The Railway Recruitment Boards conduct examinations for a wide spread of posts, from Station Master and Goods Guard under NTPC to Level 1 posts under Group D. Recruitment runs in large cycles with lakhs of applicants.
Papers are objective, computer based and held across many shifts, with scores normalised. General awareness carries the largest weight in NTPC, which rewards steady current-affairs reading alongside maths and reasoning practice.
How it works
Stages
- 1
First-stage CBT
A common screening paper for all NTPC posts covering general awareness, mathematics and general intelligence and reasoning.
- 2
Second-stage CBT
Post-specific paper with the same subjects at a higher level; shortlisting is roughly fifteen times the vacancies.
- 3
Skill or aptitude test and verification
Typing test or computer-based aptitude test depending on the post, followed by document and medical verification.
At a glance
Paper pattern
| Stage / paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTPC · CBT 1 | GA 40 · Maths 30 · Reasoning 30 | 100 | 90 minutes | One-third of the marks per wrong answer |
| NTPC · CBT 2 | GA 50 · Maths 35 · Reasoning 35 | 120 | 90 minutes | One-third of the marks per wrong answer |
| Group D · CBT | Science 25 · Maths 25 · Reasoning 30 · GA 20 | 100 | 90 minutes | One-third of the marks per wrong answer |
Each RRB notification (CEN) specifies its own structure. Confirm against the notification for the cycle you are applying to.
What is tested
Subjects
- General awareness and current affairs
- Mathematics
- General intelligence and reasoning
- General science (Group D)
- Typing or computer aptitude (post specific)
Strategy
How to prepare with mock tests
- General awareness carries the most marks in NTPC; schedule it like a subject, not an afterthought.
- Ninety minutes for 100 questions is generous on paper but shifts are long; practise full mocks to build concentration.
- Learn the normalisation logic so you are not discouraged by a tough shift.
- Keep attempt rate steady: one-third negative marking punishes random guessing.
Questions