RRB NTPC Exam Analysis 2025: Check All Shifts Topics & Difficult Level

The RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories) CBT‑1 exam kicked off on June 5, 2025, running in multiple shifts daily through June 24 . Each shift includes 100 questions across three key sections: General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence & Reasoning, to be completed in 90 minutes, with a penalty of –1/3 for each wrong answer .

This analysis compiles the most comprehensive shift-wise breakdown, difficulty levels, good attempt numbers, key questions, and important takeaway topics, drawn from trusted ed-tech platforms and real candidate feedback.

🔔 Admit Card & Exam Schedule

• The CBT‑1 admit cards and city intimation were released on June 1, 2025, via regional RRB websites and the central portal. Candidates must carry a printed copy with valid photo ID .
• The exam runs in three daily shifts:
  
  • Shift 1: Reporting 7:30 AM → Exam 9:00–10:30 AM
  • Shift 2: 11:15 AM → 12:45–2:15 PM
  • Shift 3: 3:00 PM → 4:30–6:00 PM 

With over 11,558 vacancies and approximately 1.21 crore applicants, competition is fierce .

Shift-Wise Analysis

✅ 5th June – Shift 1

• Level: Easy to Moderate
• Good Attempts: Overall 79–84 (GA 28‑29, Math 24‑25, Reasoning 25‑26) 
• Section Overview:
  
  • General Awareness: 40 Qs, Moderate. Included Current Affairs (~10), Static GK, Science, History, Polity, Geography, Yojanas, etc. 
  • Mathematics: 30 Qs, Easy to Moderate. Covered Profit & Loss, LCM/HCF, Time & Work, Number System, Percentage/Ratio, Mensuration, Algebra/SI/CI, Average, Simplification, Geometry. 
  • Reasoning: 30 Qs, Easy. Included Puzzles, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Coding, Analogies, Series, Directions, Odd One Out, Paper Folding, Counting Figures. 

✅ 6th June – Shift 1

• Level: Easy to Moderate
• Good Attempts: 79–84 (GA 28‑30, Math 23‑25, Reasoning 24‑26) 
• Section Breakdown:
  
  • Mathematics: Arithmetic (10‑11 questions incl. SI, CI, Profit & Loss), Number System, Geometry/Mensuration, Simplification, Statistics, Algebra/Trigonometry.
  • General Awareness: CA (~8–10), History (4–5), Polity (4–5), Science (7–8), Geography/Economy (2–3), Environment (1–2), Computer (4–5).
  • Reasoning: Easy overall; topics: Coding-Decoding (4–5), Blood Relations, Directions, Puzzles (5–6), Series & Analogy (6–7), Syllogism, etc.

✅ 7th June – Shifts 1 & 2

• Shift 1:
  
  • Overall Moderate–Difficult; Good attempts ~75–80 
  • GA: Moderate; Math: Moderate–Difficult; Reasoning: Difficult.
• Shift 2:
  
  • Overall Moderate–Difficult; Good attempts ~70–75
  • GA: Moderate; Math: Moderate–Difficult; Reasoning: Moderate.

Notable Question Topics:

• GA: IPL, GDP %, ISRO R&D, GI Tags
• Math: Ratio, Proportion, Means & Median
• Reasoning: Standard syllabus questions 

✅ 9th June – Shift 1

• Level: Moderate to Difficult
• Good Attempts: 76–85 (GA 28–32, Math 22–25, Reasoning 26–28) 
• Section Breakdown:
  
  • General Awareness: 40 Qs (History 5–6, Geography 2–3, Polity 2–3, Static GK 2–3, Current Affairs 10–12, Science 7–8)—Moderate 
  • Mathematics: Easy to Moderate (Ratio & Proportion, Average, Number System, Simplification, Time & Work, Speed & Distance, SI/CI, Profit & Loss, LCM/HCF, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry) 
  • Reasoning: Easy; included Seating Arrangements, Odd One Out, Series, Statement & Conclusion, Directions, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Calendars, Blood Relations, Venn, Paper Folding, Counting Figures, Miscellaneous 

Overall Trends & Recommendations

✓ Difficulty

• GA: Moderate across shifts
• Math: Mostly Easy–Moderate, occasionally Moderate–Difficult
• Reasoning: The easiest section, generally scoring

✓ Good Attempts

• Around 76–85 in easier shifts; drops to 70–80 on harder days

✓ Sectional Weightage

• GA: 40% weight; diverse topics (CA, Static GK, Polity, Economy, Science)
• Math: 30% weight; emphasis on basics—Arithmetic, Ratio, Percentage, etc.
• Reasoning: 30% weight—focus on puzzles, series, coding, seating, syllogism

📚 Key Topics to Prioritize

1. 

General Awareness

• Current Affairs (Oct 2024–Apr 2025): sports, awards, GI Tags, government schemes (e.g., Women’s Premier League) 
• Static GK: National Parks, dances, Yojanas, chemical reactions
• History, Polity, Geography, Economics
• Science (Basics Biology & Physics; MS Office) 

2. 

Mathematics

• Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Average, LCM/HCF
• Time & Work, Speed, Time & Distance
• Mensuration & Geometry, Algebra basics, Number System, Simplification, Statistics/DI 

3. 

Reasoning

• Seating Arrangements (Linear, Circular), Puzzles
• Coding–Decoding, Blood Relations, Syllogism
• Series (Number/Alphabet), Analogies, Odd One Out, Directions
• Miscellaneous: Paper Folding, Calendars, Counting Figures, Venn Diagrams 

⏱ Exam Strategy

1. Time Management:
   
   • GA: 25–30 minutes (40 questions)
   • Math: 30–35 minutes (30 questions)
   • Reasoning: 25–30 minutes (30 questions) 
2. Section Order:
   
   • Start with your strongest section to build confidence.
   • GA often takes longest—attempt known facts quickly.
   • Save moderate puzzles or reasoning for later.
3. Accuracy Matters:
   
   • Negative marking – avoid guesswork.
   • Focus on problems you can confidently solve.
4. Mock Practice:
   
   • Take full-length mock tests under timed conditions.
   • Practice free topic-wise tests (GA, Math, Reasoning) available on platforms like PracticeMock .

Additional Prep Recommendations

• Accept diversity: Study a wide range of GA including environment, tech, current affairs, polity.
• Repetition = Confidence: Quick math revisions (tables, formulas) boost speed.
• Practice logic: Reasoning is scoring and builds momentum.
• Mock & Analyse: Full tests, topic quizzes, and past papers help identify weaknesses.
• Mental Wellness: Calm nerves pre-exam; strong mind yields better performance.

FAQs

1. What’s the level of RRB NTPC CBT‑1 overall?
   Moderate; Reasoning easiest, Math mostly Easy–Moderate, GA Moderate with occasional difficulty .
2. How many good attempts are expected?
   Between 76–85 on regular shifts; around 70–80 if slightly tougher .
3. What are focused GA topics?
   CA (Oct 2024–Apr 2025), Static GK (GI Tags, national parks, dances), Polity, History, Science basics.
4. Should I attempt Reasoning first?
   Yes—most questions are direct and quick; great for building confidence.
5. How to manage time?
   Aim for GA in 30 mins, Math in 30, Reasoning in 30; adjust based on strength.

Final Thoughts

The RRB NTPC CBT‑1 2025 is a balanced examination where realistic preparation, effective time management, and a smart exam strategy are crucial. Here’s your checklist:

• Master core GA and current affairs
• Build speed in Maths fundamentals
• Score high in Reasoning through practiced patterns
• Devote time to full mocks and topic tests
• Follow a time-structured exam strategy

With dedicated effort, you can aim for 80+ good attempts, positioning yourself well for the qualifiers of CBT‑2 and beyond. Keep revising, practice daily, stay calm, and step into the exam hall with confidence. Best of luck! 💪