SSC CHSL 2026: Original Mock Test Questions with Explanations

Question 1 (Profit & Loss / Discount): A shopkeeper marks an article 40% above its cost price and allows a discount of 25% on the marked price. If he sells it for ₹1,050, what was the original cost price?

Step-by-Step Solution:

• Let Cost Price ($CP$) = ₹$100x$.
• Marked Price ($MP$) = $100x imes 1.40 =$ ₹$140x$.
• Discount = $25%$ of $140x = rac{1}{4} imes 140x =$ ₹$35x$.
• Selling Price ($SP$) = $140x - 35x =$ ₹$105x$.
• Given: $105x = 1050 implies x = rac{1050}{105} = 10$.
• Cost Price ($CP$) = $100x = 100 imes 10 = ext{₹}1,000$.

Answer: ₹1,000.

Question 2 (Time & Work): $A$ can complete a piece of work in 12 days and $B$ can complete it in 18 days. They work together for 4 days, after which $A$ leaves. In how many days will $B$ finish the remaining work alone?

Step-by-Step Solution:

• Total Work = $ ext{LCM}(12, 18) = 36 ext{ units}$.
• Efficiency of $A = rac{36}{12} = 3 ext{ units/day}$.
• Efficiency of $B = rac{36}{18} = 2 ext{ units/day}$.
• Combined Efficiency of $(A + B) = 3 + 2 = 5 ext{ units/day}$.
• Work completed in first 4 days = $4 imes 5 = 20 ext{ units}$.
• Remaining Work = $36 - 20 = 16 ext{ units}$.
• Time taken by $B$ alone for remaining work = $rac{16 ext{ units}}{2 ext{ units/day}} = 8 ext{ days}$.

Answer: 8 days.

Question 3 (Number Series): Find the missing number in the sequence: $7, 11, 20, 36, 61, mathbf{?}$

Explanation:

• Find the difference between consecutive terms:
  • $11 - 7 = 4$ ($2^2$)
  • $20 - 11 = 9$ ($3^2$)
  • $36 - 20 = 16$ ($4^2$)
  • $61 - 36 = 25$ ($5^2$)
• The differences are consecutive squares ($2^2, 3^2, 4^2, 5^2$).
• Next difference must be $6^2 = 36$.
• Missing number = $61 + 36 = 97$.

Answer: 97.

Question 4 (Idioms & Phrases): What is the meaning of the idiom 'To burn the candle at both ends'?

Explanation: This idiom describes exhausting oneself by working very hard late into the night and rising very early in the morning, overextending one's physical energy.

Answer: To overwork oneself excessively and exhaust one's energy.

Question 5 (Art & Culture): 'Sattriya' is a classical Indian dance form that originated in which Indian state?

Explanation: Sattriya originated in the 15th century in the Vaishnavite monasteries (Sattras) of Assam, created by the great saint and reformer Mahapurusha Sankaradeva. It was officially recognized as a classical dance form by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in the year 2000.

Answer: Assam.