RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026 Revised (CBT 1, CBT 2, CBAT)

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The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts exam for Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) post. Candidates preparing for this exam must understand the detailed RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026, subject-wise weightage, marking scheme, and qualifying marks.

This year RRB has made some changes to the CBT 1 Exam Pattern and changed the weightage of CBT 2 Part A and CBAT for final merit List. Check out the latest pattern here and start preparing for the exam.

RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026

As per the RRB ALP selection process, candidates have to qualify CBT 1, CBT 2, and the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) to secure final selection for the Assistant Loco Pilot post. The exam includes negative marking, and the final merit is prepared based on CBT 2 marks and CBAT performance.

RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

A clear understanding of subject-wise weightage, marking scheme, and qualifying criteria can significantly improve preparation strategy and overall performance in the exam. Refer to the table below for key updates and information:

Parameter	Details
Organisation	Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
Post	Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)
Total Vacancies	11,127
Pay Level	Level-2 (₹19,900 initial pay)
Medical Standard	A-1
Age Limit (as on 01-07-2026)	18 – 30 years
Selection Stages	CBT 1 → CBT 2 → CBAT → DV → ME

RRB ALP Selection Process 2026

The complete recruitment process for RRB ALP 2026 consists of the following stages:

First Stage CBT (CBT 1): Screening test
Second Stage CBT (CBT 2): Merit-based test (Part A + Part B)
Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): Aptitude test
Document Verification (DV)
Medical Examination (ME)

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CBT 1 Exam Pattern

CBT 1 is the first stage of the selection process and acts as a screening test. The marks obtained in CBT 1 are not counted in the final merit list. The exam comprises 75 questions for a total of 75 marks. There exists a negative marking of 1/3rd deducted for each incorrect answer. The duration of the exam is 60 minutes.

Subjects	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
Mathematics	75	75	60 minutes
General Intelligence & Reasoning
General Science
Total	75	75	60 minutes

Minimum Pass Percentage (CBT 1)

Category	Minimum Qualifying Percentage
UR/EWS	40%
OBC (NCL)	30%
SC	30%
ST	25%

Shortlisting for CBT 2

Candidates equal to 15 times the number of vacancies notified for each RRB are shortlisted for CBT 2, based on merit in CBT 1 among candidates who chose the same RRB.

CBT 2 Exam Pattern

Candidates qualifying CBT 1 appear for CBT 2. This stage is divided into Part A and Part B. Only marks scored in Part A are considered for shortlisting candidates for CBAT. Part B is qualifying in nature. The total duration of the exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes, along with a negative marking of 1/3rd for each incorrect answer.

Papers	Subjects	Questions	Marks	Duration
Part A	Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and Basic Science & Engineering.	100	100	90 Minutes
Part B	Relevant Trade	75	75	60 Minutes
Total		175	175	150 Minutes

CBT 2 Part A Qualifying Marks

Category	Minimum Percentage
UR/EWS	40%
OBC (NCL)	30%
SC	30%
ST	25%

Shortlisting for CBAT

Candidates equal to 8 times the number of ALP vacancies for each notified community/category are shortlisted for CBAT on the basis of their marks in Part A of CBT 2, subject to qualifying in Part B.

CBAT Exam Pattern

Candidates who qualify CBT 2 are called for the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), also known as the Psycho Test. This stage tests the mental aptitude, concentration, memory, and decision-making abilities of candidates.

Parameter	Details
Mode	Computer Based Aptitude Test
Language	English and Hindi only
Negative Marking	No negative marking
Qualifying T-Score	Minimum T-score of 42 marks in each test battery separately
Mandatory to clear	Each test battery/section must be cleared separately

Final Merit List: Stage-wise Weightage

The final merit list is prepared RRB-wise from among candidates who qualify in the CBAT.

Stage	Weightage
Part A of CBT 2	50%
CBAT Score	50%

Tie-Breaking Rule

If two or more candidates secure equal marks in the final merit list:

The older candidate gets higher merit.
If age is also the same, alphabetical order (A to Z) of the candidate’s given name (not surname) is used to break the tie.

Important Links Related to RRB ALP
RRB ALP Cut Off	RRB ALP Selection Process
RRB ALP Online Coaching	RRB Study Material
RRB ALP Mock Test	RRB ALP Salary
RRB ALP Syllabus	RRB ALP Previous Year Question Paper
RRB ALP Preparation Strategy	RRB ALP Eligibility Criteria

FAQs

What are the stages of the RRB ALP 2026 exam?

The exam has five stages: CBT 1 (screening), CBT 2 (merit-based), CBAT (aptitude test), Document Verification (DV), and Medical Examination (ME).

Are CBT 1 marks counted in the final merit list?

No. CBT 1 is purely a screening test. Its marks are NOT counted while preparing the final merit list. The final merit is based on Part A of CBT 2 (50% weightage) and CBAT (50% weightage).

How many questions are there in CBT 1 and CBT 2?

CBT 1 has 75 questions in 60 minutes. CBT 2 has a total of 175 questions: 100 in Part A (90 minutes) and 75 in Part B (60 minutes).

Is there negative marking in the RRB ALP exam?

Yes. There is a negative marking of 1/3 mark for each wrong answer in CBT 1 and CBT 2. There is NO negative marking in the CBAT.

What is the qualifying mark for Part B of CBT 2

All candidates, irrespective of category or community, must score a minimum of 35% marks in Part B of CBT 2 to be eligible for CBAT shortlisting.

What is the minimum qualifying T-score for CBAT?

All candidates must secure a minimum T-score of 42 marks in each test battery/section of the CBAT separately. Failing to clear even one section disqualifies the candidate.