How to Build Your Vocabulary for SSC CGL English: 10 Words a Day Strategy

For many SSC CGL aspirants, the English section can be a source of constant anxiety, and the biggest monster within it is the vast, seemingly infinite ocean of vocabulary. You try to memorize long, random wordlists, only to forget them completely a week later. This approach is not just ineffective; it's deeply demotivating. It can make you feel that a high score in English is impossible.

What if there was a better, smarter, and less stressful way? There is. This guide will introduce you to a simple, scientific, and highly sustainable method: the **"10 Words a Day" strategy**. We will show you *what* words to learn, *how* to learn them for maximum retention, and how to build a powerful vocabulary that will serve as the foundation for a top score in the English section.

The Golden Rule: Quality over Quantity (and PYQs are Gold)

The first step is to abandon the idea of memorizing 50 or 100 words a day. Your brain simply cannot retain that much new information through rote memorization. This is due to a psychological principle called the "Forgetting Curve." Without spaced revision, you are guaranteed to forget most of what you learn.

The Power of Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

The single most important source for your vocabulary preparation is **Previous Year Question Papers**. The SSC has a strong tendency to repeat words from its question bank. By focusing your efforts on mastering the words that have already appeared in CGL, CHSL, and other SSC exams, you are following the 80/20 rule—focusing on the 20% of words that will give you 80% of the results.

The "10 Words a Day" Strategy: A 30-Minute Daily Routine

This strategy is built on the scientific principles of active recall and spaced repetition. All you need is a dedicated notebook and 30 minutes of focused time each day.

Step 1: Learn Today's 10 New Words (15 Minutes)

Open your chapter-wise PYQ book to the synonym or antonym section. Pick the first 10 words you don't know. For each word, follow this exact process in your notebook:

1. Write the **Word**.
2. Write its **Meaning** (in simple English and your native language, if it helps).
3. Write down at least two **Synonyms** and two **Antonyms**.
4. **Most Important:** Write a simple, original **Sentence** using the word. This step is non-negotiable. Creating a sentence builds context, which is the key to long-term retention.

Step 2: Revise Yesterday's 10 Words (10 Minutes)

Now, turn to the page with the 10 words you learned yesterday. Cover up the meanings and sentences. Look only at the words and try to **actively recall** their meanings, synonyms, and antonyms. This act of forcing your brain to retrieve the information is what strengthens the memory.

Step 3: Revise from a Week Ago (5 Minutes)

Finally, quickly read through the 10 words you learned exactly one week ago. This is **Spaced Repetition** in action. By revisiting the words at increasing intervals (one day, one week, and later, one month), you are signaling to your brain that this information is important and should be stored in your long-term memory.

A Sample Notebook Entry

Here’s how to structure your notebook for maximum impact:

Supercharging Your Vocabulary: Beyond the 10 Words

• The Root Word Method: Spend a little time learning common Greek and Latin roots (like 'bene' - good, 'mal' - bad, 'chron' - time). This can help you make intelligent guesses on unfamiliar words.
• The Daily Reading Habit: Reading a newspaper editorial or a good article every day is the most natural way to learn new words. When you see a word used in a real sentence, its meaning sticks with you.

Conclusion: Consistency is the Key

Stop being intimidated by vocabulary. You don't need to be a literary genius to score well. All you need is a smart system and the discipline to follow it. The "10 Words a Day" strategy is simple, sustainable, and incredibly effective.

Ten words a day might seem small, but it adds up to 300 highly relevant words in a month and nearly 2000 in six months—more than enough to tackle the SSC CGL English section with confidence. Start this simple, powerful habit today and watch your vocabulary transform from a weakness into a major strength.