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Preparation roadmap

RRB ALP Preparation Roadmap

RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) ยท Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)

A structured 20-week preparation plan for RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) aspirants covering CBT-1, CBT-2, Mathematics, Mental Ability, General Science, General Awareness, Basic Science and Engineering, relevant trade/technical subjects, previous year questions, mock tests, Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), revision, and exam readiness. The RRB ALP selection process consists of CBT-1, CBT-2, Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), Document Verification, and Medical Examination. CBT-1 is a screening examination and its marks are not counted in the final panel. CBT-2 is divided into Part-A and Part-B, with Part-B being qualifying in nature. Candidates shortlisted for ALP posts must subsequently qualify in the CBAT. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

RailwayITI / Diploma / Degree in relevant Engineering disciplineIntermediate to advanced

Duration

20 weeks

Study load

16-20 hours per week

Subjects

4

Free resources

5

Study timeline

Foundation

Weeks 1-5

Build strong fundamentals for CBT-1 while starting technical preparation for CBT-2.

  • Understand the complete RRB ALP selection process and examination structure.
  • Complete Mathematics fundamentals including number system, BODMAS, percentage, ratio, average, profit and loss, time and work, and time and distance.
  • Build Mental Ability fundamentals including series, coding-decoding, analogy, syllogism, directions, relationships, and analytical reasoning.
  • Begin General Science preparation at the required level.
  • Start General Awareness and Current Affairs preparation.
  • Begin Basic Science and Engineering topics required for CBT-2.
  • Identify the relevant trade syllabus according to the qualification and ALP notification.
  • Start solving basic previous year questions after completing each topic.
  • Begin basic aptitude practice for the CBAT.

Core Practice

Weeks 6-10

Complete the major CBT-1 syllabus and build technical fundamentals.

  • Practise Mathematics daily with emphasis on calculation speed.
  • Solve Mental Ability questions topic-wise and begin mixed practice.
  • Complete Physics, Chemistry, and Life Science fundamentals.
  • Study General Awareness and Current Affairs systematically.
  • Cover Basic Science and Engineering concepts.
  • Start intensive preparation for the relevant trade subjects.
  • Solve previous year RRB ALP questions topic-wise.
  • Attempt sectional tests every week.
  • Begin timed practice for technical questions.
  • Continue short CBAT aptitude sessions.

CBT-1 Mock Test Build-up

Weeks 11-13

Improve CBT-1 speed, accuracy, and screening performance.

  • Attempt one to two full-length CBT-1 mocks every week.
  • Practise 75 questions within the 60-minute time limit.
  • Analyse every mock and maintain a topic-wise mistake tracker.
  • Solve previous year CBT-1 papers under timed conditions.
  • Revise Mathematics and Mental Ability shortcuts.
  • Increase General Science and Current Affairs revision.
  • Continue CBT-2 technical preparation alongside CBT-1 mocks.
  • Do not wait for the CBT-1 result before beginning serious CBT-2 preparation.

CBT-2 Intensive Preparation

Weeks 14-17

Build the technical depth and speed required for CBT-2.

  • Intensify Mathematics and General Intelligence preparation.
  • Cover General Science and Engineering concepts systematically.
  • Complete the relevant trade-specific technical syllabus.
  • Practise Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Automobile, and other relevant engineering concepts where applicable to the prescribed trade.
  • Solve CBT-2 Part-A previous year questions.
  • Practise Part-B trade questions regularly.
  • Attempt subject-wise CBT-2 sectional tests.
  • Take full-length CBT-2 mocks under actual time conditions.
  • Continue CBAT preparation for the next stage.

Final Revision and CBAT Preparation

Weeks 18-20

Consolidate CBT-2 preparation and become ready for the aptitude stage.

  • Attempt two to three full-length CBT-2 mocks every week.
  • Revise Mathematics formulas and shortcuts.
  • Revise Mental Ability concepts and frequently repeated patterns.
  • Revise General Science and General Awareness.
  • Revise Basic Science and Engineering.
  • Revise the complete relevant trade syllabus.
  • Reattempt incorrect questions from previous mocks and PYQs.
  • Practise CBT-2 Part-B trade questions regularly.
  • Begin intensive CBAT practice.
  • Practise aptitude-test modules under timed conditions.
  • Avoid starting major new topics during the final week.

Weekly roadmap

Week 5

Complete CBT-1 fundamentals and begin Basic Science, Engineering, and trade preparation.

Week 10

Complete first coverage of CBT-1 subjects and build strong technical fundamentals.

Week 13

Build CBT-1 speed through full-length mocks while continuing CBT-2 preparation.

Week 17

Complete major CBT-2 Part-A and Part-B topics and begin intensive CBAT practice.

Week 20

Complete final revision, technical PYQs, CBT-2 mocks, and CBAT preparation.

Subject-wise syllabus

Mathematics

High4 hours/week
Number SystemBODMASDecimalsFractionsLCMHCFRatio and ProportionPercentageMensurationTime and WorkTime and DistanceSimple InterestCompound InterestProfit and LossAlgebraGeometryTrigonometryElementary StatisticsSquare RootAge CalculationsCalendarClockPipes and Cisterns

Mental Ability

High4 hours/week
AnalogiesAlphabetical SeriesNumber SeriesCoding and DecodingMathematical OperationsRelationshipsSyllogismJumblingVenn DiagramsData InterpretationData SufficiencyConclusionsDecision MakingSimilarities and DifferencesAnalytical ReasoningClassificationDirectionsStatement and ArgumentsStatement and Assumptions

General Science

High3 hours/week
PhysicsChemistryLife SciencesHuman BodyEveryday ScienceBasic Scientific ConceptsElectricityMotionForce and WorkEnergyHeatLightSoundMagnetismBasic ChemistryMaterialsEnvironmentBasic Biology

General Awareness and Current Affairs

High3 hours/week
Current AffairsIndian HistoryIndian GeographyIndian PolityIndian EconomyIndian CultureSportsImportant PersonalitiesImportant National EventsImportant International EventsGovernment SchemesScientific DevelopmentsTechnological DevelopmentsEnvironmental IssuesImportant OrganisationsAwards and HonoursBooks and AuthorsImportant AppointmentsRailway-related DevelopmentsStatic General Knowledge

Free resources

RRB Official Website

Website

Use official RRB websites for notifications, exam schedules, admit cards, answer keys, results, mock-test links, and recruitment updates. RRB specifically advises candidates to rely on official RRB websites for recruitment information. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

NCERT Science

Study Material

Useful for strengthening Physics, Chemistry, and Life Science fundamentals.

Previous Year RRB ALP Papers

Practice

Solve CBT-1 and CBT-2 previous year questions topic-wise first and then under complete exam conditions.

Technical Trade Notes

Study Material

Use ITI, diploma, or engineering-level study material matching the trade used for ALP eligibility.

Current Affairs Notes

Notes

Maintain concise notes covering national and international events, government schemes, appointments, awards, science, technology, economy, and railway-related developments.

Mock test plan

  • Weeks 1-5: Topic-wise practice and short tests.
  • Weeks 6-10: One sectional test for each CBT-1 subject every week.
  • Weeks 11-13: One to two full-length CBT-1 mocks every week.
  • Weeks 14-17: CBT-2 Part-A and Part-B sectional tests and previous year papers.
  • Weeks 18-20: Two to three full-length CBT-2 mocks every week.
  • Practise CBT-1 within the 60-minute composite time limit.
  • Practise CBT-2 under its prescribed time limits.
  • Analyse every mock before attempting the next one.
  • Maintain separate mistake trackers for CBT-1, CBT-2 Part-A, and technical Part-B.
  • Practise CBAT modules separately under timed conditions.

Revision plan

  • Maintain a Mathematics formula and shortcut notebook.
  • Maintain a Mental Ability concept notebook.
  • Revise General Science every week.
  • Maintain a dedicated Current Affairs notebook.
  • Create separate Basic Science and Engineering revision notes.
  • Maintain a trade-specific technical formula and concept notebook.
  • Reattempt incorrect questions from previous year papers and mocks.
  • Revise frequently repeated technical questions.
  • Review the mistake tracker before every new mock.
  • Practise CBAT aptitude modules regularly.
  • Conduct a final revision of technical subjects before CBT-2.

Tips

Do not treat CBT-1 as the complete ALP preparation; CBT-1 is only a screening stage. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Start technical preparation from the first week because CBT-2 contains Basic Science and Engineering plus a trade-specific Part-B.
Give extra attention to Part-B because it is qualifying and must be cleared to progress.
Match technical preparation exactly to the relevant trade and qualification.
Practise Mathematics and Mental Ability daily for CBT-1 speed.
Build General Science fundamentals before moving to advanced technical concepts.
Solve previous year ALP papers to identify recurring patterns.
Start CBAT preparation early rather than waiting for the CBT-2 result.
Take negative marking seriously and avoid blind guessing.
Use the latest official RRB ALP notification and syllabus as the final source of truth.