SSC CHSL — Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Free preparation for SSC CHSL — the official exam pattern and topic-wise syllabus are below. Start preparing from home.

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Exam Pattern

Two computer-based stages plus a qualifying skill/typing test.

TIER 1 (Computer Based Exam, screening):

4 sections, 25 questions each = 100 questions, 200 marks total.

1. General Intelligence & Reasoning — 25 Q / 50 marks

2. General Awareness — 25 Q / 50 marks

3. Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic) — 25 Q / 50 marks

4. English Language (Basic Knowledge) — 25 Q / 50 marks

Marking: +2 for each correct answer, -0.50 for each wrong answer. No penalty for unattempted. Objective MCQ.
Duration: 60 minutes (80 minutes for scribe-eligible/PwBD candidates).

TIER 2 (Computer Based Exam, decisive stage — held in one day across two sessions):

SESSION I (2 hours 15 min total, three sections, two modules each):

Section I: Module-I Mathematical Abilities (30 Q) + Module-II Reasoning & General Intelligence (30 Q) = 60 Q / 180 marks / 1 hour.
Section II: Module-I English Language & Comprehension (40 Q) + Module-II General Awareness (20 Q) = 60 Q / 180 marks / 1 hour.
Section III, Module-I: Computer Knowledge Module — 15 Q / 45 marks / 15 min. This module is MANDATORY but QUALIFYING ONLY — it does NOT count toward the final merit.

SESSION II:

Section III, Module-II: Skill Test / Typing Test Module — qualifying in nature (Typing Test for LDC/JSA; Skill Test/DEST for DEO).
Marking in Tier 2 MCQ modules: +3 for each correct answer, -1 for each wrong answer. Negative marking applies to Section I, Section II, and Module-I of Section III.
FINAL MERIT is prepared on the basis of Section I + Section II only = 360 marks (Computer Knowledge Module and Skill/Typing Test are qualifying, not scored for merit).

Note: Exact figures are as per the standard SSC-revised scheme in use since the 2022-23 cycle and confirmed for 2025-26; candidates should still confirm against their specific-year Notice PDF on ssc.gov.in, as SSC can revise details.

Syllabus (topic-wise)

Tier 1 — General Intelligence & Reasoning (verbal + non-verbal): semantic/symbolic/number/figural analogy, classification and series; coding-decoding; problem solving; word building; numerical/arithmetical reasoning; relationship concepts; space visualization and spatial orientation; visual memory; discrimination and observation; venn diagrams; drawing inferences; punched-hole/pattern folding-unfolding; embedded figures; figural pattern completion; critical thinking; emotional and social intelligence
Tier 1 — General Awareness: current events; everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspect; India and its neighbouring countries — History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Polity (Constitution), and Scientific Research; static GK
Tier 1 — Quantitative Aptitude (Arithmetical Ability): number systems, computation of whole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships between numbers; percentage; ratio & proportion; square roots; averages; simple & compound interest; profit & loss; discount; partnership business; mixture & alligation; time & distance; time & work; basic algebraic identities and linear equations (one/two variables); geometry (triangles and their properties, congruence & similarity, circles, tangents, angles); mensuration (triangle, quadrilaterals, regular polygons, circle, prism, cylinder, cone, sphere, hemisphere, rectangular parallelepiped); trigonometry (ratios, complementary angles, heights & distances); statistical charts (histogram, bar-diagram, pie-chart, frequency polygon)
Tier 1 — English Language (Basic Knowledge): spot the error; fill in the blanks; synonyms/antonyms; spellings/detecting misspelt words; idioms & phrases; one-word substitution; improvement of sentences; active/passive voice; conversion into direct/indirect narration; shuffling of sentence parts; shuffling of sentences in a passage; cloze passage; comprehension passage
Tier 2 — Section I, Module-I Mathematical Abilities: same arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and data-interpretation topics as Tier 1 Quantitative Aptitude, at a slightly higher difficulty
Tier 2 — Section I, Module-II Reasoning & General Intelligence: verbal and non-verbal reasoning — analogies, classification, series, coding-decoding, matrix, word building, arithmetic reasoning, venn diagrams, direction sense, blood relations, syllogism, seating arrangement, paper folding/cutting, mirror images
Tier 2 — Section II, Module-I English Language & Comprehension: vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure, synonyms/antonyms, error spotting, sentence improvement, fill in the blanks, cloze test, comprehension, idioms & phrases, one-word substitution, active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech, para jumbles
Tier 2 — Section II, Module-II General Awareness: current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, general science, static GK (India and world)
Tier 2 — Section III, Module-I Computer Knowledge Module (qualifying): computer basics — organisation of a computer, CPU, input/output devices, memory; internet & networking basics; MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); web browsing and email; basics of cyber security
Tier 2 — Section III, Module-II Skill Test / Typing Test (qualifying): Typing Test — English 35 wpm / Hindi 30 wpm — for LDC/JSA; Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) of 8000 key depressions per hour for DEO

Official source: https://ssc.gov.in/for-candidates/cgl-exam/s40d16nackd16h0

⚠️ Always confirm against that year's official notification — the exam pattern and syllabus can change. This page is free guidance only.