RRB ALP — Syllabus & Exam Pattern

Free preparation for RRB ALP — the official exam pattern and topic-wise syllabus are below. Start preparing from home.

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Exam Pattern

Selection stages (all free to prepare for): (1) First Stage CBT (CBT-1) → (2) Second Stage CBT (CBT-2, with Part A + Part B) → (3) Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) → (4) Document Verification → (5) Medical Examination.

CBT-1 (First Stage — SCREENING only, marks NOT counted in final panel):

75 objective MCQs, 75 marks (1 mark per question), 60 minutes.
Negative marking: 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer.
Four subjects: Mathematics; Mental Ability (General Intelligence & Reasoning); General Science; General Awareness. (No fixed per-subject question split is published in the CEN.)
Minimum qualifying %: UR & EWS 40%, OBC-NCL 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%. Normalisation applied across shifts. Shortlisting for CBT-2 at 15x vacancies, RRB-wise.

CBT-2 (Second Stage) — total 175 questions, total duration 2 hours 30 minutes:

Part A: 100 questions, 90 minutes. Subjects: Mathematics; General Intelligence & Reasoning; Basic Science & Engineering. Negative marking 1/3. Minimum qualifying %: UR & EWS 40%, OBC-NCL 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%. ONLY Part-A marks count for merit.
Part B: 75 questions, 60 minutes. Trade/discipline-based, QUALIFYING ONLY. Negative marking 1/3. Qualifying mark is 35% for ALL candidates irrespective of category/community (NO relaxation). Part-A marks are counted only if the candidate also secures 35% in Part-B.

CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test — ALP-specific psycho-aptitude test, multiple test batteries):

No negative marking. Conducted only in English and Hindi.
Must secure a minimum T-score of 42 in EACH test battery separately to qualify (no relaxation for any category). Shortlisting for CBAT at 8x vacancies from Part-A merit.

FINAL MERIT: prepared only from candidates who qualify CBAT — 70% weightage to CBT-2 Part-A marks + 30% weightage to CBAT score, followed by Document Verification and Medical Examination. (Note: several 2025/2026 coaching websites incorrectly state a 50:50 weightage; the official CEN 01/2025 specifies 70:30.)

Syllabus (topic-wise)

CBT-1 Mathematics: Number system, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, Square Root, Age Calculations, Calendar & Clock, Pipes & Cistern.
CBT-1 Mental Ability (General Intelligence & Reasoning): Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision Making, Similarities and Differences, Analytical Reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement–Arguments and Assumptions.
CBT-1 General Science: Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences of 10th standard (matriculation) level.
CBT-1 General Awareness: Current affairs, science & technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics, politics and other subjects of importance.
CBT-2 Part-A Mathematics: same topics as CBT-1 Mathematics (Number system, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio & Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Algebra, Geometry & Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, Square Root, Age Calculations, Calendar & Clock, Pipes & Cistern).
CBT-2 Part-A General Intelligence and Reasoning: Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision Making, Similarities and Differences, Analytical Reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement–Arguments and Assumptions.
CBT-2 Part-A Basic Science and Engineering: Engineering Drawing (Projections, Views, Drawing Instruments, Lines, Geometric figures, Symbolic Representation), Units, Measurements, Mass Weight and Density, Work Power and Energy, Speed and Velocity, Heat and Temperature, Basic Electricity, Levers and Simple Machines, Occupational Safety and Health, Environment Education, IT Literacy. (NOTE: CBT-2 Part-A has ONLY these three subjects — Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, Basic Science & Engineering. There is NO General Awareness/Current Affairs section in CBT-2 Part-A.)
CBT-2 Part-B (qualifying only, 35% for all): Questions from the relevant trade syllabus as prescribed by the Directorate General of Training (DGT, dgt.gov.in). ITI/Trade-Apprenticeship candidates answer their own trade; Degree/Diploma engineering candidates pick one trade matching their discipline — e.g. Electrical → Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Wireman, Armature & Coil Winder, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic; Electronics → Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio & TV); Mechanical → Fitter, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Turner, Machinist, Heat Engine, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic; Automobile → Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic.
CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test): Psycho-aptitude test batteries administered as per RDSO. No fixed academic syllabus; free sample/practice material is published in the public domain by RDSO/Indian Railways (rdso.indianrailways.gov.in → Traffic and Psychology → Psychology–Candidate's Corner). Must score T-score of 42 in each battery.

Official source: https://rrbsecunderabad.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Final_CEN_01-2025_ALP_English.pdf

⚠️ Always confirm against that year's official notification — the exam pattern and syllabus can change. This page is free guidance only.