SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern and Syllabus Notes

The SSC Stenographer exam is conducted for Grade C and Grade D posts in central government offices. Students want to know the exact exam pattern and the syllabus before they start, because the exam has two stages: a written test and a skill test. These SSC Stenographer exam pattern and syllabus notes explain both stages, the subject-wise topics and the selection steps in simple language with practice questions.

Posts and Basic Eligibility

Rules, age limits and vacancies change in every notification, so always read the latest SSC notification before you apply.

Stages of the Selection

1. Stage 1: Computer-Based Examination (written test).
2. Stage 2: Skill test in stenography (dictation and transcription).
3. Document verification and medical examination.

Written Test Pattern

Skill Test

These skill test values are as per the earlier SSC notifications. Check the latest notification for any change.

Syllabus of the Written Test

Selection Process in Short

• Candidates who clear the cut-off in the written test are called for the skill test.
• The skill test is qualifying in nature, so the marks of the skill test are not added to the written test marks.
• The final merit list is prepared on the basis of the marks in the written test, for the candidates who qualify the skill test.

Subject-wise Weightage and Time Plan

Preparation Tips

• Start the shorthand practice on the first day, because speed takes months to build.
• Give the highest time to English, because it carries 100 of the 200 marks.
• Solve previous year papers and sectional tests every week.
• Keep a short notebook for vocabulary and for the common errors of grammar.
• Before the skill test, practise full 10-minute dictations followed by typing in the given time.

Quick Tips

• Remember the three marks: Reasoning 50, General Awareness 50 and English 100.
• Do not leave the skill test preparation for the end, because it is qualifying and cannot be done in a few weeks.
• Check the latest notification for the dictation speed, the passage time and the transcription time.
• Practise English the most, since it gives half of the written test marks.

Quick Revision Points

• The written test has 200 questions and 200 marks in 2 hours.
• English has 100 questions, and Reasoning and General Awareness have 50 each.
• Wrong answers carry a negative marking of 0.25.
• Dictation speed is 100 wpm for Grade C and 80 wpm for Grade D.
• The skill test is qualifying in nature.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. How many questions are there in the SSC Stenographer written test?
   Answer: 200
2. How many questions are there in the English section?
   Answer: 100
3. What is the time of the written test?
   Answer: 2 hours
4. What is the negative marking for each wrong answer?
   Answer: 0.25 mark
5. What is the dictation speed for Grade C?
   Answer: 100 words per minute
6. What is the dictation speed for Grade D?
   Answer: 80 words per minute
7. What is the duration of the dictation?
   Answer: 10 minutes
8. Is the skill test qualifying or marks based?
   Answer: Qualifying
9. What is the minimum educational qualification?
   Answer: 12th class pass
10. How many questions are in the Reasoning section?
    Answer: 50

How to Practise This Chapter

Make a weekly plan with fixed hours for English, Reasoning, General Awareness and shorthand, and follow it strictly. Then solve questions from our practice papers, the free SSC quizzes and the previous year papers page. Read the next chapter, Shorthand Dictation Practice, and see all topics on the Stenography notes page. For the written test, read the English notes, Reasoning notes and General Awareness notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exam pattern of SSC Stenographer?

The exam has a computer-based written test of 200 questions in 2 hours, followed by a skill test of shorthand dictation and transcription.

What is the syllabus of SSC Stenographer?

The written test has three sections: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, and English Language and Comprehension.

How many marks does each section carry?

Reasoning carries 50 marks, General Awareness carries 50 marks and English carries 100 marks.

Is there negative marking in the SSC Stenographer exam?

Yes. There is a negative marking of 0.25 mark for every wrong answer in the written test.

What is the skill test in SSC Stenographer?

In the skill test, a passage is dictated and you write it in shorthand, and then you type it on the computer in the given time.

What is the dictation speed for Grade C and Grade D?

As per the earlier notifications, it is 100 words per minute for Grade C and 80 words per minute for Grade D. Please check the latest notification.

Is the skill test qualifying?

Yes. The skill test is qualifying in nature, and the final merit is based on the written test marks.

What is the difference between Grade C and Grade D?

Grade C is the higher post with a higher dictation speed, while Grade D has a lower speed. The age limit and other conditions are given in the notification.

What is the minimum qualification for SSC Stenographer?

The minimum qualification is a pass in the 12th class or an equivalent examination.

Which section should I prepare the most?

English should get the most time, because it carries 100 of the 200 marks.

How long should I prepare for the SSC Stenographer exam?

Prepare for at least 6 to 10 months if you are a beginner in shorthand, and for 3 to 4 months if you already have the shorthand speed.

Where can I practise for the written test?

You can practise with the practice papers, the free quizzes and the previous year papers of SSC on this website.