RRB ALP CBT-2 Exam: Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility, and Complete Guide

RRB ALP CBT-2 is the second stage computer based test in the Assistant Loco Pilot recruitment process run by India's Railway Recruitment Boards. It follows CBT-1 and precedes the Computer Based Aptitude Test. Candidates who clear CBT-1 sit for CBT-2, which carries far more weight in the final merit list. It is meant for candidates who have already passed Class 10 with an ITI certificate, or hold a diploma or engineering degree, and are pursuing a technical, safety critical role on Indian Railways.

RRB ALP CBT-2 Exam Overview and Purpose

CBT-2 exists to test candidates on subjects closer to the actual job of operating and maintaining a locomotive, not just general aptitude. It has two parts. Part A checks mathematics, general intelligence and reasoning, general science, and basic science and engineering, and its score is what actually builds a candidate's merit rank. Part B tests knowledge specific to the candidate's declared trade (mechanical, electrical, electronics, automobile, and so on) and is qualifying in nature, meaning it does not add to the score once a candidate clears the minimum cutoff.

This split exists because Railways wants candidates who are both numerically and logically sharp (Part A) and technically competent in their specific trade (Part B), since Assistant Loco Pilots handle locomotive systems directly.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility is fixed at the point of application for the full recruitment cycle, not separately for CBT-2. For the current CEN 01/2026 cycle, candidates needed to be between 18 and 30 years old as on 1 July 2026, with the usual government age relaxations for reserved categories. On the academic side, candidates needed a Class 10 pass along with an ITI certificate in a notified trade, or a diploma or engineering degree in a relevant discipline. Only candidates who cleared CBT-1 under that cycle become eligible to sit for CBT-2 — there is no separate application or eligibility check at the CBT-2 stage itself.

Exam Structure and Format

CBT-2 is conducted online in objective, multiple choice format across two shifts on the scheduled exam day. It runs for a combined 2 hours 30 minutes, split into two sectionally timed parts that candidates attempt on the same sitting:

• Part A: 100 questions, 90 minutes, covering Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Science, and Basic Science and Engineering.

• Part B: 75 questions, 60 minutes, covering the candidate's specific trade syllabus as prescribed by the Directorate General of Training.

Each correct answer earns one mark, and one-third of a mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. Part A minimum qualifying marks vary by category — roughly 40% for UR/EWS, 30% for OBC and SC, and 25% for ST — while Part B requires a flat 35% for all categories regardless of community. Only marks scored in Part A count toward the merit list used to shortlist candidates for the next stage, provided the candidate has also cleared the Part B qualifying threshold.

Syllabus / Domain Breakdown

Part A domains:

• Mathematics — number systems, algebra, geometry, mensuration, and related numerical topics

• General Intelligence and Reasoning — analytical and logical reasoning items

• General Science — physics, chemistry, and biology at a general awareness level

• Basic Science and Engineering — fundamentals relevant to engineering trades

Part B domain:

• Trade-specific technical questions matched to the candidate's declared ITI or diploma trade, such as mechanical, electrical, electronics and communication, or automobile engineering

Because RRB does not publish an official topic-by-topic weightage sheet, candidates should treat detailed subtopic breakdowns from coaching sites as a general guide rather than a confirmed RRB document, and rely on the syllabus PDF attached to the official CEN notification for the authoritative list.

Registration Process

There is no separate registration for CBT-2. Candidates register once for the full RRB ALP recruitment cycle (CEN 01/2026, for instance) through the official RRB application portal during the notified application window, choosing a single RRB and railway zone preference. Once CBT-1 results are declared, qualified candidates are automatically considered for CBT-2 and simply need to download their city intimation slip and admit card from their respective regional RRB website ahead of the exam date. For exact registration steps, document requirements, and portal links, candidates should always refer to the official notification and their chosen regional RRB website rather than third-party guides.

Career Value

Clearing the full RRB ALP selection process — CBT-1, CBT-2, CBAT, document verification, and medical examination — leads to appointment as an Assistant Loco Pilot on Indian Railways, a Level 2 post under the 7th Pay Commission with a defined promotion path toward Loco Pilot (Goods), Loco Pilot (Mail/Express), Senior Loco Pilot, and eventually supervisory roles. It is a permanent central government position with the job security, allowances, and medical benefits associated with Indian Railways service, and typically draws a very large number of applicants nationally given the stability and long-term career progression the role offers within railway operations.

How AllExamQuestionsPractice Tests Can Help

Since CBT-2 splits scoring between a general Part A and a trade-specific Part B, focused practice on both fronts helps more than broad revision alone. Free practice tests on AllExamQuestions.com are organized to mirror the sectional timing and negative marking of the actual exam, so candidates can get used to pacing themselves across Part A and Part B separately before exam day, and identify which trade topics in Part B need more attention.