SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2025: Tier 1 and 2 with Proven Tips
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). Understanding the SSC CHSL Exam Pattern is important for a focused preparation strategy.
Although the next SSC CHSL exam schedule is not declared, the candidates who intend to take it should begin preparing as soon as possible. This article contains details for the SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2025, the syllabus, and the marking scheme. The SSC CHSL Exam Pattern is divided into three stages, which are discussed below.
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2025
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 SSC CHSL 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 & Subjects | English General Intelligence General Awareness Quantitative Aptitude | 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 |
1. SSC CHSL Exam Pattern Tier 1 2025
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:
| Section | Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | 30 min |
| II | General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | 30 min |
| III | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | 30 min |
| IV | General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 30 min |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
SSC CHSL Marking Scheme Tier 1
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 |
2. SSC CHSL Exam Pattern Tier 2 2025
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 2025.
- 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.
| Session | Section | Module | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session-I | Section-I | Module-I: Mathematical Abilities | 30 | 90 | 1 hour (for each section) |
| Module-II: Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 90 | |||
| Section-II | Module-I: English Language and Comprehension | 40 | 120 | 20 minutes for scribe-eligible candidates | |
| Module-II: General Awareness | 20 | 60 | |||
| Section-III | Module-I: Computer Knowledge Test | 15 | 45 | 15 minutes (20 for scribe-eligible candidates) | |
| Session-II | Section-III | Module-II: Skill Test/Typing Test | |||
| Part A: Skill Test for DEOs in specified departments | – | – | 15 minutes (20 for scribe-eligible candidates) | ||
| Part B: Skill Test for DEOs (other departments) | – | – | 15 minutes (20 for scribe-eligible candidates) | ||
| Part C: Typing Test for LDC/JSA | – | – | 10 minutes (15 for scribe-eligible candidates) |
Key Points
- Two Sessions: The exam is conducted in two sessions on the same day.
- Objective Type: The questions are multiple-choice.
- Language Options: Questions will be set in English, Hindi, and the language opted by the candidate, except for the English Language module.
- Negative Marking: There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer in Section-I, Section-II, and Module-I of Section-III.
- Qualifying Nature: Module-I of Section-III (Computer Knowledge Test) is mandatory but only qualifying in nature.
Important Note
- Candidates must qualify in all sections of Tier-II to advance to the next stage.
This simplified explanation should help you understand the SSC CHSL Tier-II exam pattern better.
3. SSC CHSL Exam Pattern Tier 3 2025
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
- 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.
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern PDF: DOWNLOAD HERE
Key Updates in SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2025
For the 2025 cycle, the SSC CHSL Exam Pattern has undergone minor updates:
- The duration of the Tier 1 exam remains the same, but more emphasis is placed on General Awareness.
- The descriptive paper in Tier 2 now includes optional topics for essays to give candidates more flexibility.
- Skill/Typing Test evaluation criteria have been slightly revised to ensure transparency.
SSC CHSL Syllabus 2025
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the SSC CHSL syllabus for 2025, divided into two tiers:
SSC CHSL Tier-I Indicative Syllabus
1. English Language
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| English Language | Spot the Error Fill in the Blanks Synonyms/Homonyms Antonyms Spellings/Detecting Mis-spelt Words Idioms & Phrases One Word Substitution Improvement of Sentences Active/Passive Voice of Verbs Conversion into Direct/Indirect Narration Shuffling of Sentence Parts Shuffling of Sentences in a Passage Cloze Passage Comprehension Passage |
2. General Intelligence
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| General Intelligence | Semantic Analogy Symbolic Operations Symbolic/Number Analogy Trends Figural Analogy Space Orientation Semantic Classification Venn Diagrams Symbolic/Number Classification Drawing Inferences Figural Classification Punched Hole/Pattern-folding & Unfolding Semantic Series Figural Pattern-folding and Completion Number Series Embedded Figures Figural Series Critical Thinking Problem-Solving Emotional Intelligence Word Building Social Intelligence Coding and Decoding Numerical Operations Other Sub-topics |
3. Quantitative Aptitude
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Number Systems | Computation of Whole Number Decimal and Fractions Relationship Between Numbers |
| Fundamental Arithmetical Operations | Percentages Ratio and Proportion Square Roots Averages Interest (Simple and Compound) Profit and Loss Discount Partnership Business Mixture and Allegation Time and Distance Time and Work |
| Algebra | Basic Algebraic Identities of School Algebra and Elementary Surds (Simple Problems) Graphs of Linear Equations |
| Geometry | Familiarity with Elementary Geometric Figures and Facts Triangle and Its Various Kinds of Centers Congruence and Similarity of Triangles Circle and Its Chords Tangents Angles Subtended by Chords of a Circle Common Tangents to Two or More Circles |
| Mensuration | Triangle Quadrilaterals Regular Polygons Circle Right Prism Right Circular Cone Right Circular Cylinder Sphere Hemispheres Rectangular Parallelepiped Regular Right Pyramid with Triangular or Square Base |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric Ratios Complementary Angles Height and Distances (Simple Problems Only) Standard Identities like sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 |
| Statistical Charts | Use of Tables and Graphs Histogram Frequency Polygon Bar-Diagram Pie-Chart |
4. General Awareness
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | General Awareness of the Environment Application to Society Current Events Everyday Observation and Experience India and Its Neighboring Countries History Culture Geography Economic Scene General Policy Scientific Research |
Special Note
- For VH candidates with 40% and above visual disability, there will be no component of Maps/Graphs/Diagrams/Statistical Data in the General Intelligence and Quantitative Aptitude sections.
This table provides a comprehensive overview of the SSC CHSL Tier-I syllabus.
SSC CHSL Tier-II Indicative 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.
1. Module-I of Session-I (Mathematical Abilities)
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Number Systems | Computation of Whole Number Decimal and Fractions Relationship between Numbers |
| Fundamental Arithmetical Operations | Percentages Ratio and Proportion Square Roots Averages Interest (Simple and Compound) Profit and Loss Discount Partnership Business Mixture and Allegation Time and Distance Time and Work |
| Algebra | Basic Algebraic Identities of School Algebra Elementary Surds (Simple Problems) Graphs of Linear Equations |
| Geometry | Familiarity with Elementary Geometric Figures and Facts Triangle and Its Various Kinds of Centers Congruence and Similarity of Triangles Circle and Its Chords Tangents, Angles Subtended by Chords of a Circle Common Tangents to Two or More Circles |
| Mensuration | Triangle Quadrilaterals Regular Polygons Circle Right Prism Right Circular Cone Right Circular Cylinder Sphere Hemispheres Rectangular Parallelepiped Regular Right Pyramid with Triangular or Square Base |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric Ratios Complementary Angles Height and Distances (Simple Problems Only) Standard Identities like sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 |
| Statistics and Probability | Use of Tables and Graphs: Histogram, Frequency Polygon Bar-Diagram, Pie-Chart Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation Calculation of Simple Probabilities |
2. Module-II of Section I (Reasoning and General Intelligence)
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Reasoning and General Intelligence | Questions of Both Verbal and Non-Verbal Type Semantic Analogy, Symbolic Operations Symbolic/Number Analogy Trends, Figural Analogy Space Orientation Semantic Classification Venn Diagrams Symbolic/Number Classification Drawing Inferences Figural Classification Punched Hole/Pattern-Folding & Unfolding Semantic Series, Figural Pattern-Folding and Completion Number Series, Embedded Figures Figural Series, Critical Thinking Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence Word Building, Social Intelligence Coding and Decoding, Numerical Operations Other Sub-Topics |
3. Module-I of Section II (English Language and Comprehension)
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| English Language and Comprehension | Vocabulary, Grammar, Sentence Structure Synonyms, Antonyms and Their Correct Usage Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks Synonyms/Homonyms, Antonyms Spellings/Detecting Mis-spelt Words Idioms & Phrases One Word Substitution Improvement of Sentences Active/Passive Voice of Verbs Conversion into Direct/Indirect Narration Shuffling of Sentence Parts Shuffling of Sentences in a Passage Cloze Passage, Comprehension Passage Comprehension Based on Given Paragraphs One Paragraph from a Book or Story One Paragraph from Current Affairs or Report |
4. Module-II of Section II (General Awareness)
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | General Awareness of Environment and Its Application Knowledge of Current Events Everyday Observation and Experience in Scientific Aspect India and Its Neighboring Countries History, Culture, Geography Economic Scene, General Policy Scientific Research |
5. Module-I of Section-III of Paper-I (Computer Proficiency)
| Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Computer Basics | Organization of a Computer Central Processing Unit (CPU) Input/Output Devices, Computer Memory Memory Organization, Back-Up Devices PORTs, Windows Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts |
| Software | Windows Operating System Basics of Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint) |
| Networking Devices and Protocols Network and Information Security Threats (Hacking, Virus, Worms, Trojans, etc.) Preventive Measures | Web Browsing & Searching Downloading & Uploading Managing an E-mail Account, E-Banking |
| Basics of Networking and Cyber Security | Networking Devices and Protocols Network and Information Security Threats (Hacking, Virus, Worms, Trojan, etc.) Preventive Measures |
Special Note
- For VH candidates with 40% and above visual disability, there will be no component of Maps/Graphs/Diagrams/Statistical Data in the Mathematical Abilities and Reasoning and General Intelligence modules.
This table provides a comprehensive overview of the SSC CHSL Tier-II syllabus.
SSC CHSL Syllabus PDF Free Download: CLICK HERE
How to Prepare for the SSC CHSL Exam Based on the Exam Pattern?
Understanding the SSC CHSL Exam Pattern is only the first step. Here are some preparation tips to help you succeed:
For Tier 1:
- Focus on Fundamentals: Strengthen your basics in Quantitative Aptitude and English Grammar.
- Practice Mock Tests: Regular practice helps improve speed and accuracy.
- Stay Updated: Follow current affairs and general knowledge topics for the General Awareness section.
For Tier 2:
- Practice Writing: Improve your essay and letter-writing skills by practicing daily.
- Typing Proficiency: Use typing software to improve speed and accuracy for the skill test.
- Time Management: Allocate specific time slots for each section during practice.
Conclusion
The SSC CHSL Exam Pattern 2025 provides a clear framework for candidates to prepare effectively for the exam. By understanding the structure and requirements of each tier, candidates can optimize their preparation strategies and improve their chances of success. Whether it’s mastering the subjects in Tier 1 or honing writing and typing skills for Tier 2, following the exam pattern is key to cracking the SSC CHSL 2025.
Start your preparation today and stay ahead of the competition! Bookmark this article for quick updates and essential tips on the SSC CHSL Exam Pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the SSC CHSL exam pattern?
Ans. The SSC CHSL exam has two tiers: Tier 1 is an online objective test with 4 sections (General Intelligence, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness), each with 50 questions (50 marks each), lasting 60 minutes. Tier 2 is a 60-minute online descriptive test (Essay & Letter Writing, 50 marks each).
Q2. What is SSC CHSL salary?
Ans. The SSC CHSL salary for an LDC/DEO, the salary ranges from ₹19,900 to ₹63,200 (Level 2), while for other posts like Postal Assistants, the salary ranges from ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 (Level 4). Additional allowances are also provided.
Q3. Is SSC CHSL very tough?
Ans. Yes, SSC CHSL is very tough. Tier 1 tests basic skills in reasoning, English, math, and general awareness, while Tier 2 focuses on writing skills. With consistent practice and strategy, it’s manageable, but the competition makes it tough for many.
Q4. Is SSC CHSL a good job?
Ans. Yes, SSC CHSL is a good job offering stability, a decent salary, and government benefits. It provides opportunities for career growth, job security, and work-life balance. However, the workload and competition can be challenging, but many find it rewarding in the long run.
Q5. What is tier 1 and tier 2 in SSC CHSL?
Ans. Yes, SSC CHSL Tier 1 is qualifying in nature. It serves as a screening test, and candidates need to secure the minimum cutoff marks to move on to Tier 2. However, the scores from Tier 1 are not counted in the final selection, only the marks from Tier 2 and Tier 3 are considered.