RRB ALP 2026 · Syllabus & exam pattern
RRB ALP Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern: Subject-wise Topics
Subjects, number of questions, marks, duration and negative marking for every stage, as printed in the official notice.
RRB ALP exam pattern 2026
Stages of selection
- 1CBT-1: screening test (marks not counted in the final panel)
- 2CBT-2: Part-A (counted for merit) and Part-B trade test (qualifying); 15 times RRB-wise vacancies shortlisted from CBT-1
- 3CBAT: computer-based aptitude test; 8 times community-wise vacancies shortlisted from CBT-2 Part-A
- 4Document verification and medical examination (A-1 standard)
CBT-1 (screening)
60 minutes
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics, Mental Ability, General Science (10th standard) | 75 | 75 |
Negative marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer. Minimum qualifying: UR/EWS 40%, OBC-NCL 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%. No subject-wise split is printed in the notice.
CBT-2
2 hours 30 minutes (Part-A 90 minutes, Part-B 60 minutes)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part-A: Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering | 100 | See notice |
| Part-B: Trade test from DGT trade syllabi | 75 | Qualifying (35%) |
Negative marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer. Part-A qualifying: same community-wise minimum as CBT-1. Part-B: 35% for all candidates; only Part-A marks count for shortlisting.
CBAT (aptitude test)
See notice
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Test batteries (English and Hindi only) | See notice | Minimum T-score 42 in each battery |
No negative marking. Final merit: CBT-2 Part-A marks and CBAT score weighted 50:50 (para 12.4(a)).
Source: CEN No. 01/2026 – Recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) (published 21 March 2026 (indicative notice in Employment News)). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
CBT-1 and CBT-2: pattern, negative marking and qualifying marks
CBT-1 is a screening test of 75 questions in 60 minutes, one mark each, on Mathematics, Mental Ability and General Science (Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences of 10th standard). Its marks are not counted in the final panel. Where the test runs in several shifts, marks are normalised.
From CBT-1 merit, candidates equal to 15 times each RRB's notified vacancies are shortlisted for CBT-2, from among those who chose that RRB.
CBT-2 has 175 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes. Part-A (100 questions, 90 minutes) covers Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and Basic Science and Engineering. Part-B (75 questions, 60 minutes) is a qualifying trade test from the Directorate General of Training (DGT) trade syllabi. ITI and apprentice candidates answer from their own trade; diploma and degree holders choose one trade linked to their engineering branch.
Both CBTs deduct 1/3 mark for each wrong answer. The minimum qualifying marks in CBT-1 and CBT-2 Part-A are 40% for UR and EWS, 30% for OBC-NCL and SC, and 25% for ST; Ex-Servicemen follow their community. Part-B needs 35% for every candidate regardless of community, and only Part-A marks are used for shortlisting.
CBT-1 and CBT-2 are offered in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages; questions appear in your chosen language and in English.
Computer-based aptitude test (CBAT) and final merit
From CBT-2 Part-A marks, candidates equal to 8 times the ALP vacancies of each community or category (UR, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, including ExSM) are called for the CBAT, provided they have qualified in Part-B.
On the CBAT day you must bring the signed Self Screening Medical Declaration Report (Annexures VIII-A and VIII-B) in original; without it you will not be allowed to take the test.
The CBAT is held only in English and Hindi and has no negative marking. You must score a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery separately, irrespective of community. RRB directs candidates to the RDSO website for information on the CBAT.
The RRB-wise merit list is drawn only from candidates who qualify in the CBAT, giving CBT-2 Part-A marks and the CBAT score a 50:50 weightage. Candidates equal to the number of vacancies are then called for document verification and the medical examination, based on merit and zone preferences. Ties are broken by age (older first) and then alphabetically by first name.
RRB ALP syllabus, topic by topic
The Mathematics and reasoning topics are the same in CBT-1 and CBT-2 Part-A. The notice does not print a section-wise question split for either test.
Topics listed in the notice
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Mathematics (CBT-1 and CBT-2 Part-A) | 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 and clock, pipes and cistern |
| Mental Ability / 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 |
| General Science (CBT-1) | Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences of 10th standard level |
| Basic Science and Engineering (CBT-2 Part-A) | 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 |
| Trade test (CBT-2 Part-B) | Questions from the trade syllabi prescribed by the Directorate General of Training (DGT); diploma and degree holders pick one trade linked to their branch |
Frequently asked questions
What is the RRB ALP exam pattern?
CBT-1 (screening): Mathematics, Mental Ability, General Science (10th standard) (60 minutes). Negative marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer. Minimum qualifying: UR/EWS 40%, OBC-NCL 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%. No subject-wise split is printed in the notice. CBT-2: Part-A: Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering, Part-B: Trade test from DGT trade syllabi (2 hours 30 minutes (Part-A 90 minutes, Part-B 60 minutes)). Negative marking: 1/3 mark per wrong answer. Part-A qualifying: same community-wise minimum as CBT-1. Part-B: 35% for all candidates; only Part-A marks count for shortlisting. CBAT (aptitude test): Test batteries (English and Hindi only) (See notice). No negative marking. Final merit: CBT-2 Part-A marks and CBAT score weighted 50:50 (para 12.4(a)).
What is the RRB ALP exam pattern?
CBT-1: 75 questions in 60 minutes. CBT-2: Part-A with 100 questions in 90 minutes and Part-B trade test with 75 questions in 60 minutes. Then the CBAT. Both CBTs deduct 1/3 mark per wrong answer.
What are the RRB ALP qualifying marks?
In CBT-1 and CBT-2 Part-A: 40% for UR and EWS, 30% for OBC-NCL and SC, 25% for ST. CBT-2 Part-B needs 35% for all. The CBAT needs a T-score of at least 42 in each test battery.
Is there negative marking in the RRB ALP CBAT?
No. The CBAT has no negative marking and is held only in English and Hindi.