RRB NTPC Typing Test Guide for Graduate and UG Typist Posts
Shortlisted for a typist post in RRB NTPC? Learn the typing skill test rules, required speed in English and Hindi, and a practical plan to clear it.
Clearing the SSC CHSL written exam is a big achievement, but for many posts it is only half the job. Candidates for Lower Division Clerk (LDC) and Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) must pass a typing test, while Data Entry Operator (DEO) candidates must clear the Data Entry Speed Test (DEST). Every year, a number of candidates who scored well in the written stage lose out because they took the skill test lightly.
This guide explains the SSC CHSL typing test and DEST as per recent notifications. Rules can change from one cycle to the next, so always confirm the details with the latest official SSC notification.
SSC CHSL Posts and Their Skill Tests
SSC CHSL recruits for posts such as LDC, JSA and DEO, and the skill test depends on the post you are selected for:
| Post | Skill test | Required standard | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDC / JSA | Typing Test | 35 WPM English or 30 WPM Hindi | 10 minutes |
| DEO / DEO Grade A | Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) | 8,000 key depressions per hour | 15 minutes |
Both tests are qualifying in nature. Your marks in the skill test are not added to your final score, but you must pass to be considered for the post. Final merit is decided by your score in the computer-based exam.
SSC CHSL Typing Test for LDC/JSA
Speed requirement
As per recent notifications, the typing test for LDC/JSA requires:
- English: 35 words per minute, which corresponds to about 10,500 key depressions per hour
- Hindi: 30 words per minute, which corresponds to about 9,000 key depressions per hour
The speed is judged on the accuracy of typing on a computer over the given passage.
Duration
The test lasts 10 minutes and is conducted on a computer. Visually handicapped candidates who are eligible for and use a scribe get extra time as per the notification.
Language choice
You choose the typing test medium, English or Hindi, in your application form. You cannot change it later, so think carefully before filling the form. If you are comfortable in both, compare your net speed on an English typing test and a Hindi typing test before deciding.
Which Hindi layout is used?
The Hindi input method, keyboard layout and font available on the test computer are described in the notification and the exam-day instructions, so check them before you finalise your practice layout. If you are starting fresh, Mangal Inscript is the safest choice for central exams because Inscript is the Government of India standard for Unicode Hindi typing.
SSC CHSL DEST for DEO
What is DEST?
DEST stands for Data Entry Speed Test. Unlike the LDC typing test, it is measured in key depressions per hour rather than words per minute.
Requirements
- Speed: 8,000 key depressions per hour
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Passage: An English passage of about 2,000-2,200 key depressions is given to the candidate, who types it on the computer
At 8,000 KDPH, you need roughly 2,000 correct key depressions in 15 minutes. That is about 27 WPM, which sounds easy, but remember that accuracy is what counts. For DEO posts in some departments, such as the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, notifications have specified a higher speed, so check the requirement for your chosen post.
The DEST passage is in English. For a deeper guide to DEST strategy, see our SSC CHSL DEO DEST page.
How Errors Are Evaluated
This is the part most candidates misunderstand. SSC evaluates the typed text against the original passage, and the method of counting errors (full mistakes, half mistakes, omissions, additions and so on) along with the permissible error limit is defined in the official notification. The allowed percentage of errors can also differ by category.
Rather than relying on numbers passed around on social media, read the evaluation section of the notification for your cycle. In general, the following are treated as mistakes in most typing evaluations:
- Omission of a word or figure
- Substitution of a wrong word
- Addition of a word not in the passage
- Spelling errors
- Repeating a word
- Incorrect or missing punctuation and spacing issues (usually treated less severely)
Practical rule: if you consistently practise at 95% accuracy or higher at your target speed, you will usually be within the error limits of most typing tests. Speed with poor accuracy is the most common reason candidates fail.
What the Test Screen Looks Like
In most SSC typing tests, the screen shows the passage in one area and a typing box in another. A timer runs at the top. Candidates generally cannot copy-paste, and features like spell-check and auto-correct are not available. Some interfaces allow Backspace, but every correction costs time.
Familiarity with this format helps a lot. The SSC CHSL typing test on TypingTestKaro uses a similar layout and a 10-minute timer so you can rehearse the real experience.
Preparation Plan for the SSC Typing Test
8 weeks before the skill test
- Take a baseline test and note your net WPM and accuracy.
- If you are not a touch typist yet, start now. It pays off within weeks.
- Practise 30-45 minutes every day.
4 weeks before
- Switch to exam-length practice: full 10-minute tests for LDC/JSA, 15-minute tests for DEST.
- Practise on formal government-style passages with numbers and punctuation.
- Track your errors and drill the words you commonly mistype.
Final 2 weeks
- Do at least one full mock test daily at the exam duration.
- Practise on different keyboards if you can, since exam centre keyboards may feel different.
- Do not change your layout or technique at this stage.
Exam day tips
- Reach early and check that the keyboard and chair are comfortable. Raise any issue before the test starts.
- Read the first line calmly before starting.
- Keep a steady rhythm. Do not rush the first minute.
- If you make a small mistake, decide quickly whether to fix it. Do not panic.
Common Mistakes Candidates Make
- Choosing Hindi in the form without actually practising Hindi typing
- Practising only 1-2 minute tests and fading in the last few minutes
- Ignoring capitalisation and punctuation
- Practising on a laptop keyboard but taking the test on a full-size desktop keyboard
- Starting practice only after the written result
FAQs
What is the typing speed required for SSC CHSL?
As per recent notifications, LDC/JSA posts require 35 WPM in English or 30 WPM in Hindi in a 10-minute computer test. DEO posts require 8,000 key depressions per hour in the 15-minute DEST.
Is the SSC CHSL typing test qualifying?
Yes. Both the typing test and the DEST are qualifying. Your final merit is based on the computer-based examination, but you must pass the skill test to be selected.
Can I change my typing test language after applying?
Generally no. The typing test medium is chosen in the application form, so pick the language you are genuinely faster and more accurate in.
How many errors are allowed in the SSC typing test?
The permissible error limit and the method of counting mistakes are defined in the official notification and can vary by category. Always read the current notification rather than relying on unofficial figures.
Is Backspace allowed in the SSC CHSL typing test?
The exact editing options depend on the test software and are described in the instructions. Even where Backspace works, frequent corrections reduce your speed, so aim for clean, steady typing.
Ready to rehearse under exam conditions? Take the free SSC CHSL typing test with a 10-minute timer and see if your net speed clears the mark.