SSC Stenographer 2025 Exam Pattern: Paper Pattern & Marking Scheme

Staff Selection Commission Stenographer 2025 ( SSC Stenographer )

Anangsha Patra
Updated on May 12, 2025 16:52 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Deputy Manager – Editorial

SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern 2025: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) prescribes the SSC Stenographer exam pattern. The exam pattern is divided into CBT and Skill Test. The computer-based test carries three sections Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and English Language and Comprehension. The test paper will have a total of 200 questions. The total marks for the test are 200. The duration of the test is two hours. 0.25 marks are deducted for wrong answers in the CBT. Read below for more details on the SSC Stenographer 2025 exam pattern. 

Q:   What is the minimum qualifying marks for SSC Stenographer exam?
A: 

The category-wise minimum qualifying marks for SSC Stenographer exam is given below.

Category Qualifying marks 
UR 30%
OBC/EWS25%
All other categories (SC, ST, PwD, ESM, etc.)20%
Q:   What is SSC Stenographer marking scheme?
A: 

SSC Stenographer marking scheme is given below:

  • Candidates will one mark for each correct answers
  • For incorrect response, 0.25 marks are deducted
  • Total marks of candidates are calculated based on the number of correct answers after deducting penalty for wrong answers
Q:   What is SSC Stenographer exam pattern?
A: 

The Computer Based Test of SSC Stenographer comprises three sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness and English Language and Comprehension. The General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Awareness sections carry 50 questions each while the English Language and Comprehension section comprises 100 questions. Total marks allotted to General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Awareness sections are 50 each while the English Language and Comprehension section carry 100 marks. Candidates will be given two hours to complete the exam.

In the skill test, candidates will be given one dictation for 10 minutes in English or Hindi which they need to type at the speed of 100 words per minute (w.p.m) for the post of Stenographer Grade C and 80 w.p.m for Stenographer Grade D post.

Table of content
  • SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern 2025 for Computer Based Test
  • SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern 2025 for Skill Test
  • SSC Stenographer Syllabus 2025
  • SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
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SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern 2025 for Computer Based Test

The Computer Based Test of SSC Stenographer comprises three sections: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, and English Language and Comprehension. The General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Awareness sections carry 50 questions each while the English Language and Comprehension section comprises 100 questions. The total marks allotted to General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Awareness sections are 50 each while the English Language and Comprehension section carries 100 marks. Candidates will be given two hours to complete the exam.

Detailed SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern

Parts Subject Number of questions Maximum marks

I

General Intelligence & Reasoning

50

50

II

General Awareness

50

50

III

English Language and Comprehension

100

100

Total 

 

200

200

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SSC Stenographer Marking Scheme 

The marking scheme is given below.

  • Candidates will receive one mark for each correct answer
  • For an incorrect response, 0.25 marks are deducted
  • The total marks of candidates are calculated based on the number of correct answers after deducting a penalty for wrong answers
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Are there any sectional timings in SSC Stenographer exam?
A: 

There are no sectional timings in SSC Stenographer exam. The duration of the CBT 1 exam is two hours. Candidates need to solve 200 questions in two hours. The total marks allotted to the CBT exam are 200.

Q:   What is the pattern of SSC Stenographer exam?
A: 

SSC Stenographer exam paper comprises three sections-General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness and English Language and Comprehension. The tst paper carries a total of 200 marks. The structure of the exam pattern is given below.

PartsSubjectNumber of questionsMaximum marks

I

General Intelligence & Reasoning

50

50

II

General Awareness

50

50

III

English Language and Comprehension

100

100

Total 

 

200

200

Q:   What is the section-wise distribution of questions in SSC Stenographer exam?
A: 

The section-wise distribution of questions in SSC Stenographer CBT exam is given below.

PartsSubjectNumber of questionsMaximum marks

I

General Intelligence & Reasoning

50

50

II

General Awareness

50

50

III

English Language and Comprehension

100

100

Total 

 

200

200

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SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern 2025 for Skill Test

Candidates for this stage are shortlisted based on their performance in the skill test. In this test, candidates will be given one dictation for 10 minutes in English or Hindi which they need to type at the speed of 100 words per minute (w.p.m) for the post of Stenographer Grade C and 80 w.p.m for Stenographer Grade D post. Candidates need to type the dictation on the computer. The duration of the test for different posts is given below.

Post Language Time duration Time duration of the test who opted for Scribe

Stenographer

Grade D

English

50

70

Stenographer Grade D

Hindi

65

90

Stenographer Grade C

English

40

55

Stenographer Grade C

Hindi

55

75

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the structure of SSC Stenographer skill test?
A: 

The structure of SSC Stenographer skill test is given below.

PostLanguageTime durationTime duration of the test who opted for Scribe

Stenographer

Grade D

English

50

70

Stenographer Grade D

Hindi

65

90

Stenographer Grade C

English

40

55

Stenographer Grade C

Hindi

55

75

Q:   What is the duration of SSC Stenographer skill test?
A: 

The duration of SSC Stenographer skill test is given below:

PostTime durationTime duration of the test who opted for Scribe

Stenographer

Grade D

50

70

Stenographer Grade D

65

90

Stenographer Grade C

40

55

Stenographer Grade C

55

75

Q:   What is the normalisation process in SSC Stenographer exam?
A: 

Marks scored by candidates in the Computer Based Examination, if conducted in multiple shifts, is normalised by using the prescribd formula and such normalised scores are used to determine final merit and cut-off marks.

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SSC Stenographer Syllabus 2025

SSC stenographer syllabus for different subjects is given below:

General Intelligence & Reasoning: The test will include questions on analogies, similarities, and differences, space visualization, problem-solving, analysis, judgment, decision-making, visual memory, discriminating observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, arithmetical number series, non-verbal series, etc.

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General Awareness: The test include questions relating to India and its Neighbouring countries especially pertaining to Sports, History, Culture, Geography, Economic scene, General Polity including Indian Constitution, and Scientific Research, etc.

English Language & Comprehension: Questions are asked from vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, and its correct usage, etc. 

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is SSC Stenographer syllabus?
A: 

SSC Stenographer syllabus is given below:

General Intelligence & Reasoning

The syllabus for General Intelligence and Reasoning consists of questions from Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The test also includes questions that test a candidate’s abilities to deal with abstract ideas and symbols and their relationship, arithmetical computation, and other analytical functions

General Awareness

Questions in this section are designed to test the ability of the candidate’s General Awareness

English Language & Comprehension

This section aims to test the candidate’s English Language skills

Q:   What is SSC Stenographer syllabus for General Intelligence and Reasoning?
A: 

SSC Stenographer syllabus for General Intelligence and Reasoning is given below.

Analogies

Similarities and Differences

Space Visualization

Problem Solving

Analysis

Judgment

Decision Making

Visual Memory

Discriminating Observation

Relationship Concepts

Arithmetical Reasoning

Verbal and Figure Classification

Arithmetical Number Series

Non-Verbal Series

Q:   What is SSC Stenographer syllabus for Skill Test?
A: 

SSC Stenographer syllabus for Skill Test is given below:

  • The speech was given in the Parliament
  • Budget Speech
  • Employment/Unemployment in India
  • Topics on Science and Technology
  • Topics are given in the Editorial Columns of Newspapers
  • President’s Speech
  • Railway Speech
  • Topics of National interest
  • Topics on Natural Calamities
View Syllabus
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SSC Stenographer Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs

Candidates can check below SSC Stenographer exam pattern FAQs.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How to prepare for SSC Stenographer English Language section?
A: 

The tips and tricks to prepare for SSC Stenographer English Language section are given below:

  • The best way to brush up on your English skills is to read out newspaper articles daily
  • Candidates must focus on building their concepts and improve their grammar
  • The candidates must try to learn at least 10 words daily and the candidates must keep on revising them on daily basis
Q:   How do I prepare for General Awareness section in SSC Stenographer exam?
A: 

The tips and tricks to ace this section are given below.

  • Read magazines, newspapers, weekly GK Blog online and watch news channels for this section.
  • Create notes of current affairs and revise them properly.
  • Focus on the important topics first.
Q:   How to prepare for SSC Stenographer General Intelligence section?
A: 

The tips and tricks to prepare for SSC Stenographer General Intelligence section are given below:

  • Practice the topics properly by refering to previous years' question papers
  • The candidates must avoid silly mistakes 
  • General Intelligence & Reasoning is all about conceptual learning, practice and improving speed. Allot some time to practice reasoning questions on a daily basis.
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SSC Stenographer Exam

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Answered a month ago

There are no sectional cut off in SSC Stenographer 2025 exam. Candidates need to secure the overall and sectional cut off marks in the exam. Candidates securing the cut off marks are selected for the next round.

A

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

SSC Stenographer cut off varies for posts Grade C and D. The variation in the cut off marks is due to the nature of the posts. SSC Steno cut off marks are calculated based on the difficulty level of the exam. 

C

Chanchal Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

SSC Stenographer cut off 2025 for the CBT exam will be released soon. The cut off will be announced category-wise and post-wise in PDF form. Candidates need to secure both the qualifying marks as well as the cut off marks to get selected for the next round. 

J

Jasleen Harsha

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Preference for various posts and departments will be taken from the candidates through the Online Option Form on the website of the Commission before the declaration of the final result. A candidate will not be considered for a Post and Ministry / Department/ Organization, if he has not indicated hi

...Read more

J

Jasleen Harsha

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

There is no facility to recheck the SSC Stenographer result. The result announced by the examination authority is considered final. SSC Steno result is prepared based on the final answer key.

C

Chanchal Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

SSC Stenographer result 2025 for CBT is expected to be announced soon. The result will be made available in PDF form. SSC Steno result PDF comprises the roll numbers of qualified candidates. Based on the CBT result, candidates are shortlisted for the Skill Test.

S

Sumridhi Singh

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

Along with SSC Stenographer books, candidates must solve previous year question papers:

  • Familiarize with exam pattern and difficulty level

  • Understand recurring topics

  • Refine strategy and timing

B

Bhumika Arora

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

Candidates can select the SSC Stenographer books that have cover all the sections in depth. They should choose the books that are up-to-date with current syllabus and question trends. Candidates must choose books that have included practice material and previous-year questions.

A

Abhishek Kumar

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

To practice SSC Stenographer skill test, candidates can refer to the following books:

  • Pitman Shorthand New Course (classic for Pitman method)

  • Speed Writing Modern Shorthand by Heather Baker

  • Shorthand Dictations by Vishnu Still

  • Kailash Chandra Transcription magazine is a popular choice for practice in In

...Read more

M

Mani Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

The best books for SSC Stenographer English are given below:

  • Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi

  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis (for vocabulary)

  • English for General Competitions by Neetu Singh, Wren & Martin's English Grammar books

I

Ishita Aggarwal

Contributor-Level 7

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