CHSL Exam is a competitive examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) in India. The exam is held to recruit candidates for various posts in government ministries, departments, and organizations. The CHSL exam is primarily aimed at recruiting candidates for lower-division clerks, data entry operators, and postal assistants/sorting assistants.
Introduction
The gateway to promising government job opportunities opens through a competitive examination known as the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam. Administered by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the CHSL exam stands as a crucial pathway for individuals aspiring to secure stable employment in various government departments, ministries, and organizations.
As the name suggests, the CHSL exam is designed for candidates who have completed their higher secondary education (10+2) and are prepared to embark on a journey towards a fulfilling career. This examination encompasses a series of tiers that evaluate candidates’ skills, knowledge, and aptitude across a spectrum of subjects.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam are an essential factor to consider before applying.
Educational Qualification:
To be eligible for the CHSL exam, you must have completed your higher secondary education (10+2) or its equivalent from a recognized board or university. The qualification should be obtained before the specified cutoff date for the examination.
Age Limit:
The age criteria for the CHSL exam vary based on the specific posts and categories. As of my last update in September 2021, the general age limit is usually set between 18 to 27 years. However, there are age relaxations for candidates belonging to specific categories:
- OBC (Other Backward Classes): Age relaxation is typically provided for up to 3 years.
- SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): Age relaxation is generally granted for up to 5 years.
- PWD (Persons with Disabilities): Age relaxation varies based on the disability and category of the candidate.
- Ex-Servicemen: Age relaxation can be up to a certain number of years of service in the armed forces, in addition to the standard age limit.
It’s important to note that age relaxations and limits may have changed since my last update, so I recommend checking the official SSC website or the specific CHSL exam notification for the most current and accurate information regarding age criteria.
Nationality:
Candidates must be citizens of India, subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement, or individuals of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanent settlement.
Exam Pattern
CHSL Exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) follows a multi-tiered pattern to evaluate candidates’ skills and knowledge. Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation.
Computer-Based Examination (Objective Type)
- Subjects: The Tier 1 exam typically comprises four sections:
- General Intelligence and Reasoning
- General Awareness
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Comprehension
- Number of Questions: Each section usually contains 25 questions, making a total of 100 questions.
- Marks: Each question is generally worth 2 marks, resulting in a maximum of 200 marks for the Tier 1 exam.
- Duration: The exam is usually conducted for a duration of 60 minutes.
- Negative Marking: There is a penalty for wrong answers, usually with a deduction of 0.50 marks for each incorrect response.
Descriptive Paper
- Mode: The Tier 2 exam is a descriptive paper conducted in pen-and-paper mode.
- Components: Candidates are required to write an essay of 200-250 words and a letter/application of around 150-200 words. The essay can be in English or Hindi, and the letter/application must be written in the language chosen by the candidate.
- Marks: The Tier 2 exam is usually of 100 marks.
- Duration: The duration of the Tier 2 exam is around 60 minutes.
- Qualifying: Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks to proceed to the next stage.
Tier 3: Skill Test/Typing Test
- Skill Test for Data Entry Operator (DEO): This test evaluates a candidate’s data entry speed and accuracy on a computer. The Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) is usually required for DEO candidates.
- Typing Test for Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant (PA/SA) and LDC/JSA: Candidates are required to demonstrate their typing speed in English or Hindi. The typing speed requirement may vary.
- Qualifying: The skill test or typing test is qualifying in nature and is conducted based on the minimum standards set by the SSC.
Syllabus
The syllabus for the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) covers various subjects to evaluate candidates’ knowledge and skills.
Computer-Based Examination (Objective Type)
- General Intelligence and Reasoning:
- Logical reasoning
- Analogy
- Classification
- Series (number, alphabetical, etc.)
- Coding and decoding
- Blood relations
- Direction sense
- Word formation
- Venn diagrams
- Mathematical operations
- Syllogism
- Non-verbal reasoning
- General Awareness:
- Current affairs
- Static GK (history, geography, culture, etc.)
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity and Constitution
- Indian Economy
- General Science
- Scientific research
- Quantitative Aptitude:
- Number systems
- Simplification
- Decimals and fractions
- LCM and HCF
- Ratio and proportion
- Percentage
- Average
- Profit and loss
- Simple and compound interest
- Time and work
- English Comprehension:
- Reading comprehension
- Cloze test
- Para-jumbles
- Sentence correction
- Error spotting
- Fill in the blanks
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Idioms and phrases
- One-word substitution
- Spelling errors
Descriptive Paper
In Tier 2, candidates are required to write an essay and a letter/application in either English or Hindi. The topics are usually based on current affairs, social issues, technology, or general topics.
Tier 3: Skill Test/Typing Test
The syllabus for the skill test or typing test involves the practical application of skills related to data entry or typing.
Tier 1: Computer-Based Exam
The Tier 1 of the CHSL exam is a computer-based examination that consists of multiple-choice questions. This tier evaluates candidates’ knowledge and aptitude across different subjects. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Tier 1:
Subjects: Tier 1 of the CHSL exam generally includes four subjects:
- General Intelligence and Reasoning:
- Logical reasoning
- Analogy
- Classification
- Series (number, alphabetical, etc.)
- Coding and decoding
- Blood relations
- Direction sense
- Word formation
- Venn diagrams
- Mathematical operations
- Syllogism
- Non-verbal reasoning
- General Awareness:
- Current affairs
- Static GK (history, geography, culture, etc.)
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity and Constitution
- Indian Economy
- General Science
- Scientific research
- Quantitative Aptitude:
- Number systems
- Simplification
- Decimals and fractions
- LCM and HCF
- Ratio and proportion
- Percentage
- Average
- Profit and loss
- Simple and compound interest
- Time and work
- Time and distance
- Mensuration
- Data interpretation
- English Comprehension:
- Reading comprehension
- Cloze test
- Para-jumbles
- Sentence correction
- Error spotting
- Fill in the blanks
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Idioms and phrases
- One-word substitution
- Spelling errors
Number of Questions: Each subject typically contains 25 questions, resulting in a total of 100 questions for Tier 1.
Marks: Each question is usually worth 2 marks, making the maximum marks for Tier 1 a total of 200.
Duration: The duration of the Tier 1 exam is usually 60 minutes.
Negative Marking: There is a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer.
Language: The questions are usually provided in both English and Hindi. Candidates can choose their preferred language.
Descriptive Paper
The descriptive paper in Tier 2 of the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam assesses candidates’ writing abilities. Candidates must prepare an essay and a letter/application for this stage. Here is a detailed analysis of Tier 2:
The Tier 2 examination is administered using pen and paper. Tier 2 components include:
Writing an Essay
Candidates must submit an essay that is between 200 and 250 words long.
Ordinarily, the essay subjects deal with current events, societal issues, technology, the environment, or general areas of interest.
Depending on the language the applicant choose throughout the application process, the essay may be written in Hindi or English.
Letter/Application Writing:
- Candidates need to write a letter or an application of around 150-200 words.
- The letter/application topics might involve formal or informal communication, requests, complaints, or other real-life scenarios.
- Similar to the essay, candidates can choose to write the letter/application in either English or Hindi.
Marks: The Tier 2 descriptive paper is generally of 100 marks.
Duration: The duration of the Tier 2 exam is typically 60 minutes.
Evaluation Criteria: The essays and letters/applications are evaluated based on several factors, including content, coherence, organization, language usage, and grammar.
Tier 3: Skill Test/Typing Test
Tier 3 of the Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exam involves the skill test or typing test, depending on the specific post you’re applying for. This tier evaluates candidates’ practical skills in data entry or typing. Let’s delve into the details of Tier 3:
Skill Test for Data Entry Operator (DEO):
- Mode: The skill test for the Data Entry Operator (DEO) post assesses candidates’ data entry speed and accuracy.
- Software Used: Candidates are usually required to enter data in a software provided by the SSC.
- Duration: The duration of the skill test can vary, but it’s designed to evaluate your speed and accuracy within a specific time frame.
- Qualifying Criteria: The data entry speed and accuracy requirement is typically mentioned in words per minute (wpm) or keystrokes per hour (kph). Meeting the specified criteria is crucial for qualifying in this test.
Typing Test for Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant (PA/SA) and LDC/JSA:
- Mode: The typing test evaluates candidates’ typing speed on a computer.
- Language: Candidates can usually choose between English and Hindi for the typing test.
- Duration: The duration of the typing test can vary, and it’s designed to assess your typing speed within a specific time frame.
- Required Typing Speed: The specific typing speed requirement (in words per minute) can vary based on the SSC’s guidelines. It’s important to meet or exceed this requirement.
- Font and Key Layout: The typing test is usually conducted using the specified font and keyboard layout.
Qualifying Criteria: Candidates must meet the minimum typing speed requirement set by the SSC for the respective post. The typing test or skill test is qualifying in nature, which means that candidates need to achieve the required speed to move on to the next stage of the selection process.
FAQs
The admit card can be downloaded from the official SSC website using your registration details. It’s advisable to regularly check for updates on the official website.
Tier 3, which is a skill test or typing test, assesses candidates’ practical skills that are relevant to specific job roles
Yes, there is usually a negative marking of 0.50 marks for each incorrect answer in Tier 1.
Typically, you’ll need personal identification documents, educational certificates, scanned photograph and signature, and other necessary details.
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