SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level) Skill Test and Typing (DEST) Syllabus

Skill Test and Typing (DEST) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Skill Test and Typing (DEST) in SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Data Entry Speed Test (DEST)

   3 topics

   • Typing Speed Requirement
     • 8,000 key depressions per hour on computer
     • Printed matter typed in given duration
   • Accuracy and Error Norms
     • Permissible mistakes
     • Qualifying criteria
   • Typing Practice Strategy
     • Touch typing and finger placement
     • Speed building drills
2. 2

   Typing Test (For LDC/JSA Posts)

   3 topics

   • English Typing
     • 35 words per minute
     • 10,500 key depressions per hour
   • Hindi Typing
     • 30 words per minute
     • 9,000 key depressions per hour
   • Keyboard Layouts
     • QWERTY for English
     • Mangal/Inscript for Hindi
3. 3

   Exam Mechanics and Strategy

   3 topics

   • Tier-wise Exam Pattern
     • Tier I objective and qualifying nature
     • Tier II sections and modules
   • Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
     • Tier I negative marking
     • Tier II module-wise negatives
   • Time Management and Normalisation
     • Sectional time limits
     • Score normalisation across shifts

Skill Test and Typing (DEST) flashcards for SSC CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level)

20 of 50 cards from the Skill Test and Typing (DEST) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What does DEST stand for in the SSC CHSL examination?

   DEST stands for Data Entry Speed Test, a typing skill test that checks a candidate's speed of typing/key depressions.

2. In the SSC CHSL DEST, what is the required typing speed expressed in key depressions per hour on a computer?

   $8000$ key depressions per hour on a computer.

3. On what basis is the DEST printed matter typed by candidates evaluated?

   Candidates are given a printed passage in English which they must type on the computer within a given (fixed) duration; speed is judged from the key depressions made.

4. What is the standard time duration allotted to type the given printed matter in the DEST?

   The given passage must be typed within $10$ minutes (the duration in which the $8000$ key depressions per hour speed is assessed).

5. How many key depressions must be made in the 10-minute DEST window to meet the 8,000 per hour norm?

   $\frac{8000}{60}\times 10 \approx 1333$ key depressions in $10$ minutes.

6. Define 'key depression' as used in the DEST speed norm.

   A key depression is a single press of any key on the keyboard (letters, numbers, spaces, punctuation); the count of these presses measures typing speed rather than completed words.

7. What is the formula linking words per minute (WPM) to key depressions per hour, using the standard 5-keystrokes-per-word convention?

   $\text{Key depressions per hour} = \text{WPM}\times 5 \times 60$.

8. Verify that 35 WPM in English corresponds to about 10,500 key depressions per hour using the standard formula.

   $35 \times 5 \times 60 = 10500$ key depressions per hour.

9. Verify that 30 WPM in Hindi corresponds to about 9,000 key depressions per hour using the standard formula.

   $30 \times 5 \times 60 = 9000$ key depressions per hour.

10. What is the prescribed English typing speed (in words per minute) for the SSC CHSL typing test?

    $35$ words per minute for English typing.

11. What is the prescribed Hindi typing speed (in words per minute) for the SSC CHSL typing test?

    $30$ words per minute for Hindi typing.

12. How many key depressions per hour does the 35 WPM English typing standard equate to?

    $10500$ key depressions per hour.

13. How many key depressions per hour does the 30 WPM Hindi typing standard equate to?

    $9000$ key depressions per hour.

14. Why is the English typing speed requirement (35 WPM) higher than the Hindi one (30 WPM)?

    Hindi (Devanagari) typing involves more complex character combinations and matras, so a slightly lower speed of $30$ WPM is set, while simpler Latin script allows $35$ WPM.

15. What does 'accuracy norm' mean in the context of the DEST/typing test?

    The accuracy norm is the standard limiting how many typing errors are permitted; the typed text is compared to the original passage and mistakes are counted against the allowed margin.

16. In the SSC DEST, how is the number of permissible mistakes generally expressed?

    Permissible mistakes are expressed as a percentage of the total key depressions, with a maximum allowed error percentage that the candidate must not exceed to qualify.

17. Why is the DEST/typing test described as 'qualifying in nature'?

    The test only requires the candidate to meet the prescribed speed and accuracy standard to pass; marks from it are not added to the final merit ranking.

18. What two performance dimensions together decide whether a candidate qualifies the typing test?

    Speed (key depressions per hour / WPM) and accuracy (errors within the permissible mistake limit).

19. If a candidate types fast but exceeds the permissible mistakes, what is the outcome in the DEST?

    The candidate is disqualified; both the speed norm and the accuracy/error norm must be satisfied simultaneously.

20. What is 'touch typing' in the context of typing practice strategy?

    Touch typing is typing without looking at the keyboard, using muscle memory and fixed finger placement so the eyes stay on the screen/printed matter.

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