SSC MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) is a single-tier CBT recruiting for Group C non-technical posts like Peon, Daftary, Junior Gestetner Operator and Watchman across central government offices, plus the related Havaldar posts in CBIC and CBN. The paper runs in two sessions on the same sitting: Session-I (numerical & reasoning ability, 40 questions) has no negative marking, while Session-II (general awareness & English, 50 questions) does carry a penalty for wrong answers - an unusual split that changes your risk calculus mid-exam.
MTS is unusual among SSC exams for splitting one CBT sitting into two scored sessions. Session-I covers Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability/Problem Solving (roughly 20 questions each, 40 total) with no negative marking - every attempt is free. Session-II covers General Awareness and English Language/Comprehension (roughly 25 questions each, 50 total) where wrong answers do cost marks. Candidates must clear a minimum qualifying standard in Session-I to have Session-II evaluated. This structure rewards attempting everything in Session-I freely, then switching to a more selective, accuracy-first mindset the moment Session-II begins.
| Session | Sections | Questions | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session-I | Numerical Ability + Reasoning | ~40 | None |
| Session-II | General Awareness + English | ~50 | Yes |
| Total | 4 areas | ~90 | Session-II only |
Numerical Ability stays at a foundational level - number systems, simplification, percentages, ratio, averages, profit & loss, simple interest, basic mensuration and time-work/time-distance. Reasoning/Problem Solving covers analogies, similarities-differences, classification, simple arithmetic reasoning and figure-based questions. English tests basic grammar, vocabulary and short comprehension at a level appropriate for the post. General Awareness covers current affairs, sports, history, culture, geography, economic scene, general polity and scientific research at a general-knowledge level rather than a deep-analysis one.
MTS's split-session, split-marking design is the single most important thing to internalise - it means your Session-I strategy (attempt everything, no downside) should look completely different from your Session-II strategy (attempt what you're reasonably confident about, since wrong answers now cost you). Practising full mock papers that replicate this exact split matters more here than in any other SSC exam, because the psychological switch mid-paper is unfamiliar until you've rehearsed it. Otherwise, MTS rewards broad but shallow coverage - a little bit of everything, practised until it's fast, beats deep mastery of a narrow set of topics.
Reviewed by the Pareeksha Exam Content Team - SSC & RRB pattern specialists. Patterns below reflect recent notification cycles; always cross-check the exact dates, vacancies and marking scheme in your cycle's official notification before applying.
Only in Session-II (General Awareness + English). Session-I (Numerical Ability + Reasoning) has no negative marking, so attempt every question there.
Multi-Tasking Staff posts (Peon, Daftary, Junior Gestetner Operator, Watchman and similar) in central government offices, plus Havaldar posts in CBIC and CBN.
You need to meet a minimum qualifying standard in Session-I for your Session-II answers to be evaluated at all - so don't leave Session-I underattempted.