GSSSB Class-III CCE 2026–27 Common Preliminary Examination

GSSSB CCE 2026–27 Common Preliminary Examination: 150 marks, one screening decision

Group-A and Group-B applicants share this first-stage MCQ preliminary examination. Its outcome decides eligibility for the respective group’s main examination; it is not added to the final selection merit. The notification gives a two-hour (120-minute) limit for 150 questions of one mark each, with a penalty of 0.25 mark for each incorrect answer. It provides an extra 20 minutes per hour for eligible candidates with disabilities, subject to the applicable rules.

Official five-section question and mark distribution

📊 Preliminary examination section weight

Reasoning is 60 marks (40%), more than any other single preliminary section. English and Gujarati are separate 15-mark subjects; these are not replaced by the Group-A Gujarati and English main papers. Quantitative Aptitude and current-affairs/general-awareness sections are 30 marks each. The four non-reasoning sections together account for 90 marks.

Attempt calculations — understand the penalty exactly

The published formula for this paper, before any special treatment, is marks = correct answers − 0.25 × wrong answers; an unattempted question is not listed as attracting a wrong-answer penalty. These are explanatory arithmetic examples, not predicted selection marks:

The second case scores higher than the first despite 20 extra errors because it supplies 10 more correct answers; that does not imply guessing is always advantageous. A careful candidate should compare attainable accuracy under time pressure, rather than using a blanket rule about attempting all 150.

What qualification means here

The notice prescribes at least 40% in the preliminary stage for all categories: 60 of 150 as a basic minimum. That number alone cannot secure main-exam entry. After applying the notified standards, the Board draws separate Group-A and Group-B lists for mains, based on category-wise vacancies at roughly seven times the number of places. Those shortlisted are conditionally admitted; their underlying degree, age and documentary eligibility still need verification.

Practical reading of the official subject names

English (15): the published heading is English; no chapter-by-chapter preliminary list is attached. Grammar, comprehension and vocabulary drills may be useful as practice methods but are not additional subjects officially notified in this advertisement.

Gujarati (15): prepare reading accuracy and comprehension of Gujarati language within the official heading. The main Group-A Gujarati descriptive syllabus is separately specified; do not conflate it with the preliminary 15-mark section.

General Awareness and Current Affairs (30): revise verified regional, national and international developments in chronological context, and connect static institutions to recent developments. No prescribed number of current-affairs months is published.

Quantitative Aptitude (30): time-limited numeric interpretation and sound arithmetic method are suitable study skills, but the notice does not provide an item-by-item preliminary chapter weightage.

Reasoning (60): practise identifying conditions and drawing valid conclusions without losing time on speculative paths. There is no published internal split between verbal and nonverbal reasoning in this particular paper.

Pacing without inventing sectional time limits

120 minutes divided by 150 questions gives an overall 48 seconds per question. This is merely an arithmetic benchmark, not an official clock allotted to each section. For example, a candidate may do shorter language or awareness questions quickly and reserve more time for multi-step reasoning, then return to doubtful items. Final attempt choices should comply with instructions on the admit card and test interface when released.

No test date, venue, call-letter release or score cut-off has been announced in this advertisement. Check the GSSSB official website and OJAS for later schedules. The decisive next step differs by target cadre: Group A follows a 350-mark descriptive main; Group B follows a 200-mark objective main.