Everything You Should Know About Computer Based Test For Railway Recruitment Drive ! - The India Saga

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Everything You Should Know About Computer Based Test For Railway Recruitment Drive !

Ever since the government-service exams have gone online, the selection of students from Tier 2 and 3 cities has dropped…

Everything You Should Know About Computer Based Test For Railway Recruitment Drive !

Ever since the government-service exams have gone online, the selection of students from Tier 2 and 3 cities has dropped down. It is not because of lack of knowledge of the candidates but due to the teething issues related to shift to computers. The efficiency of students fell from 65/100 to 35/100 when they shifted to digital mode, due to lack of exposure to computers. Many college graduates in these areas find it hard to operate a computer. The strategy to attempt exam changes as the mode shifts from offline to online. In an offline exam, all the questions are available at once, while in the online pattern you can see only one question at a time.

The application process for railway recruitment came to an end on March 31, 2018. Reports had earlier suggested that more than 2.5 crore candidates had applied for more than 89,000 jobs advertised by Indian Railways.

Now that the application process is over, candidates need to begin preparation for the selection process. The selection process for Group C level I will involve a Computer Based Test (CBT). Those who qualify the CBT will have to appear for a Physical Efficiency Test (PET). 

The selection process for Group C level II will involve two stages of Computer Based Test (CBT). In case of candidates who have opted for ALP post and qualify for the second stage, CBT will have to appear for a computer-based Aptitude Test (AT). 

CBT marks will be normalized for each exam. There will also be negative marking for each incorrect answer. 1/3rd of the marks allotted to each question will be deducted for an incorrect answer. 


First stage: Computer Based Test (CBT)

It will contain objective, multiple choice questions. There will be total 75 questions and the duration of the same will be 60 minutes. Questions will be framed from:

 Mathematics

 General Intelligence and Reasoning

 General Science

 General awareness of current affairs

Exam syllabus

Mathematics

Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM, HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work; time and distance, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, elementary statistics, square root, age calculations, calendar and clock, Pipes and cistern etc.

General Intelligence and Reasoning

Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding, and decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagram, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision making, similarities, and differences, analytical reasoning, classification, directions, statement  arguments and assumptions etc.

General Science

The focus should be on physics, chemistry and life sciences of class 10.

General Awareness

Current affairs in science and technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics, politics and other subjects of importance.

Second stage: Computer Based Test (CBT)

Part A:

Mathematics

It will contain 100 objective type questions. The duration of the same will be 90 minutes.

 General Intelligence and Reasoning

 Basic Science and Engineering

 General awareness of current affairs

Exam syllabus

Mathematics

Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM, HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work; time and distance, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, elementary statistics, square root, age calculations, calendar and clock, pipes and cistern etc.

General Intelligence and Reasoning

Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding, and decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagram, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision making, similarities, and differences, analytical reasoning, classification, directions, statement  arguments and assumptions etc.

Basic Science and Engineering

Engineering drawing (projections, views, drawing instruments, lines, geometric figures, symbolic representation), units, measurements, mass weight and density, work power and energy, speed and velocity, heat and temperature, basic electricity, levers and simple machines, occupational safety and health, environment education, IT literacy etc.

General Awareness

Current affairs in science and technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics, politics and any other subjects of importance.

Part B:

Subject  Relevant trade

There will be total 75 questions and the duration of the exam will be 60 minutes.

Qualifying mark: 35 percent (This is applicable to all candidates and no relaxation is permissible).

This part is qualifying in nature and shall have questions from the trade syllabus prescribed by Director General of Employment and Training (DGET).

Computer-based aptitude test

(Only for candidates who have opted for ALP)

The candidate needs to secure a minimum score of 42 marks in each of the test batteries to qualify. This is applicable to all candidates and no relaxation is permissible. The ALP merit list will be drawn only from the candidates qualifying in the aptitude test, with 70 percent weightage for the marks obtained in the part A of the second stage CBT and 30 percent weightage for the marks obtained in computer-based AT.

Tips and suggestions

 Attempt as many mock tests you can for the exam. Also, after you give each mock test, it is imperative to analyze your performance in order improve your scores. Remember, only taking mock tests arenÂt enough, what you do between two mocks is what will decide your performance.

 As you know, GK and general science are topics that require a lot of memorization. To do this well, repetition is the key. Thus, covering these topics daily along with a test is a good preparation strategy. These sections are extremely important as they can mark the difference between a successful and a failed attempt. Hence, proper preparation here could be the key to clearing the exam.

 Work on your exam attempt strategy. This is one of the most important aspects of test-taking and mocks are the most effective tools to help you devise a winning exam attempt strategy.

(The author Ashutosh Kumar is the CEO and co-founder at Testbook.com, a leading online government exam preparation portal.)

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