The NTPC Graduate Level CBT 2 Exam is the second stage of the recruitment process conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board for various Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) posts such as Station Master, Goods Guard, Commercial Apprentice, and Traffic Assistant. This stage is crucial for candidates who qualify in CBT 1, as it determines their progression toward final selection. The CBT 2 exam is conducted online and consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions.
It evaluates candidates on subjects like General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning, with a higher difficulty level compared to CBT 1. The exam typically includes 120 questions to be completed within 90 minutes, along with negative marking for incorrect answers. Performance in CBT 2 plays a significant role in shortlisting candidates for further stages like skill tests and document verification, making it a decisive step in securing a railway job.
NTPC Graduate level CBT 2: Overview Table
| Category | Details |
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Boards, Ministry of Railways |
| Post | Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate) |
| Category | Syllabus & Exam Pattern |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Type of Questions | Objective type with multiple choices |
| Total Questions | 120 questions |
| Total Marks | 120 marks |
| Time Duration | 90 minutes (120 minutes for candidates eligible for the use of a scribe) |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer |
| Selection Process | • 1st Stage CBT • 2nd Stage CBT • Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) / Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) (as applicable) • Document Verification • Medical Examination |
| Official Website | Respective official RRB websites (e.g., www.rrbcdg.gov.in, www.rrbmumbai.gov.in) |
NTPC Graduate level CBT 2: Exam Pattern
The 2nd Stage CBT tests candidates across three major sections: General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning. Candidates must manage their time effectively, as they need to tackle 120 questions within a tight 90-minute window.
CBT 2 Exam Pattern
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks (1 Mark Each) | Total Duration |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | 90 min |
| Mathematics | 35 | 35 | |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 35 | 35 | |
| Total | 120 | 120 |
NTPC Graduate level CBT 2: Skill Test Details
| Name of the Post | Type of Skill Test | Shortlisting Ratio | Key Requirements & Qualifying Criteria | Impact on Final Merit |
| Senior Clerk cum Typist Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist | Computer Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) | 8 times the community-wise vacancies. | • Must type 30 WPM in English OR 25 WPM in Hindi on a PC . • Editing tools and spell check facilities are not allowed . • For Hindi typing, Kruti Dev and Mangal fonts will be available . • Specific PwBD candidates (Blindness/Low Vision, Cerebral Palsy, Loco Motor Disability 40%) may be exempted upon producing a valid certificate. | Qualifying Nature Only. Marks obtained in the typing test are not added to the final merit list. Merit is based on CBT 2 performance. |
| Station Master Traffic Assistant | Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) | 8 times the community-wise vacancies. | • Must secure a minimum T-Score of 42 marks in each of the test batteries to qualify (no relaxation for any category) . • There is no negative marking in the CBAT . • Questions and answers will be in English and Hindi only . • Candidates must produce a prescribed Vision Certificate to be permitted to appear. | Added to Merit. The final merit list is drawn with a 70% weightage given to the 2nd Stage CBT marks and a 30% weightage given to the CBAT marks. |
| Goods Train Manager Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor | No Skill Test | N/A | • No specific skill test is required for these posts. Candidates proceed directly to Document Verification and Medical Examination after CBT 2. | Merit is based entirely on the normalized marks scored in the 2nd Stage CBT. |
NTPC Graduate level CBT 2: Syllabus
| Subject | Detailed Syllabus Topics |
| Mathematics | Number System, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportions, Percentage, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Elementary Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, etc. |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | Analogies, Completion of Number and Alphabetical Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Similarities and Differences, Relationships, Analytical Reasoning, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagrams, Puzzle, Data Sufficiency, Statement-Conclusion, Statement-Courses of Action, Decision Making, Maps, Interpretation of Graphs, etc. |
| General Awareness | Current Events of National and International Importance, Games and Sports, Art and Culture of India, Indian Literature, Monuments and Places of India, General Science and Life Science (up to 10th CBSE). History of India and Freedom Struggle, Physical, Social and Economic Geography of India and World, Indian Polity and Governance-constitution and political system. General Scientific and Technological Developments (including Space and Nuclear Program of India), UN and Other important World Organizations, Environmental Issues Concerning India and World at Large, Basics of Computers and Computer Applications, Common Abbreviations, Transport Systems in India. Indian Economy, Famous Personalities of India and World, Flagship Government Programs, Flora and Fauna of India, Important Government and Public Sector Organizations of India, etc. |
Preparation Tips
- Master Time Management: You have exactly 90 minutes to solve 120 questions. This gives you an average of 45 seconds per question. Practice solving mock tests with a strict timer to build your speed, ensuring you don’t get stuck on complex Math or Puzzle questions.
- Beware of the Negative Marking: The RRB imposes a strict penalty of 1/3rd mark for every incorrect answer. Avoid blind guessing. If you are unsure about a question, it is mathematically safer to leave it unattempted rather than risking a heavy penalty that could drop your normalized score.
- Prioritize General Awareness: With 50 out of 120 questions dedicated to General Awareness, this section holds the highest weightage. Focus heavily on current events, Indian history, geography, and general science (up to 10th CBSE level). Since these questions do not require calculations, a strong grip on this section will allow you to score maximum marks in minimum time.
- Strengthen Core Mathematics: The mathematics section covers fundamental topics ranging from Number Systems to Elementary Statistics. Focus on learning shortcut techniques for topics like Time and Work, Profit and Loss, and Simple/Compound Interest to save precious minutes during the exam.
- Target Minimum Qualifying Marks as a Baseline: Remember that you must secure a minimum percentage to even be considered (40% for UR/EWS, 30% for OBC/SC, and 25% for ST). However, because shortlisting for the final Document Verification or Skill Tests is purely merit-based, aim to score significantly higher than these baseline cut-offs to secure your position in the highly competitive final panel
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