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The RRB Group D CBT exam analysis provides a structured view of how the exam was actually set across shifts, which sections were easier and harder, how many questions strong candidates attempted correctly, and what score corresponded to PET shortlisting. For candidates preparing for the CEN 09/2025 CBT expected in June 2026, the analysis from the most recent cycle (CEN 08/2024, conducted November 2025 to February 2026) is the closest and most relevant preparation benchmark.
This page covers the complete analysis for CEN 08/2024 (November 2025 to February 2026), shift-wise difficulty data, section-by-section topic observations, good attempt ranges, year-wise trend comparison, and preparation priorities derived from the analysis for the June 2026 exam.
As per the Railway Recruitment Board's conduct rules, specific questions from the exam cannot be reproduced or shared. All analysis on this page is based on aggregated candidate feedback, official exam data, and syllabus-level topic distribution patterns, in compliance with applicable examination regulations.
| Parameter Detail | |
| Exam Name | RRB Group D Level 1 CEN 08/2024 |
| Exam Dates | November 27, 2025 to February 10, 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 32,438 |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark per wrong answer |
| Sections | Mathematics (25), Reasoning (30), Science (25), GA/Current Affairs (20) |
| Overall Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Result Released | May 5, 2026 |
Based on aggregated candidate feedback from multiple shifts across the November 2025 to February 2026 exam window, the overall difficulty of the RRB Group D CEN 08/2024 CBT was rated as Easy to Moderate. This is consistent with the difficulty profile seen in the 2022 cycle (CEN 02/2019), where the paper was also rated easy to moderate across most shifts.
An easy-to-moderate paper means most candidates can attempt more questions, which concentrates competition in the 70 to 85 mark range. The safe target of 88 to 92 for competitive zones ensures a comfortable buffer above where most candidates cluster.
| Exam Phase Dates Overall Difficulty Good Attempts | |||
| Phase 1 | November 27 to December 5, 2025 | Easy to Moderate | 85 to 90 |
| Phase 2 | December 2025 (continued) | Moderate | 80 to 87 |
| Phase 3 | January 2026 | Easy to Moderate | 85 to 92 |
| Phase 4 | February 1 to 10, 2026 | Easy to Moderate | 86 to 91 |
| Observation Detail | |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 20 to 23 out of 25 |
| Most Frequent Topics | Arithmetic, Geometry, Number System |
| Time Required | 20 to 25 minutes |
Mathematics was rated easy to moderate across most CEN 08/2024 shifts. Questions were primarily from arithmetic topics that have been consistently high-frequency in every Group D cycle. Problems required Class 10 level knowledge with straightforward application.
Topic-wise distribution observed (CEN 08/2024):
| Topic Average Questions per Shift Difficulty | ||
| Arithmetic (Percentage, P/L, SI/CI, TW, TSD, Ratio) | 12 to 16 | Easy to Moderate |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 3 to 5 | Easy to Moderate |
| Number System and Simplification | 2 to 3 | Easy |
| Trigonometry | 1 to 2 | Moderate |
| Algebra | 1 to 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| Statistics and DI | 1 to 2 | Easy |
Key observation: Arithmetic topics continue to dominate. Percentage, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, and Speed-Distance-Time questions were the most frequently reported topics across shifts. Candidates who built fast arithmetic calculation skills completed this section in 20 minutes, leaving 70 minutes for the remaining three sections.
| Observation Detail | |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Good Attempts | 26 to 29 out of 30 |
| Most Frequent Topics | Series, Analogy, Coding-Decoding, Non-verbal |
| Time Required | 20 to 22 minutes |
Reasoning was the easiest section across all CEN 08/2024 shifts and the most consistent scoring section. The question difficulty was low to easy-moderate, with Series and Analogy dominating as expected from all previous Group D cycles.
Topic-wise distribution observed (CEN 08/2024):
| Topic Average Questions per Shift Difficulty | ||
| Number and Alphabetical Series | 5 to 8 | Easy |
| Analogy | 4 to 6 | Easy |
| Coding-Decoding | 3 to 5 | Easy to Moderate |
| Non-verbal (Mirror, Paper Folding, Embedded) | 4 to 6 | Easy to Moderate |
| Classification / Odd One Out | 3 to 4 | Easy |
| Syllogism | 2 to 3 | Easy |
| Blood Relations | 1 to 2 | Easy |
| Direction Sense | 1 to 2 | Easy |
| Venn Diagrams | 1 to 2 | Easy |
| Mathematical Operations | 1 | Easy |
Key observation: Reasoning is the most reliable scoring section in every Group D cycle. Series (Number and Alphabetical) and Analogy together accounted for 30 to 45 percent of questions across most shifts. Candidates who master these two topic groups score 25 or above in Reasoning consistently. This section should be treated as a scoring anchor: 27 to 29 correct answers should be the minimum target.
| Observation Detail | |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 18 to 22 out of 25 |
| Most Frequent Topics | Physics basics, Chemistry reactions, Biology human body |
| Time Required | 20 to 25 minutes |
General Science was rated Moderate, the most challenging section in CEN 08/2024 on average. The difficulty varied more between shifts in this section than in any other. Shifts with harder Science questions produced lower overall scores, while shifts with more straightforward factual science questions produced higher totals.
Topic-wise distribution observed (CEN 08/2024):
| Topic Average Questions per Shift Difficulty | ||
| Physics (Laws, Electricity, Light, Sound) | 8 to 10 | Moderate |
| Chemistry (Reactions, Periodic Table, Acids/Bases) | 7 to 9 | Moderate |
| Life Sciences (Human Body, Plants, Diseases, Ecology) | 7 to 9 | Moderate |
Physics observations: Newton's Laws, Ohm's Law, properties of light (reflection and refraction), sound (echo, sonar), and basic electricity (series and parallel circuits) were the most frequently reported topic areas. Formula-based questions (calculating resistance, speed of sound, etc.) appeared in multiple shifts.
Chemistry observations: The Periodic Table (groups and periods, properties of elements), types of chemical reactions, acids and bases (pH scale, indicators, neutralisation), and important compounds appeared consistently. Carbon compounds and environmental chemistry (pollution, ozone) were also reported.
Life Sciences observations: Human digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems were the most reported Biology topics. Plant biology (photosynthesis, nutrition in plants), common diseases (causes and symptoms), and basic genetics also appeared.
Key observation: Science is where preparation quality most differentiates candidates. A candidate who reviewed Class 10 NCERT Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) thoroughly scored 20 to 23 in this section. A candidate who neglected Science scored 10 to 14, a 9 to 13 mark gap in a 100-mark exam. This gap alone determines whether a candidate clears the competitive cutoff in most zones.
| Observation Detail | |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 14 to 17 out of 20 |
| Most Frequent Topics | Current Affairs, Sports, Science-Technology news |
| Time Required | 10 to 12 minutes |
General Awareness was the second most variable section after Science. Current affairs questions from 6 to 12 months before the exam date dominated the section, with Sports, Science and Technology, and Government Schemes also featuring consistently.
Topic-wise distribution observed (CEN 08/2024):
| Topic Average Questions per Shift Difficulty | ||
| Current Affairs (6-12 months) | 8 to 12 | Moderate |
| Science and Technology (news-based) | 2 to 3 | Moderate |
| Sports (recent) | 2 to 3 | Moderate |
| Culture and Awards | 1 to 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| Economy and Government Schemes | 1 to 2 | Moderate |
| Indian Railways news | 1 to 2 | Easy |
Key observation: General Awareness is entirely news and current events dependent. Candidates who followed current affairs consistently over the 12 months before the exam scored 16 to 18. Those who crammed current affairs in the final 2 weeks scored 10 to 13. This section rewards consistent preparation over time, not last-minute revision.
| Section Questions Good Attempts Target Score | |||
| Mathematics | 25 | 20 to 23 | 18 to 21 marks |
| General Intelligence and Reasoning | 30 | 26 to 29 | 24 to 27 marks |
| General Science | 25 | 18 to 22 | 16 to 20 marks |
| General Awareness | 20 | 14 to 17 | 12 to 15 marks |
| Total | 100 | 78 to 91 | 70 to 83 marks |
Candidates consistently scoring 85 or above in CEN 08/2024 had a high probability of PET shortlisting in most competitive zones.
| Cycle Exam Dates Overall Difficulty Good Attempts UR Cutoff Range (Competitive) | ||||
| CEN 08/2024 (2025-26) | Nov 2025 to Feb 2026 | Easy to Moderate | 78 to 91 | Expected 65 to 82 |
| CEN 02/2019 (2022) | Aug to Oct 2022 | Easy to Moderate | 75 to 88 | 80 to 99 (official) |
| CEN 01/2019 (2021) | Multiple phases | Moderate | 72 to 84 | 60 to 78 |
The difficulty level has been consistently easy to moderate across all recent Group D cycles. The variance in cutoffs is driven by vacancy count and competition density rather than exam difficulty changes.
The CEN 08/2024 analysis generates four clear preparation priorities for the June 2026 exam.
Reasoning is consistently the easiest section. Dropping below 25 in Reasoning on exam day represents under-preparation in the most reliable scoring opportunity. Master Series, Analogy, Coding-Decoding, and Non-verbal topics completely.
Mathematics is accessible but time-sensitive. Target 20 to 22 correct answers in 20 minutes. This requires fast mental arithmetic in Percentage, Profit/Loss, SI/CI, and Time-Work. Shortcuts and approximation methods are essential.
Science is the section that most differentiates prepared from underprepared candidates. Study Class 10 NCERT Physics, Chemistry, and Biology completely. Do not skip any sub-area. Equal coverage across all three streams is necessary.
For a June 2026 exam, current affairs from June 2025 to June 2026 are relevant. Consistent daily or weekly current affairs coverage over 12 months is far more effective than cramming in the final month. Build a current affairs notebook organised by topic and revise monthly.
Based on the CEN 08/2024 analysis and the smaller vacancy count in CEN 09/2025:
| Section Max Marks Expected Difficulty Score Target (UR) | |||
| Mathematics | 25 | Easy to Moderate | 19 to 22 |
| Reasoning | 30 | Easy | 26 to 29 |
| General Science | 25 | Moderate | 18 to 22 |
| General Awareness | 20 | Moderate | 13 to 16 |
| Total | 100 | Easy to Moderate | 76 to 89 |
Targeting 88 to 92 in mock tests provides a safe buffer above the expected competitive cutoff of 72 to 85 for UR in competitive zones.
The RRB Group D CEN 09/2025 CBT is scheduled for June 2026. Once the exam is conducted across all phases, this page will be updated with:
Bookmark this page and return after the June 2026 exam dates.
What was the overall difficulty of RRB Group D CEN 08/2024 CBT? The overall difficulty of the CEN 08/2024 CBT (November 2025 to February 2026) was Easy to Moderate across most phases.
Which section was hardest in RRB Group D CEN 08/2024? General Science was consistently rated the most challenging section, particularly for candidates who had not reviewed Class 10 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
What is a good score in RRB Group D CBT? For competitive zones (Chandigarh, Patna, Mumbai), a score of 88 to 92 or above provides a strong probability of PET shortlisting and a competitive merit rank.
Does exam difficulty affect the cutoff? Yes. Easier papers produce higher average scores, which raises the effective competitive cutoff. When the paper is easy to moderate, more candidates cluster in the 70 to 85 range, making scores above 87 to 90 more competitive.
Will the June 2026 exam be similar in difficulty to November 2025? Based on the consistent easy-to-moderate difficulty across all Group D cycles since 2018, the June 2026 exam is expected to follow the same pattern.
Stay updated with the latest news and notifications about RRB Group D Exam Analysis 2025-26: Section-wise Difficulty, Good Attempts and CEN 09/2025 Preview and other exams.
ExamUpdateAspirantMitraa
24 May 2026
ExamAnalysisAspirantMitraa
24 May 2026
