Staff Selection Commission: Combined Higher Secondary Level (SSC CHSL)
The Staff Selection Commission: Combined Higher Secondary Level (SSC CHSL) exam is one of the most popular exams for individuals looking to secure government jobs at the central level. This exam is conducted to recruit candidates for various posts such as Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Data Entry Operator (DEO), Postal Assistant (PA), and Sorting Assistant (SA). It is open to candidates who have completed their higher secondary education (12th standard) and wish to start a career in the government sector.
The SSC CGL exam is designed for graduates who wish to work in Group B and Group C posts such as Assistant Section Officer, Income Tax Inspector, Assistant Audit Officer, Sub-Inspector, Junior Statistical Officer, and more. These roles not only provide financial security but also offer opportunities for professional growth, nationwide exposure, and social prestige.
Selection Process
The selection process for The SSC CHSL exam is held annually and consists of three stages:
Tier I (Computer-Based Test)
Tier II (Descriptive Paper)
Tier III (Skill Test/Typing Test)
Combined Higher Secondary Level (SSC CHSL)
Tier I – Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Tier I is the first stage of the SSC CHSL exam and is a computer-based objective test designed to assess a candidate’s general aptitude and skills. It consists of four sections:
1. General Intelligence & Reasoning
2. General Awareness
3. Quantitative Aptitude
4. English Comprehension
Exam Format:
● Total Questions: 100 questions (25 questions in each section).
● Marks: Each question is worth 2 marks, making the total exam worth 200 marks.
● Time Duration: The total duration for the exam is 60 minutes.
● Negative Marking: There is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer.
Purpose of Tier I:
Tier I aims to test a candidate’s basic knowledge and reasoning ability. This stage serves as a screening test, meaning it is used to filter out candidates for further rounds. Only those who perform well enough to meet the cut-off will be eligible for Tier II. It is important for candidates to be thorough with basic concepts, as this test evaluates their ability to solve questions quickly and accurately.
Tier II – Descriptive Paper
Tier II is a descriptive paper that is meant to evaluate a candidate’s writing skills in English or Hindi. This stage assesses how well candidates can express their ideas, thoughts, and arguments clearly and concisely in writing, which is an essential skill for most government jobs.
Exam Format:
● Total Marks: 100 marks.
Time Duration: The exam is conducted for 60 minutes.
● Type of Questions: Candidates are required to write two types of compositions:
o Essay Writing: A topic is given, and candidates are asked to write an essay on it. The essay generally tests the candidate’s understanding of current affairs, social issues, or general knowledge.
o Letter/Application Writing: A formal or informal letter or application needs to be written on a given topic. This tests a candidate’s formal communication skills.
Purpose of Tier II:
The goal of this stage is to evaluate a candidate’s writing proficiency. The exam is subjective in nature and requires candidates to organize their thoughts coherently and express them in a clear, concise, and grammatically correct manner. It tests not only writing skills but also a candidate’s knowledge of language, vocabulary, and clarity of thought.
Although the marks obtained in Tier II are not used for the final merit list (it is qualifying in nature), candidates must perform well in this section to ensure they advance to Tier III.
Tier III – Skill Test/Typing Test
The Tier III exam is a qualifying stage and tests candidates on their typing speed or data entry skills, depending on the post they have applied for. The specific test varies based on the job description.
For Posts Requiring Data Entry:
Candidates applying for the Data Entry Operator (DEO) post will have to take a Data Entry Skill Test (DEST). This test measures the candidate’s ability to type at a certain speed and accuracy, which is vital for data entry work in government departments.
● Test Details: Candidates must type 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes.
● Objective: The focus is on assessing both speed and accuracy in typing.
For Posts Requiring Typing Skills:
For candidates applying for Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Postal Assistant (PA), and Sorting Assistant (SA) posts, the Typing Test is conducted to evaluate their typing proficiency.
● Test Details: Candidates must type 35 words per minute (wpm) in English, or 30 wpm in Hindi.
● Objective: The goal is to assess the candidate’s typing speed, accuracy, and ability to perform basic data entry tasks.
Purpose of Tier III:
Tier III is qualifying in nature, meaning it does not carry any marks, but candidates must pass this stage to be eligible for the final selection. It ensures that candidates selected for these roles have the required typing or data entry skills to perform the job efficiently. The skill test assesses practical proficiency, making it a critical part of the selection process for posts that require computer operations.
Final Selection
Once the candidates have successfully cleared all three stages of the SSC CHSL exam, the final merit list is prepared. The Tier I marks (CBT) are added to the Tier II results (Descriptive Paper), while Tier III (Skill/Typing Test) is just qualifying. Candidates are selected based on their combined performance in Tier I and Tier II, provided they meet the qualifying standards for Tier III.
The SSC CHSL exam is designed to evaluate a wide range of skills, from general knowledge and reasoning abilities to typing and writing proficiency. Each stage of the exam tests a specific skill set that is essential for performing duties in various government roles. With focused preparation, especially in Tier I and Tier II, candidates can confidently approach Tier III to qualify and secure their position in the government sector. At
GICE Academy, we offer comprehensive coaching to help students clear all three stages of the SSC CHSL exam with ease.
In Tier I, candidates are tested on their general knowledge, reasoning ability, quantitative aptitude, and English language skills. This is a multiple-choice exam, and it serves as a screening round to short-list candidates for the next phase. Tier II is a descriptive paper, where candidates are asked to write an essay or letter to test their writing skills in English or Hindi. Tier III involves a skill test or typing test, depending on the post. For instance, data entry operators are required to clear the data entry skill test, while others have to pass a typing speed test to qualify.
The SSC CHSL exam offers candidates the opportunity to work in several central government ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Communication, among others. These positions provide job security, a stable income, and a chance for career advancement with regular promotions. Additionally, the benefits include health insurance, pension schemes, and other allowances as per government regulations.
With its relatively lower eligibility criteria (just a 12th-grade pass), the SSC CHSL exam is a golden opportunity for many young graduates looking to start their careers in the government sector. At GICE Academy, we provide comprehensive coaching to help aspirants master every stage of the exam. With a well-structured study plan, expert faculty, and mock tests, we ensure our students are fully prepared to crack the SSC CHSL exam and embark on a successful career in government service.
