RRB ALP Syllabus 2026: CBT 1, CBT 2 and CBAT Guide
The RRB ALP syllabus covers three computer-based stages: CBT 1, CBT 2 (Part A and Part B) and the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT). The Railway Recruitment Boards set it through the Centralised Employment Notification, and the current cycle follows CEN No. 01/2026 for Assistant Loco Pilot posts.
This RRB ALP syllabus 2026 guide lists the topics for each stage, shows which ones repeat between CBT 1 and CBT 2, maps every qualification to its Part B trade and ends with a phased study plan. The syllabus changed this cycle. General Awareness is no longer part of CBT 1, and CBAT now decides half of your final merit, so the way you split your time should change too.
A note on the topic lists: The notification names the subjects and broad areas for each stage, but it does not give a fixed number of questions per subject. The topics below combine the official subject areas with what has been asked in previous papers. Use them as a working checklist rather than an exhaustive official list.
Table of Contents
RRB ALP Syllabus at a Glance
Stage | Subjects | Questions | Time | Role in selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CBT 1 | Mathematics, Mental Ability, General Science | 75 | 60 minutes | Screening only |
CBT 2 Part A | Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering | 100 | 90 minutes | 50% of final merit |
CBT 2 Part B | Relevant trade | 75 | 60 minutes | Qualifying (35%) |
CBAT | Memory, attention, depth perception, following directions, perceptual speed | Battery-based | Battery-wise | 50% of final merit |
Each question in CBT 1 and CBT 2 carries one mark, and one-third of a mark is deducted for every wrong answer. CBAT has no negative marking. Questions in CBT 1 and CBT 2 Part A are set around the Class 10 standard, with Part B at ITI or diploma level. For marks, timing and qualifying rules in detail,
Key Changes to Know in 2026
General Awareness removed from CBT 1: CBT 1 now has three subjects instead of four, while the paper remains 75 questions in 60 minutes. That leaves more questions for Mathematics, reasoning and science.
Final merit split changed to 50:50: CBT 2 Part A and CBAT now carry equal weight. Earlier, Part A carried 70% and CBAT 30%.
Part A stays technical: Basic Science and Engineering continues to be the biggest new area for candidates who have only prepared for general railway exams.
Part B still only needs a pass: You must score at least 35%, but these marks do not add to your merit.
Older pages and coaching notes may still list General Awareness in CBT 1, a 70:30 merit split or a fixed subject-wise question count. Follow the CEN 01/2026 notification instead.
CBT 1 Syllabus
CBT 1 checks basic numeracy, logical thinking and school-level science. Its marks only decide whether you move to CBT 2, but you are shortlisted RRB-wise at about 15 times the vacancies, so a safe score still needs serious preparation.
Section | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
Mathematics | Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM and HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work, time and distance, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, elementary statistics, square roots, age problems, calendar and clock, pipes and cisterns | Percentages, ratio, simplification and time and work |
Mental Ability | Analogies, alphabet and number series, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagrams, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision making, similarities and differences, analytical reasoning, classification, directions, statements, arguments and assumptions | Series, coding-decoding, analogies and classification |
General Science | Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences up to Class 10 | NCERT Class 9 and 10 science chapters |
High-weight areas in CBT 1
In Mathematics, arithmetic topics such as percentages, ratio, profit and loss and time-speed-distance usually make up most of the section. Geometry and trigonometry appear less often but are worth a quick revision of formulas.
In General Science, Physics questions tend to come from motion, force, work and energy, electricity, light and sound. Chemistry focuses on acids, bases and salts, metals and non-metals and chemical reactions. Life Sciences cover the human body, nutrition, diseases and plant biology.
CBT 2 Part A Syllabus
Part A is the most important written paper because its marks make up half of your final merit. It has 100 questions in 90 minutes across three subjects.
Mathematics
The topic list is the same as CBT 1. The difference lies in depth. Expect more multi-step arithmetic, some mensuration with combined figures and questions where accuracy matters more than speed.
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Again, the topic list matches CBT 1 Mental Ability. Puzzles, data sufficiency and statement-based questions tend to be longer here, so build patience with these types.
Basic Science and Engineering
This section is what makes the ALP exam different from other Level 1 and Level 2 railway exams. It tests the practical engineering basics every ITI or diploma holder should know.
Area | What to study |
|---|---|
Engineering Drawing | Projections, views, drawing instruments, lines, geometric figures, symbolic representation |
Units and Measurements | SI units, conversions, measuring instruments, least count |
Mass, Weight and Density | Definitions, relative density, simple numericals |
Work, Power and Energy | Formulas, units, efficiency, conservation of energy |
Speed and Velocity | Equations of motion, acceleration, graphs |
Heat and Temperature | Scales, specific heat, expansion, modes of heat transfer |
Basic Electricity | Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits, power, electrical safety |
Levers and Simple Machines | Classes of levers, mechanical advantage, velocity ratio, pulleys, inclined plane |
Occupational Safety and Health | Workshop safety, fire safety, first aid, personal protective equipment |
Environment Education | Pollution, waste management, energy conservation |
IT Literacy | Computer basics, hardware and software, internet, common applications |
Most of these topics come from the common "workshop calculation and science" and "engineering drawing" subjects taught across ITI trades. Candidates from a diploma or degree background usually find drawing and safety questions the least familiar, so start those early. After finishing each area, a short timed online test on Testkart shows whether you can apply the formulas under exam pressure.
CBT 2 Part B: Trade Syllabus
Part B tests the trade you studied. For ITI and Act Apprentice candidates, the syllabus is the theory portion of your trade as prescribed by the Directorate General of Training (DGT). Diploma and degree holders take a trade linked to their engineering branch, which they selected in the application form.
Qualification | Trades you can choose for Part B |
|---|---|
Electrical Engineering and related combinations | Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Wireman, Armature and Coil Winder, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic |
Electronics Engineering and related combinations | Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio and TV) |
Mechanical Engineering and related combinations | Fitter, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic, Heat Engine, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic |
Automobile Engineering and related combinations | Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic |
What to study for common trades
Fitter: Measuring tools, marking, filing and fitting, drilling and tapping, limits and fits, fasteners, bearings, lubrication and basic hydraulics.
Electrician: DC and AC circuits, cables and wiring, earthing, transformers, DC machines, single-phase and three-phase motors, starters and electrical measuring instruments.
Mechanic (Diesel): Diesel engine working, fuel injection, cooling and lubrication systems, governors, engine testing and fault finding.
Electronics Mechanic: Semiconductor devices, rectifiers, amplifiers, oscillators, digital electronics, logic gates and basic communication.
Refrigeration and AC Mechanic: Refrigeration cycle, refrigerants, compressors, condensers and evaporators, controls and AC systems.
Download the latest trade syllabus from the DGT website and revise from your ITI theory books. Since the paper only needs 35%, aim for steady coverage of core chapters instead of chasing rare topics.
CBAT (Psycho Test) Syllabus
CBAT has no textbook syllabus. It is a set of test batteries that measure job-related abilities, conducted in English and Hindi only. You must score a T-score of at least 42 in each battery, and your CBAT result now carries 50% of final merit.
Test battery | What it measures | How to practise |
|---|---|---|
Memory Test | How well you observe and recall visual details | Short daily exercises recalling images, numbers and arrangements |
Following Directions | Understanding and carrying out instructions in the correct order | Timed sets with multi-step instructions |
Depth Perception | Judging distance and spatial position of objects | Practice sets on relative distance and 3D figures |
Concentration | Sustained attention and accuracy under time pressure | Symbol and number search drills |
Perceptual Speed | How quickly you spot matching patterns | Pattern-matching sets with a strict timer |
A vision certificate is required at the CBAT stage. Because the test measures speed and accuracy together, regular short practice works better than long sessions just before the exam.
Overlap Between CBT 1 and CBT 2
About two-thirds of CBT 1 preparation carries straight into CBT 2 Part A. Plan so that you study these areas once and deepen them later.
Area | CBT 1 | CBT 2 | How to plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Mathematics | Yes | Part A | Build concepts once; add harder mixed sets after CBT 1 |
Reasoning | Yes (Mental Ability) | Part A | Same topic list; practise longer puzzles for Part A |
General Science | Yes | Partly, through Basic Science and Engineering | Physics chapters on work, energy, heat and electricity serve both stages |
Basic Science and Engineering | No | Part A | Begin light revision before CBT 1 if you have time |
Trade | No | Part B | Start right after CBT 1 |
Aptitude batteries | No | CBAT | Daily 15 to 20 minutes from the CBT 2 phase onwards |
How to Cover the Syllabus
With CBT 1 tentatively scheduled from 3 to 5 November 2026, candidates of the current cycle have limited time for Stage 1. The plan below starts there and then covers the later stages.
Until CBT 1 (about four weeks): Revise core arithmetic and reasoning topics daily, finish Class 10 science chapters, and take a 60-minute full-length test every other day. Note every repeated mistake in an error log.
Weeks 1 to 4 after CBT 1: Start Basic Science and Engineering area by area, using the table above. Begin your trade theory with the highest-weight chapters, and add 15 to 20 minutes of CBAT practice each day.
Weeks 5 to 8: Take sectional tests for Part A and topic tests for your trade. Raise the difficulty of Mathematics and reasoning sets, and work on accuracy rather than attempts.
Final phase before CBT 2: Take full-length CBT 2 mocks with both parts, analyse each one the same day, and revise from your error log.
Between CBT 2 and CBAT: Shift most of your time to full CBAT mock batteries, since half of your final merit depends on them.
Topic-wise and full-length practice helps you see which parts of the syllabus are actually costing marks.
Official notices are published on rrbapply.gov.in and the websites of the individual RRBs.
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