Is 120 a good score in SSC CGL?

Is 120 a good score in SSC CGL? Well, the answer to this question depends on the category you belong to. It is a decent enough score in  SSC CGL tier 1. However, it may not be enough if you belong to the Unreserved, OBC, and EWS categories.

SSC CGL Tier 1 consists of 200 marks. Moreover, the duration of the exam is 60 minutes, with each section lasting 15 minutes. Further, the exam consists of four sections. They are General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. 

This is why many aspirants search for is 120 a good score in SSC CGL before comparing their marks with the latest cut-off. For better preparation and structured guidance, many students prefer joining professional coaching programs that help improve accuracy, speed, and overall exam strategy. SSC CGL Coaching in Assam such coaching support can be useful for aspirants who want to strengthen their weak areas and aim for a safer score in SSC CGL Tier 1.

What is the exam pattern of SSC CGL? 

To understand if 120 is a good score in SSC CGL, it is important to first know the exam pattern and total marks. 

SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 

Subject	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks	Time
General Intelligence and Reasoning	25	50	15 minutes
General Awareness	25	50	15 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	25	50	15 minutes
English Comprehension	25	50	15 minutes
Total	100	200	60 minutes

Important details: The SSC  Tier 1 has objective-type multiple-choice questions. The questions are asked in both English and Hindi. However, comprehension questions come only in the English language. Further, there is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for every wrong answer. For better preparation, structured coaching can help improve speed and accuracy. SSC CGL Coaching in Guwahati this coaching is designed to strengthen concepts and exam practice for SSC CGL aspirants.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern

Paper / Section	Subject	Questions	Marks	Time
Paper 1, Section I	Mathematical Abilities	30	90	30 minutes
Paper 1, Section I	Reasoning and General Intelligence	30	90	30 minutes
Paper 1, Section II	English Language and Comprehension	45	135	40 minutes
Paper 1, Section II	General Awareness	25	75	20 minutes
Paper 1, Section III	Computer Knowledge Test	20	60	15 minutes
Paper 1, Section IV	Data Entry Speed Test	One Data Entry Task	Qualifying	15 minutes
Paper 2	Statistics	100	200	2 hours
Paper 3	General Studies: Finance and Economics	100	200	2 hours

Important details: Paper 1 of Tier 2 is compulsory for all posts. However, Paper 2 is only for candidates shortlisted for Junior Statistical Officer and Statistical Investigator posts. Moreover, Paper 3 is only for candidates shortlisted for Assistant Audit Officer and Assistant Accounts Officer posts. 

Is 120 a good score in SSC CGL Tier 1?

Scoring 120 in SSC CGL tier 1 can be considered a decent score. But it does not guarantee you a spot in Tier 2. Since 120 is 60% of the total marks, it shows a decent level of preparation in SSC CGL. 

However, whether 120 is a good score or not depends on multiple factors. These are the candidates’ category, exam difficulty level, number of vacancies, normalization, and cut-off trend.  For more clarity about SSC CGL job roles, you can read about Auditor responsibilities SSC CGL Auditor Responsibilities.

What is the cutoff of SSC CGL Tier 1 2025?

The SSC tier 1 was held from 12 September to 26 September 2025. The cutoff of SSC CGL Tier 1 2025 was released on 18 December 2025. The cut-off trend gives a clear answer to the question- is 120 a good score in SSC CGL for different categories? 

Cut-off for SSC CGL Tier 1 

Category	Cut-Off Marks	Candidates Shortlisted
SC	114.97063	25,338
ST	106.36936	11,729
OBC	130.36617	43,260
EWS	127.4163	20,268
UR	136.83159	20,035

Note-  This cut-off excludes posts of JSO and Statistical Investigator.

What is a good score in SSC CGL?

It is naturally one of the most common questions among the aspirants. But let us understand the factors that determine what a good score is for SSC CGL. It depends on 

• Exam stage (Tier 1 or Tier 2)
• Category
• Post preference
• Paper difficulty
• Normalization
• Cut-off trend  

Tier-1

In SSC CGL Tier-1, the total marks are 200. A score of around 135-145 can be considered a good score. Moreover, if a candidate manages to get a score more than this, it can be called a very good score. It drastically increases your chance of clearing SSC CGL Tier-1. 

Tier-2

The SSC CGL Tier-2, the total marks are 450, excluding the posts of  Junior Statistical Officer, Statistical Investigator, Assistant Audit Officer, and Assistant Accounts Officer posts. Tier 2 is the merit-making stage, meaning the final selection will depend on your performance in Tier-2. A score of around 300–330 marks can be considered good. Further, a score of 340+ marks can almost guarantee you a selection in the preferred post.  To understand which post can actually match your rank, salary expectations, and career growth, it is important to explore detailed post-wise guidance before making a final preference. This helps you choose the right direction based on competition level and job profile clarity. Best SSC CGL Posts Guide this guide explains all major SSC CGL posts in detail, helping you compare roles, understand work profiles, and make a smarter choice during post preference filling.

What is the maximum marks in SSC CGL?

There are two stages in SSC CGL. These are Tier 1 and Tier 2. Moreover, Tier-1 is the screening round for  Tier-2. The final selection depends on your performance in Tier-2. Further, SSC follows the marks normalisation process, as the exam is conducted in multiple shifts. 

SSC CGL Maximum Marks 

SSC CGL Stage	Paper / Section	Maximum Marks
Tier 1	General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension	200 marks
Tier 2 Paper 1	Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning + English + General Awareness + Computer Knowledge Test	450 marks
Tier 2 Paper 2	Statistics	200 marks
Tier 2 Paper 3	General Studies: Finance and Economics	200 marks
DEST	Data Entry Speed Test	Qualifying only

Conclusion

So, is 120 a good score in SSC CGL? Yes, 120 can be called a decent score. But only in Tier 1. However, it is not a completely safe score for all categories. For UR, OBC, and EWS candidates, the recent cut-off trend shows that a higher score is usually needed. Therefore, aspirants should treat 120 as a good starting point. But aim for at least 135–145+ marks in Tier 1 for better chances. Most importantly for final selection, Tier 2 performance matters the most. So candidates should focus more on accuracy, speed, and consistent practice. 

For better preparation and structured guidance, you can check Majestic Academy for practice and strategy improvement. Majestic Academy It helps in boosting accuracy, speed, and overall exam performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 120 a good score in SSC CGL Tier 1?

Yes, 120 is a decent score in SSC CGL Tier 1. It is 60% of the total 200 marks. It shows that your preparation is on the right track. However, it may not be safe for every category, especially UR, OBC, and EWS candidates.

Can I clear SSC CGL with 120 marks?

You can clear SSC CGL Tier 1 with 120 marks if the cut-off is low or if you belong to certain reserved categories. However, the selection is not guaranteed. The cut-off changes every year based on vacancies, exam difficulty, normalization, and the overall performance of candidates.

What is a safe score in SSC CGL?

A safe score in SSC CGL Tier 1 is usually around 135–145 marks. Candidates scoring 150+ marks have a stronger chance of qualifying comfortably. However, for Tier 2, aspirants should aim for around 300–330 marks because final selection mainly depends on Tier 2 performance.