How to Improve Speed & Accuracy in TET & UPTET Exams

Introduction

The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (UPTET) are crucial for aspiring teachers in India. These exams assess a candidate’s knowledge and teaching aptitude. However, many aspirants struggle with speed and accuracy, which are essential for scoring well. Answering all questions correctly within the time limit is challenging, but with proper techniques and practice, you can enhance both speed and accuracy.

In this blog, we will discuss proven strategies that will help you attempt more questions correctly in less time.

Understanding the Exam Pattern

Before working on speed and accuracy, it is important to understand the exam structure.

TET & UPTET Exam Highlights:

• Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen & Paper)
• Duration: 2.5 hours (150 minutes)
• Total Questions: 150 (MCQs)
• Total Marks: 150 (Each question carries 1 mark)
• Negative Marking: No negative marking

Since there are 150 questions to be attempted in 150 minutes, you get only 1 minute per question. Hence, improving speed while maintaining accuracy is key.

Effective Strategies to Improve Speed & Accuracy

1. Strengthen Your Basics

A strong foundation in Child Development & Pedagogy, Mathematics, Language, and Environmental Studies (EVS) is necessary. If your basics are weak, solving questions quickly will be difficult.

• Focus on concept clarity rather than rote learning.
• Use NCERT books and standard reference materials to build a strong base.
• Revise basic formulas and shortcuts, especially for Mathematics and Reasoning.

2. Time Management Techniques

Proper time management ensures that you attempt all 150 questions within the given time.

Follow the 3-Round Rule:

• Round 1: Solve easy questions first (within 30-40 seconds each).
• Round 2: Attempt moderately difficult questions.
• Round 3: Answer the most difficult and time-consuming questions.

This approach prevents wasting time on tough questions and maximizes the number of attempted questions.

3. Practice with a Timer

• Solve at least one full-length mock test daily using a stopwatch.
• Divide your time efficiently:
  • Child Development & Pedagogy – 20 minutes
  • Language (Hindi & English) – 40 minutes
  • Mathematics – 30 minutes
  • EVS – 20 minutes
  • Remaining 40 minutes for review

Practicing in a real exam-like environment improves both speed and confidence.

4. Use Shortcuts & Tricks for Mathematics and Reasoning

• Learn Vedic Math techniques for faster calculations.
• Memorize tables, squares, cubes, and percentage conversions for quick calculations.
• Use the elimination method in MCQs to rule out wrong options and save time.

Example: If a question asks for 50% of 480, instead of using pen and paper, simply divide by 2 → 480 ÷ 2 = 240 (quick mental math).

5. Improve Reading Speed for Language Sections

• Read newspapers like The Hindu or NCERT books daily to increase reading speed.
• Practice reading comprehension passages and try to answer without reading the full passage multiple times.
• Focus on synonyms, antonyms, and grammar rules to solve language questions faster.

6. Solve Previous Year Papers

• Solving past 5-10 years of TET and UPTET question papers helps you understand question patterns.
• It also allows you to analyze which topics consume more time and need better strategies.
• Try to complete previous year question papers within the allotted time.

7. Develop a Smart Guessing Strategy

Since there is no negative marking in TET & UPTET, you should attempt all questions.

• Use the elimination technique to rule out incorrect options.
• If confused between two options, select the one that is more relevant to the question.
• Avoid random guessing, but make intelligent guesses when necessary.

8. Stay Calm and Avoid Panic During the Exam

• Many aspirants lose marks due to stress and panic.
• If you feel stuck on a question, skip it and move on rather than wasting time.
• Take deep breaths and stay confident to maintain accuracy.

9. Focus on Accuracy First, Then Speed

Speed is important, but accuracy is more crucial because incorrect answers mean lost marks.

• Initially, focus on solving questions correctly even if you take extra time.
• Once accuracy improves, work on reducing time per question.

10. Revise Regularly

• Make short notes for last-minute revision.
• Revise important formulas, concepts, and frequently asked topics regularly.
• Before the exam, focus on strengths rather than learning new topics.

Study Plan to Improve Speed & Accuracy in 30 Days

Week	Focus Area	Key Activities
Week 1	Strengthen Basics	Revise NCERT, learn shortcuts for math, improve reading speed
Week 2	Time-Bound Practice	Solve topic-wise timed quizzes, work on weak areas
Week 3	Mock Test Practice	Attempt full-length tests, analyze mistakes, improve accuracy
Week 4	Speed & Final Revision	Daily mock tests, last-minute notes revision, practice mental math

 Following this structured plan will help in gradually increasing speed while maintaining accuracy.