KTET Exam Pattern: Category 1, 2, 3 & 4 Marks, Questions & Paper Structure

KTET exam pattern is an important aspect candidates should understand before starting preparation for the Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test. Conducted by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan, KTET exam follows an offline OMR-based format consisting of multiple-choice questions designed to assess teaching aptitude, pedagogy, subject knowledge, and classroom understanding. Understanding the KTET exam pattern and marking scheme helps candidates prepare strategically, improve time management, and focus on high-weightage sections effectively during the exam.

KTET Exam Pattern Key details

The KTET Exam Pattern follows a standard objective-type structure across all categories. Although KTET syllabus and subjects vary according to the category selected, the overall KTET exam pattern remains largely similar. Candidates should understand the important details such as total questions, marks, exam duration, and qualifying marks before beginning preparation. The table below provides a quick overview of the general KTET exam pattern followed across Categories 1, 2, 3, & 4.

Particulars	Details
Name of the Exam	Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (KTET)
Conducting Authority	Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan
KTET Exam Mode	Offline (OMR Based)
KTET Question Type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
KTET Total Questions	150 Questions
KTET Total Marks	150 Marks
KTET Exam Duration	2 Hours 30 Minutes
KTET Marks per Question	1 Mark
KTET Negative Marking	No Negative Marking
KTET Qualifying Marks (General)	60% (90 Marks)
KTET Qualifying Marks (SC/ST/OBC)	55% (82 Marks)
KTET Official Website	ktet.kerala.gov.in

 

 

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KTET Category 1 Exam Pattern

KTET Category 1 is intended for candidates aspiring to become Lower Primary (LP) School Teachers for Classes 1 to 5. So the KTET exam for Category 1 mainly focuses on child development, pedagogy, language proficiency, mathematics, and environmental studies relevant to primary education. Candidates preparing for KTET Category 1 should concentrate strongly on foundational teaching methodologies and elementary-level subject understanding because these areas carry significant weightage in the KTET exam.

KTET Category 2 Exam Pattern

KTET Category 2 is designed for candidates aspiring to become Upper Primary Teachers for Classes 6 to 8. So the KTET exam for Category 2 evaluates pedagogy, language proficiency, and subject-specific competency required for middle-school teaching. Candidates preparing for KTET Category 2 should focus on conceptual understanding, teaching aptitude, and subject knowledge because the Upper Primary level requires stronger analytical and instructional skills compared to Lower Primary education.

KTET Category 3 Exam Pattern

KTET Category 3 is intended for candidates aiming for High School Teacher positions for Classes 9 to 10. So the KTET exam for Category 3 gives greater importance to subject expertise, pedagogy, adolescent psychology, and teaching competency. Candidates appearing for KTET Category 3 should possess strong subject knowledge in their chosen discipline because the examination contains a large number of subject-specific questions carrying substantial marks.

Subjects Covered Under KTET Category 3

The KTET Category 3 subject-specific section may include:

• Mathematics
• Physical Science
• Natural Science
• Social Science
• English
• Malayalam
• Hindi
• Arabic
• Sanskrit
• Urdu
• Other approved High School subjects

KTET Category 4 Exam Pattern

KTET Category 4 is designed for Language Teachers, Specialist Teachers, and Physical Education Teachers. Unlike the other categories, KTET Category 4 focuses on specialised teaching competency relevant to language instruction, arts, music, physical education, and other specialist teaching areas recognised under Kerala Education Rules. Candidates preparing for this KTET Category 4 should concentrate on pedagogy, specialist content knowledge, and subject-specific teaching methods.

KTET Category 4 Covers

• Language Teachers
• Arabic Teachers
• Hindi Teachers
• Sanskrit Teachers
• Urdu Teachers
• Physical Education Teachers
• Music Teachers
• Art Teachers
• Sewing Teachers
• Other Specialist Teachers

KTET Marking Scheme

The KTET marking scheme is straightforward and candidate-friendly because there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Each correct answer carries one mark, and unanswered questions do not result in mark deductions. This allows candidates to attempt maximum questions in the KTET exam without fear of losing marks for wrong responses. Understanding the KTET marking scheme helps candidates approach the exam confidently and apply better time-management strategies during the exam.

KTET Marking Scheme Details

• Each correct answer carries 1 mark
• No negative marking for wrong answers
• No marks deducted for unanswered questions
• Maximum marks: 150
• Qualifying marks vary according to category and reservation norms

KTET Qualifying Marks

Candidates must secure the prescribed KTET qualifying marks to obtain eligibility certification. The qualifying marks differ slightly for General category candidates and reserved category candidates. However, qualifying KTET does not guarantee recruitment but serves as an important eligibility requirement for teaching positions in Kerala government and aided schools.

Read More at

• KTET Complete Guide : Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Application Process, PYQs & Preparation Strategy
• KTET Eligibility Criteria: Category Wise Educational Qualifications
• KTET Category 1, 2, 3, & 4 Complete Explanation : Which KTET Category Should You Apply For
• KTET December 2025 Rectified Answer Key PDF Released for Category 1, 2, 3 & 4
• KTET December 2025 Category 1 Answer Key PDF Download
• KTET December 2025 Category 2 Answer Key PDF Download
• KTET 2025 Category 1 Answer Key and Question Paper for In-service Teachers | Download PDF
• KTET Result 2026 Released: Check Your KTET December 2025 Scorecard & Download Result PDF
• How to Prepare for KTET 2026 in Kerala | Syllabus & Preparation Strategy 
• KTET Category 1 Syllabus 2026 PDF : Subjects, Marks & Exam Pattern
• KTET Application Fee 2026: Category Wise Fee Structure, Payment Methods & Important Instructions 
• How to Apply for KTET 2026 Online: Complete Registration Process & Application Form Guide  
   

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Frequently Asked Questions on KTET 

What is the mode of the KTET examination?

Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test is conducted in offline OMR-based mode.

How many questions are there in KTET?

The KTET examination contains 150 multiple-choice questions.

Is there negative marking in KTET?

No. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers in KTET.

What is the duration of the KTET examination?

Candidates are given 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the examination.

How many marks does each question carry in KTET?

Each question in the KTET exam carries 1 mark.

What are the qualifying marks for KTET?

General category candidates require 60% marks (90/150), while SC/ST/OBC candidates require 55% marks (82/150).

Is the KTET exam pattern the same for all categories?

The general KTET exam pattern is similar, but subjects and section-wise weightage vary according to the category selected.

Which KTET category has the highest subject-specific weightage?

KTET Category 3 and Category 4 contain 80 marks for subject-specific content.

Does KTET Category 2 include Social Science and Science separately?

Candidates generally attend either Mathematics & Science or Social Science sections based on their subject stream.