RRB Technician CBT 1 Syllabus

CBT 1 Exam Pattern

Mathematics Syllabus (30 Questions)

Technician CBT 1 Mathematics is at Class 10 level, same as NTPC CBT 1. The following topics are tested:

•        Number System: natural numbers; integers; HCF and LCM (prime factorisation and division method); divisibility rules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11); number properties; BODMAS and simplification

•        Decimals and Fractions: operations; conversion; comparison; recurring decimals

•        Percentage: calculation; percentage change; successive percentage changes; reverse percentage; population growth and decline

•        Ratio and Proportion: simple and compound ratio; direct and inverse proportion; mean proportional; third proportional

•        Profit, Loss and Discount: CP, SP, MP; profit percentage; loss percentage; equivalent single discount for successive discounts; dishonest dealer problems

•        Simple Interest and Compound Interest: SI formula; CI formula (annual, half-yearly, quarterly compounding); difference between CI and SI for 2 years; instalments under CI

•        Time and Work: combined work rate; fractional work done; pipes and cisterns (inlet, outlet, combined); work equivalence

•        Time, Speed and Distance: unit conversion (km/h to m/s); average speed; relative speed (same and opposite direction); trains (crossing stationary objects and each other); boats and streams (upstream, downstream, still water)

•        Mixture and Alligation: two-component alligation; alligation cross rule; mixture problems

•        Mensuration 2D: square, rectangle, triangle, parallelogram, rhombus, trapezium, circle, semicircle - area and perimeter; sector area and arc length

•        Mensuration 3D: cube, cuboid, cylinder, cone, sphere, hemisphere - TSA, CSA, and volume; frustum of cone

•        Elementary Algebra: linear equations in one and two variables; quadratic equations (factorisation and formula); basic algebraic identities

•        Geometry: lines and angles; triangles (congruence - SSS, SAS, ASA, RHS; similarity - AA, SSS, SAS; Pythagoras theorem; basic proportionality theorem); quadrilaterals (parallelogram, rectangle, square, rhombus properties); circles (chord, tangent, secant theorems; angle subtended by arc; cyclic quadrilateral)

•        Trigonometry: sin, cos, tan, cosec, sec, cot; standard angles (0, 30, 45, 60, 90); fundamental identities; complementary angle values; heights and distances (angle of elevation and depression - single angle problems)

•        Statistics: arithmetic mean (direct and assumed mean method); median (ungrouped and grouped); mode; range; graphical representation (bar graph, histogram, pie chart, frequency polygon)

General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus (30 Questions)

The Reasoning section covers verbal and non-verbal reasoning at Class 10 level:

•        Number Series: arithmetic progression; geometric progression; difference series; square and cube series; alternating series; wrong term in series; missing term in series

•        Alphabetical Series: letter position-based series; skip series; forward and backward alphabet coding

•        Alpha-Numeric Series: mixed letter, number, and symbol series

•        Analogies: word analogies (relationship identification); number analogies; letter analogies

•        Coding and Decoding: letter shift coding; number substitution coding; symbol coding; conditional coding; reverse coding

•        Blood Relations: direct relations; coded relations; generation tree problems; mixed blood relation puzzles

•        Directions and Distances: eight compass directions; total distance; shortest (straight-line) distance; shadow-based direction; pivot and turn problems

•        Syllogism: All, Some, No statements; categorical syllogism; complementary pair; possibility-based conclusions (Some X may be Y); Venn diagram method for verification

•        Mathematical Operations: BODMAS after symbol replacement; balancing equations by substituting symbols

•        Venn Diagrams: selecting correct Venn diagram for three related sets; solving questions from given diagram regions (elements in intersection, union, only A, etc.)

•        Statement and Conclusion: conclusions that definitely follow from statements; invalid conclusions

•        Statement and Assumptions: implicit assumptions underlying a given statement; valid assumption criteria

•        Statement and Courses of Action: practical and problem-addressing actions; criteria for a valid course of action

•        Cause and Effect: identifying cause-effect pairs; independent causes; common cause; effect statements

•        Seating Arrangement: linear (single row, double row facing each other); circular (facing centre, facing away); rectangular/square; with multiple conditions

•        Puzzles: floor-based; box-based; scheduling; age-based; designation puzzles

•        Classification: odd one out; grouping items by common category; number-based classification

•        Data Sufficiency: two-statement problems; single statement adequacy; combined adequacy

•        Non-Verbal Reasoning: figure series (next figure); matrix completion (3x3, 2x2); mirror image (figures, letters, clock); water image; paper folding and cutting; embedded figures; figure counting (triangles, squares, rectangles)

•        Input-Output: multi-step machine rearrangement of words and numbers; identifying a specific step

General Science Syllabus (40 Questions)

General Science is the highest-weightage section in Technician CBT 1 (40 marks) and is tested at Class 9 and Class 10 NCERT level. It covers Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences (Biology). This section is the primary differentiator for Technician candidates.

Physics (Class 9 and 10 NCERT)

•        Motion: distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration; uniform and non-uniform motion; equations of motion (v=u+at; s=ut+1/2 at^2; v^2=u^2+2as); distance-time and velocity-time graphs

•        Force and Newton's Laws: Newton's First (inertia); Second (F=ma); Third (action-reaction); Law of Conservation of Momentum; Gravitational force; g = 9.8 m/s^2; weight vs mass; free fall; Kepler's laws

•        Work, Energy and Power: W = Fd cos(theta); kinetic energy KE = 1/2 mv^2; potential energy PE = mgh; Law of Conservation of Energy; power P = W/t; commercial unit kWh; efficiency

•        Sound: longitudinal wave; compression and rarefaction; amplitude; frequency; wavelength; speed of sound in different media; reflection of sound; echo (minimum distance 17.2m); reverberation; sonar; ultrasound applications; human ear

•        Light: laws of reflection; plane mirror (image characteristics); concave and convex mirrors (focal point, centre of curvature, mirror formula 1/v + 1/u = 1/f; magnification m = -v/u); refraction (Snell's Law n = sin i / sin r); total internal reflection (conditions); concave and convex lenses (focal length, lens formula, magnification, power P = 1/f); human eye (accommodation; defects - myopia, hypermetropia, presbyopia, astigmatism; corrections); scattering of light (Tyndall effect; blue sky)

•        Electricity: electric charge; electric current (I = Q/t); potential difference (V = W/Q); Ohm's Law (V = IR); resistance (factors; R = rho l/A); series and parallel resistance; heating effect of current (Joule's Law H = I^2 Rt); electric power (P = VI = I^2 R = V^2/R); commercial unit kWh; safety devices (fuse, MCB, earthing)

•        Magnetic Effects of Electric Current: magnetic field around current-carrying conductor; right-hand thumb rule; solenoid; electromagnet; force on current-carrying conductor in magnetic field (Fleming's Left-Hand Rule); electric motor (principle); electromagnetic induction (Faraday; Lenz's Law; Fleming's Right-Hand Rule); electric generator; AC vs DC

Chemistry (Class 9 and 10 NCERT)

•        Matter: states of matter; interconversion; changes of state (melting, boiling, sublimation, evaporation); physical and chemical changes; pure substances and mixtures; elements, compounds, and mixtures; separation methods (filtration, distillation, chromatography, centrifugation, fractional distillation)

•        Atomic Structure: Dalton's Atomic Theory; Thomson model; Rutherford's alpha scattering model; Bohr's model (shells K, L, M, N); subatomic particles (proton, neutron, electron - mass, charge, location); atomic number; mass number; isotopes (uses of isotopes); isobars; electronic configuration; valency; calculation of valency from configuration

•        Periodic Table: Mendeleev's periodic table; Modern Periodic Law (Moseley); modern periodic table (18 groups; 7 periods); metals, non-metals, metalloids; alkali metals (Group 1); halogens (Group 17); noble gases (Group 18); periodic trends (atomic radius, ionisation energy, electronegativity, metallic character)

•        Chemical Bonding and Reactions: types of chemical bonds (ionic - electron transfer; covalent - electron sharing; metallic); chemical equations (balancing); types of reactions (combination, decomposition, displacement, double displacement, oxidation-reduction, exothermic, endothermic); oxidation and reduction; oxidising and reducing agents; corrosion (rusting; prevention); rancidity (oxidation of fats)

•        Acids, Bases and Salts: Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry definitions; properties of acids and bases; neutralisation; pH scale (0-14; acids < 7; bases > 7; neutral = 7); pH indicators (litmus, methyl orange, phenolphthalein); important salts: NaOH (caustic soda - preparation: chlor-alkali process); Na2CO3 (washing soda); NaHCO3 (baking soda - uses); bleaching powder (Ca(OCl)Cl); Plaster of Paris (CaSO4.1/2H2O); common salt; quick lime; slaked lime

•        Carbon Compounds: allotropes of carbon (diamond, graphite, fullerene - properties and uses); organic chemistry basics (hydrocarbons - alkane, alkene, alkyne; functional groups - alcohol, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid; isomerism; homologous series); important organic compounds (methane; ethanol; ethanoic acid; soaps and detergents - saponification; difference between soap and detergent; micelle formation); LPG and biogas composition

•        Metals and Non-Metals: physical and chemical properties; reactivity series (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Pb, H, Cu, Ag, Au); displacement reactions; extraction of metals (ores - bauxite, haematite, copper pyrite, galena; gangue; smelting; electrolytic refining; thermite process); alloys (steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, solder, duralumin, nichrome - composition and uses); corrosion and prevention (galvanisation, alloying, painting, electroplating)

Life Sciences / Biology (Class 9 and 10 NCERT)

•        Cell: cell theory (Schleiden, Schwann, Virchow); prokaryotic vs eukaryotic; plant cell vs animal cell (differences); organelles (nucleus - chromosomes, DNA, genes; mitochondria - powerhouse; chloroplast - photosynthesis; ribosome - protein synthesis; Golgi apparatus - secretion; lysosome - digestion; ER - transport; vacuole - storage; centriole - cell division); cell division (mitosis - growth and repair; meiosis - gamete formation)

•        Tissues: plant tissues (meristematic - apical, lateral, intercalary; permanent - simple: parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma; complex: xylem, phloem); animal tissues (epithelial - squamous, cuboidal, columnar, ciliated; connective - bone, cartilage, blood, adipose, areolar; muscular - striated, smooth, cardiac; nervous - neuron structure, types)

•        Life Processes: autotrophic nutrition (photosynthesis - 6CO2 + 6H2O + light -> C6H12O6 + 6O2; chlorophyll; light and dark reactions; factors affecting); heterotrophic nutrition (types - holozoic, saprophytic, parasitic; human digestion - mouth to anus, enzymes at each stage, absorption); respiration (aerobic - glucose -> CO2 + H2O + ATP; anaerobic - yeast, muscle - lactic acid; breathing mechanism; lung volumes; gas exchange); transportation (blood composition; heart - chambers, valves, double circulation, SA node, AV node; blood pressure; arteries vs veins vs capillaries; lymph; transpiration; water transport in plants - osmosis, absorption, xylem); excretion (nephron structure and function; glomerular filtration; tubular reabsorption; urine formation; dialysis; excretion in plants - transpiration, guttation, loss of dead parts)

•        Reproduction: types (asexual - fission, budding, fragmentation, vegetative propagation, spore formation; sexual - involves gametes); reproduction in plants (pollination - self and cross; agents; fertilisation; seed and fruit formation; germination); reproduction in humans (male - testes, seminiferous tubules, vas deferens, prostate; female - ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix; menstrual cycle; fertilisation; implantation; pregnancy; placenta); reproductive health; STDs; contraception methods

•        Heredity and Evolution: Mendel's Laws (Law of Segregation; Law of Independent Assortment); dominant and recessive traits; genotype and phenotype; monohybrid and dihybrid crosses; sex determination in humans (XX - female; XY - male); chromosomes and genes; DNA as genetic material; mutations; variations (heritable and non-heritable); Darwin's theory (natural selection; survival of the fittest; variation is raw material for evolution); evidence for evolution (fossils; homologous and analogous organs; embryological evidence); human evolution

•        Our Environment: ecosystem components (biotic and abiotic); food chain (producer, consumer, decomposer); food web; trophic levels; 10% energy flow law; biological magnification (DDT in food chain); biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste; ozone layer (importance; depletion by CFCs; Montreal Protocol); measures for environment protection

•        Management of Natural Resources: forest resources (importance; conservation; sustainable use; chipko movement; case study Arabari forest of Bengal); water resources (watersheds; rainwater harvesting; Ganga Action Plan; dams - benefits and drawbacks); fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas - formation, properties, uses; environmental impact); alternatives to fossil fuels; three R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

•        Human Health and Disease: types of diseases (infectious - bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa, worms; non-infectious - deficiency, genetic, degenerative); disease transmission; important diseases (Malaria - Plasmodium, female Anopheles, life cycle, treatment; TB - Mycobacterium tuberculosis, BCG vaccine; Typhoid - Salmonella typhi, Widal test; Cholera - Vibrio cholerae; AIDS - HIV, modes of transmission; Dengue - Aedes aegypti; COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2); immunity (innate; acquired; antibody; antigen; vaccination; immunisation schedule); adolescent health; drug and alcohol abuse

Topic-wise Weightage

Preparation Tips

1. NCERT Class 10 Science is the CBT 1 Bible

The entire 40-mark General Science section is drawn from NCERT Class 9 and Class 10 Science. Read every chapter, prepare chapter-wise notes covering key concepts, reactions, formulae, and diagrams. Revise these notes weekly.

2. Aim for 70+ in CBT 1

Since CBT 1 is only a screening test, target 70 to 75 marks out of 100 to ensure shortlisting with a safe margin across all categories.

3. Balance All Three Sections

Unlike NTPC where GA can compensate, Technician CBT 1 has no GA section. All three sections (Maths, Reasoning, Science) require genuine preparation. Do not allow any one section to be neglected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is there a General Awareness section in RRB Technician CBT 1?

No. RRB Technician CBT 1 has no General Awareness section. The three subjects are Mathematics (30), Reasoning (30), and General Science (40).

Q2. Is the CBT 1 the same for Technician Grade I and Grade III?

Yes. CBT 1 is common for all Technician posts regardless of grade. The differentiation between Grade I and Grade III occurs in CBT 2, where the trade-specific sections differ.