The Exam Pattern of Assistants Grade Examination conducted by the SSC basically consists of two stages to select the candidates.
1. Preliminary Examination
2. Main Examination
This is of objective type and is a screening test for selection of candidates for the main examination. Preliminary examination is conducted for 300 marks which comprise of the following subjects:
Question papers in Reasoning Ability, General Awareness and Arithmetic will be set both in English and Hindi.
Part (IV) Language paper will be of qualifying nature and the marks secured by the candidates in this part will not be counted for the preparation of the list of candidates to be called for the main examination.
The aggregate marks secured in Part (I), (II) and (III) will be taken for preparation of the list of candidates to be called for Main Examination.
The Commission has the discretion to fix minimum qualifying standard in any of the four parts of the Preliminary Examination.
The Maximum Marks are 100 and the duration of the test is 2 hrs.
The question papers for the Main Examination will be of Conventional (Essay) Type.
In Paper I, Part (a) of Main Examination will be compulsory for all the candidates. However, this will be of a qualifying nature. The marks secured in this part will not be counted for preparation of the final selection list. The Commission have the discretion to fix a qualifying standard in this part.
Candidates will have the option to answer Paper I Part (b) (Communication/Writing Skill) and Paper II (Arithmetic) either in Hindi or in English.
Scripts of Paper I Part (b) (Communication/Writing Skill) and Paper II (Arithmetic) will be evaluated of only those candidates who secure minimum qualifying standard in Part (a) of Paper I of the Main Examination.