Data Sufficiency

1. Overview

Data Sufficiency (DS) tests your ability to analyze whether given data is enough to solve a problem, rather than calculating exact answers.

SSC CGL style DS:

Two statements provided
Decide if the statements are sufficient individually or together

Options are usually:

Statement 1 alone sufficient
Statement 2 alone sufficient
Both together sufficient, neither alone
Each alone sufficient
Neither sufficient

2. Approach / Steps

1. Read the question carefully

Identify what is asked: value, ratio, possibility, yes/no, max/min

2. Analyze each statement individually

Ignore the other statement first

3. Check sufficiency

Can you answer uniquely with this statement alone?

4. Combine statements if needed

Sometimes only together they provide a unique answer

5. Do not calculate exact value

Unless absolutely necessary

6. Use options smartly

Compare with standard SSC options

3. Common Tips

Look for unique determination - Value must be unique → statement sufficient

Ignore unnecessary details - Focus on what is required

Check ranges - If multiple possibilities → statement insufficient

Watch for "yes/no" type DS - Statements sufficient if answer can be definitely "Yes" or "No"

Practice SSC patterns - Numbers, ages, ratios, algebraic equations, speed/time/distance

4. Examples (SSC Style)

Example 1:

Question: What is the value of x?

1. x + y = 10

2. x − y = 2

Step 1: Statement 1 alone → x + y = 10 → insufficient

Step 2: Statement 2 alone → x − y = 2 → insufficient

Step 3: Together → x + y =10, x − y=2 → Solve: x = 6, y = 4 → sufficient

View Answer

Option 3: Both together sufficient

Example 2:

Question: What is the speed of the car?

1. Car covers 120 km in 2 hours

2. Car covers 60 km in 1 hour

Step 1: Statement 1 alone → Speed = 120/2=60 km/h → sufficient

Step 2: Statement 2 alone → Speed = 60/1=60 km/h → sufficient

View Answer

Option 4: Each alone sufficient

Example 3:

Question: Is x > 10?

1. x + 5 > 15

2. x − 2 < 20

Step 1: Statement 1 → x +5>15 → x>10 → sufficient

Step 2: Statement 2 → x−2<20 → x<22 → insufficient (x can be <10 or>10)

View Answer

Option 1: Statement 1 alone sufficient

5. SSC Short Tricks / Tips

Statement first approach

Check sufficiency → solve only if necessary

Algebraic equations

One equation, one variable → sufficient

One equation, two variables → insufficient

Yes/No questions

Evaluate logically, not numerically

Inequalities

Check all possibilities, consider boundary cases

Speed/Time/Distance

One statement giving either time, speed, distance → often sufficient

Ratio/Age problems

Usually need both statements to find unique values

6. Practice Section

Q1. Find x.

1. x + 7 = 12

2. x − 3 = 5

View Answer

Statement 1 → x=5 → sufficient

Statement 2 → x=8 → sufficient

Each alone sufficient → Option 4

Q2. Is y even?

1. y² = 16

2. y − 3 = 1

View Answer

Statement 1 → y = ±4 → y=4→ even, y=−4 → even → sufficient

Statement 2 → y=4 → y even → sufficient

Option 4: Each alone sufficient

Q3. Find speed of train.

1. Train travels 120 km in 1 hour

2. Train travels 180 km in 1.5 hours

View Answer

Both statements alone → speed = 120 km/h → sufficient

Option 4: Each alone sufficient

Q4. Find z.

1. 2z + 3 = 9

2. z² − 16 = 0

View Answer

Statement 1 → 2z=6 → z=3 → sufficient

Statement 2 → z²−16=0 → z=4 or −4 → insufficient

Option 1: Statement 1 alone sufficient

Q5. Is x+y = 10?

1. x=5, y=5

2. x+y>8

View Answer

Statement 1 → x+y=10 → sufficient

Statement 2 → x+y>8 → insufficient

Option 1: Statement 1 alone sufficient

7. Quick Recap Table

Step	Key Tip	SSC Shortcut
Step 1	Read question carefully	Identify what is asked
Step 2	Analyze Statement 1 alone	Solve only if needed
Step 3	Analyze Statement 2 alone	Check for unique answer
Step 4	Combine if needed	Use logic, not calculations
Step 5	Choose option	Compare to standard SSC options
Tip	One equation, one variable → usually sufficient	Inequalities → check all possibilities

You've completed Article 15: Data Sufficiency!

Courage Tip: In SSC DS, thinking logically beats calculation speed. Focus on statement sufficiency, uniqueness, and yes/no reasoning.

1. Overview

SSC CGL style DS:

Options are usually:

2. Approach / Steps

1. Read the question carefully

2. Analyze each statement individually

3. Check sufficiency

4. Combine statements if needed

5. Do not calculate exact value

6. Use options smartly

3. Common Tips

4. Examples (SSC Style)

Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:

5. SSC Short Tricks / Tips

Statement first approach

Algebraic equations

Yes/No questions

Inequalities

Speed/Time/Distance

Ratio/Age problems

6. Practice Section

Q1. Find x.

Q2. Is y even?

Q3. Find speed of train.

Q4. Find z.

Q5. Is x+y = 10?

7. Quick Recap Table

You've completed Article 15: Data Sufficiency!

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