SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level (SSC CHSL) Examination is a countrywide conducted competitive test or Sarkari Exam for recruiting candidates on roles such as Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Postal Assistant (PA), Sorting Assistant (SA), and Data Entry Operator (DEO) in many central government departments. The SSC CHSL 2025 notification is expected around May 27, 2025 – and Tier 1 exam is scheduled tentatively on July/August 2025. To crack this exam methodical preparation approach is essential.
CHSL, despite being at the lower level compared to CGL, is harder to crack because of the competition as cut-offs are way more high.
Overview of Sarkari Exam SSC CHSL 2025
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC CHSL 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Expected Notification Date | May 27, 2025 |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | July–August 2025 (tentative) |
| Eligibility | 12th Pass (with Math for DEO in certain departments), Age: 18–27 years |
| Selection Stages | Tier 1 (Objective CBT), Tier 2 (CBT + Skill/Typing Test) |
SSC CHSL 2025 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Tier 1 – Computer-Based Test (Objective)
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Main Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | Puzzles, Series, Analogy, Syllogism |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | Current Affairs, Polity, Geography, Science |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, DI |
| English Language | 25 | 50 | Vocabulary, Grammar, Comprehension |
| Total | 100 | 200 | Time: 60 minutes (0.5 marks deducted/wrong) |
Tier 2 – CBT (Objective) + Descriptive + Typing/Skill Test
| Session | Details |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | Objective CBT covering Maths, Reasoning, English, GA, and Computer Knowledge |
| Session 2 | Descriptive paper (100 marks): Essay & Letter (pen and paper, 60 minutes) |
| Typing/Skill Test | Typing speed: 35 wpm (English), 30 wpm (Hindi); 8,000 key depressions/hour for DEO |
Source: Adapted from official SSC guidelines and recent updates published on major exam portals such as Career Power and Careers360.
Study Timeline and Daily Plan (For 4-6 Months)
| Duration | Goals |
|---|---|
| Month 1–2 | Build concepts in all subjects, start MCQ and typing practice |
| Month 3–4 | Complete syllabus, focus on weak areas, attempt 1 mock/week |
| Month 5 | Full-length mocks (3/week), revise GA & English, practice essay |
| Final Month | Mock test daily, revise short notes, speed-typing drills |
Sample Daily Schedule (6–8 Hours Study Plan)
| Time Slot | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | Quantitative Aptitude (2 hours) |
| Mid-Morning | Reasoning (1.5 hours) |
| Afternoon | English (1.5 hours) |
| Evening | General Awareness (1.5 hours) |
| Night | Solve 50–100 MCQs + Mock Test Analysis (1–1.5 hours) |
Books & Resources for SSC CHSL Preparation
| Subject | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal |
| Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey | |
| General Awareness | Lucent’s General Knowledge, Manorama Yearbook 2025, Disha General Awareness Guide |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal, Fast Track Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma |
| English Language | Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi, Plinth to Paramount by Neetu Singh |
| Previous Papers | Oswaal SSC CHSL Solved Papers, PW Selection Mantra CHSL |
Strategy for NEET Students (Science Background)
| SSC Subject | Leverage From NEET Background |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Strong base in Physics & Math aids in Algebra, Speed-Distance |
| General Awareness | Biology & Chemistry knowledge useful in Science GK |
| Reasoning | Practice Puzzles and MCQs |
| English | May require focus; boost with editorials and grammar rules |
General Awareness Prep Tips
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Static GK: Study history, polity, geography using Lucent’s GK.
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Current Affairs: Read The Hindu or Indian Express; revise with monthly PDFs from Vision IAS or InsightsIAS.
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Science GK: Study basics in human physiology, physics, chemistry.
Mock Tests and Typing Practice
| Practice Type | Frequency & Tools |
|---|---|
| Mock Tests | 1–2 per week (Testbook, Adda247, SSC portal) |
| Previous Year Papers | Solve 5–10 years of Tier 1 questions |
| Typing Practice | 30 minutes daily (TypingMaster, Keybr) |
| Descriptive Paper | Write one essay or letter weekly |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Ignoring current affairs: revise weekly
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Guesswork: affects accuracy due to negative marking
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Over-focus on strong areas; balance all four subjects
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Skipping typing or essay practice
Target Scores & Expected Cut-Offs (Based on 2024 Trends)
| Category | Expected Cut-Off (Tier 1) |
|---|---|
| General | 140–150 |
| OBC | 135–145 |
| SC/ST | 120–130 |
| Ideal Target | 160+ |
Final Checklist
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✅ Download syllabus and notification from ssc.gov.in
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✅ Make notes for GK and vocabulary
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✅ Track progress using error logbooks
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✅ Maintain 6–8 hours of study with breaks