The Staff Selection Commission has the SSC Stenographer Syllabus for positions in salary groups C and D. Anyone who wants to pass the exam should familiarize themselves with the essential components of the Structure of SSC Stenographer Examination to organize their learning strategy effectively. The exam is divided into two essential parts. The first part, the Level 1 CBT exam, is structured around three important segments: Analytical skills and logic, Knowledge of current events, and Understanding of the English language and its uses. This Level 1 Computer Based Test (CBT) comprises 200 questions. Each question is worth one mark, so 200 marks are available in this level. Candidates are given 2 hours to complete this part of the exam. It is important to note that the test is conducted in English and Hindi in all parts except the English speaking segment.
This phase, which continues with the SSC Steno Tier 2 exam, assesses a candidate’s skills in shorthand. This involves transcribing a spoken passage on a computer after dictating it. The dictation speed is 100 words per minute (wpm) for Level C candidates and 80 words per minute for Level D candidates. The duration of the dictation and transcription phases depends on the language chosen and the candidate’s level. Familiarity with these specifications is crucial for applicants to effectively manage their preparation path and improve their performance in the exam. Check the full details of SSC Steno Exam Pattern on this page.
Overview of SSC Stenographer Examination Program
| Recruitment | Personnel Selection Committee |
| Post name | Stenographer, Grade C (Group B, not officially recognized) Stenographer, Grade D (Group C, not officially recognized) |
| Examination scheme | 200 questions 200 marks |
| Examination duration | 2 hours for the CBT exam |
| Dictation speed | 100 WPM for Class C 80 WPM for Class D |
| Official website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC Stenographer Tier 1 Exam Structure
The SSC Stenographer Tier 1 exam is designed as an online test and focuses on General Intelligence and Judgement, General Awareness and English Language and Comprehension. This Computer Based Test (CBT) consists of 200 multiple choice questions, with one mark awarded for each correct answer. A major update to the Tier 1 marking guidelines includes deduction of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. The exam will last over two hours and will be available in both English and Hindi, except for the English portion which will be conducted entirely in English. The exam is divided into three parts, with 50 marks for the General Awareness and General Intelligence and Judgement sections and 100 marks for the English Language and Comprehension sections. It requires thorough preparation in all areas, especially in view of the revised penalties for incorrect answers. The table below shows the structure of the SSC Steno Tier 1 exam.
| Sections | Questions | Markings |
| General awareness | 50 | 50 |
| English language and comprehension | 100 | 100 |
| General intelligence and thinking ability | 50 | 50 |
| In total | 200 | 200 |
SSC Stenographer Skill Test Pattern
For those aspiring to the position of Grade C Stenographer, the second stage of the selection process, the Level 2 Ability Test, involves a critical assessment of stenography skills. Candidates must transcribe a dictated passage of text in 10 minutes – a passage of text dictated at a brisk pace of 100 words per minute. The transcription stage then requires utmost concentration, with candidates given 40 minutes for English transcription and 55 minutes for Hindi transcription. This section thoroughly assesses a candidate’s stenographic skills and determines their suitability for the high demands of the Grade C Stenographer.
Candidates for the Grade D Stenographer post, on the other hand, face slightly different challenges in the Tier 2 exam. The dictation section here maintains a steady pace of 80 words per minute and requires transcription within a 10-minute time frame. After dictation, candidates are given 50 minutes to transcribe in English and 65 minutes for Hindi. This differentiation in pace and transcription time reflects the expectations and responsibilities of the Grade D Stenographer post and ensures a fair assessment of candidates’ stenographic skills.
SSC Stenographer Syllabus
The General Knowledge syllabus of SSC Stenographer aims to assess the candidates’ understanding of various topics and their awareness of current affairs and the global situation in general. This component covers areas such as general knowledge, current affairs, science and innovation, historical events, cultural insights, geographical facts, economic conditions, governance, scientific studies, the Constitution of India and athletics.
The Reasoning and General Intelligence section of the SSC Stenographer Exam assesses the analytical skills and logical thinking ability of the candidates. It covers areas such as analogies, similarities and differences, spatial orientation, problem analysis, evaluative judgement, decision making, visual memory, cipher decryption, brain teasers, graphic logic puzzles, orientation and navigation, relatedness, sequencing and prioritization, arithmetic sequences, and verbal and non-verbal logic exercises, all of which are designed to test their ability to reason, make informed decisions and tackle complicated challenges.
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