For many Staff Selection Commission (SSC) posts, clearing the written exam is only half the job – you also have to pass a skill test on a computer. For clerk-type posts this is usually a typing test, and for data entry posts it is a Data Entry Speed Test (DEST). These tests are normally qualifying: they don't add to your merit score, but if you fail, you are out. This guide explains what the tests usually ask for, how the speed numbers relate to words per minute, and how to prepare.
Which SSC exams have a typing or data entry test?
| Exam and post | Skill test | Usual requirement |
|---|---|---|
| CHSL – Lower Division Clerk (LDC) / Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) | Typing test | English 35 WPM or Hindi 30 WPM, in 10 minutes |
| CHSL – Data Entry Operator (DEO) | DEST | 8,000 key depressions per hour (about 2,000 in 15 minutes); higher for some departments |
| CGL – Tax Assistant and some other posts | DEST | 8,000 key depressions per hour |
| CGL – certain Assistant posts | Computer Proficiency Test (CPT) | Word processing, spreadsheets and presentation tasks |
Candidates with certain disabilities may be exempt or get extra time, as set out in the notice.
Key depressions vs words per minute
Typing speed is usually measured in words per minute (WPM), where one "word" is counted as 5 key depressions (including spaces). The DEST uses key depressions per hour (KDPH) instead. Converting between them is simple:
- WPM × 5 × 60 = KDPH. So 35 WPM = 35 × 300 = 10,500 KDPH, and 30 WPM = 9,000 KDPH.
- KDPH ÷ 300 = WPM. So 8,000 KDPH is about 27 WPM.
In other words, the DEST speed target is lower than the typing test target – but in the DEST you usually type a set passage and every key press is checked.
How errors affect your result
Speed alone is not enough. Your typed passage is compared with the original, and mistakes such as wrong words, missing words, extra words and spelling errors are counted. The notice usually states a maximum allowed error percentage, which can differ by category. Because of this, a steady 38 WPM with high accuracy is far safer than a rushed 50 WPM full of mistakes.
Practical rules that help:
- Do not skip words or lines – a missing line counts as many errors at once.
- Follow the passage exactly, including capital letters and punctuation, unless the notice says otherwise.
- If you make a mistake, correct it only if it is quick. Don't stop for long.
- Keep your eyes on the passage, not the keyboard – this is where touch typing pays off.
A 4-week preparation plan
- Week 1 – check your level. Take a 1-minute and a 5-minute test on our typing speed test. If you are below 25 WPM or still look at the keys, spend this week on touch-typing basics. Our 30-day typing plan has drills.
- Week 2 – build accuracy. Practise 20–30 minutes a day. Aim for 95%+ accuracy before trying to go faster.
- Week 3 – match the exam time. Practise with passages for the full 10 or 15 minutes. Use a 10-minute timer or 15-minute timer so you get used to keeping your speed up to the end.
- Week 4 – mock tests. Do at least one full-length mock every day in exam conditions: no music, no breaks, same time of day as your slot if possible.
Hindi typing tips
If you choose the Hindi typing test, check which keyboard layouts are allowed. Recent notices have offered the Inscript and Remington (GAIL) layouts in a Unicode font such as Mangal. Practise on the exact layout you will choose in the exam – switching layouts close to the exam is a common and costly mistake. The Hindi speed requirement (30 WPM) is lower, but matras and conjunct letters need extra key presses, so give yourself plenty of practice time.
On the day of the test
- Reach early and settle in. Adjust the chair and screen before the test starts.
- Use the practice or trial time (if given) to get used to the keyboard – exam keyboards can feel stiffer than your own.
- Start at a steady pace rather than at full speed. Nerves make fingers clumsy in the first minute.
- Keep an eye on the timer, but don't panic if you are behind – accuracy matters more.
Frequently asked questions
Is the SSC typing test qualifying or scoring?
In recent SSC exams the typing test and DEST have been qualifying only. You must pass, but the marks are not added to your final merit score. Check your exam's notice to confirm.
How many words per minute do I need for SSC CHSL?
For LDC and JSA posts, recent notices ask for 35 WPM in English or 30 WPM in Hindi. Aim for at least 40 WPM in practice to have a safety margin.
What does 8,000 key depressions per hour mean?
It means about 2,000 key presses in a 15-minute test, or roughly 27 words per minute.
Can I practise the SSC typing test online?
Yes. Use any typing test to build speed and accuracy, then practise full-length passages with a timer for the exact test duration.