Anangsha PatraDeputy Manager – Editorial
NRA CET Preparation Tips 2024: National Recruitment Agency (NRA) will soon conduct the first Common Eligibility Test (CET). Government job aspirants should pull up their socks without any delay and start NRA CET preparation. Before proceeding toward NRA CET preparation tips, candidates need to first understand that NRA CET serves as a preliminary exam which they have to clear to participate in the next phase of exam conducted by the respective recruitment bodies such as IBPS, RRB and SSC. To prepare for NRA CET, candidates must have a proper approach on questions asked during the exam. They need to analyse the questions carefully and focus on the chapter-wise topics. Candidates should refer to good books to clear their basic concepts. They should devote the same amount of hours each day for the different sections. We have discussed below the comprehensive preparation strategy for the upcoming NRA CET 2024 exam.
Q: What is meant by NRA?
NRA or National Recruitment Agency is a multi-agency body that has been set up for the recruitment of candidates for various central government jobs. The formation of NRA was announced in 2020-21 Union Budget. NRA will conduct NRA Common Eligibility Test The exam will be conducted to screen/shortlist certain categories of posts in Central Government, the recruitment is currently carried out by Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
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Q: When will the NRA CET be conducted?
NRA CET exam dates are yet to be announced by the NRA. Last year, the Minister of State, Jitendra Singh said that the exam will be conducted in May-June this year. However, there is no any update yet regarding the exam dates. According to the media reports, NRA is in the final stage of designing the computer based test. NRA CET exam will be conducted in more than 1000 exam centres in 117 districts spread throughout the country. NRA CET score will be valid for three years and it will be conducted every year. Besides, Central and State Government departments, public and private sectors enterprises will accept the score of CET.
Upvote Q: Is NRA already established?
NRA has been established and the officers/officials posted in it include Chairman, Secretary-cum-Controller of Examinations, Director and Deputy Secretary, etc. However, NRA is in the verge of finalising the exam pattern and syllabus of the exam.
Upvote NRA CET Preparation Tips 2024
Union Cabinet has formed NRA to conduct the CET exam to shortlist candidates for various Group B and C non-technical and non-gazetted posts. NRA CET will replace the Prelims/Tier-I exam conducted by various testing agencies such as IBPS, SSC and Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). On the basis of the scores of NRA CET, candidates will be selected for appearing in the further rounds of selection which will be conducted by the respective testing agencies-IBPS, SSC and RRBs. Candidates must devise a full-proof plan how to cover the complete NRA CET syllabus. They should devise an appropriate revision procedure. This way candidates will be able to finish the syllabus on time effectively.
Q: What is NRA CET exam?
NRA CET is a common eligibility test that will be conducted by National Recruitment Agency to screen candidates at the first level of various SSC, RRB and IBPS recruitment exams. The NRA CET exam will be conducted to recruit candidates for various Group B and C non-technical and non-gazetted posts.
Upvote Q: For which posts or vacancies will NRA CET be conducted?
NRA CET will be conducted for posts and vacancies released under SSC, RRB and IBPS. Some of the tier-I exams that NRA will take over in the coming months include SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC GD, SSC CPO, SSC MTS, RRB Group-D, RRB NTPC, IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk.
Upvote Q: How many CETs will NRA conduct?
NRA will conduct three CETs as per the eligibility of candidates-Class 10, Class 12 and graduation. On the basis of CET scores, candidates are considered for the further rounds of selection. The final selection is done through separate exams, to be conducted by the respective recruitment agencies.
Upvote What will be NRA CET Exam Pattern?
NRA CET exam will be conducted in online mode at three levels-Class 10, 12 and graduation. Therefore, the exam pattern will be likely different from each other. The detailed NRA CET exam pattern has not been released yet. However, it is expected that NRA CET will be based on the exam pattern of all three agencies –IBPS, RRBs and SSC. NRA CET exam pattern 2024 will be divided into two parts-A and B. Part A will consist of Basic Aptitude, Test of Reasoning, Verbal Ability, General Science and General Knowledge. Part B paper will test the candidate’s psychology and response to certain situations, qualifying in nature, yet mandatory for final appointments.
Also Read: Benefits of NRA CET
Q: Would IBPS, RRB and SSC stop working if there will be NRA CET exam?
No, SSC, RRB and IBPS will continue conducting recruitment exams as per the vacancies posted by the government. They will only stop conducting the first-level screening exam for recruitment.
Upvote Q: What is the syllabus of NRA CET?
NRA CET syllabus will be announced once the National Recruitment Agency is set up. However, the syllabus is expected to be in line with the current syllabus of the various tier-I IBPS, SSC and RRB exams. NRA CET syllabus is given below:
Reasoning Ability
- Seating arrangements
- Puzzles
- Inequalities
- Syllogism
- Input and output
- Data sufficiency
- Blood relations
- Order and ranking
- Alphanumeric series
- Distance and direction
- Verbal reasoning
- Classification
- Analogy
- Coding and decoding
- Clock and calendar
- Non-verbal reasoning
General Awareness
- Current affairs
- Banking awareness
- General knowledge
- World currency
- Important locations
- Books and authors
- Awards
- Headquarters
- Prime minister schemes
- Significant days
- Computer knowledge
- General science
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number series
- Data interpretation
- Simplification and approximation
- Quadratic equation
- Data sufficiency
- Mensuration
- Average
- Profit and loss
- Ration and proportion
- Work, time and energy
- Time and distance
- Probability
- Relations
- Simple and compound interest
- Permutation and combination
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
English Language
- Cloze test
- Reading comprehension
- Spotting errors
- Sentence improvement
- Sentence correction
- Jumbled paragraphs
- Fill in the blanks
- Para completion
- Sentence completion
- Spellings
- One word substitution
- Phrases and idioms
- Active and passive voice
- Narrations
Upvote Q: Will NRA also conduct UPSC exams?
No, NRA will not conduct any UPSC exam. It will conduct exams only for SSC, RRB and IBPS. The recruitment by NRA CET will be done for various Group B and C posts. Besides, Central and State Government departments, public and private sectors enterprises will accept the score of CET. NRA CET score will be valid for three years and it will be conducted every year.
Upvote Q: What is the process after qualifying NRA CET?
After qualifying NRA CET, you have to appear for the next stages of your respective recruitment exams conducted by your respective recruitment agencies such as SSC, RRB and IBPS. Through NRA CET candidates are screened/shortlisted for certain categories of posts in Central Government for which the recruitment is carried out through Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). On the basis of CET scores, candidates are considered for the further rounds of selection. The final selection is done through separate exams, to be conducted by the respective recruitment agencies.
Upvote Q: Is NRA CET better than the current system?
Yes, NRA CET is better than it will save a lot of time and money of SSC, RRB and IBPS candidates. Through one online exam, candidates will be eligible to apply for a wide range of posts. The exam will also help in expediting the recruitment process of SSC, IBPS and RRB agencies.
Upvote What to study for NRA CET exam?
As NRA CET will be conducted at three levels- Class 10, 12 and graduation. The standard of the syllabus will be framed as per the exam levels. NRA CET syllabus is yet to be announced. However, considering the existing syllabus of RRB, IBPS and SSC exams, questions are expected to be asked from Reasoning Ability, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness. The subject-wise topics that candidates can prepare for NRA CET exam are given below.
General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, Syllogism, Venn Diagram, Analytical Reasoning, Input-Output, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Coding and Decoding, and many more.
General Awareness: Current Affairs of National and International Importance, General Science, Art and Culture of India, Indian and World History, Indian Economy, etc.
Quantitative Aptitude: Number Systems, Ratio and Proportion, Data Interpretation, Percentages, Mensuration, Simple and Compound Interest, and many more.
English Language: Vocabulary, Spot the Error, Fill in the Blanks, Synonyms, Antonyms, Comprehension Passage, Cloze Test, and many more.
Also Read: NRA CET Syllabus
NRA CET Preparation Tips 2024
The section-wise tips and tricks to crack NRA CET exam are given below:
English Language
This section tests your basic knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and verbal ability. One can expect questions from Reading Comprehension, Error Detection, Synonym, and Antonym, Fill in the blanks, Sentence Correction, etc. To ace this section, you need to have a strong hold on the grammatical rules. To improve vocabulary, read the editorial page of newspapers.
General Intelligence and Reasoning
This is the most important section of any competitive exam. General Intelligence and Reasoning aims to test the problem-solving ability of a candidate. The simple way to prepare this section is practice through mock tests and sample papers. Coding-Decoding, Alphanumeric Series, Clock, Embedded Figures, Blood relations, Direction Sense, Order & Ranking can be easily practiced through mocks. For Puzzles you need to be careful and pay a little extra attention.
General Awareness
This section contains questions from current as well as static GK. You need to be thorough with the current events of national and international importance. The best way to deal with this section is going through the newspapers daily.
Quantitative Aptitude
This section aims to test the basic mathematical aptitude of candidates. The syllabus will be of Class 10 standard and will cover topics from Arithmetic such as Simple Interest & Compound Interest, Time and Work, Profit and loss. You will also find questions from Algebra, Trigonometry, Number Series, Data Interpretation, etc. Set your own approach for Quantitative Aptitude section. Stick to your basics and learn shortcut method of solving questions. Arithmetic questions might be calculative. So practice these questions more. For advanced maths, you can go for a standard book. After clearing the concepts, start taking mock tests as much as possible.
Few General Tips to Crack NRA CET 2024
Candidates can check below few general tips and tricks to crack NRA CET 2024:
Go through the syllabus and pattern: The first step towards NRA CET preparation is going through the syllabus and pattern. It helps to understand the overall structure of the exam as well as the important topics to cover under each section of the exam.
Create a proper study plan: You need to create a systematic study plan. A strategic exam plan includes devoting equal time to each section and following that diligently.
Buy right study material and book
Referring to the right study materials and books plays important role in preparation. Therefore, choose the books that have covered the entire syllabus and written in simple language.
Solve mock tests
After completing the syllabus, solve mock tests as much as you can. This will improve your problem-solving ability and help to analyse where you stand in the competition.
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