RojgarAvsar
SSC CHSL 2026 Exam Pattern — Tier-I and Tier-II Explained, With Negative Marking and Typing Speeds
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) · Post Date: · Updated:
Short Information
The Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination runs in two computer-based tiers. Tier-I is a one-hour paper of 100 questions worth 200 marks. Tier-II is longer and stricter: three sections in the first session, a skill or typing test in the second, and you must qualify every section. This page sets out the structure exactly as the 2026 notice defines it, including the sectional timers and the typing speeds each post demands.
Important Dates
| Tier-I Duration | 60 minutes (80 minutes for scribe-eligible candidates) |
|---|---|
| Tier-I Sectional Timer | 15 minutes per subject |
| Tier-II Session-I Duration | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Tier-I Negative Marking | 0.50 marks for each wrong answer |
| Tier-II Negative Marking | 1 mark for each wrong answer in Sections I, II and III |
Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Total Posts | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Tier-I · Part I — English Language (Basic Knowledge) | 25 Q / 50 | Objective multiple choice. Parts are not asked in sequence. |
| Tier-I · Part II — General Intelligence | 25 Q / 50 | Available in English, Hindi and the language opted in the application form |
| Tier-I · Part III — Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Arithmetic Skill) | 25 Q / 50 | Available in English, Hindi and the opted language |
| Tier-I · Part IV — General Awareness | 25 Q / 50 | Available in English, Hindi and the opted language |
| Tier-II · Section-I — Mathematical Abilities + Reasoning & General Intelligence | 60 Q / 180 | 1 hour, sectional timer of 30 minutes each. Closes automatically at the hour. |
| Tier-II · Section-II — English Language & Comprehension (40) + General Awareness (20) | 60 Q / 180 | 1 hour, sectional timer of 40 and 20 minutes. Starts immediately after Section-I. |
| Tier-II · Section-III — Computer Knowledge Test | 15 Q / 45 | 15 minutes. Mandatory, but qualifying in nature. |
| Tier-II · Section-IV — Skill Test / Typing Test | Qualifying | Held in Session-II on the same day, after a break for re-registration |
Eligibility
- Tier-I is 100 questions for 200 marks in 60 minutes, with a sectional timer of 15 minutes per subject. The four parts are not asked in sequence.
- Tier-I carries negative marking of 0.50 marks per wrong answer; Tier-II carries a full 1 mark per wrong answer in Sections I, II and III.
- It is mandatory to qualify every section of Tier-II — clearing three out of four is not enough.
- Questions are set in English, Hindi and the language opted in the application form, except the English Language and Comprehension module.
- Skill Test for DEO posts in the departments listed at Para 8.1 of the notice: 15,000 key depressions per hour, 15 minutes, on a passage of about 3,700 to 4,000 key depressions.
- Skill Test for all other DEO posts: 8,000 key depressions per hour, 15 minutes, on a passage of about 2,000 to 2,200 key depressions.
- Typing Test for LDC and JSA: 10 minutes, at 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi — roughly 10,500 and 9,000 key depressions per hour.
- The typing medium is chosen in the application form and cannot be changed later.
- Errors in the Skill Test are calculated to two decimal places, and scribe-eligible candidates get five minutes of compensatory time.
- Where an exam runs in multiple shifts, scores are normalised using the procedure in the Commission's notice of 2 June 2025, and the normalised score decides merit and cut-off.
- There is no re-evaluation or re-checking of scores at any stage.
How to Apply
- Treat the Tier-I sectional timer seriously — each subject locks after 15 minutes, so you cannot bank time from an easy section for a hard one.
- With 0.50 negative marking in Tier-I and a full mark in Tier-II, blind guessing costs more than it returns. Skip what you genuinely do not know.
- Section-I of Tier-II closes automatically after an hour and Section-II starts immediately — there is no pause to collect yourself.
- Do not treat the Computer Knowledge Test as optional. It is qualifying, but it is mandatory to clear it.
- Practise typing at the exact speed your target post requires, not a rounded figure — the skill test measures key depressions per hour, not a feeling of fluency.
- Pick your typing medium carefully in the application form. The choice is final.
Important Links
| Official Notice with Full Scheme (PDF, 88 pages) | Click Here |
|---|---|
| Apply Online for SSC CHSL 2026 | Click Here |
| Related: SSC CHSL 2026 Notification | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the negative marking in SSC CHSL?
0.50 marks per wrong answer in Tier-I, and a full 1 mark per wrong answer in Sections I, II and III of Tier-II.
Do I have to clear every section of Tier-II?
Yes. The notice states it is mandatory to qualify all the sections of Tier-II.
What typing speed do I need?
For LDC and JSA, 35 words per minute in English or 30 in Hindi, over 10 minutes. For Data Entry Operator posts it is measured in key depressions per hour — 8,000 for most posts and 15,000 for DEO posts in the departments listed at Para 8.1 of the notice.
Can I request re-checking if I miss the cut-off narrowly?
No. The notice states there is no provision for re-evaluation or re-checking of scores at any stage, and no correspondence is entertained.
What happens if the exam is held in several shifts?
Marks are normalised using the procedure published in the Commission's notice of 2 June 2025, and the normalised score is what decides final merit and cut-off.
Disclaimer: This page is an independent summary prepared by RojgarAvsar. Figures and dates are transcribed from the department's public notice and may be revised by corrigendum. Confirm every detail on the official website before paying a fee or submitting your form.