Top digit row, comma, period, semicolon, apostrophe

What this lesson covers

Lesson 6 introduces the digit row and the punctuation keys most-used in formal English: comma, period, semicolon, apostrophe, parentheses. Numbers and punctuation account for 10-12 per cent of a typical SSC CHSL English passage.

The digit row sits above the top row of letters. Reach up further than for E-R-T. Most typists are slow on digits because they rarely drill them — but exam passages have plenty: years, percentages, scheme amounts, page numbers.

The comma is the single most-used punctuation mark after the period. Hit it with your right ring finger (the K-position drop-down). Drill the comma rhythm with sample sentences from formal prose.

Drills — type along, do not skip

Drill 1 — Digit row

Find each digit without looking. Drill until 30 seconds without errors.

1234567890 1234567890 1234567890 1234567890

Net WPM 0 Accuracy 100% Errors 0

Drill 2 — Numbers in sentences

Numbers embedded in formal prose. Watch the period-comma rhythm.

The scheme was launched in 2014. It now covers 50 crore people. Over 25 lakh accounts opened in 2023.

Net WPM 0 Accuracy 100% Errors 0

Drill 3 — Comma + semicolon

Drill comma and semicolon. Comma uses K-position, semicolon uses L-position-shift.

India, the largest democracy, has 28 states; each state has its own administrative structure.

Net WPM 0 Accuracy 100% Errors 0

Drill 4 — Apostrophe and parens

Apostrophe (semicolon-shift) and parentheses (Shift-9 and Shift-0). Less frequent but important.

The country's progress (2014-2024) has been steady, although some sectors lag.

Net WPM 0 Accuracy 100% Errors 0

Why this lesson matters

Numbers are where slow typists give up the most WPM. They hesitate at every digit, glance at the keyboard, recompose. Lesson 6 fixes this with 4 days of focused practice.

Most online tutorials skip the comma drill because it feels minor. It is not. The comma is the most-used punctuation mark. A typist who is slow on the comma loses 2-3 WPM per minute on any commas-heavy passage. SSC formal prose has 4-6 commas per sentence.