The RRB NTPC Exam is among the most desired exams in India. It provides government job positions under the railway sector. Lakhs of aspirants sit for this RRB exam every year, making it competitive. To pass, knowing the difficulty levels, exam patterns, and expected cutoffs is essential. This blog shall provide minute details of the exam analysis to help the aspirants prepare better.
RRB NTPC Exam has variable difficulty levels as each section aims to examine distinct skills. Observing trends through previous attempts gives candidates good clues about patterns and recurring subjects asked. Such awareness aids candidates in planning preparation wisely. Being up to date on exam analysis and cutoff predictions becomes a priority, as the NTPC test is a tough competition, and candidates should crack the RRB exam with good marks.
RRB NTPC Exam Overview
It is necessary to know the NTPC exam pattern before discussing the difficulty levels and anticipated cutoffs. The RRB NTPC Exam has several stages, such as CBT 1, CBT 2, a typing skill test (for certain posts), document verification, and a medical checkup. Understanding the exam pattern benefits candidates in preparing strategically for the RRB exam.:
| Stage | Exam Name | Subjects | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| Stage 1 | CBT 1 | General Awareness, Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Stage 2 | CBT 2 | General Awareness, Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning | 120 | 120 | 90 minutes |
| Stage 3 | Typing Skill Test | Typing Speed Test (only for specific posts) | – | ||
| Stage 4 | Document Verification | Verification of educational and identity documents | – | ||
| Stage 5 | Medical Examination | Medical fitness checkup | – |
RRB NTPC Exam Difficulty Levels: Section-wise Analysis
The level of difficulty of the RRB NTPC Exam keeps on changing with each passing year, but following recent trends offers an idea of the toughness of the exam. A section-by-section analysis yields useful information on question patterns and major topics. By going through previous exams, candidates can point out key topics and improve NTPC exam preparation efficiently.
1. General Awareness
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Tough
- Subjects Discussed: Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Science, Static GK
- Trend: Questions on Current Affairs have been more in recent times. Science and History carry more weightage.
- Strategy to Follow: Keep oneself updated with the daily news and go through last year’s question papers.
2. Mathematics
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Subjects Discussed: Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Time & Work, Data Interpretation
- Recent Trend: Calculation-based questions are on the rise. Some questions need logical thinking instead of formulaic application.
- Recommended Strategy: Practice speed-based calculations and shortcuts.
3. General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Topics Covered: Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Syllogism, Statement & Conclusions
- Recent Trend: Puzzle-based and statement-based questions are frequent. Some sneaky questions might be there.
- Recommended Strategy: Solve reasoning puzzles daily and focus on logical reasoning.
| Section | Difficulty Level |
| General Awareness | Moderate to Difficult |
| Mathematics | Moderate |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Easy to Moderate |
Expected Cutoffs for RRB NTPC Exam
Expected RRB NTPC Exam cutoffs depend on various factors. They are influenced by the levels of difficulty for the exam, the number of candidates appearing in the exam, total vacancies available, and normalization process. By understanding these, one gets some vital insights about cutoff trends so that aspirants can set up realistic goals and increase their probabilities of success for the NTPC exam:
- Total number of candidates appearing
- Difficulty levels of the exam
- Number of vacancies available
Based on analysis of previous years, here is an estimation of expected cutoffs for various categories:
| Category | Expected Cutoff (CBT 1) | Expected Cutoff (CBT 2) |
| general (UR) | 70-80 | 80-90 |
| OBC | 65-75 | 75-85 |
| SC | 55-65 | 65-75 |
| ST | 50-60 | 60-70 |
Note: These cutoffs are just estimations based on previous years. Actual cutoffs can be different.
Factors Affecting Cutoffs
There are a number of factors that affect the RRB NTPC exam cutoffs:
- Number of candidates: Greater competition results in greater cutoffs.
- Difficulty levels of the exam: If the paper is difficult, cutoffs are lower.
- Vacancies: Greater vacancies lead to lower cutoffs and vice versa.
- Normalization Process: Since the examination is held in several shifts, normalization contributes heavily to final cutoffs.
Tips to boost your RRB NTPC score
- Work on Current Affairs – Set aside at least 30 minutes a day to keep yourself informed about national and international events.
- Improve Basic Mathematics – Practice speed calculation and shortcut methods to solve problems in a quick and efficient manner.
- Master Logical Reasoning – Practice various puzzles and logical reasoning questions every day.
- Practice Mock Tests Regularly – Join ixamBee’s RRB NTPC mock tests to test your preparation and enhance your speed.
- Time Management – Practice previous years’ papers under a time constraint to gain efficient time management skills.
Conclusion
RRB NTPC is a competitive exam, and it is necessary to know the difficulty levels and anticipated cutoffs in order to succeed. Clearing the NTPC exam is easy with the right strategy and regular practice. Remain focused, practice well, and make use of ixamBee’s mock tests to enhance your preparation.
Best wishes for your RRB NTPC exam process!
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