Hey there, all you up-and-coming train and railway fans!

Are you aspiring for a job that could land you bang in front of one of the largest network’s journalists to go live in India? You are a technical person by occupation– ITI (Industrial Training Institute) or Diploma-holder, right? If yes, then the RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) is your ideal opportunity!

The 3 years of ALP is the very first phase of Train Driver. You are a second set of eyes, an engineer in training and the assistant to the train’s operator. It’s a position that comes with enormous responsibility, great stability and high esteem.

In this easy guide, we will go through every single detail about the RRB ALP job recruitment: what the job is all about, who can apply for it, it’s one of a kind three stage examination process and how you can prepare to bag this high paying challenging job.

The search for a Sarkari position requires dedication and timely information.

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What is The Work of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)? (The Job Profile) 

The ALP is a technical track and operational position. You are just like the \”Co-Pilot\” of a train (engine), and you are doing everything to support our Loco Pilot (the main driver). Your work is tactile, and that forces you to always be present.

Core Responsibilities of an Assistant Loco Pilot

Duty Area (What You Do)	Simple Explanation of the Task
Assist the Loco Pilot (LP)	You are the \”go to\” for LP. You incessantly call out signals and speed restrictions to make certain that the LP hasn’t overlooked anything. This is crucial for safety.
Technical Check-up	Prior to any journey, you examine the locomotive engine, oil levels, brakes, lighting and instruments to make sure that it is safe for travel. You are the on-board technician.
Minor Fault Rectification	If the engine has a minor hiccup along the way, you apply your techno-knowledge to make it right and keep progress from falling behind.
Lookout and Safety	You constantly watch the track, signals and vicinity, for any abnormal condition or danger, reporting instantly to the LP.
Maintenance Duties	Upon completion of the run necessary checks are made and the engine is passed to the next crew with appropriate details of performance and faults being recorded

Career Path: This is a straight path. An ALP is groomed for years, promoted as departmental exam passers to Senior ALP, then LP(Goods), then LP(Passenger) and finally as LP(Mail/Express). This is a career with predictable growth and pay raises.

You can find your Sarkari result easily online after the exam.

Who Can Apply? (Am I Eligible?) 

The ALP job is highly technical and so its eligibility rules as well are very specific, which includes primarily technical mode education.

Educational Qualification (What You need to have):

• Option 1: ITI (Industrial Training Institute) If you did your ITI in a trade after the 10th standard, then: Standard trades likely to get the greatest number of vacancies: Fitter Electrician Mechanic Motor Vehicle Electronic Weaving etc.
• Option 2: Engineering Diploma You must have a minimum 3 years engineering diploma in the following four key streams; Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics and Automobile disciplines.
• Option 3: B. Tech/B.E. Degree in any branch is also acceptable.

Note: candidates with Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering only and not possessing ITI/ diploma are not eligible to apply. If you have a degree in Engineering only then it must belong to one of the below mentioned core branches. But the syllabus for this will be same only focus on ITI/Diploma Level course.

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Age Limit (How Old Can You Be)

The age limit for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) is strictly enforced and candidates need to ensure that they meet the requirement as on official cutoff date listed in the recruitment notification.

For General or UR candidates, the minimum age limit is 18 years and maximum is generally between 30-32 years. You cannot be any older than this maximum age.

But the government is giving not relaxations for those reserved candidates. These relaxations increase the maximum allowable age, thereby opening a reasonably fair chance for more candidates. The maximum age for the OBC Candidates, who are under Non-Creamy Layer is relatable by 3 years i.e. up to 33 years.

A further relaxation is granted to SC/ST candidates who can apply till 35 years, which includes a period of 5 years above and beyond the maximum age limit. Moreover, the relaxation has been extended beyond 90 years for candidates belongs to PwBD category, up to 100 years and above can also be due for them based on their sub-category.

Candidates are recommended to refer the latest official notification for exact cut-off date and for any other relaxations like Ex-Servicemen.

This valuable tool ensures you never miss a deadline for that crucial Sarkari exam.

 

Medical Standard

This is the most important post for the ALP function. You have to pass our most restrictive medical standard, A-1.

Minimum A-1: 6/6 without glasses (no fogging / IOL is admissible), must not be colour blind or night blind, must bear extreme strain due to walking on tracks and working in low light and high stress conditions.

How is the Selection Done? (The Multi-Stage Process) 

The selection process is grueling, with four steps in which technical expertise and skills are tested.

Group D Exam Last Date to apply Name of the Post: Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Various Vacancies 2019 Stage I CBT January 25, at PM RRB Group D Section has one stage Objective Type Question paper.

What it is: The initial screening for all candidates.

What it tests: Non-Technical topics including General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, Reasoning and Aptitude, General Science.

Passing: You must have secured cut-off more than the others for going to CBT-2 phase. The scores from this round are not taken into account in the final rank.

Cen 01/2018 – 2nd stage CBT (Computer Based Test)् Stage-02: Second Stage Computer Based test (CBT)

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What it is: The key technical examination in two parts, A and B.

Part A (Merits Decider): This will be based on Math, Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering. Marks of this part are included in final merit list.

Part B (Qualifying): It shall comprise of objective type questions from ITI/ Diploma level Syllabus. To continue, you must set at least the minimum passing score in this section that is not included with your final score.

Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) / Psycho Test.

What it is: A customized test for operational postings to measure mental fitness.

What it tests: Concentration, reaction time, memory and depth/distance judgement. Especially when you\’re behind the wheel.

Pass: You must meet the T-Score cut-off in all components of the CBAT. Miss a single section and you get disqualified.

Verification of DV & Medical Exam (ME)

What it is: You send in original documents for verification and undergo a stringent medical test to determine whether you qualify under the A-1 standard.

Final Merit: Final merit list will be drawn by giving the 70% weightage to CBT-2 Part A and 30% weightage to CBAT marks.

The Exam Pattern and Syllabus Details 

The Exam Pattern and Syllabus Details  (Explained elaborately)

As entrance exams are divided into several moments and have specific goals for each step, is essential to know the structure of ALP selection process. All stages of the examination would be Computer Based Test (CBT) complied model questions.

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CBT-1: The Screening Test Pattern

The First Stage CBT (CBT-1) would be the first level screening test. Its main purpose is to screen people for the next round. It is an overall test that same for all applicants irrespective of their technical trade.

The test duration is 60 minutes and there are 80 questions, with one mark awarded for each correct answer – a total of 80 marks available.

The 80 items are divided into four principal domains:

• Mathematics and Reasoning: This is the most-weighted section with 40 questions (20 for Math and 20 for Reasoning).
• General Science – 20 questions Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences up to 10th standard level.
• General Awareness and Current Affairs- It consists of the remaining 20 questions related to current happenings, Indian tradition, ancient history, and simple politics.
• Important Note: Don’t forget the rule of negative marking, 1/3 mark is reduced for each wrong answer. Applicants who score more than the CBT-1 cut-off will be shortlisted (normally 15 times of vacancies) for the next stage.

CBT-2: Rank-Deciding and Technical Test

CBT-2 is the most important stage and it consist of Part A and B, each of equal importance The total duration is 2:30 hours.

Part A (The Merit Maker)

The most crucial of the sections is Part A as this section with (the CBAT score) decides your rank. This section is of 90 minutes (one hour and thirty minutes) duration and it carries a total of 100 questions.

The part A syllabus is all about your fundamental analytical and basic technical being tested:

• Mathematics & Reasoning: Together 50 questions will come from both (25 for Math & 25 for reasoning), the section checks your numeric and logical skill.
• General Science & Engineering: It is the most important section with 40 questions in it. It deals with the fundamentals of engineering directly on formula basis such as Engineering Drawing, Measurement work & Power concepts.
• General Awareness and Current Affairs These 10 questions are from this general knowledge section

Important News: You will be awarded 70% of your selection marks in the final selections from performances here in this Part A.

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Part B (The Qualifying Test)

Part B is a qualifying examination only and it will be of 60 minutes duration (1 hour). 8.3 – Trade Paper The trade paper (trade tests) will consist of 75 questions based on the respective Trade Syllabus (e.g. Fitter, Electrician, etc.) selected by the candidate.

In part by there is only one target to clear the minimum marks required, which is 35% mark mostly. It is to be noted that no relaxation is provided in this minimum qualifying percentage for candidates belonging to any reserved category. A candidate needs to score at least 35 per cent to qualify in Part B, if they fail to clear the process in part B (irrespective of their marks in part A) then all his/her CBT-2 marks are cancelled and such a candidate will not be considered for further stages of recruitment process.

CBAT/Psycho Test

The last phase of testing involving operational duties is the CBAT. And not like the CBTs, this one doesn’t follow a set syllabus but brings to test your psychologically fitness for the arduous job of train driving.

The test measures five areas of cognitive function: Concentration, Reaction Time, Depth Perception, Memory and Tracking/Following. You need to meet the required minimum qualifying T-Score in ALL of the test batteries to pass the CBAT.

Final Merit: The final merit of those who qualify on the CBAT would be based on 100% by adding their performance in CBAT. The final merit list is created by giving 70% weight to the marks obtained in CBT-2 Part A and 30% of weightage is awarded to the marks from CBAT. It has been designed to make candidates with partial knowledge and mental aptitude get filtered out.

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Last Minute Tips: Tech Knowledge is Everything! 

You want to crack the RRB ALP exam, which means you have to pass it with flying colors in all 4 stages, particularly for technical sections.

GIVE MORE TIME TO CBT-2 PART A is the part where final selection will be depending on (marks of Part A = 85%) all other subjects are just qualifying nature. Basic Science & Engineering section is supposed to be your powerful part. Read the books, which are made exclusively for its syllabus and not some mere engineering book.

• Trade Test Shall be Compulsory: In Part B, you have to score 35% marks. If you get 100/100 and fail Part B, you’re out. Brush up the fundamental ITI or Diploma ideas.
• Practice the Psycho Test (CBAT): The CBAT is a tricky one. Begin training of the corresponding test batteries (application is possible e.g., Memory Test, Concentration Test) at an early stage on a computer. You have to work on the mind of speed and accuracy too because your test for this is also must to clear.
• Master General Science (CBT-1): “20 marks are not something to take lightly in CBT-1. Despite school syllabus Use books for 9th and 10th standard Science (NCERT/State Board) to cover Physics and Chemistry basic.
• Practice Mock Tests: Give full length timed mock test for CBT-1 and CBT-2 regularly. This enables you to deal with time and acclimatize yourself to the negative marking system.

The ALP job is one of safety and efficiency, and the hiring process should be as well. With targeted practice for your clock-making technical trade and ability, you can certainly yield positive results in the control of Indian Railways! Good luck! 

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FAQ

Q1. What is the RRB ALP exam and who conducts it?
The RRB ALP exam is held by the Railway Recruitment Board to recruit Assistant Loco Pilots. Through the RRB ALP exam, ITI and Diploma candidates get a stable railway job as co-pilot of the train with high responsibility and growth.

Q2. What is the eligibility for the RRB ALP exam?
For the RRB ALP exam, candidates need ITI in approved trades or a three-year Engineering Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or related streams. Age limit is usually 18–30/32 years, with relaxations for reserved categories as per official notifications.

Q3. What stages are there in the RRB ALP exam selection process?
The RRB ALP exam has CBT-1, CBT-2 (Part A and Part B), a Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), then Document Verification and A-1 Medical. Marks of CBT-2 Part A and CBAT together decide the final merit in the RRB ALP exam.

Q4. How should I prepare for the RRB ALP exam from zero?
Start RRB ALP exam preparation by understanding the full syllabus, revising ITI/Diploma basics, and focusing on CBT-2 Part A and trade subjects. Practice mock tests, time management and CBAT-style psycho tests regularly to improve accuracy and speed.

Q5. What is the syllabus pattern of the RRB ALP exam?
CBT-1 of the RRB ALP exam includes Math, Reasoning, General Science and Current Affairs. CBT-2 Part A covers Maths, Reasoning, Basic Science & Engineering and GK, while Part B tests trade syllabus like Fitter or Electrician at ITI/Diploma level.