At what stage does the SSC typing test happen?

For SSC CHSL, the typing test is conducted in Tier 2 (Section 3, Module II — Session II) after qualifying Tier 1. For SSC CGL, the Data Entry Skill Test (DEST) is conducted after Tier 2 for post-applicable candidates (Tax Assistant, Auditor, UDC, etc.). Both are final-stage qualifying rounds — failing disqualifies you from the role entirely, even with strong written-exam scores.

How is SSC CGL DEST different from SSC CHSL typing test?

SSC CGL DEST measures raw keystroke throughput — candidates must achieve approximately 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes (roughly 8000 KDPH). SSC CGL DEST is English-only, while SSC CHSL supports English and Hindi. SSC CGL DEST error tolerance is category-based (20% General, 25% OBC/EWS, 30% SC/ST) versus SSC CHSL's flat 7% rule.

What is a "key depression" in SSC CGL DEST?

Every keystroke counts as one key depression — letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation all count. Five key depressions equal approximately one word. So 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes translates to roughly 27 WPM sustained for the full duration.

What counts as a full mistake vs a half mistake in SSC typing?

Full mistakes include wrong words, missing words, and extra words — each one is a major deduction. Half mistakes include spelling errors, capitalisation errors (typing 'A' instead of 'a'), punctuation errors, and spacing errors. Two half mistakes count as one full mistake.

What is the error limit for OBC, SC, ST candidates in SSC CHSL typing test?

General category candidates must stay within 7% errors (93% accuracy). OBC, EWS, SC, and ST candidates are allowed up to 10% errors. DEO Grade A (CAG) posts have a stricter 5% ceiling regardless of category. The same full/half mistake formula applies to all categories — only the tolerance threshold differs.

Can I use backspace during the SSC typing test?

Yes. Both SSC CHSL and SSC CGL DEST allow backspace. You can correct as you type. The final evaluation compares your submitted text with the source passage — accuracy matters more than how many times you corrected.

What keyboard layout is used for the SSC Hindi typing test?

SSC uses Mangal font with INSCRIPT keyboard layout for Hindi typing in SSC CHSL. INSCRIPT is the government-standard Devanagari layout. If you have practised on Remington, Krutidev, or phonetic layouts, you must learn INSCRIPT specifically — both Mangal and Kruti Dev are provided at the exam centre so you can choose.

Is SSC typing test qualifying or scored?

Both SSC CHSL and SSC CGL DEST are qualifying in nature — no marks are added to the final merit list. However, failing the typing test disqualifies you from the post entirely, regardless of how well you performed in Tier 1 or Tier 2.

Which SSC exam posts require a typing test?

SSC CHSL: Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Postal Assistant (PA), Sorting Assistant (SA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO). SSC CGL: Tax Assistant (CBDT and CBIC), Auditor, Upper Division Clerk (UDC), and various other Group B/C posts where typing is part of the job role.

What about SSC Stenographer typing test?

SSC Stenographer requires shorthand transcription at 80 WPM (Grade D) or 100 WPM (Grade C), not keyboard typing. TypingSutra does not simulate shorthand tests — for Stenographer preparation, look for dedicated shorthand practice resources.

How many attempts do I get on the SSC typing test?

The SSC typing test is conducted once per exam cycle. If you fail, you must reapply in the next recruitment round — there is no retake within the same cycle.

Is the SSC typing test conducted online or offline?

Fully online. SSC provides computers at the examination centres. You cannot use your own device. The keyboard at the centre may differ from what you practised on — familiarity with standard QWERTY and Mangal INSCRIPT layouts (not personalised keyboards) is important.

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Staff Selection Commission · Typing & Data Entry Skill TestsUpdated 23 April 2026

TypingSutra › English & Hindi Typing › SSC Typing Test

SSC typing test — free practice for SSC CHSL & SSC CGL DEST

Real exam format, real scoring, real timer — SSC CHSL (35/30 WPM, 10 min) and SSC CGL DEST (2000 key depressions, 15 min) exactly as conducted by SSC.

35 / 30 WPM (SSC CHSL)

2000 KDPH (SSC CGL DEST)

7% error ceiling

10–15 min test

Your prep so far

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SSC CHSL Typing Test

Combined Higher Secondary Level — LDC, JSA, PA, SA, DEO

35 WPM English OR 30 WPM Hindi

10 minutes

Backspace allowed

Mangal INSCRIPT for Hindi

7% full errors · qualifying only

Who should take this: Candidates who applied for Lower Division Clerk, Junior Secretariat Assistant, Postal Assistant, Sorting Assistant, or Data Entry Operator posts through SSC CHSL.

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For SSC CGL aspirants

SSC CGL Data Entry Test (DEST)

Combined Graduate Level — Tax Assistant (CBDT/CBIC), Auditor, UDC

2000 key depressions target

15 minutes

English only

Error tolerance: 20% UR · 25% OBC-EWS · 30% SC-ST

Who should take this: Candidates who applied for Tax Assistant, Auditor, Upper Division Clerk, or similar posts through SSC CGL that require DEST qualification.

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Your preparation

Three paths — pick up wherever you left off

Learn

Structured lessons

Home row to advanced shortcuts. Works for all typing tests.

English QWERTY

40 lessons

Start Chapter 1 — Home row

Free to try · no signup needed

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हिन्दी Mangal INSCRIPT

40 lessons

Start Chapter 1 — Home row

Free to try · no signup needed

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Practice

Timed sessions

Build speed against exam targets.

English

Target 35 WPM

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WPM

Try a sessionTarget 35 WPM

हिन्दी

Target 30 WPM

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WPM

Try a sessionTarget 30 WPM

Focus keys

Weak-key drills

8-minute drills targeting your most-missed keys.

English

Take a lesson — we'll track which English keys slow you down.

हिन्दी

Take a lesson — we'll track which हिन्दी keys slow you down.

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Real timerStarts on first keystroke, locks on submit

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Official formulasSSC's exact WPM and KDPH calculations

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Pass / Fail verdictAgainst the real category-wise thresholds

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Free foreverNo signup required, no payment, no limits

About the exam

How SSC calculates your typing errors

SSC uses a specific formula to count errors. Understanding it is the difference between passing and failing — many candidates with strong speed fail because they do not know which mistakes count against them.

Full mistakes (penalised fully)

Wrong word — any word that does not match the source passage
Missing word — a word from the source that you skipped
Extra word — a word you typed that was not in the source

Every full mistake reduces your KDPH (Key Depressions Per Hour — the total count of every keystroke including spaces and punctuation) heavily.

Half mistakes (counted at 50%)

Spelling errors — correct word, wrong letters
Capitalisation — typing 'A' instead of 'a' or vice versa
Punctuation — missing comma, wrong period, wrong quote mark
Spacing — double space, missing space between words

Two half mistakes equal one full mistake.

Per-exam tolerance thresholds

SSC CHSL: 7% total errors allowed. Exceeding 7% disqualifies you from the post regardless of speed.

SSC CGL DEST: Error tolerance varies by category — up to 20% for General (UR), 25% for OBC / EWS, and 30% for SC / ST candidates.

SSC Typing Test — Official Requirements

TypingSutra was built by people who know how far SSC aspirants travel to reach the typing stage. Fail it and your Tier 1 and Tier 2 scores count for nothing. Requirements below are from the official SSC notification.

SSC CHSL Typing Test

Typing speed

35 WPM English or 30 WPM Hindi

Duration

10 minutes (15 min for scribe-eligible)

Language

English or Hindi (chosen at application)

Hindi keyboard

Mangal font with INSCRIPT layout

Error ceiling

7% full errors

Backspace

Allowed during test

Nature

Qualifying — no marks, but failing disqualifies you

Applicable posts

LDC, JSA, Postal Assistant, Sorting Assistant, DEO

SSC CGL Data Entry Test (DEST)

Speed target

2000 key depressions (≈ 8000 KDPH)

Duration

15 minutes

Language

English only (no Hindi option)

Passage length

Approximately 370–400 words

Error tolerance

20% UR · 25% OBC/EWS · 30% SC/ST

Backspace

Allowed during test

Nature

Qualifying — no marks, but failing disqualifies you

Applicable posts

Tax Assistant (CBDT/CBIC), Auditor, UDC, some Group B/C posts

Data verified from ssc.gov.in ↗ notifications.

SSC typing test guides — by language and post

Each page covers the keyboard, the exam-day rules and free practice for that specific paper or post.

Everything you need to clear SSC typing

Structured learning path, timed practice, and exam-accurate simulators for SSC CHSL and SSC CGL DEST — all free.

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Structured lessons — English & Hindi

40 English chapters (home row to advanced shortcuts) plus 35 Hindi chapters (Mangal INSCRIPT from स्वर through संयुक्ताक्षर).

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Personalised weak-key drills

We track every mistake you make and build 8-minute drills targeting the keys slowing you down most.

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SSC CHSL-accurate simulator

10-minute test · 35/30 WPM verdict · 7% error check · real Hindi Mangal INSCRIPT keyboard. Exactly as on SSC CHSL exam day.

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SSC CGL DEST simulator

15-minute test · 2000 KDPH target · category-wise error tolerance · English passage format matching actual SSC CGL DEST papers.

SSC Typing Test — Frequently Asked Questions

Answers sourced from the latest SSC CHSL and SSC CGL notifications.

SSC CHSL requires 35 words per minute in English OR 30 words per minute in Hindi. You select your language at the time of application — it cannot be changed later. The test runs for 10 minutes with a 7% full-error tolerance for General category candidates.

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Clear your SSC typing test on the first attempt

Structured lessons, personalised drills, and exam-accurate simulators for both SSC CHSL and SSC CGL DEST. Free forever, no signup required to start.

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SSC typing test — free practice for SSC CHSL & SSC CGL DEST

Pick your SSC exam

SSC CHSL Typing Test

SSC CGL Data Entry Test (DEST)

How SSC calculates your typing errors

SSC Typing Test — Official Requirements

SSC typing test guides — by language and post

Everything you need to clear SSC typing

SSC Typing Test — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum typing speed for SSC CHSL?

At what stage does the SSC typing test happen?

How is SSC CGL DEST different from SSC CHSL typing test?

What is a "key depression" in SSC CGL DEST?

What counts as a full mistake vs a half mistake in SSC typing?

What is the error limit for OBC, SC, ST candidates in SSC CHSL typing test?

Can I use backspace during the SSC typing test?

What keyboard layout is used for the SSC Hindi typing test?

Is SSC typing test qualifying or scored?

Which SSC exam posts require a typing test?

What about SSC Stenographer typing test?

How many attempts do I get on the SSC typing test?

Is the SSC typing test conducted online or offline?

Clear your SSC typing test on the first attempt