My Journey to Officer in Central Excise, CBEC

Profile in Brief

NAVIN KUMAR

Working profile: Software Developer in a renowned MNC

People say SSC gives you one chance in a year but I would say it gives you 3 chances to remain in the competition. So even if your marks is average or below average, never let anyone else makes you down. Instead identify your strong and weak points. Sharpen your strong areas and work on the weaker areas. Always remember, you can silence the naysayers through your results only!! 
Going through all the 3 phases I faced,

TIER 1

My paper was on 16/08/2015 (evening) – the one every aspirants of 2015 knows about. Despite preparation, I was not that much confident after exam. After comparing my solution with certain online sources, I was getting 105.75!! yes only. Of course, it wasn’t up to my expectation. I knew that I would qualify for the MAINS, but the marks was not up to that level. Dreams was about to shatter. Nevertheless I gathered my strength and started preparation for next step.

TIER 2

I tried to capitalize every second I got after job. I made a routine and tried to religiously stick to that. I took leave for 2 weeks before paper and strove my best. Finally the D-day arrived. The papers went well and I was relieved.
Now I was in competition. But for Interview-Post, I had to face very tough competition in the last phase i.e. Interview cum Personality Test Round.

Personality Test

Any less than average would have cost the interview post. So, I tried to capitalize every online and offline resources to get max out of it. I had shown my "Bio-Graphical Data" sheet to my colleagues and friends and told them to review. Separately, I had given several mocks and practiced tentative questions before mirror. Finally the DAY arrived; I left no stone unturned and gave my best. 
For my interview experience, you may click here.

After lots of wait, result came out on 30th June and I was in. Hurray!! It was Officer in Central Excise, CBEC. ☺

Study materials

There is no hard and fast rule for materials. Just remember CGL is all about speed in Mathematics and accuracy in English. If you are comfortable with your current materials then it's okay. Otherwise time to look for some other options.

What I referred,

English: SSC English - Ajay Singh, Word Power Made Easy - Norman Lewis
Mathematics: Advanced Mathematics for SSC - Rukmini Publication (Vol 1,2,3)
GK: Lucent General Knowledge
Reasoning: Selective portions from RS Agarwal
Practice Paper: Paramount Test Series, Kiran Previous Years

Other suggestions,

Daily newspaper reading is must during preparation days - make it a habit. It's an panacea to boost your vocabulary, current affairs and comprehension skill. 

Analyzing current pattern of examination, it is advisable to attend any online Test-Series.

Keep yourselves positive and healthy. 

Surround yourself with the motivating people. 

Make group study with like-minded people and learn the prudent use of social networking sites. 

Words of wisdom

• Practice the paper as many as possible
• You may relax during preparation, but on that day you will have to be a sprinter
• Have PATIENCE, believe in YOURSELF and give your BEST

Important Dates upto Joining

Form Submission: 17/05/2015
Tier I Examination: 16/08/2015
Tier I Result: 29/09/2015
Tier II Examination: 25/10/2015
Tier II Result:
Document Verification and Interview: 27/02/2016
SSC final Result: 05/07/2016
Department allocation: 22/08/2016
Zone allocation Form Submission: 24/08/2016
Verification of Zone options: 17/10/2016
Zone allotted - 17/01/2017
Physical Test, PET - 23/03/2017
Date of Joining - 12/05/2017