Full Form of TET Exam: Eligibility, Types, Exam Pattern & Syllabus Explained

Are you considering a career in teaching? If yes, understanding the TET exam is the most important step for you. The full form of TET is Teacher Eligibility Test. The Teacher Eligibility Test aims at assessing whether you are prepared to teach at the primary and upper primary levels.

Rather than focusing only on subject knowledge, TET also assesses your understanding of child development, teaching methods and classroom practices. Conducted at both central and state levels, the exam has become a standard eligibility requirement for many government teaching roles, especially after the implementation of the Right to Education Act.In this blog, you will gain a clear understanding of TET, including its eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus and the difference between CTET and TET.

What is TET Exam?

TET Full Form - The full form of TET is Teacher Eligibility Test. TET was introduced under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, with the aim of improving the overall quality of teaching in schools.
The main idea behind TET is simple: only candidates who meet a certain teaching standard should enter the profession.

In short, the TET exam checks how well you understand teaching, students’ learning needs, and basic classroom practices.

The examination consists of two papers as mentioned below. You can appear for one paper or choose to take both, depending on your career goal.

1. Paper I - Paper 1 is for those who want to qualify for teaching primary classes (Classes 1 to 5)
2. Paper II - Paper 2 is for those who want to qualify for teaching upper primary students (Classes 6 to 8)

TET Exam Overview

TET full form is Teacher Eligibility Test. Before exploring the other details, you should take a quick glance at the table below, which provides an overview of the TET exam.

Let us now discuss the eligibility criteria for TET in detail. Remember, the TET exam full form is Teacher Eligibility Test.

Eligibility Criteria for TET

You should understand that the eligibility criteria for TET vary slightly between the CTET and State TETs, but generally include the following.

Educational Qualification

- For Primary Level - This level includes Classes I to V. If you want to apply for the primary level, you should have completed senior secondary (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks. You must have also passed or be appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) or 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).

- For Upper Primary Level - This level includes Classes VI to VIII. If you are interested in applying for this level, you should have completed graduation with at least 50% marks and passed or appearing in the final year of a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education or a Bachelor's in Education (B.Ed).

Also, explore the complete details of the B.Ed exam at “B.Ed Full Form”.

Age Limit

There is no age limit to appear for the TET exam.

What are the Different Types of TET Exams in India?

The TET exam full form is Teacher Eligibility Test. There are mainly two types of TET exams in India, as mentioned below.

1. Central Teacher Eligibility Test - Known as CTET in short, the Central Teacher Eligibility Test is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Clearing the CTET qualifies you to apply for teaching jobs in schools under the central government.
2. State Teacher Eligibility Test - These are conducted by the state's education department or the state’s board of education. Passing this exam qualifies you to apply for teaching jobs in schools under the respective state governments.

TET Exam Pattern

As you read earlier, the TET question paper is divided into two papers - Paper I and Paper II. Both these papers have different sections and multiple-choice questions. You can take a look at the detailed exam pattern below.

TET Paper I Exam Pattern

Glance through the table below to understand the structure of TET Paper I.

TET Paper II Exam Pattern

This table provides you with a quick overview of the exam pattern of Paper II of TET.

TET Exam Syllabus

The TET syllabus evaluates your readiness to teach at different school levels. It covers areas such as child development, teaching methods, and subject-specific understanding. You can get a clear grasp of the syllabus and subjects for both TET papers below. You can opt for a language of your choice in the language subjects. The conducting body prescribes the list of languages.

TET Paper 1 Syllabus

TET Paper 2 Syllabus

Conclusion

If you are passionate about a career in teaching and want to contribute to the future of education, this is the right time to take your first step. With competitive salaries and opportunities in both government and private schools, pursuing the right programme in education and teaching can help you stand out in the job market.

To build the right foundation, explore the relevant teaching and education programmes offered atJAIN (Deemed-to-be University) today.

FAQs

Q1: What is the qualification for TET exam?

A1: For Classes I to V, candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with at least 50% marks and be qualified in or appearing for a 2-year D.El.Ed or 4-year B.El.Ed. For Classes VI to VIII, candidates must be graduates with at least 50% marks and be qualified in or appearing for a 2-year D.El.Ed or 1-year B.Ed. This TET qualification may vary by state.

Q2: Who is eligible for TET?

A2: Candidates should check their eligibility on the basis of the teaching level for which they wish to apply. Those aiming to teach Classes I to V must have completed Class 12 with at least 50% marks along with a D.El.Ed or B.El.Ed qualification. For Classes VI to VIII, candidates must be graduates with at least 50% marks and hold a D.El.Ed or B.Ed degree, or be appearing in the final year of these courses.

Q3: What is the syllabus of TET exam?

A3: The syllabus of the TET exam covers the following:
- Child Development and Pedagogy
- Language Proficiency
- Mathematics and Science
- Social Studies
- Mathematics and Science/Social Science

Q4: How to prepare for TET?

A4: Some of the important TET exam preparation tips include:
- Understand the syllabus.
- Create a thoughtful study plan.
- Use quality study material.
- Refer to previous years' question papers.
- Revise regularly.

Q5: How to pass TET exam?

A5: To pass the TET exam, one must secure at least 60% marks. Reserved category students are required to achieve a score of 55%. However, this percentage may vary based on the specific state.

Q6: What is the highest score in TET?

A6: The highest achievable score is 150 for each of the two TET papers. Each paper contains 150 multiple-choice questions. Every question is worth one mark.

Q7: Is TET compulsory after B Ed?

A7: Yes, qualifying TET after B.Ed. is mandatory for most government teaching positions. However, private schools may have different recruitment criteria.

Q8: What is the difference between TET and CTET?

A8: CTET is conducted by the CBSE on behalf of the government. It offers national eligibility for teaching positions in various central government-run schools. TETs are state-level exams administered by the state's education department or state board of education. The state TETs offer eligibility to apply for various teaching jobs in specific states. CTETs have a broader scope in comparison to TETs.

Q9: What is the use of TET exam?

A9: TET is an essential and mandatory qualifying exam for candidates who wish to take on teaching roles in government, aided and private schools from Class 1 to Class 8. Passing the TET shows that a person has the basic teaching skills and knowledge required to be a teacher.