RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026: Complete Guide to CBT 1, CBT 2, CBAT & Typing Test
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026, covering all stages including CBT 1, CBT 2, and the CBAT. Gain clarity on the selection process to streamline your exam preparation.
RRB NTPC Exam Pattern 2026
The Railway NTPC selection process is structured into four distinct stages designed to evaluate candidate proficiency across key subjects. The stages are:
- Computer-Based Test 1 (CBT 1)
- Computer-Based Test 2 (CBT 2)
- Typing Skill Test (TST) or Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
- Document Verification
CBT 1 Exam Pattern
Candidates earn marks for correct responses, while a negative marking scheme applies to incorrect answers. Review the CBT 1 Exam Pattern outlined in the table below:
| Sl No. | Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 90 minutes |
| 2. | Mathematics | 30 | 30 | |
| 3. | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | ||
EXAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- CBT 1 is just qualifying in nature.
- The normalised score of CBT 1 shall be used for shortlisting of candidates for CBT 2, which will be around 20 times the vacancies.
- Questions will be objective, i.e. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
- There will be a negative marking of 1/3 Marks for every question wrongly attempted.
- No marks will be deducted for a question left unanswered.
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RRB NTPC CBT 2 Exam Pattern 2026
Below is the official CBT 2 Exam Pattern detailing the subject-wise distribution and marks allocation.
| Sr. No. | Sections | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 90 minutes |
| 2. | Mathematics | 35 | 35 | |
| 3. | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 | |
| Total | 120 | 120 | ||
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- This is both a screening and scoring round, i.e. the marks of CBT 2 will be included in the final merit list.
- It is the merit-deciding round.
- Candidates must secure more marks to meet the required RRB NTPC Cut-Off.
- The normalised Marks of CBT 2 will be considered for shortlisting candidates for the Skill Test/ Aptitude Test.
- RRB NTPC Phase-II will also have MCQs.
- Negative marking of 1/3 Marks for every question attempted incorrectly.
- No marks will be deducted for a question left unanswered.
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RRB NTPC Marking Scheme
- Candidates receive 1 mark for every correct answer.
- One-third of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- RRB NTPC CBT 1 and CBT 2 are conducted in multiple shifts.
- Scores are normalised to account for variations in difficulty levels across different shifts.
- The normalisation process ensures a fair evaluation for all candidates
RRB NTPC Computer Aptitude Test (CBAT)
Candidates applying for the Station Master position are mandatorily required to appear for the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board.
To qualify for the Station Master post, candidates must achieve a minimum T-score of 42 in every test battery. This qualifying standard remains consistent across all categories, with no relaxations granted to SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwBD, or Ex-Servicemen candidates.
| RRB NTPC Exam Stages 2026 (Graduate Level) | |||||
| Sr. No. | Name of the post | Level in 7th CPC |
1st stage CBT |
2nd stage CBT |
Skill Test Requirement |
| 1 | Goods Train Manager | 5 | Common for all posts |
Common For all posts |
– |
| 2 | Senior Clerk cum Typist | 5 | Typing Skill Test | ||
| 3 | Junior Account Assistant cum Typist | 5 | Typing Skill Test | ||
| 4 | Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor | 6 | – | ||
| 5 | Station Master | 6 | Computer-Based Aptitude Test | ||
| RRB NTPC Exam Stages 2026 (Undergraduate Level) | |||||
| Sr. No. | Name of the post | Level in 7th CPC |
1st stage CBT |
2nd stage CBT |
Skill Test Requirement |
| 1 | Junior Clerk cum Typist | 2 | Common for all posts |
Common For all posts |
Typing Skill Test |
| 2 | Accounts Clerk cum Typist | 2 | Typing Skill Test | ||
| 3 | Trains Clerk | 2 | Typing Skill Test | ||
| 4 | Commercial cum Ticket Clerk | 3 | Separate for the Level 3 post | – | |
RRB NTPC Typing Skill Test (TST)
For the Typing Skill Test, candidates must maintain a minimum speed of 30 WPM in English or 25 WPM in Hindi. The use of editing tools, spell-checkers, or assistive software is strictly prohibited. Accuracy and speed are the primary metrics for evaluating the RRB NTPC Typing Skill Test.
| RRB NTPC 2026 Typing Skill Test (TST) | |
|---|---|
| Medium of Language | Typing Speed |
| English | 30 words per minute (w.p.m.) |
| Hindi | 25 words per minute (w.p.m.) |
Selection Process Overview:
- Candidates must type on a personal computer without editing tools or spell-checking.
- For Hindi typing, Kruti Dev and Mangal fonts are provided.
- PwBD candidates with at least 40% disability due to blindness/low vision, cerebral palsy, or locomotor disability may be exempt from the typing test.
- They must upload the Typing Skill Test Exemption Certificate from the Competent Medical Board on the RRBs’ website before the test.
- Only those who pass the typing test or are exempted will be considered for merit, based on their 2nd Stage CBT performance.
FAQs
The comprehensive RRB NTPC recruitment journey includes CBT 1, CBT 2, CBAT/CBTST, document verification, and a medical fitness examination.
RRB NTPC enforces minimum qualifying marks: 40% (General/EWS), 30% (OBC/SC), and 25% (ST) for both CBT 1 and CBT 2. For the CBAT stage, a minimum T-score of 42 is strictly required.
The age eligibility for undergraduate posts ranges from 18 to 33 years, while for graduate-level roles, it is 18 to 36 years. The minimum age for entry is 18 years across all categories.
The Level 6 pay scale under the RRB NTPC recruitment is applicable to the Station Master and Chief Commercial-cum-Ticket Supervisor posts.