DRDO CEPTAM 11 Tier-I exam is on 23 March 2026 — just days away! Whether you're appearing for STA-B (561 posts) or Tech-A (203 posts), Tier-1 is the same for both. This guide covers the complete syllabus, exam pattern, topic-wise weightage and last-minute preparation strategy.
DRDO CEPTAM 11 Exam Pattern – At a Glance
| Stage | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-I (CBT) | 150 | 150 | 120 min | 0.25 per wrong | Screening + Merit |
| Tier-II (STA-B) | Varies | Varies | 120 min | 0.25 per wrong | Discipline-specific (descriptive) |
| Tier-II (Tech-A) | Practical | — | — | — | Trade Test (hands-on) |
Key: Tier-I is common for STA-B and Tech-A. Tier-II is different — STA-B gets a written discipline paper, Tech-A gets a practical trade test.
Tier-I Syllabus – Subject-wise Distribution (150 marks)
| Subject | Questions (approx) | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 35-40 | 35-40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude / Maths | 35-40 | 35-40 |
| General Science | 35-40 | 35-40 |
| General English | 30-35 | 30-35 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
General Intelligence & Reasoning Topics
- Verbal: Analogy, Classification, Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relation, Direction & Distance, Syllogism, Statement-Conclusion
- Non-verbal: Figure Classification, Pattern Completion, Mirror/Water Image, Paper Cutting & Folding, Cube & Dice, Embedded Figures
- Analytical: Venn Diagram, Clock & Calendar, Mathematical Operations, Number Puzzle, Matrix Reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude / Mathematics Topics
- Arithmetic: Number System, HCF/LCM, Simplification, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss, SI & CI, Average, Mixture & Alligation
- Algebra: Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Inequalities
- Geometry: Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Pythagoras Theorem, Coordinate Geometry
- Mensuration: Area, Volume, Surface Area (cylinder, cone, sphere)
- Trigonometry: Basic ratios, Heights & Distances
- DI: Tables, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Line Graphs
General Science Topics
- Physics: Units & Measurements, Motion & Force, Work/Energy/Power, Heat & Temperature, Light & Sound, Electricity & Magnetism, Current Electricity
- Chemistry: Atoms & Molecules, Chemical Reactions, Acids/Bases/Salts, Metals & Non-metals, Carbon Compounds, Periodic Table
- Biology: Cell Structure, Human Body Systems, Diseases & Prevention, Nutrition, Environment & Ecology, Genetics basics
General English Topics
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word Substitution, Idioms & Phrases
- Grammar: Error Detection, Sentence Correction, Fill in Blanks, Active-Passive, Direct-Indirect
- Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles
Tier-II Syllabus – STA-B (Discipline-specific)
STA-B Tier-II is a descriptive written exam based on your engineering/science discipline:
| Discipline | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Manufacturing, Machine Design, Heat Transfer |
| Electronics | Circuit Analysis, Signals & Systems, Digital Electronics, Communication Systems, Microprocessors |
| Electrical | Electric Circuits, Power Systems, Machines, Control Systems, Measurements |
| Computer Science | Data Structures, Algorithms, DBMS, OS, Networking, OOP |
| Chemistry | Organic, Inorganic, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Methods |
| Physics | Classical Mechanics, Quantum Physics, Optics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism |
Tier-II – Tech-A (Trade Test)
Tech-A Tier-II is a practical/hands-on trade test based on your ITI trade — Fitter, Turner, Electrician, Welder, Machinist, Electronics, etc. You demonstrate actual skills on workshop equipment.
Last-Minute Preparation Strategy (Exam 23 March)
- Reasoning (35-40 marks): Fastest scoring section. Practice 50 questions daily — Coding-Decoding, Series, Analogy are most repeated
- Maths (35-40 marks): Focus on Arithmetic (Percentage, Ratio, SI/CI) and DI — these alone cover 60% of maths questions
- Science (35-40 marks): NCERT 9th-10th is enough. Physics (Electricity, Light, Force) and Biology (Human Body, Diseases) are most asked
- English (30-35 marks): Don't skip this! Error Detection and Comprehension are easy marks. Practice 2 passages daily
- Speed: 150 questions in 120 minutes = 48 seconds per question. Take 2 full mock tests before 23 March
- Negative marking: 0.25 deducted — skip questions you're unsure about. Better to attempt 130 accurately than 150 with guesses
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are in DRDO CEPTAM 11 Tier-I?
150 MCQ questions for 150 marks in 120 minutes. Subjects: Reasoning (35-40), Maths (35-40), Science (35-40), English (30-35). Negative marking 0.25 per wrong answer.
Is Tier-I same for STA-B and Tech-A?
Yes, Tier-I is identical for both. The difference is in Tier-II — STA-B gets a written discipline-specific exam, Tech-A gets a practical trade test.
What is the exam date for DRDO CEPTAM 11?
Tier-I CBT is on 23 March 2026 in 77 cities across India. Admit card expected 20-21 March.
Is there negative marking?
Yes, 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer in both Tier-I and Tier-II (STA-B written). No negative marking in Tech-A trade test.
What level of difficulty is DRDO CEPTAM exam?
Tier-I is moderate — 10+2 to graduation level. Reasoning and Maths are SSC-level difficulty. Science is NCERT 9th-10th level. English is moderate. Overall easier than SSC CGL but harder than Railway Group D.
How to prepare for Tier-I in last 5 days?
Focus on Reasoning (fastest improvement) and Science (NCERT-based, easy to revise). Skip advanced Maths topics (Trigonometry, Geometry) — focus on Arithmetic and DI instead. Take 2 full mock tests. Don't start new topics — revise what you know.
