How Pritam Malik Secured Tax Assistant Post Using PW Mock Tests

Pritam Malik from Alipurduar, West Bengal, secured his selection in SSC CGL 2025 after beginning his preparation in 2023. After missing the final selection in SSC CGL 2024 by 18 marks in Mains, he returned with a more focused approach and cleared both stages in 2025. He scored 127 marks in Tier 1, which normalised to 147, and 298 marks in Mains, ultimately securing the post of Tax Assistant in CBIC.

His preparation focused on strengthening concepts from the basics, regular revision, extensive mock-test practice, and maintaining discipline throughout the preparation journey. He also followed a quiet approach to preparation, choosing not to share his progress until the final result.

SSC CGL 2025 Final Result: Pritam Malik’s Journey from 2023 Preparation to Selection

Pritam Malik started preparing for SSC examinations in 2023. His first attempt at SSC CGL came in 2024, when he cleared Tier 1 and scored 302 marks in Mains but missed the final selection by 18 marks. In SSC CGL 2025, he scored 127 marks in Tier 1, which became 147 after normalisation, and secured 298 marks in Mains.

“Maine preparation 2023 se start ki thi, April se. 2024 mein exam diya tha, Pre bhi nikal gaya tha, Mains mein 302 aaye the, but 18 marks se nahi hua. Phir 2025 mein Pre mein 127 aaye, normalisation ke baad 147 ho gaya. Mains mein 298 aaye aur finally selection ho gaya.”

The experience of missing selection in 2024 became an important part of his journey. Instead of giving up after falling short, Pritam continued preparing and worked towards improving his performance in the next attempt.

“24 mein Pre nikal gaya tha, lekin Mains nahi hua. Uske baad bas padhte jaana hai, padhte rehna hai. Kaun kya bol raha hai, bolne wale toh sab bolte hi rahenge, lekin aapko padhte rehna hai.”

His persistence eventually helped him convert his preparation into a final selection in SSC CGL 2025.

How Pritam Malik Built His SSC CGL Preparation from the Basics

According to Pritam, aspirants preparing for SSC CGL should begin by building a strong foundation before moving towards advanced-level questions. He recommended progressing from basic concepts to higher-level practice and then using PYQs and sectional tests to strengthen preparation.

“Pehle toh basic se start karna padega. Jo bhi karna hai, basic se start karo. Jaise Maths mein Percentage padh rahe ho, toh Percentage basic se hard level tak kisi se seekhna hai. Uske baad dheere-dheere PYQs nikaal ke aur phir sectional test dete hue jaana hai.”

For him, the source of learning was less important than understanding the fundamentals properly. Once the basics were clear, he gradually increased the level of practice.

“Aap kahin se bhi padho, kisi bhi teacher se padho, but sabse pehle apni foundation strong karo. Basic se start karke advance level tak jao, phir PYQs aur tests ke through practice karo.”

This foundation-first approach helped him strengthen the core concepts required across the SSC CGL syllabus.

Pritam Malik’s Approach to Revision for SSC CGL

Revision played a major role in Pritam’s preparation. He highlighted that there is no fixed number of revisions that works for everyone. Each student needs to repeat topics according to their own ability and retention.

“Revision main cheez hai SSC mein. Jo jitni baar kare—saat, aath, nau, das baar—jisko jitna lage, usmein koi fixed nahi hai. Kisi ka chaar baar revision mein strong ho gaya, kisi ka paanch baar mein bhi nahi hua. Sabki alag-alag ability hoti hai.”

He therefore continued revising topics until they became comfortable instead of following a predetermined number of revisions.

“Jisko jitna revision chahiye, karte raho. Sirf ek baar ya do baar padhne se nahi hoga. Time-to-time revision karna hi padega, especially GK mein toh baar-baar revision karna zaroori hai.”

This repeated revision helped him retain information and remain prepared for the wide-ranging SSC syllabus.

How Pritam Malik Used PW Mock Tests for SSC CGL Preparation

Mock tests were one of the most important parts of Pritam’s preparation. He attempted the complete set of PW Mock Tests for both Prelims and Mains and even attempted many of them twice.

“Maine Pre ka bhi poora lagaya tha aur Mains ka bhi poora finish kar diya tha. Aap dekhoge toh shayad do-do baar attempt bhi hua hai saare mocks mein. Saare khatam ho gaye the.”

He also found the doubt-reporting support associated with the mock tests useful. Whenever he had a question about an answer or felt there was an issue with a particular question, he could report it and receive clarification from the team.

“Agar koi doubt hota tha, jaise question mein lagta tha ki iska answer woh hoga ya woh hoga, toh main report question karta tha. Phir do-teen ghante mein mere paas call aa jaata tha ki Pritam, aapka woh doubt clear hua ya nahi.”

For Pritam, mock tests were therefore not simply about attempting questions. They also helped him identify doubts, analyse mistakes and become more familiar with the examination pattern.

Pritam Malik on Mock Tests, Accuracy and the PW Leaderboard

Pritam also used the PW leaderboard during YouTube classes and mock-test practice. Seeing his name on the leaderboard gave him an additional boost, but he did not allow competition with other students to distract him.

“Leaderboard se bhi energy boost hoti thi. Number one pe naam hona waise toh main goal nahi tha, lekin number one pe naam hona achha lagta tha. Usse motivation milta tha.”

He also acknowledged that some students may use shortcuts such as Google Lens to appear higher on a leaderboard. His approach was to ignore such comparisons and focus on genuine preparation.

“Woh karte rahe. Jo karna hai, woh toh karte hi rahenge. Aap apni accuracy dekho, apna time lo aur har question ko khud solve karo. Doosre se comparison mat karo ki kiska naam aa raha hai aur kiska nahi.”

His focus remained on solving questions independently and improving his own performance rather than chasing leaderboard positions.

How Pritam Malik Prepared for GK and Current Affairs

Pritam followed a structured revision approach for GK. He suggested dividing the syllabus into smaller sections and then revising the previously covered topics alongside new topics.

“Pehle syllabus ek notebook mein likh lo. Uske baad ABCD rule follow karo. Pehle A-B padh liya, doosre din C-D padh liya, toh usi din A-B-C-D chaaron ko revise karo.”

He applied the same method to different areas of General Awareness. For example, after studying History and Polity on different days, he would bring all the sections together during revision.

“History-Polity ek din padh liya aur Geography-Economy ek din padh liya, toh next day saara padho. Jitna revision karoge, utna hi strong hoga. GK waise bhi yaad nahi rehta, toh time-to-time revision karna hi padega.”

This method allowed him to repeatedly revisit the syllabus instead of relying on a single round of study.

Pritam Malik’s Strategy for Current Affairs and English

For current affairs, Pritam used online resources and also read The Hindu. He found newspaper reading useful not only for current affairs but also for developing English reading ability.

“Current Affairs ke liye ek channel hota hai aapka Telegram mein, usmein bhi dekh sakte ho. Lekin maine toh The Hindu ka subscription le rakha tha. Online wahan se padh leta tha, phir wahan se questions dekh leta tha.”

He also believed that reading the newspaper could support English preparation, particularly vocabulary and reading practice.

“The Hindu mere hisaab se abhi sahi hai, kyunki wahan vocabulary bhi thodi sahi hai. English reading bhi ho jaati hai. Vocabulary aur grammar ke liye jahan se mile, wahan se reading kar lo.”

His approach combined current-affairs preparation with regular reading rather than treating the two as completely separate activities.

Pritam Malik on Computer Preparation for SSC CGL Mains

Computer was another area that Pritam highlighted, particularly because it can become a qualifying barrier even for candidates who score well overall. He recommended covering the complete syllabus instead of restricting preparation to easy or moderate-level questions.

“Computer ke liye jahan syllabus hai, usko topic dekh ke poora-poora hi padhna chahiye. Hum kya karte the, easy to moderate tak chhod dete the. Abhi hard level tak bhi practice karna hai.”

His experience reinforced the importance of not taking the Computer section lightly during Mains preparation.

“Computer ko thoda lightly nahi lena chahiye. Qualifying hai, lekin qualify toh karna hi padega. Syllabus ke according poora padho aur hard level tak bhi practice karo, kyunki question kisi bhi level ka aa sakta hai.”

For aspirants, his experience serves as a reminder that a qualifying section can still affect the final outcome if it is neglected.

Pritam Malik’s Quiet Approach to SSC CGL Preparation

One of the defining aspects of Pritam’s preparation was his decision to keep his progress private. After experiencing the pressure surrounding his 2024 attempt, he decided not to announce his progress during the 2025 cycle.

“2024 mein hi seekh gaye the ki nahi batana hai. Ab seedha final merit list mein naam aayega, tabhi batayenge. Is baar Pre nikla, Mains ki preparation chal rahi thi, kisi ko nahi bataya.”

He believed that candidates should focus on preparation rather than constantly discussing their progress with others.

“Aise preparation karo ki aapki success shor machaye. Preparation aap shor macha ke mat karo. Padhte raho, padhte raho. Kaun kya bol raha hai, uske baare mein mat socho.”

This quiet and focused approach helped him avoid unnecessary pressure while working towards his final goal.

Pritam Malik Secured Tax Assistant Post in CBIC Through SSC CGL 2025

Pritam ultimately secured the Tax Assistant post in CBIC through SSC CGL 2025. For him, the selection represented not only the outcome of his preparation but also financial independence and the opportunity to stand on his own feet.

“Mera selection Tax Assistant, CBIC mein hua hai. Abhi toh sir bahut khush hoon. Sabse badi khushi ki baat hai ki economically independent hoon. Apne pair pe khade ho gaye.”

His family was also extremely happy when his result was announced. Pritam shared that he first told his mother after seeing his name in the final result.

“Sabse pehle mummy ko bataya. Bahut khush hue the. Mere ghar mein mummy aur papa hain. Papa BSF mein the, ab retired hain.”

Coming from a family where his father had served in the BSF, Pritam’s government-job selection became an important milestone for the family.

Pritam Malik’s Advice for SSC CGL 2026 Aspirants

For students preparing for SSC CGL 2026, Pritam highlighted two qualities above everything else: discipline and patience. He also recommended maintaining a balanced daily routine that includes physical activity.

“Do main cheezein hain discipline aur patience. Jo bhi karein, physical ke liye bhi ek ghanta karna hai. Mera bhi pehle 101 kg tha, ab 87 kg hai. Padhai ke saath ek-do ghanta physical bhi karna hai.”

He suggested that students should design a schedule according to their individual study style. Some may prefer long study sessions, while others may work better with regular breaks.

“Schedule apne hisaab se banao. Kisi ko ek saath chaar-paanch ghanta padhna pasand hai, koi break-break karke padhta hai. Lekin main cheez hai ki saat se chhe-saat ghanta padhna hai. Kaise padhte ho, woh aapki marzi hai.”

With his selection as a Tax Assistant in CBIC through SSC CGL 2025, Pritam’s story offers aspirants a practical perspective on building fundamentals, revising repeatedly, attempting mocks, analysing mistakes and staying consistent until the final result.