Punjab State Teacher Eligibility Test, popularly known as PSTET or Punjab TET, is an exam conducted once a year by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). It is a state-level exam conducted to qualify eligible candidates for the post of government teachers in Punjab.
PSTET is mandatory to become a teacher at primary and upper primary levels in the state. The qualified candidates will receive a PSTET certificate.
Mistakes to avoid while preparing for Punjab TET
Before preparing for the exam and filling the examination form, it is advised to go through the eligibility criteria of Punjab TET. Here are five mistakes that you should avoid while preparing for Punjab TET:
- Not knowing your subjects and syllabus: If you don’t understand your syllabus, you don’t know about the important topics that you should prepare with utmost priority. Candidates who don’t prepare as per the Punjab TET syllabus end up studying for redundant or less important topics. An understanding of exam pattern, subject, and syllabus is a must to excel. Here is a snapshot of subjects and syllabus:
Paper 1: The five subjects, along with the syllabus, are
- Child Development and Pedagogy: Major topics include child development (Primary School Children), the concept of inclusive education, learning pedagogy, and understanding children with special needs.
- Language I (Punjabi): The exams mainly focus on questions related to language comprehension and pedagogy of language development.
- Language II (English): The MCQs are based on questions related to comprehension, verbal ability, grammar, principles of language teaching, learning, and acquisition.
- Mathematics: Questions are based on topics including volume, decimals, time, data handling, LCM and HCF, measurement, fractions, patterns, geometry, numbers, shapes & spatial understanding, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Environmental Studies: Major topics are weather and climate, crops, road safety rules, pollution, natural resources, solid waste management, man-made and natural disasters.
Paper 2: The subjects, along with the syllabus, are:
- Child Development and Pedagogy: Major topics include child development (Primary School Children), the concept of inclusive education, understanding children with special needs and learning pedagogy
- Language I (Punjabi): The exams mainly focus on questions related to language comprehension and pedagogy of language development.
- Language II (English): The MCQs are based on topics like comprehension, verbal ability, grammar, principles of language teaching, learning and acquisition.
- Mathematics: Questions on topics including volume, decimals, time, data handling, LCM and HCF, measurement, fractions, patterns, geometry, numbers, shapes & spatial Understanding, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
- Science: Questions in the exam are majorly related to topics like food, the world of the living, natural phenomena, natural resources, and pedagogical issues related to science.
- Social science: MCQs are based on questions related to history, geography, political science and pedagogical issues.
2. Improper planning: You will need a strategically prepared timetable and the right study material to prepare for the Punjab TET. Refer to standard books and NCERT books. While preparing a study plan, focus on subjects with their marking schemes and identify your weak and strong topics. It will help you in formulating an effective study plan and timetable.
3. Not practising enough questions: After you finish your Punjab TET syllabus, it is advised to practice as many questions as you can. It will improve the speed at which you solve the questions. Practice previous year’s question papers, mock papers, and practise papers. They will give you an estimate about the difficulty level of the exam, the type of questions asked, and the topic-wise distribution of questions. You will get an idea about time management while solving the exam paper.
4. Not preparing revision notes: Revision is very important for the exam. Always prepare notes for last-minute revisions. It should be prepared in the language you understand and cover all important formulas, facts and theories. Write them in a summarised manner and revise them as many times as possible.
5. Keeping your health aside: To yield a positive result, it is essential to be in good health. Get a sound sleep of at least seven hours. Eat a well-balanced diet and keep yourself hydrated. You can do meditation, yoga, or any physical activity to relax. It will also boost confidence and keep your spirits high.
Important facts about the paper pattern of Punjab TET
Candidates who wish to become government teachers through Punjab TET should learn everything about the exam before preparing for it.
- PSTET has two papers:
- Paper 1: It is for the post of teacher at primary level, class 1-class 5
- Paper 2: It is for the post of teacher at upper primary level, class 6-class 9
- Candidates have to solve an exam paper consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks.
- For every correct answer, the candidates will be rewarded 1 mark. Luckily, there is no negative marking for wrong answers and unattempted questions.
- To pass the exam, you are required to get a minimum of 60% marks on the paper.
A good study planning and specific approach towards the test will help you qualify for the exam with flying colours. Start preparing well for the Punjab TET.