How to Prepare for UPTET Exam: Syllabus, Books and Tips

Updated 22 September 2022

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UPTET or Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test is a state-level examination for the selection of upper primary and primary-level teachers into government schools. It is conducted by UPBEB (Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Board). It is a major examination if you want to seek employment in Uttar Pradesh as a teacher in the government sector. In this article, we discuss in detail what UPTET exam is, how to prepare for UPTET exam, its syllabus and some important books for its preparation.

What Is UPTET Exam?

The UPTET exam is a state-level exam conducted every year for recruitment of teachers into primary (classes one to five), and upper primary (classes six to eight) in Uttar Pradesh schools. The exam is usually conducted in two shifts. The mode of exam is online over an OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheet. UPTET has 150 questions, which the aspirants may attempt over a span of 150 minutes. There is only a minute available to answer each question, hence speed plays a crucial role while attempting the exam. Each question carries one mark, and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

UPTET has two levels of exam, one for primary teachers and another for upper primary teachers. The syllabus for these levels of exam may vary, but the pattern of the examination remains the same. A candidate who prepares regularly in a well-planned manner may qualify for the exam without much difficulty.

How To Prepare For UPTET Exam

Preparation is key to achieving success in any examination. Having a well-organised schedule, appropriate materials, steady guidance and a committed mindset can be very important while preparing for the UPTET. If you can dedicate two to three months to the preparation process, you may be able to face the exam and clear it on your first try. Here are a few tips that you can follow while preparing for UPTET:

1. Understand the syllabus

Before you delve into study, you may first need to understand the syllabus thoroughly. Know which topics are covered in the exam, which topics are important, which topics can take time to prepare and which ones can be completed easily. After you understand the syllabus of the exam, you can move on to creating a timetable and following it.

2. Prepare and follow a timetable

A basic strategy to ace any competitive exam is to develop the required punctuality and dedication that the preparation demands. Break down complex sections into smaller components. Set realistic goals that you can achieve on a daily or weekly basis. Ensure that you get ample time to study and revise each topic. Set aside extra time for topics that are hard or new to you.

3. Study UPTET books

Candidates can start their UPTET preparation using NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) textbooks. In addition to this, candidates can also refer to books by external publishers that cover UPTET syllabus topics. Having the right study materials can help you prepare effectively.

4. Prepare notes

Make your own notes to aid revision. Read these notes periodically to recall the information you have imbibed. Revision can also improve retention. You can make charts for important formulae and equations, and display them in your study area.

5. Practise solving previous years' question papers

Practise solving a previous year's question papers to understand the difficulty of the examination. Doing this in a timed manner can also help you manage time during the actual exam. Through your practice of previous question papers, you can gain an insight into the pattern of the examination and the nature of the questions asked. It can help you perform self-assessments to identify areas for improvement.

6. Stay healthy

Along with academic preparation, it is essential that you take care of your health in the days that lead up to the exam. Studying demands a lot of energy, so maintain a good diet and exercise frequently. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated and refresh while you prepare.

UPTET Exam Syllabus

UPTET exam contains two papers, namely Paper 1 and Paper 2. In Paper 1, the aspirant may face questions from the following subjects:

Child development, methodology and pedagogy
Language 1 (Hindi)
Language 2 (English, Urdu or Sanskrit)
Mathematics
Environmental studies

For paper 2, questions are asked from the following subjects:

Child development, methodology and pedagogy
Language 1 (Hindi)
Language 2 (English, Urdu or Sanskrit)
Mathematics, science or social science

Each of these topics has 30 questions consisting of 30 marks. Aspirants get two hours and 30 minutes to answer all the questions. For Paper 2, aspirants can choose between mathematics, science or social studies according to their educational background and preferences.

UPTET Exam Pattern

The exam pattern for UPTET can be similar for both papers. There may be slight variations according to the candidate's chosen subjects. Here are some general points regarding the pattern of the exam:

The exam is conducted offline.
The paper can be attempted in Hindi and English language.
Both papers have 150 questions each.
The total marks for each paper is 150.
The duration of both the papers is the same - two and a half hours.
Paper 1 has five subjects and Paper 2 has four.
The marking scheme is one mark for correct answers without negative marking.

Major Topics Covered Under Each Subject

These are the major subjects and related topics from which questions can be asked:

Child pedagogy

The topics covered under child pedagogy include learning theories, Piaget theory, diverse learning, best practices, moral development theory and concept learning. These are mostly covered in a B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) syllabus. Candidates can refer to the textbooks of a B.Ed course along with other books to prepare for this paper.

Mathematics

Some important topics covered under mathematics are mathematical operations, simple and compound interest, HCF and LCM, pie charts, probability, number systems, geometry, percentages, language mathematics, methods of evaluation, mensuration, error analysis and remedial teaching. Candidates benefit from a good understanding of mathematics fundamentals taught in classes one to eight. Studying textbooks in these classes can help you prepare for this subject.

English/Hindi

Reading comprehension, passage and prose, language difficulties and communicative approaches to teaching are some of the topics covered under the language section. Candidates can go through the previous year's question papers to understand the difficulty and nature of the questions asked. A number of books and online resources are available to help candidates improve their vocabulary and their command of the language. Preparing with the help of these books can aid you in your learning process.

Social studies

Questions from history, geography, politics and economics can be expected in this section. Some parameters for evaluation include innovation, cognitive performance, subject knowledge and understanding of various teaching methods for social science. Candidates can go through the textbooks of the classes they aim to teach to prepare for this section effectively.

Science/Environmental studies

Solar system, transport and communication, climate change, evaporation, types of rainfall, types of soil, common diseases, renewable and non-renewable sources of energy, conservation of species, and significance of environmental studies constitute some of the important topics covered by this section. Candidates can refer to the textbooks of respective classes to gain a comprehensive understanding of these topics and their methods of instruction.

Books For UPTET Preparation

Choosing the right material to prepare for UPTET is crucial since the exam has a vast syllabus. The right books can give you access to relevant information in a comprehensive manner. Publications that update their books to account for changes in the syllabus can save your time and effort while preparing. These are some popular books that you can use for reference to prepare for the UPTET exam:

CTET & TETs English Language Paper I & II by Arihant Publications
UPTET Child Development and Pedagogy by Kiran Publications
English Language by Geeta Sahni/Pearson Publications
Hindi Bhasha by Diamond Power Learning
Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
CTET & TETs Environmental Studies & Pedagogy by Arihant Publication
Social Studies by Disha Publications
Teacher Eligibility Test Environmental Studies by Dr. Shyam Anand

Tips For The Day Of The Exam

Before the exam, it is important that you get a proper night's sleep. On the day of the exam, try to reach the exam centre early, so you have enough time to settle in. This can help you mitigate last-minute confusion and tensions. As there is no negative marking in UPTET, try to attempt every question, but give due attention to each question. Maintain a calm and composed attitude throughout and try not to pressure yourself.

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