Solving an ssc mts previous year question paper shows you exactly what the Commission asks: one CBT shift with 40 maths and reasoning questions in Session I and 50 GK and English questions in Session II, all at the 10th standard. Working through several shifts tells you which question types repeat and how fast you need to be.
Read on for what past MTS and Havaldar papers usually contain, a practice routine that copies the real two session day, five sample items we drafted at the same level, and the official place to look for papers and answer keys.
Exam at a glance
Conducted by
Staff Selection CommissionPapers per day
Many shifts, each with its own question setSession I
40 questions, 120 marks, 45 minutes, no negative markingSession II
50 questions, 150 marks, 45 minutes, minus 1 per wrong answerMedium
Hindi, English and 13 regional languagesOfficial source
ssc.gov.in answer key notices
Layout of one MTS shift
| Session | Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| I (45 min) | Numerical and Mathematical Ability | 20 | 60 |
| Reasoning Ability and Problem Solving | 20 | 60 | |
| II (45 min) | General Awareness | 25 | 75 |
| English | 25 | 75 |
MTS and Havaldar candidates sit the same paper, so any ssc mts havaldar previous year question paper doubles as MTS practice. Papers from cycles before the two session format had a different layout, so use them for topic practice only and not for timing. The full topic list is on our SSC MTS syllabus page.
What past MTS papers tend to show
- Maths: short arithmetic dominates: percentage, ratio, average, profit and loss, simple interest, time and work, and simplification. Geometry is limited to basic area, perimeter and angles.
- Reasoning: series, coding, analogy, odd one out, directions, Venn diagrams and simple figure questions appear in most shifts.
- General Awareness: a spread of history, polity, geography, everyday science and a few current affairs questions, mostly one line facts.
- English: synonyms, antonyms, idioms, one word substitution, error spotting, fill in the blanks and a short passage.
The exact count of each topic changes from shift to shift, so do not bank on fixed numbers. What holds steady is the level: nothing beyond class 10, and many questions that reward speed more than depth.
How to practise with an ssc mts previous year question paper
- Copy the real order. Do 45 minutes of Session I, take a short break, then 45 minutes of Session II. Many students lose marks only because they never sat both back to back.
- Attempt every Session I question. There is no penalty there, so a blank answer is a wasted 3 marks.
- Be selective in Session II. With 1 mark lost per wrong answer, answer a doubtful item only after striking off two choices.
- Score only Session II for rank. Selection is decided on the 150 Session II marks, so compare that figure with the state lines in our MTS cut off tables.
- Keep an error notebook. Write each wrong GK fact and English word on one line and revise the list every Sunday.
Five sample questions in the MTS style
We drafted the five items below ourselves at MTS difficulty; none comes from a Commission paper.
- A shopkeeper marks a bag at Rs 800 and gives a 15% discount. At what price in rupees is the bag sold? (a) 640 (b) 680 (c) 700 (d) 720. Answer: (b).
- Find the next term: 3, 7, 15, 31, ? (a) 47 (b) 55 (c) 63 (d) 62. Answer: (c), each term is double the previous plus 1.
- If PEN is written as QFO, how is INK written? (a) JOL (b) JNL (c) HOL (d) JOK. Answer: (a).
- Choose the word closest in meaning to ABUNDANT: (a) scarce (b) plentiful (c) hidden (d) tiny. Answer: (b).
- Which Article of the Constitution of India abolishes untouchability? (a) Article 14 (b) Article 17 (c) Article 21 (d) Article 32. Answer: (b).
Hindi medium papers
The CBT is bilingual, so every question appears in English and Hindi on screen, and candidates can choose a regional language as well. If you are looking for an ssc mts previous year question paper hindi medium or any ssc mts previous year paper in hindi, the official answer key copies show both languages, so you do not need a separate version.
एमटीएस के पुराने प्रश्नपत्र हल करते समय दोनों सत्र एक साथ, असली समय सीमा में लगाएँ। पहले सत्र में सभी प्रश्न करें क्योंकि वहाँ अंक नहीं कटते। दूसरे सत्र में सामान्य ज्ञान और अंग्रेज़ी पर ध्यान दें, यहीं से मेरिट बनती है। हर गलती एक कॉपी में लिखें और हफ्ते के अंत में दोहराएँ।
Where to get MTS papers officially
Every mts exam previous year question paper starts life on the Commission's own website. It does not sell or print an ssc mts previous year question paper book. After each CBT it publishes a notice on its website with the tentative answer keys, and through login each candidate may view the question set and response sheet through login for a limited period. Final answer keys are usually released after the result, again for a limited time. Download and save these files while the window is open, since they are taken down later.
For other matric level options, see the SSC GD previous papers page and the SSC exams hub.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Commission publish the MTS question paper?
It publishes tentative and final answer keys on its website, and through candidate login you can see the question paper and your responses for a limited period. There is no permanent public archive, so save the files when they are live.
Is the Havaldar paper different from the MTS paper?
No. Both posts take the same CBT in two sessions. Havaldar candidates have an extra PET and PST, which has no written paper.
How many old MTS shifts are enough before exam day?
Aim for at least 15 to 20 shifts in the last two months, timed in the real two session order. Analyse each one for wrong guesses in Session II before moving to the next.
Are older MTS papers still useful?
Yes for topic practice, since maths, reasoning, GK and English topics overlap. Their layout and timing differ from the current two session format, so your timing on them says little about the real day.
Can I practise in Hindi?
Yes. The exam shows questions in Hindi and English, so answer keys and response sheets carry both. Practise in the language you will choose on exam day.