EPFO SSA Exam Pattern 2026: Marks, Sections and Timing

The EPFO SSA exam pattern in the last notification (2023 cycle) has two stages: a computer-based objective test of 150 questions for 600 marks, followed by a computer typing test. This page explains the marks, timing and negative marking, and what they mean for how you attempt the paper.

EPFO has not announced a new SSA notification as of 20 October 2026, so the figures here are from the 2023 cycle as reported by secondary sources, and the official advertisement could not be reopened while writing this page. Older pages may also show an earlier prelims, mains and descriptive format. Follow the official notification for the next cycle.

Table of Contents

• EPFO SSA exam pattern at a glance

• Phase I pattern

• Marking scheme and negative marking

• What the pattern means for you

• Phase II typing test

• Final merit

• Time management

EPFO SSA exam pattern at a glance

Phase I pattern

The paper was reported as 150 minutes in total. Check the notification for whether sections are separately timed, and for the language of each section.

Marking scheme and negative marking

• Correct answer: 4 marks each.

• Wrong answer: One mark deducted per wrong answer, which is one fourth of the marks for the question.

• Unattempted: Confirm in the notification whether unattempted questions carry any deduction.

What the pattern means for you

• English decides the result: It carries one third of the marks, so it deserves a daily slot, not leftover time.

• A wrong guess costs a mark: A blind guess among four options has a negative expected value. Guess only when you can remove at least two options.

• Computer literacy is cheap marks: Ten questions are worth 40 marks and need little time.

• Every question is worth the same 4 marks: Do not spend three minutes on one puzzle that earns the same as a one-minute grammar question.

Phase II typing test

Phase II is a computer-based typing (data-entry) test, qualifying in nature. In the 2023 cycle the standard was reported as 35 words per minute in English or 30 words per minute in Hindi. This is not an official figure for the next cycle. You must clear it to be selected, so build typing practice into your plan from the start.

Final merit

In the 2023 cycle, final merit was reported to be based on Phase I marks, with the typing test as a qualifying step. In practice this means two candidates with the same Phase I score are not separated by their typing speed, as long as both clear the standard. Confirm the weightage in the next notification.

Time management

With 150 questions in 150 minutes, you have about one minute per question on average. A workable split is to take the quick sections first (computer literacy, then English grammar), then quantitative ability and reasoning, and keep reading comprehension for a fixed block. Practise this order in timed mocks so it becomes automatic.

For timed practice in the current pattern, you can attempt EPFO SSA online mock tests on Testkart and use the section-wise analysis to plan your revision. See the EPFO SSA syllabus for topics and the official EPFO recruitments page for notices.