SSC CHSL exam pattern

Paper structure, marks and duration for SSC CHSL, as stated in the official notice.

Part of the SSC CHSL hub · conducted by Staff Selection Commission.

Exam Pattern & Difficulty: Which is Harder?

Exam Pattern & Difficulty: Which is Harder?

SSC CHSL Tier 1 is harder than SSC MTS Tier 1 because of stricter time limits and higher competition, even though both have 100 questions. MTS gives you 90 minutes for 100 questions; CHSL gives you only 60 minutes for the same number. This means CHSL demands faster accuracy and leaves less room for mistakes.

SSC MTS Tier 1 (Paper 1) Structure: According to the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the exam has 100 multiple-choice questions across four subjects—General Awareness, General Intelligence & Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, and English/Hindi. Each question carries 1 mark; 0.25 mark is deducted for every wrong answer. You get 90 minutes to finish. General Awareness in MTS is straightforward—mostly static GK, current affairs from the past 6 months, and basic civics. Reasoning and maths are Class 10 level.

SSC CHSL Tier 1 Structure: The SSC conducts CHSL Tier 1 with the same 100 questions and four subjects, but the time limit is 60 minutes—30 minutes shorter. Negative marking is identical (0.25 per wrong answer). The difference: CHSL General Awareness includes more current affairs depth, recent budget updates, and government schemes. English is tougher—spotting errors, cloze tests, and comprehension appear more often than in MTS.

Difficulty Comparison:

From SSC MTS vs SSC CHSL: Which Exam Should You Attempt First? (2024 Guide)