DRDO Admin and Allied Exam Pattern: Tier I and Tier II

The DRDO Admin and Allied exam pattern has two tiers. Tier I is a computer based test, and Tier II is a descriptive, skill, driving or physical test that depends on the post. The details below come from the CEPTAM-10/A&A advertisement, the latest full A&A notification we could verify. A newer cycle may change them, so confirm on the official site when a new notice appears.

This page explains each stage, the marking scheme, the qualifying percentages and how final merit works. It also turns the numbers into a time plan you can practise. Topic coverage sits on the DRDO Admin and Allied syllabus page.

Table of Contents

Exam Pattern at a Glance

Tier I Pattern

All posts except JTO

Each question carries one mark. The notification names the four areas but does not state a section-wise split, so check the latest advertisement for any change.

Junior Translation Officer

The paper is in Hindi and English, multiple choice, and all candidates take it on a computer at their chosen city.

Tier II Pattern

JTO descriptive paper

Tier II for Junior Translation Officer is a descriptive test on translation and essay. It is 200 marks in 120 minutes, and the minimum qualifying percentage is 40% for UR and OBC and 35% for SC and ST.

Skill tests for other posts

Marking Scheme and Qualifying Marks

• Negative marking: none in Tier I, and no deduction for wrong answers.

• Qualifying marks in Tier I: 40% for UR, OBC and EWS, and 35% for SC and ST.

• Shortlisting: about eight candidates per vacancy (1:8) are called for Tier II, and the ratio may be increased. Candidates tied at the last position are also included.

• Normalisation: Tier I scores may be normalised if the paper runs in more than one shift.

• Re-evaluation: there is no re-checking of CBT answers.

Older pages may still show an earlier pattern, so follow the official notification.

What the Pattern Means for You

• Attempt everything: with no negative marking, a blank answer earns nothing and a guess costs nothing.

• Roughly 48 seconds a question: 75 questions in 60 minutes leaves less than a minute each, so speed in arithmetic and English matters.

• Tier I is a ranking round: clearing the qualifying percentage is not enough because only about eight candidates per vacancy move ahead.

• Tier II needs separate practice: typing, dictation, translation and fitness cannot be crammed after the Tier I result.

• Practise in the same format: timed papers help you get used to the pace, and educators publish tests, courses and notes on Testkart, with the exam page showing what is currently available for DRDO Admin and Allied.

Physical Fitness Test Standards

This test applies to Security Assistant 'A', Fire Engine Driver 'A' and Fireman. The standards below are from the CEPTAM-10/A&A notification.

A relaxation of 2.5 cm in height applies for hilly-area candidates, and candidates above 40 years get a 10% relaxation in performance standards. Vision needs 6/6 distant vision without aids and no night or colour blindness. Candidates take the test at their own risk.

Final Merit and Tie-Breaking

• JTO: final merit is based on Tier II marks, and Tier II is a qualifying hurdle for both 40% (UR, OBC) and 35% (SC, ST).

• Other posts: the notification calls Tier II qualifying in nature, which means Tier I marks decide your rank among those who pass the skill or physical test.

• Tie-breaking order: higher Tier I marks (for JTO, Tier II then Tier I), then the older candidate, then alphabetical order of names.

After merit, CEPTAM nominates candidates to laboratories by rank and posting preference, and document verification and medical fitness are completed at joining.

Time Management

1. Spend the first 20 minutes on reasoning and arithmetic you can solve quickly.

2. Use the next 20 minutes for English and General Awareness, which are fast marks if you know them.

3. Return to the skipped questions in the last 20 minutes and guess the rest.

You can practise this routine with timed DRDO Admin and Allied mock tests, including any listed for this exam on Testkart, and note how long each section takes you. Keep a log of questions you skipped but could have solved. The official rules are in the CEPTAM-10/A&A notification PDF.