5. Take Mock Tests Every Week
Mocks show you where you actually stand.
- Attempt 2 full mocks per week
- Simulate the real exam environment
- Review each mock carefully
- Focus first on accuracy, then work on speed
Mock analysis is key. Don’t just take the test—study it afterward.
6. Replace Coaching With Smart Tools
Don’t want to spend money on coaching? Fine. But make sure you use:
- Good books (RS Aggarwal, Kiran, SP Bakshi)
- Online platforms like Tezmaths App to improve your speed of calculation
- Telegram or WhatsApp study groups
- YouTube channels for short explanations
- Google Sheets/Notion to track your progress
Quick Math Trick: 98² in Seconds
Use the formula:
(a – b)² = a² – 2ab + b²
Here: a = 100, b = 2
10000 – 400 + 4 = 9604
Imagine saving 10–15 seconds per question. That adds up fast.
FAQ: SSC Exam Without Coaching
Q1. Is it possible to crack SSC without coaching?
Yes, thousands do it every year. With discipline and practice, you can too.
Q2. How many hours should I study daily for SSC?
3–4 focused hours a day is enough if you’re consistent.
Q3. What books should I use for SSC CGL preparation?
For Quant: RS Aggarwal or Quantum CAT
For English: SP Bakshi, Wren & Martin
For GK: Lucent GK, Daily News
For Reasoning: Kiran Publication or MK Pandey
Q4. Is Tezmaths helpful?
Yes. It focuses on speed maths and brain training.
Conclusion
You don’t need a coaching class. What you really need is a clear study plan, regular practice, and a sharp focus on speed. Combine that with tools like Tezmaths, and you’ll be in a solid position to crack the SSC exam on your own.
Take the 7-day speed challenge. You’ll see the results yourself.