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.
The Combined Higher Secondary Level examination recruits clerks and assistants for central government offices. Candidates selected for LDC and JSA posts must clear a typing test on a computer after the written tiers. It is qualifying in nature, so your aim is simply to reach the required speed with acceptable accuracy — but many otherwise strong candidates lose a seat here because they practise too little on a real keyboard.
SSC CHSL typing test rules (English)
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Speed required | 35 WPM (net) |
| Duration | 10 minutes |
| Backspace | Check notification |
| Mistakes | Counted per wrong word |
| Scoring | Qualifying test. 35 WPM in English is treated as about 10,500 key depressions per hour. |
Posts: Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA).
How the CHSL typing test works
You are given a printed or on-screen passage and asked to type it into the exam software within the allotted time. The software records what you type, and your speed is calculated from the amount of correctly typed text. Candidates choose English or Hindi as the medium of the typing test when they fill in the application form, so decide early and practise only in that language.
The commonly quoted standard is 35 words per minute in English and 30 words per minute in Hindi. Because a 'word' in typing tests means five keystrokes, these speeds are equivalent to roughly 10,500 and 9,000 key depressions per hour.
Choosing English or Hindi
Hindi needs a lower speed, but each Hindi word takes more keystrokes, especially with conjuncts such as क्ष, त्र and श्र. If you already type Hindi on InScript or Remington Gail, the Hindi option can be an advantage. If you have never typed in Hindi, you will usually reach 35 WPM in English faster than 30 WPM in Hindi.
What this practice test measures
- Gross and net words per minute, using the standard five-characters-per-word rule.
- Accuracy and a word-by-word list of omissions, substitutions and additions.
- Key depressions per hour, so you can compare with the KDPH equivalent.
- A pass/fail badge against the CHSL speed for your chosen language.
Tips to pass the SSC CHSL typing test
- Practise on a desktop keyboard similar to the one in the exam centre; laptop keys feel very different.
- Do full 10-minute tests at least three times a week in the final month to build stamina.
- Keep your eyes on the passage, not the keyboard. Accuracy falls quickly when you look down.
- Turn backspace off in the settings now and then, so you learn to keep going after a mistake.
- Read the first line of a new paragraph before you start typing it, to avoid skipping lines.
Frequently asked questions
What speed is required in the SSC CHSL typing test?+
The speed usually quoted is 35 WPM for English and 30 WPM for Hindi, which correspond to about 10,500 and 9,000 key depressions per hour. Always confirm in the notification for your year.
How long is the CHSL typing test?+
The test is generally 10 minutes long. This practice page defaults to 10 minutes, and you can switch to shorter durations while warming up.
Is the typing test qualifying or does it add marks?+
It is qualifying. Your final merit is decided by the written tiers; the typing test only has to be cleared.
Which Hindi keyboard layouts can I use?+
Practise in the layout you will use on the day. This page supports InScript (Mangal/Unicode) and Remington Gail. Check the notice for the layouts actually offered at your centre.
Is the result here the same as the official result?+
No. This is a practice tool. The official evaluation is done by SSC using its own software and rules, so treat our score as a guide.
Can I take the test on my phone?+
You can, but the real test is taken on a physical keyboard. Phone practice does not build the right finger habits, so use a computer whenever possible.