The SSC Stenographer examination includes a mandatory Skill Test in Stenography, which assesses the candidate's speed and accuracy in taking dictation and transcribing it on a computer, with requirements varying by grade.
Skill Test Norms (Mandatory for Qualified Candidates):
| Post | Dictation Speed | Dictation Time | Transcription Time (English) | Transcription Time (Hindi) |
|---|
| Stenographer Grade 'D' | 80 words per minute (w.p.m.) | 10 minutes | 50 minutes | 65 minutes |
| Stenographer Grade 'C' | 100 words per minute (w.p.m.) | 10 minutes | 40 minutes | 55 minutes |
Key Rules and Conditions:
- Medium: Candidates must indicate their medium preference (English or Hindi) for the Skill Test in the application. This choice is final and cannot be changed later.
- Equipment: The Commission provides the computer and shorthand notebook for the test; candidates are not permitted to bring their own keyboard or resources.
- Qualifying Nature: The Skill Test is qualifying in nature, meaning marks are not added to the final merit, but candidates must achieve the minimum prescribed accuracy standards (allowing for permissible mistakes) to be eligible for selection.
The final selection is based on the merit achieved in the Computer Based Examination, provided the candidate qualifies the Skill Test and Document Verification.