Exam Pattern and Strategy to crack SSC CHSL Exam 2015

Every year SSC conducts the Combined Higher Secondary Level (+2 level) exam for the recruitment of Lower Divisional Clerks (LDC) and Data Entry Operators (DEO) for the clerical work of Central Government departments.

They are selected in various Departments of Central Government of India. SSC conducts this exam in three stages. The candidates are first tested by a two written tests to check their General Intelligence, Aptitude, English language and General Awareness and then a Skill Test taken to check their computer knowledge and  typing skills. 

The first written test is objective in nature and the second test is descriptive in nature.

It is well known fact that SSC exams syllabus is very vast especially Maths and GK section. To crack this competition exam you have to study the topics strategically and smartly otherwise you will not be able to complete the syllabus on time.

What is the pattern of the CHSL exam

Tier I - Objectve Written Test (0.25 Negative Marking)
Topics	Questions	Marks
1. Reasoning	50	50
2. Maths	50	50
3. GK	50	50
4. English	50	50
Total	200	200
Tier II – Descriptive Written Test (No Negative Marking)
Topics	Questions	Marks
1. Reasoning	Decided by SSC	50
2. Maths	Decided by SSC	50
3. GK	Decided by SSC	50
4. English	Decided by SSC	50
Total	200	200

1. Maximum Marks: The written test is comprised of 4 topics Reasoning (General Intelligence), Maths (Quantitative Aptitude), English Language and General Awareness (GK). Each topic will have 50 questions. All will be Objective Type Questions (Multiple Choice Questions).

Each question carry 1 mark. There is no sectional cut-off like bank and insurance exams where you have to attain minimum cut-off marks. This simply means you don't have to worry how you've performed in any particular subject. You just have to attain minimum marks from the total that is 200 marks. 

2. Time: You will be given 2 hours (120 Minutes) to complete the test. It means not a single minute for a question. So yeah in competition exams speed plays an important role.

3. Negative Marking: And of-course there is a negative marking of 1/4 or 0.25 marks per wrong question at the first stage but there is not any negative marking at the second stage. 

4. Descriptive Test: The descriptive test is qualifying in nature means you just have to pass it. The marks of descriptive test is not taken into consideration at the time cut-off preparation. 

5. Typing Test: If you've cleared written test with the minimum cut-off marks you will be eligible for skill test. I want to clarify two things regarding skill test. 

First Thing: Skill Test includes Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) and Typing Test(TT). TT is the test of typing speed on computer and DEST is a test of how fast you can enter the data into the computer. There is no difference between both the tests. In both the tests you will be given a printed material to type into the computer with.

The only difference is the SPEED of typing test. If you've taken the marks upto or above the cut-off decided for Data Entry Operator then you will be called for 2 typing tests. One for DEO i.e. DEST and the other for LDC i.e. TT.

Now in case you've scored upto or more than cut-off decided for LDC then you will be called for TT for LDC only. It means you will not be called to take the test for DEO because you've not scored upto the cut-off decided for DEO.

If you have scored upto or more than cut-off decided for DEO then you will called for taking both the tests specified for LDC and DEO.

Second Thing: Because the minimum typing speed requirement of  DEO is 27 WPM (27 Words Per Minute) and the salary is more for DEO post, the cut-off will always be high for DEO.