SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern 2025 Check CBT & Skill Test Details
The SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern 2025 includes two stages – Computer-Based Test (CBT) and Skill Test in Stenography. The CBT will be conducted from 6th to 11th August 2025 for recruitment to 261 Grade C and D posts. Understanding the latest pattern, marking scheme, and section-wise syllabus is crucial for qualifying both phases.
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) published the official notification of SSC Stenographer 2025 on 6th June 2025, and a total number of vacancies are 261 of Grade C and D. According to the recent update, the SSC Stenographer Computer-Based test (CBT) is to be held on 6th to 11th August 2025 at different examination centers in India. Individuals desiring to have a government stenographer position need to understand the current examination pattern, procedure of selecting candidates and marking scheme to effectively prepare themselves in order to score the maximum marks in both phases of the recruitment program.
The updated SSC Stenographer Exam pattern 2025 is very important to understand in order to clear the SSC Stenographer Exam 2025 successfully. The two main stages of the selection process are Computer-Based Test (CBT) and Skill Test in Stenography. The CBT tests a General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness and English Language & Comprehension knowledge of candidates and the Skill Test appraises shorthand speed and accuracy of transcription. This understandable marking scheme, time limits and layout of the distribution of questions section by section enable aspirants to get a more focused study plan and also gives them greater hope of their inclusion in the merit list final list.
SSC Stenographer 2025 – Exam Highlights
SSC Stenographer 2025 exam is a competitive exam carried on a national level by the Staff Selection Commission to fill up eligible candidates under the Grade D (Stenographer) and Grade C (Stenographer) posts in the central government departments. The SSC Stenographer CBT dates will be officially announced by the commission this year between 6 th and 11 th August 2025, and the aspirants will have to prepare both in terms of the Computer Based Test and the Skill Test. The important points of the SSC Stenographer Recruitment 2025 are provided below.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Exam Name | SSC Stenographer 2025 |
| Posts | Stenographer Grade C and Grade D |
| Selection Process | CBT + Skill Test |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) and Offline (Skill Test) |
| Exam Level | National |
| CBT Exam Dates | 6th to 11th August 2025 |
| Type of Questions (CBT) | Objective (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Total Questions in CBT | 200 |
| Total Marks in CBT | 200 |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per incorrect answer |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | UR: 30%, OBC/EWS: 25%, Others: 20% |
| Official Website | www.ssc.gov.in |
SSC Stenographer Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2025 (CBT)
The Tier 1 stage of the SSC Stenographer recruitment will be a preliminary recruiting examination in the form of a Computer-Based Test (CBT) and will be held online. This is the level that tests the reasoning, awareness and English language understanding of the candidates with objective type multiple-choice questions. The paper has three distribution sections each having the capability of assessing various sets of skills.
- General Intelligence & Reasoning
- General Awareness
- English Language & Comprehension
Candidates should complete each of the sections within the mentioned time limit and the marks achieved in Tier 1 play a vital role in shortlisting the candidates to the next stage.
Key Features of SSC Stenographer CBT 2025:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Time Duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
| Mode of Examination | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Type of Questions | Objective – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Medium of Exam | Bilingual – English & Hindi (except English section) |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking | -0.25 for each incorrect answer |
Note: Strategic preparation involves the need to prepare equally on the three sections, be aware of the negative marking, take frequent mock tests to increase accuracy and time management.
SSC Stenographer CBT 2025 Section-wise Exam Pattern
The SSC Stenographer Tier 1 Exam will be a three part paper that evaluates the reasoning ability of a candidate, his or her general knowledge and his or her understanding of English. There are 200 questions with 200 marks, and the candidates will have 120 minutes (2 hours) to solve the paper.
Section-wise Distribution of Questions & Marks
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | |
| English Language & Comprehension | 100 | 100 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 Minutes (2 Hrs) |
To crack the SSC Stenographer CBT 2025, time management can be critical since every part has high marks which decides your score and shortlisting to the Skill Test. If you can complete all the three sections with speed and accuracy, this will significantly increase your chances of qualification.
SSC Stenographer CBT Minimum Qualifying Marks 2025
The successful candidates of the Computer Based Test (CBT) will be needed to obtain the minimum qualifying marks to be admitted into SSC Stenographer Skill Test. These cutoff marks are different according to the category and are set by the staff selection commission and by this only the most deserving candidate proceeds and comes to the next stage.
Category-wise Minimum Qualifying Marks:
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 30% |
| OBC / EWS | 25% |
| SC / ST / Others | 20% |
Note: Registration in the CBT with the minimum qualifying marks is necessary to make it to the final list but the overall performance on the CBT as well as on the Skill Test would count. It will not be enough to aim to be better than the cutoff because candidates will then be advised to do more to increase their chances of getting chosen.
SSC Stenographer Skill Test 2025 (Tier 2)
After passing the Computer-Based Test (CBT), only those candidates will become shortlisted to appear in the SSC Stenographer Skill Test 2025 as a second and final step of the selection process. In this round, the candidate will be tested on his or her skill to take dictation and legibly copy it in a specified time. The skill test is given either in English or Hindi, depending on the language of choice during online registration.
Key Highlights of the Skill Test:
- A dictation passage will be given for 10 minutes.
- Candidates will have to transcribe the dictation on a computer.
- The required speed for dictation is:
- 100 words per minute (w.p.m.) for Stenographer Grade C
- 80 words per minute (w.p.m.) for Stenographer Grade D
SSC Stenographer Tier 2 – Dictation Test Details
During the dictation test, candidates will receive a passage to listen and write at steady pace. That dictation is timed to 10 minutes and the specified speed depends on the grade one applies to.
| Post | Dictation Speed (w.p.m.) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | 100 | 10 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade D | 80 | 10 minutes |
SSC Stenographer Transcription Time 2025
Candidates should then be able to transcribe the passage on computer within time after completing dictation. Transcription time depends upon post, elective language, and usage of scribe, among others.
| Post | Language | Transcription Time | Time (With Scribe) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stenographer Grade C | English | 40 minutes | 55 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade C | Hindi | 55 minutes | 75 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade D | English | 50 minutes | 70 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade D | Hindi | 65 minutes | 90 minutes |
Note: Candidates with benchmark disabilities are enabled to use scribe services as well as extra time according to SSC instructions.
SSC Stenographer 2025 Final Selection Criteria
The Skill Test in Stenography is qualifying in nature, the candidates need to do the test accurately and with confidence in order to stay in contention. There is no clear passing point in the CBT and to qualify through to the final merit list candidates have to pass both stages.
- The selection will be on the basis of the composite record of Computer Based Test (CBT) and Skill Test.
- In case of failure in the Skill Test despite passing the CBT, the candidate will be disqualified in the recruiting process.
- Just candidates who qualify with both stages will be able to be nominated to final appointment as stenographer grade C or D.
- The SSC will prepare the merit list based on normalized scores of CBT as well as qualification in the skill test.
Preparation Tips for SSC Stenographer 2025
The trick to passing the SSC Stenographer Exam 2025 is to think smart and specifically prepare. These are some of the tips that you can use with the help of experts to make your preparation strong and to get a high-chance of getting selected.
English Language & Comprehension - The category has 100 marks (50 percent of CBT weightage). Give grammar, comprehension, vocabulary and practice daily status.
Practice General Awareness & Reasoning - Learn to keep yourself updated about current affairs and regularly solve literature on logical reasoning to enhance precision and time.
Practice Shorthand and typing everyday - Start increasing your speed at dictation and transcribing both in English and Hindi - this way you will be sure to pass the Skill Test.
Attempt mock tests and solve previous year papers – This helps you understand the exam pattern, manage time, and identify weak areas for targeted improvement.
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