RRB ALP 2024 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme, Question Pattern & Qualifying Marks

RRB Assistant Loco Pilot Exam 2025 ( RRB ALP )

Anangsha Patra
Updated on Mar 18, 2025 21:16 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Deputy Manager – Editorial

RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2024: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) released RRB ALP mock test. The link for the mock test has been activated on the official website. However, we have provided the direct mock test link here. RRB ALP mock test has been formulated based on the latest RRB ALP exam pattern. This will help candidates to understand the overall structure of the actual test. RRB ALP exam pattern 2024 is such that it is divided into different stages-first stage CBT, second stage CBT, Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), and Document Verification. The exam pattern is different for different stages. RRB ALP exam pattern comprises details such marking scheme, total marks, exam duration, weightage of topics, and many more. In this article, we have discussed regarding RRB ALP exam pattern. 

Also Read: RRB ALP Exam Analysis 2024

Q:   What is RRB ALP exam pattern for CBT 2?
A: 

RRB ALP exam pattern for CBT 2 is divided into two parts-Part A and Part B. The details regarding both the parts are given below:

Part A

Part A of CBT 2 comprises 100 objective-type questions from Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering. The duration of the test is 90 minutes. 

Part B

Part B of RRB ALP is qualifying in nature and comprises questions from the trade syllabus prescribed by the Director General of Employment & Training (DGET). The duration of the test is 60 minutes. Total 75 questions are asked in the exam. This part is qualifying in nature and comprises questions from the trade syllabus prescribed  by the Director General of Employment & Training (DGET). 

Q:   What are RRB ALP qualifying marks?
A: 

The qualifying marks of RRB ALP exam are the marks which candidates need to secure in order to qualify the exam. Besides, the cut off marks, candidates are also required to secure the cut off. The category-wise qualifying marks for RRB ALP exam are given below.

StagesQualifying Marks 
First stage

UR-40 per cent

OBC-30 per cent

SC-30 per cent

ST-25 per cent

Second stage

Part A

UR-40 per cent

OBC-30 per cent

SC-30 per cent

ST-25 per cent

Part B-35 per cent

CBAT42 marks
Q:   What is RRB ALP exam pattern for CBT 1?
A: 

RRB ALP exam pattern for CBT 1 comprises questions from Mathematics, General Intelligence, and Reasoning, General Science and General awareness on current affairs. The test paper carries a total of 75 objective-type multiple-choice questions. The total marks allotted to the test are 75. The duration of the test is 60 minutes. The score of first stage CBT is used to shortlist candidates for the second stage CBT. The first stage CBT is only to screen candidates for the second stage. 

Table of content
  • RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2024
  • RRB ALP Syllabus
  • RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2024 FAQs
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RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2024

The different stages of RRB ALP exam pattern is explained below:

RRB ALP Exam Pattern for CBT 1

RRB ALP exam pattern for first stage CBT comprises total 75 objective-type multiple-choice questions from Mathematics, General Intelligence, and Reasoning, General Science and General awareness on current affairs. The test carries a total of 75 marks. The duration of the test is 60 minutes. The standard of questions in first stage CBT is framed as per the educational qualification prescribed for the posts. The score of first stage CBT is used to shortlist candidates for the second stage CBT. The first stage CBT is only to screen candidates for the second stage. The structure of the RRB ALP & Technician exam pattern is given below.

Subject

No. of questions 

Total marks and Duration

Mathematics

20

Total marks- 75

Duration-60 minutes

General Intelligence & Reasoning

25

General Science

20

General Awareness and Current Affairs

10

RRB ALP Exam Pattern for CBT 2

Shortlisting of candidates for the second stage CBT is done based on the normalised marks of the first stage CBT. Candidates 15 times the number of vacancies are selected for the second stage CBT. RRB ALP & Technician exam pattern for second stage CBT is divided into two parts-Part A and Part B. The details regarding both the parts are given below:

Part A

Part A of the second stage CBT comprises 100 objective-type questions from Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering. The duration of the test is 90 minutes. The marks scored in Part A alone are used to shortlist candidates for further stages of recruitment process subject to the condition that they secure qualifying marks in Part B. For incorrect answers in Part A, 1/3 marks are deducted. The minimum qualifying marks in this part are 40 per cent for UR & EWS, OBC (NCL) is 30 per cent, SC is 30 per cent and ST is 25 per cent. 

RRB ALP CBT 2 Exam Pattern
Papers Subjects No. of Questions Marks Duration
Paper 1 Mathematics 100 100 90 minutes
  General Intelligence & Reasoning
  Basic Science and Engineering
Total

Part B

The exam duration of Part B is 60 minutes. Total 75 questions are asked in the exam. This part is qualifying in nature and comprises questions from the trade syllabus prescribed by the Director General of Employment & Training (DGET). Candidates with ITI/Trade Apprenticeship qualification are required to appear in the section having questions from the 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). The minimum qualifying marks in this part is 35 per cent across all categories. The relevant trades for various engineering discipline/HSC (10+2) for appearing in the qualifying test are as below.

Engineering Discipline(Diploma/Degree) Relevant trade for PART B Qualifying Test to be selected from
Electrical Engineering and combination of various streams of Electrical Engineering Electrician / Instrument Mechanic / Wiremen/Winder(Armature) / Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
Electronics Engineering and combination of various streams of Electronics Engineering Electronics Mechanic / Mechanic Radio & TV
Mechanical Engineering and combination of various streams of Mechanical Engineering  Fitter / Mechanic Motor Vehicle / Tractor Mechanic / Mechanic Diesel / Turner / Machinist / Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic/ Heat Engine /Millwright Maintenance Mechanic
Automobile Engineering and combination of various streams of Automobile Engineering Mechanic Motor Vehicle / Tractor Mechanic / Mechanic Diesel / Heat Engine / Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
HSC(10+2) with Physics and Maths Electrician / Electronics Mechanic / Wireman

RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2024 for CBAT

CBAT is conducted for ALP posts only. Candidates equal to eight times the number of ALP vacancies are called for CBAT based on the performance in Part A of second stage CBT, subject to qualifying the Part B. Candidates are required to qualify in each of the test batteries of CBAT. The questions in CBAT are in English and Hindi only. There is no negative marking in CBAT. To draw the merit list of ALP, 70 per cent weightage is given to Part A of second stage CBT and 30 per cent in CBAT.

RRB ALP Provisional Allotment Process

Based on the performance of candidates in Part A of the second stage CBT and subject to qualifying the Part B of second stage CBT (For Technician posts) and based on the performance of candidates in Part A of second stage CBT subject to qualifying the Part B and CBAT (For ALP), candidates equal to the number of vacancies are called for document verification. Appointment of selected candidates is subject to their passing requisite Medical Fitness Test to be conducted by the Railway Administration, final verification of educational and community certificates, and verification of antecedents/character of the candidates.

Also Read:

RRB ALP Preparation Tips

RRB ALP Books

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is RRB ALP exam tough?
A: 

It is not tough to crack RRB ALP exam if you prepare well as per proper study routine. The tips and tricks to crack RRB ALP exam are given below:

  • Understand the exam pattern and syllabus
  • Clear the concept of the topics given in the RRB ALP syllabus
  • Practice previous years' question papers and mock tests
  • Focus on improving speed and accuracy
Q:   What is RRB ALP marking scheme?
A: 

CBT 1 will have 75 questions for 75 marks and the duration granted to resolve the questions is 60 minutes. 1/3rd marks are deducted for each wrong answer in CBT 1. The CBT 2 will have two parts- Part A and B for 175 marks. 1/3rd marks are deducted for each wrong answer in CBT 2. The marks of candidates are calculated based on the correct and incorrect answers. Normalisation of marks is done to calculate the scores of candidates.

Q:   What are the important highlights related to RRB ALP exam?
A: 

Some of the important highlights related to the exam pattern is given below.

Parameters Details
Name of examRecruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) & Technicians
Conducting authorityRailway Recruitment Boards
Stages of examFirst stage CBT, second stage CBT, Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), and Document Verification
Mode of examOnline
Exam duration

First stage CBT:  60 min

Second stage CBT

Part A: 90 min

Part B: 60 min

No of questions 

First stage CBT: 75

Second stage CBT: 100 (Part A) and 75 (Part B)

CBAT: 42

Negative marks1/3
Marks for correct answersOne
Language of question paperAssamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Manipuri, Konkani.
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RRB ALP Syllabus

RRB ALP syllabus for first stage and Part A of second stage CBT are given below.

Subjects Topics
Maths 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 & Clock, Pipes & Cistern etc.
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 etc
General Science The syllabus cover Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences of Class 10 standard 
General Awareness on Current Affairs Science & Technology, Sports, Culture, Personalities, Economics, Politics
and other subjects of importance.
Basic Science and Engineering The broad topics that are covered under this shall be 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 etc.

Exam Pattern for Other Railway Exams

RRB NTPC Exam Pattern RRB Group D Exam Pattern RRB JE Exam Pattern
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is RRB ALP trade-wise syllabus?
A: 

RRB ALP trade-wise syllabus is given below.

Name of Trade

Topic Name

Electrical

Electrical India

Transfers

Three Phase Motor Systems

Light, Magnetism

Fundamental Electric System

Single phase motors

Switches and Plugs

Electrical Connections

Mechanical

Applied Mechanics

Production Engineering

Engines

Heat

Energy Conservation

Management

Kinetic Theory

Turbo Machinery

Automation Engineering

Refrigerators and Air Conditioned

Metallurgical

Heat Transfers

The Power Plant Turbines and Boilers

IC Engines

Machine Design

Metallurgical Production Technology

Electronics and Communication

Satellite

Radio Communication Systems

Dias

Electronic Tube

Semi Conductor Physics

Micro Processor

Networking and Industrial Electronics

Transistor

Digital Electronics

Automobile

System Theory

Metallurgical Production Technology

Machine Design

Thermodynamics

IC Engines

Heat Transfers

 

 

 

Q:   How to cover RRB ALP syllabus?
A: 

The tips and tricks to cover RRB ALP syllabus are given below:

  • Candidates must review the RRB ALP syllabus and identify the important topics and get insights into the exam requirements for adequate preparation
  • Candidates must choose high-quality books and resources to learn the fundamentals for all the basic concepts
  • Candidates must attempt mock tests and previous years' question papers to know the trending topics and difficulty level 
  • Prepare short notes for all the important topics 
View Syllabus
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RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2024 FAQs

Candidates can check below RRB ALP exam pattern FAQs. 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is the RRB ALP exam conducted every year?
A: 

RRB ALP Recruitment depends on the number of vacancies and requirements of the concerned departments. The notification was released after seven years. The exam was last conducted in 2018 wherein around 64,371 vacancies were filled to the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) and Technician

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RRB ALP Exam

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