SSC CHSL 2024: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and Marking Scheme
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the CHSL exam annually to recruit qualified candidates for the positions of Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Data Entry Operator (DEO), and Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant (PA/SA). Although the next SSC CHSL exam schedule is not declared, the candidates who intend to take it should begin preparing as soon as possible. Understanding the SSC CHSL exam pattern is important for a focused preparation strategy.
This article contains details for the SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2024, the syllabus, and the marking scheme. The SSC CHSL Exam Pattern is divided into three stages, which are discussed below.
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2024
The SSC CHSL is one of India’s most popular exams for government employment. However, before starting preparations, one should be aware of the most recent exam pattern and syllabus.
The SSC CHSL exam pattern is divided into three stages:
- Tier I exam is an objective multiple-choice question paper
- Tier II exam is a descriptive paper in English/Hindi
- Tier III exam is a computer proficiency test
| Particulars | SSC CHSL tier I exam highlights | SSC CHSL tier II exam highlights |
| Exam mode | Online (computer-based test) | Offline (pen and paper-based test) |
| Number of sections and subjects | Four sections· English· General Intelligence· General Awareness· Quantitative Aptitude | Two sections and subjects· Essay· Letter/application |
| Exam duration | 1 Hour | 1 Hour |
| Number of questions | 100 | Two |
| Type of questions | MCQs four options with one correct option | Descriptive questions |
| Total marks | 200 | 100 |
| Language of paper | Hindi and English | Hindi and English |
| Negative marking | Deduction of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer | Not applicable |
SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2024
Tier 1 of the SSC CHSL exam pattern consists of 100 questions with a maximum score of 200. The exam lasts 60 minutes and is divided into four sections with 25 questions each and a maximum of 50 marks. SSC will perform normalization if the exam is administered in multiple shifts.
The subjects of the SSC CHSL exam pattern tier 1 are available here.
- General Knowledge
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General Reasoning
- English Comprehension
The information about tier 1 is explained in the table below:
| Sections | Subjects | No of questions | Total marks | Time allotted |
| 1. | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 Minutes in total |
| 2. | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| 3. | Quantitative Aptitude Section | 25 | 50 | |
| 4. | English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Sum (Total) | 100 | 200 |
SSC CHSL Tier 1 Marking Scheme
The multiple choice questions in the SSC CHSL tier 1 exam pattern have negative markings for wrong answers. While there are 25 questions of two marks in each tier 1 paper, every wrong answer will be deducted 0.50 marks.
| Types of Questions in the SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam | Correct answers | Incorrect answers |
| MCQs | +2 | -0.50 |
SSC CHSL Tier 1 Syllabus
| Sections | Subjects | No of questions | Topics |
| 1. | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 25 | Analogy Venn Diagrams Symbolic/Number Classification, Number Series Classification Punched hole/pattern-folding & unfolding Coding decoding Problem-Solving Missing Number Non-Verbal Reasoning Verbal Reasoning Miscellaneous |
| 2. | General Awareness | 25 | Current Affairs Awards and Honours Geography Economy Indian Polity & Constitution Books and Authors Sports General Science National & International Organisations Important Days and Dates Famous temples in India Folk dances Scientific Research |
| 3. | Quantitative Aptitude Section | 25 | Percentage Algebra Ratio and Percentage Data Interpretation Mensuration and Geometry Quadratic Equation Basics of Trigonometry Statistical Charts Interest Problems of Ages Profit and Loss Mixture & Allegation Number Series Speed, Distance, and Time Time and Work Arithmetic Questions Number System Data Sufficiency |
| 4. | English Comprehension | 25 | Reading Comprehension Grammar Cloze Passage One word substitution Spellings Error Vocabulary Verbal Ability Synonyms Antonyms Active and Passive Voice Para Jumbles Fill in the Blanks Error Correction |
SSC CHSL Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2024
The SSC CHSL tier 2 exam is an offline descriptive exam. The SSC CHSL exam pattern consists of 100 points with a time limit of 60 minutes. Candidates who require a scribe will be given an extra 20 minutes as compensatory time.
Here are some crucial points to remember regarding the SSC CHSL tier 2 exam pattern:
- Candidates can write their exams in either English or Hindi.
- The examination body has set 33% as the qualifying score for the SSC CHSL exam pattern of 2024.
- Candidates must register their right roll no. on the answer book’s cover page (precisely at the stipulated place). They must also include their impression of the left thumb and signature in the specified column.
| Subject | Number of Words | Highest marks | Duration |
| Letter/Application | 150-200 | – | – |
| Essay | 200-250 | 100 | 60 minutes |
SSC CHSL Tier 2 Syllabus
The SSC CHSL Tier 2 has three sections, each containing two modules.
Tier 2 will take place in two sessions, Session-1 & Session-2, on the same day.
- Session 1 will include Section-1, Section-2, and Module 1 of Section-3.
- Session 2 will cover Module 2 of Section 3.
Section-1:
- Module 1: Mathematical Abilities
- Module 2: Reasoning and General Intelligence.
Section 2:
- Module 1: English Language and Comprehension
- Module 2: General Awareness
Section 3:
- Module 1: Computer Knowledge Test
- Module 2: Skill Test/Typing Test.
Module-I of Section-I (Mathematical Abilities)
| Number System | Computation of Whole Number Decimal & Fractions Relationship between numbers |
| Fundamental arithmetical operations | Square roots Prcentages Averages Simple and Compound interest Profit & Loss Discount Partnership Business Mixture & Alligation Time & distance Time & work |
| Geometry | Elementary geometric figures and facts Triangle: Various kinds of centres, Congruence & similarity of triangles Circle: Chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, Common tangents to two or more circles |
| Algebra | Algebraic identities Elementary surds Linear Equations (Graphs) |
| Mensuration | Triangles Quadrilaterals Regular Polygons Circle Right Prism Right Circular Cone Right Circular Cylinder Sphere Hemispheres Rectangular Parallelepiped Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square Base. |
| Statistics and Probability | Histogram Frequency polygon Bar-diagram Pie-chart Mean, median, mode, standard deviation Simple probabilities. |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometry & its ratios Complementary angles Height and distances (simple problems only) Standard Identities |
Module-II of Section-I (Reasoning and General Intelligence)
| Semantic Analogy | Number Analogy |
| Symbolic operations | Trends, Figural Analogy |
| Space Orientation | Semantic Classification & its series |
| Venn Diagram | Number Classification & its series |
| Drawing inferences | Figural Classification & its series |
| Punched hole/ pattern-folding & unfolding | Embedded figures |
| Figural Pattern-folding and completion | Problem -Solving, Critical Thinking |
| Emotional & Social Intelligence | Coding and de-coding |
| Word Building | Decision Making |
SSC CHSL Tier II Module-I of Section-II (English Language And Comprehension)
| Vocabulary | One-word Substitution |
| Grammar | Improvement of Sentences |
| Sentence Structure | Active/ Passive Voice of Verbs |
| Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms | Conversion into Direct/ Indirect Narration |
| Fill in the blanks | Shuffling of Sentence Parts |
| Spot the Error | Idioms and Phrases |
| Detecting Mis-spelt Words | Close Passage & Comprehension Passage |
Module-II of Section-II (General Awareness)
- History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern Indian & World History
- Culture: Indian Culture, Art & Architecture, Literature, Music, Dance, Festivals
- Geography: Physical Geography, Indian Geography, World Geography
- Economic Science: Indian Economy, Economic Development, Poverty, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives
- Policy: Indian Polity, Constitution of India, Governance, Public Policy, Rights issues, Panchayati Raj
- Research: General Scientific phenomena, Recent developments, related to Science & Technology
- Current Affarirs: National & International Events and developments
Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I (Computer Proficiency)
| Computer Basics | Windows Operating System | Internet and E-mails | Basics of Networking and Cybersecurity |
| Central Processing Unit Input/output devices Computer memory Memory organization Backup devices Ports Windows Explorer Keyboard shortcuts Softwares | MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint | Web Browsing & Searching Downloading & Uploading Managing an E-mail Account e-Banking | Networking devices and protocols Network and information security threats and preventive measures. |
SSC CHSL Tier 3 Exam Pattern 2024
SSC CHSL tier 3 is a typing and/or skill test for applicants who qualify for both tiers. Only contenders applying for DEO would be subjected to a typing test. Candidates must complete the examination at the speed displayed on their computer, which the SSC will supply at the designated centre/location.
Here is some crucial information regarding the tests:
- Typing test: One should have a speed of typing 35 words in a minute for English and 30 words in a minute for Hindi is required. Sorting Assistant, Postal Assistant, Court Clerk and LDC positions will need typing tests.
- Skill test: On the computer, the data entry speed is 8,000 key depressions in an hour. A skill examination is given for the position of DEO in the C & AG office, which requires a key depression rate of 15,000 per hour. The test lasts 15 minutes.
- The SSC will accept errors in skill tests up to two decimal places.
- A candidate’s final selection would be determined solely by the sum of their tier 1 and tier 2 scores.
- Only VH/OH (cerebral palsy) candidates and OH having a writing hand deformity will be given 35 minutes, which includes a 20-minute compensatory time for the given skill test.
Exam Pattern for SSC CHSL Skill Test for the post of DEO/ DEO Grade ‘A’:
- The ‘speed of15000 Key Depressions per hour on Computer‟ will be adjudged on the basis of the correct entry of words/ key depressions as per the given passage.
- The duration of the Test will be 15 minutes and printed matter in English containing about 3700-4000 key-depressions would be given to each candidate who would enter the same in the Computer.
Skill Test for the post of DEO/ DEO Grade ‘A’ except in Department/ Ministry mentioned at Para 8.1.
- Data Entry Speed of 8,000 Key Depressions per hour on Computer‟
- The duration of the Test will be 15 minutes and printed matter in English containing about 2000-2200 key-depressions would be given to each candidate who would enter the same in the Computer.
Exam Pattern for SSC CHSL Typing Test for LDC/JSA & Other Posts
- The medium of the SSC CHSL Typing Test will be Hindi or English where the candidates should choose the medium in the application form itself.
- Candidates opting for English medium should have typing speed of 35 words per minute (w.p.m.) which corresponds to 10500 key depressions per hour.
- Candidates opting for Hindi medium should have typing speed of 30 words per minute (w.p.m.) correspond to about 9000 key depressions per hour.
- The speed will be adjudged on the accuracy of typing on the Computer of a given text passage in 10 minutes.
For more information, Visit the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is SSC CHSL pattern?
The Staff Selection Commission or SSC CHSL is a recruitment drive to select qualified candidates for multiple posts like PA, SA Data Entry Operator, etc. Candidates applying for these positions must understand the exam pattern to determine which sections they should cover. Candidates for the SSC CHSL exam pattern will be chosen based on a written examination and then shortlisted for a skill/typing test. Shortlisted candidates will also be selected on merit.
What are the three tiers of SSC CHSL?
The SSC CHSL 2024 exam is divided into three stages. The curriculum for each step differs. The assessment will include a computer-based exam (tier 1), a descriptive paper (tier 2), and a typing/skill test (tier 3). As a result, all candidates who appear in the assessment must thoroughly comprehend the topics.
Is SSC CHSL tier 3 compulsory?
Yes, for the positions of LDC and DEO, SSC requires selected candidates to take a qualifying tier 3 examination. However, to be considered for the position of DEO, one must pass a skill test administered by the SSC. In this test, a candidate must have a data entry speed of 8000 key depressions per hour based on the correct entry words/key depressions as per the given passage, and the test will last 15 minutes.
Does SSC CHSL have an interview?
Candidates who meet the required cutoff after the written exam will be eligible for an interview.
Is SSC CHSL very tough?
Every year, a large number of people apply for the exam. Although it is not the most difficult country, the competition is fierce. However, anyone can pass this exam if they are dedicated and consistent.