Based on the 2019 NTPC recruitment notification (CBT started on 15 December 2020); check the latest official notification for any change in pattern.
Exam Pattern at a Glance
- CBT 1: 100 questions (Mathematics 30, General Intelligence and Reasoning 30, General Awareness 40), 100 marks, 90 minutes.
- CBT 2: 120 questions (Mathematics 35, General Intelligence and Reasoning 35, General Awareness 50), 120 marks, 90 minutes.
- The 2019 cycle covered both 10+2 level posts (Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Junior Time Keeper, Trains Clerk) and graduate level posts (Traffic Assistant, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, Senior Time Keeper, Commercial Apprentice, Station Master).
Mathematics (CBT 1 and CBT 2)
- Number system, decimals, fractions, LCM and HCF
- Ratio and proportion, percentage
- Mensuration
- Time and work, time and distance
- Simple and compound interest, profit and loss
- Elementary algebra, geometry and trigonometry
- Elementary statistics
General Intelligence and Reasoning (CBT 1 and CBT 2)
- Analogies, completion of number and alphabetical series
- Coding and decoding, mathematical operations
- Similarities and differences, relationships
- Analytical reasoning, syllogism, jumbling
- Venn diagrams, puzzles, data sufficiency
- Statement and conclusion, statement and courses of action, decision making
- Maps and interpretation of graphs
General Awareness (CBT 1 and CBT 2)
- Current events of national and international importance
- Games and sports
- Art and culture of India, Indian literature, monuments and places of India
- General Science and Life Science up to Class 10 CBSE level
- History of India and the freedom struggle
- Physical, social and economic geography of India and the world
- Indian polity and governance: the Constitution and political system
- Scientific and technological developments, including India's space and nuclear programmes
- The UN and other important world organisations
- Environmental issues concerning India and the world
- Basics of computers and computer applications
- Common abbreviations, transport systems in India
- Indian economy, famous personalities of India and the world
- Flagship government programmes, flora and fauna of India
- Important government and public sector organisations of India
Preparation Pointers
- The topic list is the same for both stages; CBT 2 simply has more questions in each section (35, 35 and 50 instead of 30, 30 and 40).
- General Awareness carries the largest share in both stages, so regular current affairs reading pays off.
- General Science and Life Science questions stay within the Class 10 CBSE level.