Hello Students
The Staff Selection Commission is the body to decide the SSC CHSL syllabus and SSC CHSL exam pattern. In the official CHSL notification, the commission mentions in detail about the syllabus and exam pattern of the SSC CHSL Exam.
Candidates to prepare strategically and in a systematic manner for SSC CHSL 2020-21 must keep abreast with the latest changes in the SSC CHSL Syllabus and exam pattern. Therefore, to help the aspirants of SSC CHSL we have given in detail the latest SSC CHSL exam pattern along with the topic wise SSC CHSL syllabus covered in each section of the exam.
Based on the SSC CHSL exam pattern, the PDF of the latest CHSL exam syllabus is given below. Candidates appearing for the exam can download the pdf for their preparation.
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern
There are different stages that candidates need to qualify to get selected for various posts in SSC CHSL exam. The Recruitment for SSC CHSL 2020-21 exam started on 6th November 2020. The notification released by the commission mentions in detail the examination pattern and syllabus of the Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination.
The overall highlight of SSC CHSL Exam Pattern topic-wise breakdown is as mentioned below:
| SSC CHSL Exam Pattern | ||
| Tier | Type/Mode of exam | Topics |
| Tier I | Computer-Based | English Language, General Intelligence, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness |
| Tier II | Descriptive Paper | Letter/Application Writing, Essay Writing |
| Tier III | Skill Test | Speed Typing Test adjudged on the correct entry of data |
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern Tier I
As already mentioned above, the SSC CHSL Tier I is a computer-based exam conducted online. Candidates are given a total of 60 minutes to solve SSC CHSL Tier I paper comprising 100 questions that count to a total of 200 marks (2 marks each question). For each wrong attempt, candidates are penalised with 1/2 marks i.e. 0.50 marks which were 0.25 marks in the previous year recruitments.
Note* – the time limit of 60 minutes to complete the SSC CHSL Tier I examination is extended by 20 minutes i.e. total 80- minutes are given to PwD candidates.
The Tier I of SSC CHSL exam covers questions based on the following sections:
- Reasoning Ability
- Quantitative Aptitude
- General Awareness
- English Language
The SSC CHSL Tier I Exam Pattern is Summarized below:
| SSC CHSL Exam Pattern Tier I | |||
| Sections/Subjects | Number of Questions each section | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes (80 Minutes for PwD candidates) |
| Reasoning/General Intelligence | 25 | 50 | |
| English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 | |
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern Tier II
Candidates who qualify Tier I exam are called to appear for SSC CHSL Tier II. The Tier II of SSC CHSL Exam assesses the English/Hindi writing skills of candidates, which is why it is a descriptive type of test. The questions asked in the Tier II paper are based on 10th standard concepts.
The written test of SSC CHSL Tier-II comprises an Essay writing of 200-250 words and Application/Letter writing of 150-200 words. The minimum marks that candidates need to attain in Tier-II exam is 33%.
The SSC CHSL Tier-II test is of 100 marks and the total time allowed to candidates for completing the test is 60 minutes (80 minutes for candidates who are visually handicapped or suffer from cerebral palsy).
SSC CHSL Exam Pattern Tier III
The SSC CHSL Tier III comprises a couple of skill tests which candidates need to qualify to get selected to certain government posts. The final merit list of candidates selected for the CHSL exam is prepared after this skill test. The skill test for SSC CHSL includes:
- Typing test for 15 minutes duration in which candidate must have the speed to write 35 words per minute (English Medium) and 30 words per minute (Hindi Medium).
- For VH – visually handicapped candidate (40% disabled), 30 minutes is provided for this test.
SSC CHSL exam pattern – Salient points
Salient points regarding the SSC CHSL Exam Pattern are:
- SSC CHSL Tier I is an objective type paper conducted only in online mode. Tier I has 100 questions of 2 marks each to be completed in 60 minutes. Candidates will lose 0.50 marks for every wrong answer.
- SSC CHSL Tier-II is a descriptive exam conducted in Pen and Paper mode only for the candidates who qualified Tier I. There is no negative marking for wrong attempts in SSC CHSL Tier-II Exam. Candidates must secure a minimum of 33% marks to clear Tier II of SSC CHSL Exam.
- SSC CHSL Tier III is a skill test for Data Entry Operator and typing test for various posts such as PA/SA, LDC and Court Clerk. Tier II of SSC CHSL Exam is qualifying in nature. The Final Merit is prepared based on the scores obtained in Tier I and Tier II only.
SSC CHSL Syllabus
In this section, we will discuss the Syllabus for SSC CHSL exam tier-wise. Candidates can download the consolidated SSC CHSL Syllabus PDF provided in the article.
SSC CHSL Syllabus for Tier I
The following table gives in detail the syllabus of the Tier I topics of the SSC CHSL Exam
| SSC CHSL Tier I Syllabus | |||
| General Intelligence/Reasoning | Quantitative Ability | English Language | General Awareness |
| Logical Reasoning | Computation of Whole Number, Decimal and Fractions, Relationship between numbers. | Reading Comprehension | History |
| Alphanumeric Series | Profit & Loss | Cloze Test | Culture |
| Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test | Simple Interest & Compound Interest & Surds & Indices | Para Jumbles | Geography |
| Data Sufficiency | Work & Time | Synonyms/Antonyms/Homonyms | Economic Scene |
| Coded Inequalities | Time & Distance | Fill in the Blanks | General Policy |
| Seating Arrangement | Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting | Scientific Research |
| Puzzle | Data Interpretation | Paragraph Completion | |
| Tabulation | Ratio & Proportion, Percentage | One Word Substitution | |
| Syllogism | Number Systems | Active/Passive Voice | |
| Space Orientation, Semantic Classification, | Sequences & Series | ||
| Figural Series, Critical Thinking, | Mixtures & Allegations | ||
| Coding/Decoding | Permutation, Combination & Probability | ||
For the reasoning section of CHSL syllabus candidates can go through the given links for conceptual knowledge and comprehensive preparation:
More such concept-based articles on reasoning topics can be found on the Logical Reasoning page linked here.
Also, go through the 3 sutras to prepare for reasoning ability to know important strategise with which you should start with the CHSL reasoning preparation.
Those finding it difficult to start with the English part of CHSL syllabus can refer to the links of relevant English language topics that are asked frequently in the examination:
- List of One Word Substitutions
- Adjective Degree Of Comparison Rules
- List of Homophones/Homonyms
- List of Synonyms and Antonyms
- Active And Passive Voice Rules
For more important topics on English For Competitive exams, such as Precis and Letter writing format, rules and list of prepositions, articles, conjunctions, etc, candidates can check the link provided.
Also, go through important questions and answers on English topics for practice and preparation.
- One Word Substitution Questions & Answers
- Tenses Questions And Answers
- Direct & Indirect Speech Questions & Answers
More question and answer articles on important topics of the Verbal Ability section can be found on the linked page.
The question weightage of each topic in SSC CHSL Syllabus is as mentioned below:
| SSC CHSL Syllabus 2020-21 | ||
| Sections | Topics | Weightage |
| General Knowledge and General Awareness | Indian History Indian Polity General science Geography Current Affairs & Economics Static G.K | 4-5 Questions 3-4 Questions 4-5 Questions 2-3 Questions 5-6 Questions 4-5 Questions |
| English Language | Error Spotting Fill in the Blanks Para Jumbles Cloze test Synonyms & Antonyms Phrase and Idioms One Word Substitution Spellings Improvement of Sentences Active/Passive Voices & Direct/Indirect Sentences Reading Comprehension | 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 1-5 Questions 5 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 3 Questions 5 Questions |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | Analogy Figural, Number & Symbolic Classifications Number Series Venn diagram Pattern- Folding-Unfolding Coding-Decoding Problem Solving Non-Verbal Reasoning Verbal Reasoning Missing Numbers | 3-4 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 3-4 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 3-4 Questions 2-3 Questions 1-3 Questions |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Statistical Charts Trigonometry Mensuration Geometry Algebra Arithmetic | 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 2-3 Questions 3-5 Questions 12-15 Questions |
For the preparation of the General Awareness section important topics that candidates must go through are listed below:
- List of Neighbouring Countries of India
- List of Highest Mountains in India
- List of Longest Rivers in the World
- Tennis Grand Slam Winners
- List Of Indian Ambassadors to Foreign Countries
- List of Indian Navy Chief Admirals
More such topics on general awareness are given on the Static GK page, check the link provided. For the preparation of current affairs candidates can check the following links
Furthermore, the preparation of quantitative aptitude part of CHSL Syllabus can be done by checking the given links.
- Shortcut tricks For Squares & Cube Roots
- Tips to solve Number Series
- Maths Tricks for Competitive Exams
Relevant topics of Quantitative Aptitude can check on the linked page.
Staff Selection Commission conducted various other exams apart from the CHSL exam. Candidates preparing for other SSC Exams such as SSC CPO, SSC GD, SSC CGL, SSC JE can check the detailed syllabus of all in the links given below:
- SSC CPO Syllabus
- SSC CGL Syllabus
- SSC GD Syllabus
- SSC JE Syllabus
- SSC MTS Syllabus
- SSC Stenographer Syllabus
SSC CHSL Syllabus for Tier II
The table below gives a brief description of the SSC CHSL Syllabus for Tier II:
| SSC CHSL Tier-II Syllabus | |||
| Topics | Word Count | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| Essay Writing | 200-250 | 100 | 60 minutes |
| Letter/Application Writing | 150-200 | 60 minutes | |
Candidates can go through the links provided below for assistance:
Important points related to SSC CHSL Syllabus:
- The topics asked in this exam will be related to National Interest, Finance & Economy, Ecological Issues, Social Issues, Politics, Schemes and Governance, Technology, Sports, Geopolitics, Environmental Concerns, etc.
- The minimum qualifying marks is 33%.
- The marks obtained in this exam will be added to the final merit list.
- The paper must be completely written in either Hindi or English. Papers that are written in Part English, Part Hindi will be rejected.
Get more details about the SSC Syllabus of other exams by visiting the linked article.
SSC CHSL Syllabus for Tier III
This exam will be a skill/typing test which would be of qualifying nature. The final merit of the selected candidates will be based on the total score obtained in the Tier – I and Tier – II exams.
The table below lists out in detail the SSC CHSL Syllabus for Tier III:
| SSC CHSL Syllabus – Tier III | ||
| Skill Test | Speed | Time |
| Data Entry Operator | Data Entry Speed of 8000 key depressions per hour on the computer. The ‘speed will be adjudged based on the correct entry of words/key depressions as per the given passage | The duration of the test will be for 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 test computer |
| Data Entry Operator in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG) | The ‘speed of 15000 key depressions per hour will be adjudged based on the correct entry of words/key depressions as per the given passage | The duration of the test will be for 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 test computer |
| Lower Division Clerk/ Junior Secretariat Assistant (LDS/JSA) and Postal Assistants/ Sorting Assistants (PA/SA) | The speed of 10500 key depressions per hour will be adjudged based on the correct entry of words/key depressions as per the given passage | The duration of the test will be for 15 minutes and printed matter in English containing about 9000 key-depressions/hour would be given to each candidate who would enter the same in the test computer. |
SSC CHSL Syllabus is vast and it is difficult to touch all the topics while revising. Therefore, for revision, analysis and extensive preparation of SSC CHSL exam, candidates need to take all-inclusive online mock tests.
Take mock tests regularly to develop a proper strategy for preparation. For SSC CHSL Preparation strategy, aspirants can check the linked article. Also, refer a few solved question papers of prior years of the different sections to get the feel of a real test and identify any weak spots in the process.
Candidates preparing for other exams can check SSC Mock Test for revision and analysis.
The SSC conducts many exams every year for recruitment in various government departments and offices. One of them is the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam, also popularly known as the SSC CHSL exam.
The table given below gives the highlights of SSC CHSL recruitment:
| SSC CHSL Exam Highlights | |
| Name of the Recruitment Exam | SSC CHSL 2020 |
| Recruiting Board | SSC |
| SSC CHSL Notification | November 6th 2020 |
| SSC CHSL Vacancies | 4726 (tentative) |
| Online Application Submission | November 6th 2020 to December 26th 2020 |
| SSC CHSL Admit Card | April 2021 (tentative) |
| Tier I Exam | April 12th 2021 onwards (tentative) |
| Tier-II Exam | To be notified |
| Tier III Exam | To be notified |
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