Why You Must Solve the CEN-01/2018 ALP & Technician Paper
The ALP & Technicians exam is highly competitive, and solving previous year papers is the most reliable way to understand real exam patterns, difficulty levels and topic priorities. The CEN-01/2018 paper gives you clear insight into:
- Actual question format asked by Railway Recruitment Board
- Topic weightage across Technical, Maths, Reasoning and General Awareness
- Time management required during CBT
- Your strengths & weak areas
Exam Pattern Snapshot (CEN-01/2018)
The paper includes sections like:
- Technical (Trade wise)
- Mathematics
- Reasoning
- General Science
- General Awareness
How to Use This PDF for Maximum Score
- First Attempt (Full Timed Test): Solve the paper in strict exam conditions.
- Second Pass (Analysis): Identify slow attempts, wrong answers and guessed answers.
- Prepare Weak Topics: Revise the concepts and formulas of the topics you struggled with.
- Weekly Mock: Solve one full previous paper every week.
- Speed Refinement: Practice using a timer for each section.
Topic-Wise Strategy
1. Technical Section
Covers trade-specific knowledge. Prioritise:
- Basic electrical concepts
- Wiring, circuits, motors, transformers
- Mechanical fundamentals (depending on trade)
2. Mathematics
Focus on high-yield topics:
- Percentage, Profit & Loss
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Ratio & Proportion
- Simplification & Algebra basics
3. Reasoning
- Analytical Puzzles
- Series & Analogies
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relation, Direction Sense
4. General Awareness
Cover current affairs (last 6 to 12 months) + Railway basics.
8-Week Study Plan
- Weeks 1-2: Revise fundamentals + solve small topic-wise quizzes.
- Weeks 3-5: Solve 2–3 previous papers + improve weak topics.
- Weeks 6-7: Attempt full-length mocks every 3 days.
- Week 8: Light revision, formula sheet, rest well before exam.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring previous year papers
- Practising without time limit
- Not reviewing mistakes after mock tests
Final Words
With consistent practice, understanding of paper pattern and a disciplined study plan, clearing ALP & Technician exams becomes achievable. Start with the official CEN-01/2018 paper above and track your improvement weekly.
