RRB NTPC Success Stories, Know their Preparation Strategies

RRB NTPC Success Stories: Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) NTPC examination, but only a fraction make it through. Interestingly, many of these selected candidates describe themselves as “average students.” They didn’t have top academic records or expensive coaching backgrounds. Instead, they relied on strategy, discipline, and smart preparation. In this article, we’ll explore some inspiring RRB NTPC Success Stories, uncover how these candidates approached the exam, and what you can learn from their journey.

Why success stories matter for RRB NTPC aspirants?

The success stories matter for aspirants as they motivate relatable people. Reading RRB NTPC success stories shows that even ordinary candidates with average scores in school or college can achieve extraordinary results.

• These stories highlight the importance of mindset, strategy, and consistency.
• They prove that preparation style often matters more than “raw intelligence.”

What are the common traits in RRB NTPC Success Stories?

Some of the common traits in RRB NTPC success stories include smart planning, consistency, having a positive mindset, and more. Given below are the details:

Factor	Description	Example from Toppers
Smart Planning	Breaking RRB NTPC syllabus into small chunks	Dividing GK into static + current affairs
Consistency	Daily practice, even for 2–3 hours	6 months of focused revision
Mock Tests	Simulating exam environment	Weekly CBT practice online
Resource Management	Using free/affordable material	NCERTs, YouTube lectures, PYQs
Positive Mindset	Believing in gradual progress	“Even 5 extra marks matter” attitude

Success Stories of RRB NTPC Exam Aspirants

We have given below some of the success stories of some RRB NTPC exam aspirants. Applicants can view the details from the table:

Chandan Mahati:

This applicant cleared multiple railway exams like Group D, ALP Technician, and more. He cleared RRB NTPC exam in 2024. Check out the important strategies he applied to succeed in the examination:

Aspect	Details
Candidate Background	Cleared multiple Railway exams: Group D, ALP/Technician, NTPC
NTPC Score	85+ marks (with minimal preparation)
Overall Mindset	Exam-specific strategy; Railway exams need a different approach than SSC/CGL
Core Strategy	Exam-specific strategy: Railway exams need a different approach than SSC/CGL
Main Scoring Sections	Quant + Reasoning + Science
Quant + Reasoning Weightage	60 questions (major scoring area)
Quant Strategy	Master basics, repeated revision, accuracy over speed
Reasoning Strategy	Practice weak topics like statement–assumption; focus on clarity
Target in Quant + Reasoning	Attempt 52–55 questions correctly
Science Preparation	Class 9–10 Science, concepts + formulas
Science Target	Attempt 24–25 questions correctly
GK / Current Affairs Weightage	Railway exams are easy to crack with a focused strategy
GK Strategy	Static GK + trend-based current affairs
Current Affairs Insight	Focus on high-scoring sections, not the full syllabus
Resources Used (Only 3)	Old/current mixed questions (even from 2016)
Books NOT Used	Lucent, Arihant, heavy GK books
Revision Method	Extreme repetition (notes revised hundreds of times)
Mock Tests	Taken seriously, especially before main exam
Exam Attempt Strategy	Round-wise attempt (easy → moderate → calculated guesses)
Guessing Approach	Used only after option elimination (50-50 logic)
Negative Marking Awareness	Careful due to 1/3 negative marking
Common Mistakes Faced	Minor calculation errors, one current affairs mistake
NTPC Preparation Status	Stopped studying ~5 months before exam
NTPC Outcome	Still scored well due to strong fundamentals
Key Strength	Deep understanding + revision, not multiple sources
View on Railway Exams	Concept-based, predictable, not random
Importance of PYQs	Very high – trends repeat
Advice to Aspirants	Fix resources → revise repeatedly → analyze PYQs
Final Message	Fix resources → revise repeatedly → analyse PYQs

Manmohan Meena:

Manmohan Meena is from Alwar, Rajasthan, with a B.Tech background. He faced multiple failures and depression initially as selections were happening around him. Despite setbacks, he stayed consistent and eventually cleared RRB NTPC (2019) for Station Master. Some of the preparation strategies he used are mentioned below:

• Took coaching once (Race Institute, 2019), only to clear basics.
• The main focus was on self-study, doubt-solving, and practice.
• Used YouTube and online resources only for weak topics.
• Followed a “one-topic-a-day” approach for difficult subjects.
• Relied heavily on previous year questions and mock tests.

The subject-wise strategies include:

Mathematics

• Strong focus on basics over tricks.
• Practised topics like Percentage, Ratio, Profit & Loss thoroughly.
• Used tricks selectively; basics helped most under exam pressure.
• Spent the entire day on one weak topic if needed.

Reasoning

• The level has increased compared to earlier exams.
• Requires speed + regular practice.
• Online tests helped improve accuracy and confidence.

General Science

• Prepared topic-wise using coaching notes and standard science books.
• Made short notes and revised them frequently.
  • Small notes → weekly revision
  • Larger notes → monthly revision
• Repeated revision helped in instant recall during exams.

GK & Current Affairs

• Considered GK an “ocean” – requires continuous study.
• Focused more on Modern History, Geography, and changing patterns.
• Followed daily current affairs classes (e.g., Kumar Guru).
• Emphasised understanding patterns from previous exams.

Area	Key Points
Mock Tests – Importance	Mock tests help build self-confidence, improve time management, and identify weak areas in preparation.
Mock Test Mindset	Low scores in mock tests should not cause demotivation; instead, they should guide focused revision of weak topics.
Mock Test Analysis	Mock test analysis is mandatory as it helps in learning new questions and understanding mistakes.
Mock Test Frequency	Candidates should attempt at least one mock test daily and increase the frequency as the exam approaches.
Time Management – Study Hours	Daily study time varies by individual, with quick learners requiring around 6 hours and others needing 8–10 hours.
Study Routine Advice	Consistency in study is more important than following a perfectly structured routine.
Study Environment	Studying away from home can help reduce distractions and improve concentration.
Group Study	Group discussions with friends help in clearing doubts and improving understanding through mutual questioning.
Family Support	Strong family support plays an important role in preventing demotivation during long preparation phases.
Mobile & Social Media	Social media is a major distraction and should be avoided during preparation by uninstalling apps if necessary.
Use of YouTube	YouTube should be used only for study-related content and learning purposes.
Motivation for Aspirants	Aspirants should choose one exam seriously and give their full effort to it.
Long-term Preparation Reality	Preparing for a long time without results can negatively affect confidence and self-respect.
Self-Study Rule	Self-study is essential and cannot be replaced, even if coaching is taken.
Final Success Mantra	Staying focused, consistent, and patient is key to achieving success in competitive exams.

Tushar Tanwar

Tushar Tanwar belongs to a farming family and completed his education in Arts from a village background. He started preparing for competitive exams around 2017. Initially joined RRB Group D, continued service, and simultaneously prepared for RRB NTPC (2019). His journey spanned nearly 4 years, requiring strong patience and consistency. The overall preparation strategy he used for success is given below:

Area	Summary
Overall Preparation Strategy	The preparation was started early, even before official exam notifications were released. The study plan was aligned with the different stages of the exam, namely CBT 1 and CBT 2, keeping their respective weightage in mind. Previous year question papers were used extensively to understand exam trends. Self-prepared notes were made for General Knowledge, current affairs, Mathematics, and Reasoning. Daily revision and weekly mock tests were maintained, with mock test frequency increased closer to the exam.
Note-Making Strategy	Entire books were not copied into notes. Notes were prepared only for topics that were difficult or easily forgotten. Concepts that were already well understood were not written again. A layered revision approach was followed in which all previously written notes were revised daily. This repeated revision helped concepts become permanent in memory.
Subject-wise Approach	In General Knowledge and current affairs, daily current affairs videos and static GK were followed consistently, and regular note-making and revision played a major role in success. In Mathematics and Reasoning, regular practice was done with gradual improvement through mock tests, starting with weekly tests and increasing to two or three tests per day near the exam.
Mock Tests & Practice	Mock tests were used to assess preparation level and improve speed and accuracy. Weekly mock tests were given during the initial phase, followed by daily or multiple mock tests as the exam approached. It was emphasized that revision and testing must go together. Practice was continued consistently even during waiting periods between exam stages.
Daily Routine & Discipline	Notes were revised in the morning, followed by office or work responsibilities during the day. Short revision and study sessions were done in the evening. At night, study-related videos were watched, notes were updated, and revision was completed. This daily cycle was repeated consistently to maintain continuity in preparation.
Key Advice for Aspirants	Aspirants should start preparation well in advance and first understand the exam pattern, syllabus, and weightage. They should not rely on others’ notes and must prepare their own study material. Greater emphasis should be placed on revision rather than collecting new resources. Patience, consistency, and discipline throughout the long exam cycle are essential, as success comes from continuous repetition, focus, and self-belief.

Deepak Kumar

Deepak Kumar was successfully selected as a Commercial cum Ticket Clerk (CCTC), Level 3, through the RRB NTPC 2019 examination. He is currently working at Halvad station in the Ahmedabad Division. Some of the important preparation strategies he used are as follows:

Preparation Aspect	Strategy Followed
Exam Targeting	Focused specifically on RRB NTPC Level 2 and Level 3 posts based on eligibility. Prepared with a clear understanding of CBT 1 and CBT 2 exam stages.
Early & Continuous Preparation	Started preparation well before the exam and maintained continuity across all stages without long breaks, even during waiting periods.
Subject Strength Identification	Mathematics and Reasoning were relatively strong, so less time was spent there initially, while more effort was devoted to weaker areas like GK and GS.
GK & GS Preparation	Followed daily GK and General Science classes consistently. Watched current affairs videos regularly and revised static GK frequently.
Current Affairs Strategy	Relied on daily current affairs sessions and regular revision rather than last-minute memorization.
Mock Tests Usage	Took regular mock tests to assess preparation level. Used mock tests primarily to improve speed, accuracy, and confidence.
Mock Test Analysis	Carefully analyzed every mock test, especially incorrect questions, to understand mistakes and learn new concepts.
Revision Approach	Focused heavily on revision alongside testing. Repeated revision of weak topics helped retain concepts permanently.
Use of Previous Year Papers	Solved previous year question papers to understand exam trends, question patterns, and difficulty level.
Learning from Analysis Videos	Watched detailed exam and mock analysis videos, particularly night analysis sessions, which helped identify scoring areas.
Coaching & Self-Study Balance	Used coaching videos for concept clarity but relied strongly on self-study and revision for final preparation.
Handling Weak Subjects	Gave extra time to GK/GS instead of avoiding it, turning it into a scoring section through consistency.
Time Management	Maintained a balanced routine with daily study, revision, and practice without burnout.
Mindset & Motivation	Stayed patient and confident despite earlier attempts. Believed that good rank and marks come from consistent effort.
Final Advice to Aspirants	Clear basics first, revise continuously, analyze mocks properly, stay disciplined, and trust the preparation process.

What are the practical takeaways from Success Stories?

The practical takeaways from success stories include making a study timetable, taking weekly mock tests, and more. As an exam applicant, you must try to note down certain RRB NTPC Preparation strategies and tips from the toppers to qualify in the first attempt. Given below are some important practical takeaways:

• Make a study timetable with clear subject targets.
• Revise General Awareness daily for 20–30 minutes.
• Practice at least 10–15 reasoning/maths questions daily.
• Take weekly mock tests and analyze mistakes.

However, there are certain mistakes that every candidate must try to avoid. These are as follows:

• Referring to too many books at once.
• Ignoring normalization and cutoffs.
• Studying without a time-bound approach.

Quick Comparison of two types of candidates

A quick comparison between two types of candidates are given below. Candidates must refer to the table before starting their preparation:

Candidate Type	Approach	Outcome
Average scorer	Focused on NCERT + PYQs + 2 hrs daily	Cleared NTPC
High scorer in academics	No proper strategy, inconsistent practice	Failed to clear the RRB NTPC cutoff

What are the key learnings from the RRB NTPC success stories?

The key learnings from the success stories show us that an average candidate can also crack the NTPC exam with consistent preparation. Given below are the details:

• RRB NTPC Success Stories show that ordinary candidates with average academic records can succeed.
• Smart strategies: limited but reliable study material, time management, and daily practice.
• Mock tests and consistent revision are game changers.
• Success comes more from disciplined habits than natural brilliance.

The RRB NTPC Success Stories prove one vital fact: you don’t need to be a topper to succeed. What matters is your ability to prepare smartly, manage time effectively, and stay consistent. These stories show that discipline, focus, and practice can turn average students into successful candidates.

Also Read:

• RRB NTPC Syllabus
• RRB NTPC Eligibility Criteria
• RRB NTPC Result

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