Kerala SET Exam Pattern 2025: Know Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

The ideal time to start preparing for the Kerala SET exam varies from person to person and depends on several factors such as your familiarity with the subject, the level of understanding of the topics covered in the syllabus, and the amount of time and effort you can devote to the preparation. However, as a general guideline, it is recommended that you start preparing for the exam at least 6-8 months before the exam date. This will give you sufficient time to cover the entire syllabus, revise the important topics, solve mock tests and previous year papers, and identify your strengths and weaknesses. If you are already familiar with the subject and have a good understanding of the topics covered in the syllabus, you can start preparing for the exam 3-4 months before the exam date. However, if you are new to the subject or need to improve your understanding of the topics, you may need to start preparing earlier. It is important to note that the Kerala SET exam is a highly competitive exam, and the level of competition is increasing every year. Therefore, it is important to start preparing early and stay consistent with your preparation. With a focused approach and consistent effort, you can increase your chances of qualifying for the Kerala SET exam.

There is no fixed or ideal number of sample papers that a candidate should solve before the Kerala SET exam. The number of sample papers that a candidate should solve depends on their individual preparation, strengths, and weaknesses. However, it is advisable for candidates to solve as many Kerala SET sample papers as possible to enhance their preparation and improve their chances of success in the exam. By solving sample papers, candidates can get familiar with the exam pattern, types of questions, and difficulty level of the exam. It can also help them to identify their strengths and weaknesses and prioritize their preparation accordingly. Candidates can start by solving at least one sample paper per week and gradually increase the frequency as the exam date approaches. They can also try to solve the sample papers in a simulated environment, similar to the actual exam, to get a realistic experience. Apart from solving the sample papers, candidates should also focus on building a strong foundation in their subject, revise the concepts they have learned, and practice solving the previous year's question papers. This can help them to develop a comprehensive and effective exam preparation strategy and improve their chances of success in the Kerala SET exam. Therefore, while there is no fixed or ideal number of sample papers that a candidate should solve, it is advisable to solve as many sample papers as possible to enhance their preparation and improve their performance in the exam.

The Kerala SET exam is conducted by the LBS Centre for Science and Technology to determine the eligibility of candidates for the post of higher secondary school teachers and non-vocational teachers in VHSE. To qualify in the Kerala SET exam, candidates need to secure a minimum of 40 per cent aggregate marks in Paper I and Paper II, separately.

Note: This qualifying criterion is subject to change. The candidates are advised vist the official website for the any criterion related to qualfying marks 

There are various books available in the market for Kerala SET preparation, but that is not enough. The candidates must prepare from the previous year's question papers and practice exams to improve their scores and get mastery over the topics. Here are some of the best books that candidates can refer to for the preparation of Kerala SET Paper 1: a) Trueman's UGC NET/SET General Paper I by M. Gagan and Sajit Kumar b) UGC NET/JRF/SLET General Paper-1 Teaching and Research Aptitude by Arihant Publications c) UGC NET/SET (JRF & LS) Teaching & Research Aptitude (General Paper-I) by Pearson d) UGC NET/SET General Paper-1 by McGraw Hill Education e) UGC NET/SET (JRF & LS) General Paper 1 by N. A. Khan f) UGC NET/SET (JRF & LS) General Paper 1 by RPH Editorial Board.

The Kerala SET exam is not compulsory for pursuing a Ph.D. in Kerala. However, it is important to note that many universities and research institutions in India consider Kerala SET or similar exams such as UGC NET & CSIR NET as a qualifying criteria for admission to their Ph.D. programs. In addition, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has made it mandatory for Ph.D. candidates to have qualified in the Kerala SET or similar exam to be eligible for a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) during their Ph.D. programme. Therefore, while qualifying the Kerala SET exam is not mandatory for pursuing a Ph.D. it can be beneficial for candidates who wish to pursue research as a career, as it can increase their chances of getting admission to top universities and research institutions. Additionally, qualifying the Kerala SET exam can also make candidates eligible for various fellowship programs offered by the government of India to support their research.

No, you can apply and appear for the Kerala SET exam for any number of times till you attain the desired scores. The Kerala SET Certificate is valid for a lifetime according to the norms of NCTE. Though, the candidates can take the Kerala SET exam to upgrade their marks. The guidelines have been given below for the candidates to take the Kerala SET exam:

• The candidates must fulfill the educational qualification criteria to take the exam The age of the candidates cannot be less than 18 years There is no upper age limit to take the Kerala SET exam
• The candidates can take the Kerala SET exam as many times as they want as there is no restrictions in taking the exam again