Practice approximation. The rules below are the commonly published figures and have not yet been verified against the latest official notification (check ssc.gov.in). Always follow your own notice.
In the Combined Graduate Level examination, most posts do not need a typing test at all. The exception is Tax Assistant, for which candidates must clear the Data Entry Speed Test (DEST). Unlike word-per-minute tests, DEST measures how many keys you press correctly in an hour, so this page reports your speed in key depressions per hour (KDPH) as well as in WPM.
SSC CGL typing test rules
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Speed required | 8,000 key depressions/hour |
| Duration | 15 minutes |
| Backspace | Check notification |
| Mistakes | Counted per wrong word |
| Scoring | Data Entry Speed Test: about 2,000 key depressions in 15 minutes (8,000 per hour) on an English passage. |
Posts: Tax Assistant (CBIC), Tax Assistant (CBDT).
What the DEST asks for
The commonly quoted standard is 8,000 key depressions per hour. In a 15-minute test that means around 2,000 key depressions, which is a little over 26 words per minute using the five-keystroke rule. The passage is in English and is typed on a computer at the exam centre.
Every character counts as a key depression, including spaces and punctuation. Capital letters and symbols that need the Shift key are still counted as one character in most practice calculations, including ours.
Why KDPH feels easier than it is
Twenty-six words per minute sounds modest, but the test lasts fifteen minutes and long passages are tiring. Candidates who type quickly for two minutes often slow down sharply after ten. Stamina, posture and steady rhythm matter more here than peak speed.
Our KDPH figure counts only correctly typed characters, so mistakes do not inflate your result. If your gross speed is high but your KDPH is low, accuracy is the problem to fix.
Which CGL posts need what
- Tax Assistant (CBIC and CBDT): Data Entry Speed Test.
- Several other posts require a Computer Proficiency Test instead, which covers word processing, spreadsheets and presentation skills rather than raw typing speed.
- Most remaining CGL posts have no skill test; check the post-wise table in your notification.
Tips to pass the SSC CGL typing test
- Practise the full 15 minutes; short tests hide the fatigue that sets in after ten minutes.
- Aim for at least 30 WPM with 95% accuracy so that you have a margin on exam day.
- Sit with your forearms level with the keyboard and your feet flat; tension slows you down late in the test.
- Use formal and office-style passages — DEST passages are usually written in that register.
- Watch numbers and punctuation: they are easy to skip and each one costs key depressions.
Frequently asked questions
How many key depressions are needed in SSC CGL DEST?+
The usual standard is 8,000 key depressions per hour, or about 2,000 in a 15-minute test. Confirm the figure in your year's notification.
Is the CGL typing test in Hindi too?+
The DEST is generally conducted on an English passage. Hindi typing is not usually part of CGL.
How is KDPH calculated on this page?+
We count correctly typed characters, including spaces, and scale them to one hour. Gross KDPH based on all characters is also shown in the result card.
What is the difference between DEST and CPT?+
DEST measures typing speed on a passage. The Computer Proficiency Test checks practical skills in word processing, spreadsheets and presentations, and applies to different posts.
What happens if I fail the DEST?+
You are not considered for posts that require it, though you may still be considered for other posts you are eligible for, depending on the rules in the notice.
Is my result here official?+
No. It is a practice approximation. SSC's own software decides the official result.