In this guide
Three months is not a long time, but for a school-level exam it is enough, if the days are used well. Most candidates who fall short do not lack ability. They spend the first month collecting books and videos, the second month on their favourite section, and the third month panicking.
This plan avoids that. It assumes about five hours of study and one hour of physical training a day. If you have less time, keep the order and stretch each month.
The shape of three months
| Month | Study goal | Physical goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations in every section | Start walking–jogging and basic strength |
| 2 | Cover the full syllabus | Run 1,000 m without stopping; build carrying strength |
| 3 | Mocks and revision | Reach PET time and weight comfortably |
Week by week
| Week | Maths | Reasoning | Science | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tables to 20, squares to 30, number system | Analogy, odd one out | Class 9: matter, atoms | Start current affairs notebook |
| 2 | BODMAS, fractions, LCM–HCF | Number and letter series | Class 9: motion, force, gravitation | History basics |
| 3 | Percentage | Coding–decoding | Class 9: work, energy, sound | Polity basics |
| 4 | Ratio, average | Mathematical operations | Class 9: cell, tissues, health | Geography basics |
| 5 | Profit and loss | Blood relations | Class 10: reactions, acids and bases | Economy basics |
| 6 | Simple and compound interest | Directions, ranking | Class 10: metals, carbon compounds | Railways and static GK |
| 7 | Time and work, pipes | Syllogism, Venn diagrams | Class 10: light, electricity | Sports, awards, culture |
| 8 | Speed, ages, mensuration, geometry | Puzzles, statements | Class 10: life processes, heredity, environment | Revise the notebook |
| 9–10 | Mixed practice, trigonometry and statistics basics | Mixed practice | Chapter-wise past questions | Last 6 months of current affairs |
| 11–12 | Full mocks and revision | Full mocks and revision | Full mocks and revision | Full mocks and revision |
By the end of week 8, every topic should have been studied once. Tick each one off in your syllabus tracker as you go.
Month 1: foundations
- Science: read NCERT Class 9 and 10 science, about one chapter a day. Make short notes of definitions, formulas and examples.
- Maths: get your tables and squares automatic first. They save seconds on every question.
- Reasoning: do 20 questions of each type before moving on.
- GK: start a current affairs notebook; read static GK for 30 minutes a day.
Month 2: full coverage
- Science: finish physics, chemistry and biology; solve past questions chapter-wise.
- Maths: the arithmetic chapters, then mensuration, geometry and trigonometry basics.
- Reasoning: blood relations, directions, ranking, syllogism, Venn diagrams, puzzles.
- GK: keep up current affairs; revise the notebook every Sunday.
Month 3: mocks and revision
- A full mock test every other day, then every day in the last two weeks.
- Analyse every mock. Note each wrong answer and why it went wrong.
- Revise your science notes, maths formulas and GK notebook.
- Keep training for the PET. Do not stop.
Our guide on using mock tests explains how to review them properly.
A worked mock analysis
Suppose a candidate's week-10 mock looks like this:
| Section | Attempted | Right | Wrong | Accuracy | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science (25) | 20 | 16 | 4 | 80% | 16 − 1.33 = 14.67 |
| Maths (25) | 18 | 16 | 2 | 89% | 16 − 0.67 = 15.33 |
| Reasoning (30) | 28 | 25 | 3 | 89% | 25 − 1 = 24 |
| GA (20) | 16 | 11 | 5 | 69% | 11 − 1.67 = 9.33 |
| Total | 82 | 68 | 14 | 83% | 63.33 |
What it tells the candidate:
- GA is leaking marks. Five wrong out of 16 means guessing. Next week: attempt only what they are sure of, and revise the GK notebook daily.
- Science accuracy is 80%. The errors are probably half-remembered facts. Re-read the NCERT chapters where the mistakes came from.
- Maths is accurate but slow. Only 18 of 25 attempted. Timed drills on percentage and ratio will lift the attempt count.
- Reasoning is strong. Keep it warm with 20 questions a day and put the saved time into maths.
A daily timetable
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:30–6:30 | Running and strength training |
| 6:30–8:00 | Bath, breakfast, rest |
| 8:00–10:00 | Maths |
| 10:00–10:30 | Break |
| 10:30–12:30 | General Science |
| 12:30–3:00 | Lunch and rest |
| 3:00–4:30 | Reasoning |
| 4:30–5:30 | General Awareness and current affairs |
| 7:00–8:00 | Revision of the day |
| 10:00 | Sleep |
Training alongside study
| Weeks | Running | Strength and carrying |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Walk–jog for 20–25 minutes | Squats, push-ups, planks |
| 3–4 | Easy jog of 1.5–2 km without stopping | Farmer's walk with a lighter bag |
| 5–8 | One timed 1,000 m a week; short fast repeats on another day | Increase the bag's weight slowly |
| 9–12 | Timed 1,000 m under the target, twice a week | Carry the full test weight for 100 m |
Build up gradually and rest one day a week. If you have a health problem, check with a doctor first. Our running guides for men and women go into detail.
Check you are on track
At the end of each month, ask:
- Have I finished the topics planned for this month?
- Is my mock score rising, and is my accuracy above 85%?
- Is my 1,000 m time improving?
If one answer is "no", adjust the next month rather than giving up.
Your first week
- Day 1: copy the syllabus into a notebook and take one mock to set a baseline.
- Day 2–6: follow the week 1 row above, plus the morning session.
- Day 7: revise the week and note your 1,000 m walk–jog time.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Railway Recruitment Boards website .
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