Hello friends, welcome once again to RRB NTPC 2026 What should be your strategy for this? One thing is certain: while the exam pattern may vary for all exams, the subjects covered are the same. Mathematics, Reasoning, and GK (GS) are the same subjects for RPF SI Constable, RRB, NTPC, and Group D, and for RRB and NTPC, not only at the graduate level but also at the undergraduate level. Yes, it’s a little different for technicians because their work later becomes more technical, so some other subjects are asked. But these subjects are also there. And then, when I talk to you about ALP, ALP also has the same subjects. So, I simply want to say that if you’re preparing for the RRB NTPC 2026, listen carefully.
This will enhance your preparation and put you on the path to clearing your exam with flying colours. So, let’s start with an understanding. Understanding dictates that whenever you set out to clear the exam, you must have a clear roadmap. What is that? You should know the exam pattern and the syllabus that will be covered. Speaking of the exam pattern, the RRB NTPC exam pattern for graduates and undergraduates, i.e., the 12th-grade level, is the same. So, there’s the same exam pattern and the same syllabus. This means you don’t need to worry about the syllabus and exam pattern for graduates and undergraduates studying for the NTPC exam.
There’s one more thing you need to understand carefully. To crack the NTPC, you’ll first need to take Computer Based Test One. After that, you’ll need to take Computer Based Test Two. Yes, some positions require a psychometric test, and some require a typing skill test. So, a typing skill test and a psychometric test. The psychometric test is called CBT. Leaving these aside, CBT One and CBT Two are the only things that will secure your selection. That is, some positions, like station masters, require a psychometric test, and clerk positions require a typing skill test. Leaving these aside, CBT One and CBT Two are extremely important for you, and you need to carefully understand two things. The CBT One examination pattern will ask you to attempt 100 questions in 90 minutes.
These will include 30 from Math, 30 from Reasoning, and 40 from GK/GS. Correct answers will earn you one mark. Mistakes will result in a deduction of 1/3. Similarly, when you reach CBT 2, you will have to answer 120 questions, including math, reasoning, GK, and GS. You will have the same 90 minutes for these 120 questions as you did in CBT 1. For each question, you will receive a mark, or a mark for each question answered incorrectly, resulting in a deduction of 1/3 of your marks. Ultimately, one thing is clear: you have three subjects. These three subjects, and you will be asked questions from these three subjects, whether you take a graduate-level exam or an undergraduate-level exam. Please understand one more thing carefully.
Friends, if you are talking about aptitude here, you will also be asked questions from advanced mathematics. You will also be asked questions from arithmetic. Arithmetic is the calculation section. For example, area and volume, SI/C, speed times distance, time and work, ratio and proportion, profit and loss, percentage, average, numbers, HCF, LCM, simplification, and mixture alligation are all topics in arithmetic. These are calculation topics, friends. But on the other hand, we also have other topics, which we call advanced topics. Like mensuration, trigonometry, algebra, and geometry.
All of these topics are advanced topics. And these advanced topics will be very important and crucial for you to attempt. So, if you attempt them, you will be easily able to manage all your aptitude. This will help you manage your mathematics very well. On the other hand, let’s talk about reasoning. You are also asked about verbal reasoning topics. Nonverbal reasoning topics are also asked. For example, when it comes to nonverbal reasoning, there are diagrams.
There’s a clock, a calendar, a figure diagram, a Venn diagram, a paper mirror or water image, and odd one out. These are all topics of nonverbal reasoning. Similarly, order ranking, alphanumeric series, direction, coding, decoding, data sufficiency, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, string arrangements or mathematical operations, and argument assumption. All of these topics are topics of verbal reasoning. So, you’ll be asked these different topics for both verbal reasoning and nonverbal reasoning. 30 and 35 questions in CBT 1 and CBT 2, respectively. Now, you should focus on this topic completely while studying.
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1️⃣ Understand the Exam First
- Before preparation, know the exam pattern and syllabus.
- Subjects are the same for many railway exams like RPF, NTPC, Group D, ALP.
- Main subjects:
- Mathematics
- Reasoning
- General Knowledge / General Science (GK/GS)
2️⃣ Graduate & Undergraduate Level
- RRB NTPC Graduate and 12th level exams have:
- Same exam pattern
- Same syllabus
- So preparation strategy remains almost the same.
3️⃣ Selection Process
To clear NTPC, you must pass:
- CBT-1 (Computer Based Test 1)
- CBT-2 (Computer Based Test 2)
Some posts also require:
- Typing Skill Test → Clerk posts
- Psychometric Test → Station Master
But CBT-1 and CBT-2 are the most important stages.
📊 CBT-1 Exam Pattern
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Time: 90 minutes
Subject distribution:
- Math: 30 questions
- Reasoning: 30 questions
- GK/GS: 40 questions
Marking:
- +1 mark for correct answer
- −1/3 negative marking for wrong answer
📊 CBT-2 Exam Pattern
- Total Questions: 120
- Total Time: 90 minutes
Subjects:
- Mathematics
- Reasoning
- GK / GS
Marking:
- +1 mark correct
- −1/3 negative marking
🧮 Mathematics Topics
Arithmetic (Calculation Based)
- Percentage
- Profit & Loss
- Ratio & Proportion
- Average
- Time & Work
- Time, Speed & Distance
- SI & CI
- Numbers
- HCF & LCM
- Simplification
- Mixture & Alligation
- Area & Volume
Advanced Mathematics
- Mensuration
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
These topics are very important for scoring well in aptitude.
🧠 Reasoning Topics
Verbal Reasoning
- Coding–Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Direction Test
- Order & Ranking
- Alphanumeric Series
- Data Sufficiency
- Puzzles
- Syllogism
- Mathematical Operations
- Argument & Assumption
- Arrangement Problems
Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Venn Diagram
- Clock
- Calendar
- Paper Folding
- Mirror & Water Image
- Figure Series
- Odd One Out
🎯 Final Strategy
- First understand exam pattern.
- Focus on three subjects:
- Math
- Reasoning
- GK/GS
- Prepare Arithmetic + Advanced Math.
- Practice Verbal and Non-verbal reasoning.
- Focus mainly on CBT-1 and CBT-2.
- Practice mock tests regularly.
✅ Goal: Strong preparation in these topics will help you clear RRB NTPC 2026 easily.