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How to Crack Indian Railways RRB NTPC Exam in First Attempt? Tips and Strategies

How to Crack Indian Railways RRB NTPC Exam in First Attempt? Tips and Strategies

Posted On 2024-09-11

The Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical Popular Categories (RRB NTPC) exam is a prestigious and highly competitive examination in India, aimed at recruiting candidates for various non-technical positions within the Indian Railways. These positions include roles such as assistant station master, traffic assistant, commercial apprentice, goods guard, and others. As the demand for these positions grows, so does the competition, making effective preparation crucial. Preparing for the Railway NTPC exam requires a structured approach. This article provides a comprehensive guide with inventive strategies to help you prepare efficiently and excel in the RRB NTPC exam. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare effectively.

Cracking the Indian Railways RRB NTPC in the first attempt appears challenging. With the huge number of applicants vying for the limited number of positions vacant for employment, it is unquestionably a competitive examination. Succeeding in the exam, let alone on the first attempt, certainly would leave one anxious. However, it is no rocket science. All you need as an aspirant is to set up a strategic preparation and be confidently prepared with the right mindset. What else do you need? A good guidance to supplement and strengthen your exam prep.

If you are among the anxious candidates aiming to crack the competitive Indian Railways RRB NTPC examination on your first attempt, fret not. Through this blog, we share with you the proven tips and strategies to help you gear up with a competitive edge. Get rid of all your qualms, stick to this guide and you're set.

Tips and Strategies to get through the Indian Railways RRB NTPC Exam

Your determination to crack the Indian railway exam is enough to maintain a solid preparation. However, it also takes a strategic approach to outdo others in the competition. The first and foremost step to cracking the exam is knowing the essentials. In our case, it is identifying the following:

Having the eligible qualifications
A good grasp of the exam syllabus
Knowing the exam pattern

Once you have established an idea on these areas, you can begin with your preparation. Before we move further into the preparatory strategies, let us acquaint you with the unavoidable essentials.

Learning your Eligibility Status

The RRB NTPC exams are categorised into various levels. Certain posts demand candidates to have a minimum bachelor's degree and there are higher secondary levels where 12-grade students can also sit for the exam. Identify the posts you are applying for and set out the exam preparation accordingly.

RRB NTPC Exam Structure

The RRB NTPC examination involves multiple stages and you have to get acquainted with the exam structure for each of these stages before preparing the study plan.

Preliminary exam stage - This is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of 100 objective-type questions with a total of 100 marks. You will get 90 minutes of the stipulated time to complete this exam. It includes sections on General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning. This test is of a screening nature comprising questions in conformity with the educational standards prescribed for the posts.

Main exam stage - Also a CBT, this test features 120 objective-type questions with 120 marks which you need to attempt in 90 minutes. It covers General Awareness, Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and includes questions on a wider range of topics.

Skill test stage - Depending on the post applied for, a skill test might be required. This could include typing tests or other relevant skills. It is the process of evaluating an individual's competence to perform the activities required for a particular job, such as assistant station master, traffic assistant, traffic apprentice, ticket clerk, and others.

RRB NTPC Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The selection process for RRB NTPC consists of four stages, namely:

Tier 1: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Tier 2: Computer-Based Test (CBT ( Only for Tier-1 qualified candidates)
Computer-Based Aptitude Test or Typing Skill Test
Medical Examination & Document Verification

The first two stages are Computer-based tests (CBT) that will test candidates in three different sections:

Subjects	Tier 1 ( No. of Questions)	Tier 2 (No.of Questions)
General Awareness	40	50
Mathematics	30	35
General Intelligence and Reasoning	30	35
Total	100	120
Duration of Exam	90 minutes	90 minutes

Only those candidates who qualify for the Tier 1 ( First Stage) move to the Tier-2 CBT test, with the same subjects but more questions and higher difficulty levels.

How to Get Through RRB NTPC Exam on the First Attempt?

There is no replacement for hard work. Yet, you can supplement your hard work with a smart approach and be successful. Whether it is your maiden attempt for the Railways exam or the preparation stage, following the strategies below will get you your job.

Design a customized learning plan:

A personalized study plan tailored to your strengths and weaknesses is important. Start this process by assessing your current knowledge level in each subject area. Thereafter, allocate more time to subjects where you need improvement. Design a planner to create a daily, weekly, and monthly study schedule, incorporating time for revision and practice tests. Set benchmarks to be completed for daily, weekly and monthly tasks and follow them diligently.

Know the syllabus:

The RRB NTPC exam focuses on three areas. Find out topics on each of the different subjects and align your preparation according to the syllabus.

Refer to previous years' question papers:

To get a better idea about the exam pattern, practice using previous years' question papers. This will acquaint you with time management for each question. It helps you understand the types of questions that may appear and the difficulty level. Practice solving these papers under timed conditions to gauge your preparation level. Additionally, take regular mock tests to assess your preparation level and improve your time management.

Concentrate on conceptual understanding:

It is beneficial to devote maximum study time to clear concepts related to various sections on general awareness, mathematics, and general intelligence & reasoning. In the case of mathematics and general Intelligence, grasp fundamental concepts and problem-solving techniques. Use visual aids like charts and diagrams to simplify complex topics. You should focus on key topics such as HCF and LCM, Average, Fractions, Ratio and Proportion, Simplification and Approximation, Number System, Percentage, Data Interpretation, Time and Work, Heights and Distances, Boats and Streams, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Proficiency in general awareness requires you to cover topics related to current affairs, politics, geography, history and general sciences. While reasoning ability can be a high scoring section, it requires you to master topics aater image, mirror image, circular seating arrangement, linear seating arrangement, ranking, completion of figures and calendar. You should allocate sufficient time to practice other crucial topics including venn diagrams, mathematical operations, coding and decoding, number series, statement and conclusion, analogies and others.

Utilize learning resources:

You should also leverage online learning platforms and websites that are dedicated to RRB NTPC exam preparation. These platforms provide comprehensive and affordable educational content on the RRB NTPC examination such as structured video lectures, well-organized study materials, mock tests, doubt clearing sessions, and mentorship. You can also refer to books and reading materials for various sections of RRB NTPC exam.

Practice Relogiously:

Practising daily, and giving equal time weightage to each section is key to attaining confidence in all the sections. Regular practice enhances your speed and accuracy. With a higher number of questions that you practice upon, you have a higher chance of encountering similar questions during the test.

Read Daily:

Feed on the newspapers, monthly magazines and relevant study material and stick to this practice on a daily basis. The general awareness section requires a broad knowledge base. For this reason, it is recommended to read newspapers, magazines and online resources that help to build effective vocabulary and stay updated on current events, especially in the context of Indian railways and general knowledge. You can list down important facts and revise them regularly. It is better to collaborate with peers and mentors by joining study groups or online forums. Group discussions and solving problems together can provide new insights and clarify doubts. Preparing for the exam in cohorts also offers moral support and can keep you motivated.

Memorize Important Formulas:

Stick to memorizing important formulas for solving problems. Having a shortcut formula is the trick to solving problems involving arithmetic and reasoning gives a great deal of advantage. Daily practice will help you keep these techniques at your fingertips.

Commit to revision daily:

Make sure you set out time for revision daily. This will help you build a better preparation, and strengthen your memory and understanding of the concepts.

Develop efficient time management:

You will be required to divide the 90-minute duration of the exam across the three different sections and the 100/120 questions. Practice how much time would you give for each question. Regular practice will help you attain this accuracy. Acing this competitive examination demands efficient time management. You do not want to miss out on the question where you know the answers by giving too much time to a problem.

Seek expert guidance:

If you encounter issues or need additional support, consider seeking guidance from experts or coaching centers specializing in RRB NTPC exam preparation. They can provide personalized advice, tips, and strategies to enhance your preparation.

Prepare short notes for revision:

During the final stages of RRB NTPC exam preparation, always dedicate time for revision of topics you have already covered. Prepare concise notes on formulas and important topics for quick revision to cater last minute prep.

Stay updated with exam notifications:

You need to regularly check the official RRB website and reliable news sources for updates on the exam schedule, changes in patterns, and other important information. Being informed ensures you are thoroughly prepared for any changes and can adjust your preparation strategy accordingly.

Participate in Mock Tests:

Various online mock tests are available at your disposal, daily, weekly or biweekly. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and assessing your preparation are some of the benefits that you will get out of taking mock exams.

Section Wise RRB NTPC Exam Preparation Tips

General Awareness: Study on the following selected topics for a more structured preparation

Current Affairs
General Science,
Politics
History
Geography
Countries, capitals and currencies
Budget
Sports personalities in the news
Who is Who: Prominent Figures
Environment and Ecology
Awards

Mathematics: Your Mathematics score can easily boost your overall score. Try scoring high in this section. Focus on topics including:

Simplification and Approximation
Average
HCF and LCM
Number System
Fractions
Ratio and Proportion
Percentage
Dara Interpretation
Time and Work
Boats and Streams
Geometry
Trigonometry
Heights and Distances

Reasoning Ability: Giving this section a priority may boost your score as it can help you score high overall. Master core topics like:

Water Image
Mirror Image
Completion of Figures
Ranking
Linear seating arrangement
Circular seating arrangement
Calendar

Give moderate attention to topics, such as

Analogies
Coding and decoding
Mathematical Operations
Venn Diagrams
Syllogism

Practices intense on the following topics

Number series
Alphabetical Series
Course of Action
Statement, Conclusion and Assumption

Preparing strategically by following the above-discussed tips will prove significantly helpful. Your determination will be guided in the right direction as you commit and focus time to strategically prepare for your exams. Cracking the RRN NTPC exams on your first attempt should not be as challenging as you may conceive it to be. Focus on these tips, give your 100 per cent, practice religiously and you're good to go.