Typing Test
Whenever I lose my watch, I take my sweet time to get a new one. I savor the freedom from my compulsion to carve my days into minute-size fragments. But my liberty has its limits. Even if I get rid of the clock strapped to my wrist, I cannot escape the one in my head. The human brain keeps time, from the flicker of milliseconds to the languorous unfurling of hours and days and years. It's the product of hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Keeping track of time is essential for perceiving what's happening around us and responding to it. In order to tell where a voice is coming from, we time how long it takes for the sound to reach both ears. And when we respond to the voice by speaking ourselves, we need precise timing to make ourselves understood. Our muscles in the mouth, tongue, and throat must all twitch in carefully timed choreography. It's just a brief pause that makes the difference between "Excuse me while I kiss the sky" and "Excuse me while I kiss this guy." Scientists are finding that telling time is also important to animals. At the University of Edinburgh, researchers built fake flowers with sugar inside to reveal how hummingbirds tell time. After hummingbird's drink nectar from real flowers, it takes time for the flowers to replenish their supply. The Scottish researchers refilled some of their fake flowers every 10 minutes and others every 20. Hummingbirds quickly learned just how long they had to wait before coming back to each kind. Scientists at the University of Georgia have discovered that rats do an excellent job of telling time too. They can be conditioned to wait two days after a meal to poke their noses into a trough and be rewarded with food. For 40 years, psychologists thought that humans and animals kept time with a biological version of a stopwatch. Somewhere in the brain, a regular series of pulses was being generated. When the brain needed to time some event, a gate opened and the pulses moved into some kind of counting device. One reason this clock model was so compelling: psychologists could use it to explain how our perception of time changes. Think about how your feeling of time slows down as you see a car crash on the road ahead, how it speeds up when you're wheeling around a dance floor in love. Psychologists argued that these experiences tweaked the pulse generator, speeding up the flow of pulses or slowing it down. But the fact is that the biology of the brain just doesn't work like the clocks we're familiar with. Neurons can do a good job of producing a steady series of pulses. They don't have what it takes to count pulses accurately for seconds or minutes or more. The mistakes we make in telling time also raise doubts about the clock models. If our brains really did work that way, we ought to do a better job of estimating long periods of time than short ones. Any individual pulse from the hypothetical clock would be a little bit slow or fast. Over a short time, the brain would accumulate just a few pulses, and so the error could be significant. The many pulses that pile up over long stretches of time should cancel their errors out. Unfortunately, that's not the case. As we estimate longer stretches of time, the range of errors gets bigger as well. Whenever I lose my watch, I take my sweet time to get a new one. I savor the freedom from my compulsion to carve my days into minute-size fragments. But my liberty has its limits. Even if I get rid of the clock strapped to my wrist, I cannot escape the one in my head. The human brain keeps time, from the flicker of milliseconds to the languorous unfurling of hours and days and years. It's the product of hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Keeping track of time is essential for perceiving what's happening around us and responding to it. In order to tell where a voice is coming from, we time how long it takes for the sound to reach both ears. And when we respond to the voice by speaking ourselves, we need precise timing to make ourselves understood. Our muscles in the mouth, tongue, and throat must all twitch in carefully timed choreography. It's just a brief pause that makes the difference between "Excuse me while I kiss the sky" and "Excuse me while I kiss this guy." Scientists are finding that telling time is also important to animals. At the University of Edinburgh, researchers built fake flowers with sugar inside to reveal how hummingbirds tell time. After hummingbird's drink nectar from real flowers, it takes time for the flowers to replenish their supply. The Scottish researchers refilled some of their fake flowers every 10 minutes and others every 20. Hummingbirds quickly learned just how long they had to wait before coming back to each kind. Scientists at the University of Georgia have discovered that rats do an excellent job of telling time too. They can be conditioned to wait two days after a meal to poke their noses into a trough and be rewarded with food. For 40 years, psychologists thought that humans and animals kept time with a biological version of a stopwatch. Somewhere in the brain, a regular series of pulses was being generated. When the brain needed to time some event, a gate opened and the pulses moved into some kind of counting device. One reason this clock model was so compelling: psychologists could use it to explain how our perception of time changes. Think about how your feeling of time slows down as you see a car crash on the road ahead, how it speeds up when you're wheeling around a dance floor in love. Psychologists argued that these experiences tweaked the pulse generator, speeding up the flow of pulses or slowing it down. But the fact is that the biology of the brain just doesn't work like the clocks we're familiar with. Neurons can do a good job of producing a steady series of pulses. They don't have what it takes to count pulses accurately for seconds or minutes or more. The mistakes we make in telling time also raise doubts about the clock models. If our brains really did work that way, we ought to do a better job of estimating long periods of time than short ones. Any individual pulse from the hypothetical clock would be a little bit slow or fast. Over a short time, the brain would accumulate just a few pulses, and so the error could be significant. The many pulses that pile up over long stretches of time should cancel their errors out. Unfortunately, that's not the case. As we estimate longer stretches of time, the range of errors gets bigger as well.
Typing Detail
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Exam is one of the most sought-after exams for candidates who have completed their higher secondary education. The exam includes a typing test, which is a critical component, especially for those applying for posts like Lower Division Clerk (LDC) and Data Entry Operator (DEO). In this blog, we will cover all the essential details about the SSC CHSL Typing Test and how you can prepare effectively to score well.
What is the SSC CHSL Typing Test?
The SSC CHSL Typing Test is a qualifying exam conducted to assess a candidate's typing speed and accuracy in English or Hindi. The test is usually the final stage of the SSC CHSL recruitment process and is mandatory for candidates who have cleared the Tier I and Tier II exams.
Key Details of the SSC CHSL Typing Test
Mode of Test: The typing test is conducted on a computer.
Languages Available: Candidates can choose to take the test in English or Hindi. This choice is made during the application process.
Typing Speed Requirements:
- English: A typing speed of 35 words per minute (wpm) is required.
- Hindi: A typing speed of 30 words per minute (wpm) is required.
Duration: The typing test is typically 10 minutes long.
Eligibility: Candidates must have qualified in the previous tiers (Tier I and Tier II) to appear for the typing test.
Typing Software: The test is conducted using the SSC’s specific typing software, which is designed to accurately measure speed and accuracy.
Typing Speed and Accuracy Calculation
Speed Calculation: Speed is calculated in words per minute (WPM). One word is counted as five key depressions (including spaces).
Accuracy Calculation: Accuracy is crucial as errors will impact your overall performance. Errors are marked for incorrect or missed characters.
Tips to Prepare for the SSC CHSL Typing Test
Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Practice typing daily to improve your speed and accuracy. Set aside at least 30-45 minutes each day to practice.
Use Typing Software: Use typing practice software that mimics the exam conditions. This will help you get familiar with the exam interface.
Focus on Accuracy First: Start by focusing on accuracy rather than speed. As your accuracy improves, your speed will naturally increase.
Type Without Looking at the Keyboard: This technique, known as touch typing, helps in building speed and reduces errors. Avoid the habit of looking at the keyboard while typing.
Use Sample Typing Paragraphs: Practice using paragraphs similar to those used in the test. This will give you an idea of the type of content you will encounter.
Monitor Your Progress: Keep track of your WPM and error rate. Set small, achievable goals to gradually increase your speed.
Minimize Distractions: Practice in a quiet environment to mimic exam conditions and improve concentration.
Familiarize Yourself with Hindi Typing (if applicable): If you choose Hindi, make sure to practice using Inscript or Remington (GAIL) keyboard layouts as required by SSC.
Use Online Typing Tests: There are many free online platforms where you can practice typing tests similar to the SSC format.
Rest and Relax Before the Test: Ensure you are well-rested before the test day. Being calm and focused will help you perform better.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Typing Too Fast Too Soon: Don’t rush. Speed comes with practice. Focus on being accurate first.
Neglecting Hindi Typing: If you opted for Hindi, don't ignore Hindi practice. Be well-prepared in the language of your choice.
Overlooking Special Characters: Pay attention to punctuation and special characters, as missing these can impact accuracy.
Ignoring Error Corrections: Make sure to correct errors while practicing, as this will help you reduce errors during the actual test.
Conclusion
The SSC CHSL Typing Test may seem daunting, but with regular practice and a focused approach, you can easily meet the required speed and accuracy. Make sure to start your preparation early, use the right tools, and stay consistent. Good luck with your SSC CHSL Typing Test preparation!