Loco Pilot Study Plan, Tips to Clear Exam in First Attempt!

Loco Pilot Study Plan: Becoming a Loco Pilot in the Indian Railways is a dream for many aspirants across the country. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) releases the Assistant Loco Pilot recruitment each year and for that structured preparation is required. Here, we’ll cover the most effective Loco Pilot Study Plan 2025, including stage and subject-wise strategy, and tips that can help you clear the RRB Loco Pilot exam on the first attempt!

Loco Pilot Study Plan

The Railway Recruitment Board conducts the RRB ALP Exam to select eligible candidates for the Indian Railways. For this exam, candidates must follow a smart study strategy that helps them understand the exam pattern and the Loco Pilot syllabus effectively. Before starting your preparation, it's important to create a proper Loco Pilot Study Plan and for that understanding the gist of the Loco Pilot exam is crucial.

Loco Pilot Study Plan for CBT 1 and CBT 2 (Part A)

Mathematics/Arithmetic Section: To build a strong foundation for the Mathematics section of the Loco Pilot exam, candidates should begin their preparation with NCERT textbooks, as these books cover all fundamental concepts in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Concentrate on important topics such as number systems, percentages, profit and loss, time and work, time and distance, and both simple and compound interest.

These topics are not only frequently asked in the exam but also help in building core mathematical understanding. Regular practice is crucial to strengthen calculation speed and accuracy. As you advance, start applying short tricks and mental math techniques to solve problems more quickly during the exam. This will save time and improve your confidence in tackling numerical questions under pressure.

Reasoning Section: For the Reasoning section, staying updated with the latest exam pattern and syllabus is essential. This section tests your ability to think logically and solve problems efficiently, so daily practice is the key to mastering it. Focus on common reasoning topics like syllogism, blood relations, decision-making, data interpretation, logical deductions, and puzzles. These areas require both practice and presence of mind.

Work on enhancing your speed and accuracy, as reasoning problems can often be tricky and time-consuming. Solving previous years’ question papers and attempting mock tests regularly will sharpen your analytical thinking and improve your ability to approach questions with clarity and confidence.

General Awareness Section: Although the General Awareness section holds less weightage compared to other sections, it offers a good opportunity to score full marks with focused preparation. To excel in this part, make it a habit to read a newspaper daily to stay up-to-date with important national and international events. Emphasize news related to politics, economics, sports, awards, and major government schemes.

In addition to current affairs, candidates should also revise static general knowledge topics such as the List of Famous Books & Authors, Countries and their Capitals & Currencies, Major Inventions & Discoveries, Tennis Grand Slam Winners, National Games of Countries, and Arjuna Award Winners. These resources provide valuable information and are often repeated in various competitive exams.

General Science Section: For the General Science section, rely mainly on NCERT Science textbooks from Classes 8 to 10, as they cover all the relevant topics in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in a straightforward manner. Focus on understanding the basic concepts instead of diving into overly technical or advanced theories. This section often includes conceptual and factual questions, so having clarity in fundamentals is essential.

Candidates should make short and crisp notes summarizing definitions, formulas, and key principles. These notes can serve as a quick revision tool before the exam and help retain important points more effectively. Regular revision and solving science-based questions will build confidence and ensure good performance in this section.

Loco Pilot Study Plan for CBT 2 (Part B)

Trade-specific subjects play a vital role in the RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) CBT 2 Part B exam, and this section is qualifying in nature. However, it is essential to prepare well because failure to qualify in this section will result in disqualification from the Loco Pilot selection process. The trade subjects are based on the ITI discipline chosen by the candidate during the application. To prepare effectively, candidates must first be clear about their trade and thoroughly review the syllabus.

Focus on understanding the basic working principles, functions of tools and machines, maintenance procedures, and safety rules relevant to your trade. Solving previous year's trade papers and referring to practice sets will help you get a real feel of the kind of questions that can be asked. It's also advisable to revise technical terms, definitions, and processes by preparing short notes or flashcards for quick recall.

Allocate dedicated time daily to practice and strengthen your trade knowledge. A strong grasp of trade-specific subjects not only helps in qualifying Part B of CBT 2 but also boosts your confidence during further stages.

Tips to Crack Loco Pilot Exam in First Attempt

Many candidates appear for the Loco Pilot exam each year, but only those who plan smartly and put in a consistent effort clear the exam. Here are proven preparation tips:

• Understand the Loco Pilot exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly before starting.
• Develop a personalized study plan that fits your daily routine. Avoid copying someone else’s schedule.
• Master time management. Learn concepts properly instead of rote learning.
• Stay updated with current affairs through newspapers or apps. Make brief notes of important events.
• Take your time while learning. Don't rush; instead, focus on clarity.
• Maintain formula sheets and quick notes for last-minute revision.
• Start solving mock tests regularly to improve accuracy and learn time management.
• Practice previous years’ papers to get familiar with question types and difficulty levels.
• Set time aside for regular revisions of already studied topics.
• During the exam, stay calm and don’t panic.
• Skip difficult questions and return to them later if time permits.
• Don’t guess blindly as there is a negative marking.
• Aim to finish the exam at least 10 minutes early to review your answers.
• Keep your mind relaxed and avoid stress while preparing.
• Don't stick to one question for too long. Keep moving forward.
• Focus on your weak areas while strengthening your strong zones.

By following this Loco Pilot Study Plan and tips, you can increase your chances of clearing the Loco Pilot Exam on your very first attempt. PW provides Railway exam content, including Railway Exam Blogs, sample papers, mock tests, guidance sessions, and more. Also, enroll today on Railway Online Coaching for preparation.