RRB NTPC exam pattern 2023 is set by the conducting body. Every candidate needs to understand the exam pattern and the marking scheme set by RRB NTPC 2023 authorities. Knowledge of RRB exam paper pattern is essential to scoring more marks. A clear-cut explanation regarding the pattern is discussed in the section below.
| RRB NTPC Syllabus 2023 | RRB NTPC Reference Books 2023 |
RRB NTPC 2023 was mainly conducted in two stages: Prelims and Mains. The Prelims is also known as RRB NTPC 1st stage, and Mains is called RRB NTPC 2nd Stage. The exam pattern of both papers is mentioned in this section. The candidates can view RRB NTPC syllabus to understand the areas from which questions were asked.
RRB NTPC 2023 Prelims Exam Pattern
RRB NTPC exam pattern for prelims exam is as follows.
Marking scheme: In RRB NTPC Prelims examination, there are 100 questions. Each question carries one mark, and a penalty of 0.25 marks is awarded for every wrong answer.
Duration: The maximum time given is 90 minutes or One and a half hours. Below is the number of questions and marks allotted in various sections in RRB NTPC exam.
| Name of Topic | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic Ability | 20 | 20 |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness | 30 | 30 |
| General Science | 25 | 25 |
Note: The candidates need to score minimum marks to be eligible for the next stage. These marks vary from one category to another. The minimum marks for each category is given below:
Minimum Percentage: Minimum percentage of marks for eligibility in various categories:
General: 40%, OBC - 30%, SC - 30%, ST -25%.
PwD Candidates: The percentage of marks for eligibility will be relaxed by 2% for PWD candidates if there is a shortage of PWD candidates against vacancies reserved for them.
The First Stage of CBT is of a screening nature. The standard of questions for the CBT will generally conform with the educational standards and minimum technical qualifications prescribed for the posts. The scores in the first stage are used to qualify candidates for the second stage exam as per their merit. Candidates who are shortlisted for Second Stage CBT availing the reservation benefits of a community shall continue to be considered only against that community for all subsequent stages of the recruitment process.
RRB NTPC 2023 Exam Pattern for Mains
RRB NTPC exam pattern for the mains exam is as follows.
Shortlisting: The shortlisting will be done based on minimum marks. The candidates should score more than the cutoff decided for the category to which the candidate belongs.
No. of Candidates: The total number of candidates to be shortlisted for the second stage shall be 15 times the total vacancy of the posts notified by RRB as per the First Stage merit list.
Availability: RRB reserves the right to increase/decrease the limit of candidates shortlisted for the second stage for any specific trade(s) as required to ensure the availability of adequate candidates for all the notified posts.
Second Stage: The Second Stage CBT shall have two parts, viz Part A and Part B, for a duration of 2 hrs and 30 minutes in total.
RRB NTPC 2023 Exam Pattern for Mains Part A
In part A, the candidates must complete 120 questions in 90 minutes.
Eligibility: The Minimum percentage of marks for eligibility is General - 40%, OBC - 30%, SC - 30%, ST - 25%.
PwD candidates: The percentage of marks for eligibility may be relaxed by 2% for PWD candidates if there is a shortage of vacancies reserved for PWD candidates.
Shortlisting: The marks scored in Part A are used to shortlist candidates for later stages in the recruitment process. This is under the condition that the candidate is securing qualifying marks in Part B.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Arithmetic Ability | 30 | 30 | 90minutes |
| Reasoning and General Intelligence | 30 | 30 | |
| General Awareness | 30 | 30 | |
| General Science | 30 | 30 |
RRB NTPC 2023 Exam Pattern for Mains Part B
In this part, the candidates must solve 75 questions in 60 minutes. Each question carries one mark, and a negative marking is there. 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. All the candidates must score at least 35% marks in this exam. (This applies to all candidates, and no relaxation is permissible)
Qualifying: This part is qualifying in nature and shall have questions from the trade syllabus prescribed by the Director-General of Employment & Training (DGET).
Relevant questions: Candidates with ITI/Trade Apprenticeship qualifications are expected to attempt relevant questions from the section for the respective trade.
Relevant Trade: Candidates holding Degree, Diploma, and HSC (10+2) having eligibility for the posts of ALP have to select relevant trade from the list of trades listed against their engineering discipline/HSC (10+2).
