PSTET 2026
Punjab State Teacher Eligibility Test - Practice mock tests for Paper 1 and Paper 2
Conducting Body
Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), Mohali
Exam Level
State Level — Punjab
Papers
Paper 1 (Classes I–V) and Paper 2 (Classes VI–VIII)
Total Marks
150 marks per paper
Duration
2 hours 30 minutes per paper
Total Questions
150 MCQs per paper (1 mark each)
Negative Marking
None
Official Website
pstet.pseb.ac.in
Syllabus
Child Development & Pedagogy
- Concept of development & its relationship with learning
- Principles of development of children
- Influence of Heredity and Environment
- Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky — constructs & critical perspectives
- Concepts of child-centered and progressive education
- Multi-Dimensional Intelligence
- Gender as a social construct
- Individual differences among learners
- Assessment for learning vs. assessment of learning
- School-Based Assessment & CCE
- Inclusive Education — children with special needs
- Learning and Pedagogy — cognition, motivation, emotions
Language I — Punjabi
- Reading unseen passages (prose/drama and poem)
- Comprehension, inference, grammar & verbal ability
- Learning and Acquisition
- Principles of Language teaching
- Role of listening and speaking
- Language skills — LSRW
- Evaluating language comprehension and proficiency
- Challenges of teaching language in diverse classroom
- Remedial Teaching
Language II — English
- Two unseen prose passages (discursive/literary/narrative/scientific)
- Comprehension, grammar and verbal ability
- Learning and Acquisition
- Principles of Language teaching
- Language skills — Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing
- Teaching-Learning Materials
- Remedial Teaching
Mathematics (Paper 1)
- Geometry & Shapes
- Solids around us
- Numbers, Addition & Subtraction
- Multiplication & Division
- Measurement, Weight, Time, Volume
- Data Handling & Patterns
- Money
- Nature of Mathematics / Logical Thinking (Pedagogy)
- Place of Mathematics in Curriculum
- Error analysis and remedial teaching
Environmental Studies (Paper 1)
- Family and Friends — Relationships, Work, Play, Animals, Plants
- Food, Shelter, Water, Travel
- Things we Make and Do
- Concept and scope of EVS
- Significance of EVS — integrated approach
- Scope and relation to Science and Social Science
- Experimentation / Practical Work
- CCE and Teaching Material / Aids
Mathematics & Science (Paper 2)
- Number System, Algebra, Geometry
- Ratio & Proportion, Statistics
- Food, Materials, The World of the Living
- Natural Phenomena & Natural Resources
- Moving Things, People and Ideas
- Our Environment
- Pedagogical issues in Maths & Science
Social Science (Paper 2)
- History — Ancient, Medieval, Modern India
- Geography — India and the World
- Social and Political Life
- Economic Development
- Pedagogical issues in Social Studies
Select Paper
Paper 1
Paper 1: For classes I to V (Primary Level)
Paper 2 - Math & Science
Paper 2: Math & Science - For classes VI to VIII (Elementary Level)
Paper 2 - Social Science
Paper 2: Social Science - For classes VI to VIII (Elementary Level)
Eligibility Criteria
- Paper 1: Senior Secondary (Class 12) + 2-year D.El.Ed or 4-year B.El.Ed
- Paper 2: Graduation + B.Ed (2-year) from a recognised university
- Punjab domicile required
- Punjabi up to Matriculation level is required
Selection Process
- 1Written Test — Paper 1 and/or Paper 2 (candidate can appear in one or both)
- 2Minimum qualifying marks must be secured
- 3PSTET certificate is valid for 7 years from date of passing
Preparation Tips
Child Development & Pedagogy carries 30 marks in both papers and is fully theory-based. Focus on Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, RTE Act, inclusive education, and CCE — at least 10–12 questions come from these topics directly.
Language sections are split 50/50 between comprehension and pedagogy. Practise unseen passages daily and revise all pedagogical terms like "language acquisition", "scaffolding", and "remedial teaching".
For Paper 1, read NCERT Class 1–5 textbooks for Mathematics and EVS. Questions are concept-based and directly aligned to these books.
For Paper 2, cover both Mathematics & Science equally if you are appearing in the Maths/Science option (30 marks each). For Social Studies, ensure equal coverage of History, Geography, and Civics.
No negative marking — attempt every question. Use the last 15 minutes to review and fill blanks rather than leaving them empty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PSTET Paper 1 and Paper 2?
Paper 1 qualifies you to teach Classes I–V (Primary level). Paper 2 qualifies you for Classes VI–VIII (Elementary level). You can appear in both. Paper 2 has a subject-specific section (Mathematics & Science or Social Science) of 60 marks.
Is there negative marking in PSTET?
No. There is no negative marking in PSTET. Each correct answer carries 1 mark and wrong or unattempted answers carry 0 marks.
What are the qualifying marks for PSTET?
General category candidates must score at least 60% (90/150). SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates must score at least 55%. Qualifying marks may change — always verify from the official PSTET notification.
How long is the PSTET certificate valid?
The PSTET certificate is valid for 7 years from the date of passing, as per the current rules of Punjab School Education Board.
Can I prepare for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 simultaneously?
Yes. Child Development & Pedagogy and both Language sections are common to both papers. You only need extra preparation for the subject-specific section (Maths/EVS for Paper 1, and Maths-Science or Social Science for Paper 2).