How to Prepare for RRB NTPC Exam? A Comprehensive Guide

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) exam to recruit candidates for various posts such as Station Master, Goods Guard, Clerk, Typist, etc. The RRB NTPC exam is one of the most competitive exams in the country, with millions of aspirants applying every year. Therefore, it is essential to have a proper preparation strategy to crack the exam and secure a job in the Indian Railways.

The RRB NTPC exam consists of three stages: Computer Based Test 1 (CBT 1), Computer Based Test 2 (CBT 2), and Skill/ Aptitude Test. The CBT 1 is a screening test that filters out candidates for the next stage. The CBT 2 is the main exam that tests the candidates’ knowledge and skills in General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning. The Skill/ Aptitude Test is a qualifying test that assesses the candidates’ proficiency in typing, computer operation, etc.

In this article, we will provide you with some tips and tricks to prepare for the RRB NTPC exam and ace it with flying colors. We will also cover all the important topics and aspects that you need to know to score well in the exam.

Know the Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The first step in your preparation is to know the syllabus and exam pattern of the RRB NTPC exam. This will help you understand what topics are covered in each section, how many questions are asked, how much time is allotted, and how much marks are awarded or deducted for each question. You can refer to the official notification or website of RRB for the latest syllabus and exam pattern.

The following table gives a brief overview of the RRB NTPC CBT 1 exam pattern:

• No of Questions – 100
• Time – 90 Minutes
• Negative Marking – 1/3rd of the marks
   

The following table gives a brief overview of the RRB NTPC CBT 2 exam pattern:

• No of Questions – 120
• Time – 90 Minutes
• Negative Marking – 1/3rd of the marks
   

The Skill/ Aptitude Test varies according to the post applied for. For example, candidates applying for Junior Clerk cum Typist, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, etc. have to appear for a typing test. Candidates applying for Traffic Assistant and Station Master have to appear for a computer-based aptitude test.

Study the Topics as per the Syllabus

Once you are familiar with the syllabus and exam pattern, you need to study the topics as per the syllabus. You should not skip any topic or leave anything for later. You should cover all the topics in a systematic manner and revise them regularly. You should also focus on your weak areas and improve them by practicing more questions.

Some of the important topics for each section are as follows:

General Awareness

This section tests your knowledge of current affairs, general science, history, geography, polity, economy, sports, awards, books, etc. You should read newspapers, magazines, yearbooks, etc. to keep yourself updated with the latest happenings in India and around the world. You should also revise the basic concepts of science and social studies from NCERT books or other reliable sources.

Some of the important topics for General Awareness are:

• Indian History
• Indian Geography
• Indian Polity
• Indian Economy
• Indian Railways
• Current Affairs
• General Science
• Static GK
   

Mathematics

This section tests your numerical ability and problem-solving skills. You should learn and memorize all the formulas, shortcuts, tricks, etc. to solve questions quickly and accurately. You should also practice enough number of questions from each topic to gain confidence and speed.

Some of the important topics for Mathematics are:

• Number System
• Simplification
• Ratio and Proportion
• Percentage
• Average
• Profit and Loss
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Time and Work
• Time and Distance
• Mensuration
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Data Interpretation
• Statistics
   

General Intelligence and Reasoning

This section tests your logical and analytical thinking, decision making, and problem-solving skills. You should practice various types of questions from this section to improve your accuracy and speed. You should also avoid making assumptions or guesses and follow the given information and rules.

Some of the important topics for General Intelligence and Reasoning are:

• Analogies
• Classification
• Coding and Decoding
• Series
• Blood Relations
• Direction and Distance
• Ranking and Order
• Seating Arrangement
• Puzzles
• Syllogism
• Statement and Conclusion
• Statement and Assumption
• Statement and Course of Action
• Venn Diagrams
• Clocks and Calendars
• Non-verbal Reasoning
   

Practice Previous Year Papers and Mock Tests

One of the best ways to prepare for the RRB NTPC exam is to practice previous year papers and mock tests. This will help you get familiar with the difficulty level, question pattern, and exam environment of the actual exam. You will also be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses, improve your time management, and enhance your accuracy and confidence.

You can download the previous year papers from the official website of RRB or other online sources. You can also take online mock tests from various platforms that provide quality tests based on the latest syllabus and exam pattern. You should analyze your performance after each test and work on your mistakes.

Revise Regularly

Revision is an important part of your preparation as it helps you retain the information and concepts that you have learned. You should revise all the topics at least once a week and more frequently as the exam date approaches. You should also make short notes, flashcards, mnemonics, etc. to help you revise quickly and effectively.

You should also revise the current affairs, general science, formulas, shortcuts, etc. on a daily basis. You can use online apps, quizzes, videos, etc. to revise in a fun and interactive way.

Follow a Proper Study Plan

A proper study plan is essential to prepare for the RRB NTPC exam in a systematic and efficient manner. You should make a realistic and flexible study plan that suits your learning style, availability, and goals. You should allocate sufficient time for each topic, practice, revision, mock tests, etc. You should also follow a healthy routine, take breaks, and avoid distractions.

You can follow the sample study plan given below or modify it as per your convenience:

Stay Positive and Motivated

The last but not the least tip to prepare for the RRB NTPC exam is to stay positive and motivated throughout your preparation journey. You should not lose hope or give up even if you face any difficulties or challenges. You should always remember your goal and why you started preparing for the exam.

You should also seek guidance from experts, mentors, teachers, or friends who have cleared the exam or are preparing for it. You can also join online forums, groups, or communities where you can interact with other aspirants, share your doubts, tips, experiences, etc.

You should also celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they are. You should reward yourself for completing a topic, scoring well in a mock test, improving your speed or accuracy, etc. This will boost your morale and confidence.

We hope that this article has helped you understand how to prepare for the RRB NTPC exam in a comprehensive way. We wish you all the best for your exam preparation and success!