RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026 Revised (CBT 1, CBT 2, CBAT), Check New Marking Scheme

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The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts the Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) exam to recruit eligible candidates. Before starting your preparation, it is important to understand the RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026, including the subjects, marking scheme, and qualifying criteria.

This year, RRB has revised the CBT 1 exam pattern and updated the weightage of CBT 2 Part A and CBAT in the final merit list. Check the latest exam pattern below and plan your preparation accordingly.

RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026

The RRB ALP recruitment process consists of CBT 1, CBT 2, and the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT). Candidates must qualify each stage to be considered for final selection as an Assistant Loco Pilot. The examination follows a negative marking system, while the final merit list is prepared based on the scores obtained in CBT 2 Part A and CBAT.

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)

CBT 1 Exam Pattern

The RRB ALP CBT 1 serves as the first stage of the recruitment process and is qualifying in nature. It contains 75 objective-type questions carrying 75 marks, to be completed within 60 minutes.

Candidates receive 1 mark for each correct answer, while 1/3 mark is deducted for every wrong response. The marks scored in CBT 1 are not included in the final merit list.

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 who clear CBT 1 are eligible to take CBT 2, which consists of Part A and Part B. Part A plays an important role in shortlisting candidates for the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), while Part B is only qualifying in nature. The exam is conducted for 2 hours and 30 minutes, and 1/3 mark is deducted for every 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 based on their marks in Part A of CBT 2, subject to qualifying in Part B.

CBAT Exam Pattern

Candidates who clear CBT 2 become eligible for the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), commonly referred to as the Psycho Test. This test is designed to evaluate a candidate’s mental alertness, concentration, memory, and decision-making skills, which are essential for the Assistant Loco Pilot role.

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.