RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2021: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is conducting the RRB NTPC Recruitment process every year for various posts. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the exams of previous years are still in process and candidates who are yet to attend RRB NTPC Phase 1/ CBT 1 must know the exam pattern of the RRB NTPC exam. We have provided all the details regarding the RRB NTPC Exam pattern for different phases so that candidates can be aware of the type of questions, number of questions and marking scheme of the paper.
The candidates who are appearing for the RRB NTPC exam must give ample amount of time and prepare for RRB NTPC exam. Candidates can prepare a detailed study plan with the help of the RRB NTPC Exam Pattern and Syllabus. With this information, candidates will also be aware of the number of questions being asked, time duration, total marks allotted for the paper, negative marking, question paper pattern, etc. We have provided you with detailed information on RRB NTPC 2021 exam pattern and its marking scheme in this article. Read on to find out.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2021: Selection Process
Before getting into the details on the Railway NTPC Exam Pattern 2021, let’s understand the selection process. RRB NTPC 2021 selection process involves the following stages:
- 1st Stage: RRB NTPC Preliminary Exam (1st Stage CBT)
- 2nd Stage: RRB NTPC Main Exam (2nd Stage CBT)
- 3rd Stage: Skill Test
- a. Computer-Based Aptitude Test for Station Master and Traffic Assistant;
- b. Typing Skill Test for Junior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, and Senior Time Keeper
- 4th Stage: Document Verification
- 5th Stage: Medical Examination
Candidates who applied for Trains Clerk, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, and Commercial Apprentice will directly go for Document Verification and Medical Examination after the 2nd Stage CBT. Candidates will have to clear each stage of the exam in order to appear for the next step.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2021: CBT 1
RRB NTPC 2021 Exam Pattern and Syllabus for CBT I is common for all the posts. The NTPC Pre Exam Pattern 2021 is tabulated below:
RRB NTPC Paper Pattern 2021: Section-wise Details
| Sections | Total Questions | Total Marks |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
- RRB NTPC Exam Timings: The time duration for the exam is 90 minutes in total.
- RRB NTPC Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
The exam will be conducted across multiple sessions. So, the raw scores of the candidates will be normalized so as to overcome the problem caused by the variation of difficulty levels across papers. Based on the normalized scores, candidates will be shortlisted for 2nd Stage CBT.
Note that the First Stage CBT is common for all posts.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2021: CBT 2
Here is the summary of various stages of the RRB NTPC recruitment process with respect to various posts. The Railway NTPC 2021 Exam Pattern differs from one post to another from CBT 2.
| Post | Level in 7th CPC | Selection Stages |
| Junior Clerk cum Typist | 2 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 2 posts Skill Test Requirement- Typing Skill Test |
| Accounts Clerk cum Typist | 2 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 2 posts Skill Test- Typing Skill Test |
| Junior Time Keeper | 2 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 2 posts Skill Test- Typing Skill Test |
| Trains Clerk | 2 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 2 posts |
| Commercial cum Ticket Clerk | 3 | 2nd Stage CBT- Separate for level 3 post |
| Traffic Assistant | 4 | 2nd Stage CBT- Separate for level 4 post Skill Test- Computer Based Aptitude Test |
| Goods Guard | 5 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 5 posts |
| Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk | 5 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 5 posts |
| Senior Clerk cum Typist | 5 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 5 posts Skill Test- Typing Skill Test |
| Junior Account Assistant cum Typist | 5 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 5 posts Skill Test- Typing Skill Test |
| Senior Time Keeper | 5 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 5 posts Skill Test- Typing Skill Test |
| Commercial Apprentice | 6 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 6 posts |
| Station Master | 6 | 2nd Stage CBT- Common for all level 6 posts Skill Test- Computer Based Aptitude Test |
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2021: 2nd Stage CBT (Mains)
The RRB NTPC Mains exam pattern 2021 is tabulated below:
RRB NTPC Paper Pattern 2021: CBT 2
| Sections | Total Number Of Questions |
| General Awareness | 50 |
| Mathematics | 35 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 35 |
| Total | 120 |
The time duration for this stage is also 90 minutes and there is a negative marking of 1/3rd marks for every wrong answer.
The Second Stage CBT will be different for different posts. All posts that come under a particular 7th CPC Level (Level 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6) will have a common 2nd Stage CBT. Also, the difficulty level of the paper will depend upon the level.
Also Check,
| RRB NTPC Recruitment | RRB NTPC Exam Dates |
| RRB NTPC Books | RRB NTPC Preparation |
| RRB NTPC Result | RRB NTPC Answer Key |
| RRB NTPC Salary | RRB NTPC Status |
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2021: Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
Candidates who qualify in the 2nd Stage CBT and who have applied for the post of Station Master (SM) and Traffic Assistant (TA) will have to appear for this test. They should secure a minimum T-Score of 42 marks in each of the test batteries to qualify.
There is no negative marking in this stage.
Note that the selection of Station Master’s and Traffic Assistant’s document verification will be based on the marks secured by the candidates in 2nd Stage CBT and CBAT, with 70% weightage given to 2nd Stage CBT and 30% to CBAT.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2021: Typing Skill Test (TST)
This is the third stage of the selection process for candidates who applied for the posts of Junior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, and Senior Time Keeper. Only candidates who qualify in the 2nd Stage CBT will be called for this stage. However, this stage is just qualifying in nature.
| Medium of Language | Typing Speed |
| English | 30 words per minute (w.p.m.) |
| Hindi | 25 words per minute (w.p.m.) |
Candidates with not less than 40% permanent disability due to Blindness/Low Vision, Cerebral Palsy, and Loco Motor Disability will be exempted from this stage. But they have to provide a Typing Skill Test Exemption Certificate issued by a Competent Medical Board.
Selection of candidates for Document Verification will be based on the marks secured by the candidates in 2nd Stage CBT provided they clear the TST or are exempted from it.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2021: Document Verification
Candidates will be called for this stage based on merit, that is, based on the:
- Marks secured by the candidates in 2nd Stage CBT for Trains Clerk, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, and Commercial Apprentice,
- Scores of the candidates in 2nd Stage CBT and Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for the posts of Station Master (SM) and Traffic Assistant (TA),
- Marks secured by the candidates in 2nd Stage CBT provided they clear the Typing Skill Test (TST) or are exempted from it, for the posts of Junior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, and Senior Time Keeper.
Candidates whose documents are found in order will have to appear for Medical Fitness Test. If found fit, they will be recruited. Note that in case two or more persons secure the same score, preference will be given to the one older in age.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2021: Frequently Asked Questions
The frequently asked questions on RRB NTPC Exam Pattern are given below:
| Q. What is the full form of RRB NTPC? A. The full form of RRB NTPC is Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular categories. |
| Q. What is the cut off-for the RRB NTPC prelims? A. The cut-off for the exam varies from one category to another. It is also different for different posts. |
| Q. What is the age relaxation for OBC and SC/ ST category candidates in the RRB NTPC exam? A. There is an age relaxation of 3 years and 5 years for candidates belonging to the OBC and SC/ ST categories respectively. |
| Q. What is the mode RRB NTPC exam? A. RRB NTPC is a computer-based online exam. |
| Q. Is there any negative marking in the RRB NTPC exam? A. There will be 1/3rd negative marking for each wrong answer for the RRB NTPC exam. |
| Q. Is normalization some sort of grace marks? A. No. Normalization process followed by RRBs is a scientific and statistical process. It is not a process of awarding grace marks. |
Now you have a clear knowledge of the RRB NTPC exam pattern. We hope you make a great preparation and score well in the upcoming exam. Take the RRB NTPC mock tests of Embibe once you have finished the entire RRB NTPC syllabus. These tests are available for free. Make the best use of these mock tests and ace the exam.
Check Out Detailed RRB NTPC Syllabus Here
We hope this detailed article on RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2021 helps you in your preparation. If you have any queries regarding RRB NTPC Exam Pattern or the exam in general, drop a comment below and we will get back to you.
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