The State Eligibility Test (SET), which is the qualifying examination for appointment of teachers to higher secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary Education (VHSE) schools in Kerala will be conducted at 14 district centres in the state in July. Online registration for the test could be done by May 5. The date of the test would be announced later.
SET is being conducted by the LBS Centre for Science and Technology, a self-governing institution under the state government.
While the application fee is Rs 1,000, differently-abled candidates as well as those eligible for community reservation need to pay only Rs 500.
Test pattern
The SET comprises two papers, of which Paper-One covering general knowledge and teaching aptitude is compulsory for all candidates. Meanwhile, Paper Two deals with the subject at the post-graduate level. In this paper, candidates can choose from among the 31 subjects offered.
Each paper has 120 objective-type questions for a total of 120 marks and choice is available for candidates. However, in the Maths and Statistics papers, there are only 80 questions, with each question carrying one-half marks. Another feature of SET is that there are no negative marks. The syllabus for the exam is available on the website.
Qualifying marks
To qualify, general candidates have to score minimum of 40 per cent marks in each paper and an aggregate of 48 per cent in both papers. However, for backward category candidates, the cut-off for each paper is 35 per cent and aggregate is 45 per cent. Meanwhile, Scheduled and differently-abled category candidates have to score at least 35 per cent marks in each paper and 40 per cent in both papers together.
Eligibility
To be eligible to take SET, candidates should have secured a masters’ degree in the related subject with at least 50 per cent marks and a BEd in any subject. Those who have passed MSc-Ed offered by the Regional Institute of Education in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology with 50 per cent marks can also apply.
Candidates who have earned a second class MA in Communicative English with a minimum of 50 per cent marks and a BEd are also eligible to attempt SET.
Meanwhile, post-graduates in the following subjects do not require BEd to apply for SET: Anthropology, Commerce, Gandhian Studies, Geology, Home Science, Journalism, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Russian, Social Work, Sociology, Statistics and Syriac. Similarly, there is an exemption from BEd qualification for those with DLEd/LTTC in Arabic, Hindi and Urdu.
An MSc in Biotechnology with a minimum of 50 per cent marks and a BEd in Natural Science is yet another eligibility.
Things to note
Correspondence/Open degrees not recognized by a university in Kerala will not be considered for SET. However, those who are preparing for the final BEd exam after having secured the post-graduate degree can apply. Similar is the case with candidates holding a BEd degree appearing for their final PG exam.
There is no upper age limit to apply for SET. Another feature of the test is a 5-per cent marks relaxation for Scheduled category candidates.
For more details, contact 0471-2560311 or email is edp.lbscentre.kerala.gov.in.Website: www.lbscentre.kerala.gov.in.