RRB NTPC - Pattern, Syllabus & Free Mock Tests
RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories) recruits for graduate-level posts (Station Master, Goods Guard, Clerk) and undergraduate posts (Junior Clerk, Trains Clerk) in Indian Railways. CBT-1 is 100 questions in 90 minutes with −1/3 mark per wrong answer, and unlike SSC exams, General Awareness alone carries 40 of the 100 marks - making it the single most decisive section on the paper.
What is the RRB NTPC exam pattern?
CBT-1 is common to both graduate and undergraduate NTPC posts: 100 questions in 90 minutes, with General Awareness (40 questions), Mathematics (30 questions) and General Intelligence & Reasoning (30 questions). A wrong answer costs one-third of a mark. Clear candidates proceed to CBT-2, a 120-question paper.
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | 40 |
| Mathematics | 30 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 |
What is the RRB NTPC syllabus?
Mathematics covers number systems, decimals, fractions, LCM/HCF, ratio & proportion, percentage, mensuration, time & work, time & distance, simple and compound interest, profit & loss, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and elementary statistics. Reasoning covers analogies, series, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, blood relations, syllogisms, puzzles, venn diagrams, and data interpretation. General Awareness covers current events, games & sports, art & culture of India, Indian literature, monuments, general science, history, geography, and polity.
What is a good RRB NTPC cut-off?
NTPC cut-offs vary widely by RRB Zone and post level. Zones like Allahabad, Chandigarh, and Kolkata generally show higher cut-offs than Western or Southern zones. Normalized scores are used due to multi-session papers, so consistency and accuracy are critical to boost your final normalization multiplier.
How should I prepare for RRB NTPC?
Since General Awareness represents 40% of the marks, allocate ample time to Science and Current Affairs. Train on arithmetic topics for Math and puzzle-type seating arrangements for Reasoning. Solve sectional mocks to master the 90-minute limit.
⌨️Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between graduate and undergraduate posts?
Both write the same CBT-1. Graduate posts require a degree, undergraduate posts require 12th pass. Pay scales and later stages differ.
How much is deducted for a wrong answer in RRB NTPC?
One-third (1/3) of the marks allocated for a question is deducted per wrong answer.
Is RRB NTPC available in Hindi?
Yes - all RRB tests on Pareeksha are fully bilingual (English and Hindi).