Maths paper lengthy and tough, say TET-1 aspirants

A total of 1.83 lakh candidates, including teachers who suffered pay cut for not completing TET within the stipulated period, appeared for Paper-I. If they successfully complete TET-I, the teachers would be eligible for appointment as secondary grade teachers in government and its aided schools across Tamil Nadu. 

The TET Paper-I had subjects such as Child Development and Pedagogy, Language, English, Mathematics and Environmental Studies. With 150 questions, each subject carried 30 marks. The questions were based on the topics of the prescribed syllabus of the State for Classes 1 to 5 but their difficulty level as well as linkages would be up to the secondary stage.

About 700 affected teachers also appeared for the paper with most attempting the exam for the third time. "The Mathematics paper was very tough and we were unable to finish it in the stipulated time," K Pavithra, a secondary grade teacher, who also suffered pay cut, told DT Next. She said that most of the questions were very lengthy and it was very difficult to even comprehend them. 

Even the fresh candidates complained about how tough the paper ones, especially when compared to the previous ones. N Saravana Kumar, who appeared for TET for the first time, said that a few questions were twisted and complicated. "Out of 30 questions, I was able to attend only about 20," he added. According to him, the others subjects, including English, were a breeze.

On Sunday, about 4.21 lakh candidates, including 800 teachers, who suffered pay cut due to non-completion of TET within the time frame, will be appearing for TET-Paper II.