So you've decided to go for the Bihar Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test. Good choice! Before you open a single book, get to know the Bihar STET syllabus and exam pattern properly. Once you know how the paper is built, which sections carry the most marks and where Paper 1 differs from Paper 2, every hour of study works harder for you.
This guide covers it step by step: the common exam structure, the subject lists for each paper, the Teaching Art and Other Skills section that every candidate sits, and a practical plan for preparing.
Key Takeaways
- Bihar STET, conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), has two papers: Paper 1 (Class 9-10) and Paper 2 (Class 11-12).
- Each paper is a computer-based test with 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks, to be finished in 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes).
- Each correct answer earns 1 mark, and there is no negative marking.
- 100 marks come from your chosen subject and 50 marks from Teaching Art and Other Skills, which is common to both papers.
- The papers differ in their subject lists and in how deep the subject questions go. The structure of the exam is the same for both.
- Results are worked out on normalised scores, so aim well above the minimum qualifying mark.
Bihar STET Syllabus and Exam Pattern at a Glance
Bihar STET is an eligibility test for people who want to teach in Bihar's secondary and higher secondary schools. BSEB runs it as an online computer-based test (CBT), and it is split into two papers according to the classes you want to teach.
- Paper 1 is for candidates seeking eligibility to teach at the Secondary level (Classes 9 and 10).
- Paper 2 is for candidates seeking eligibility to teach at the Higher Secondary level (Classes 11 and 12).
You can apply for one paper or both, as long as you meet the qualification rules for each. To see whether you qualify for Paper 1, Paper 2 or both, read our detailed guide on Bihar STET Eligibility: Paper 1 & 2 Age, Qualification. As a quick pointer, Paper 1 generally needs a relevant graduation plus B.Ed., and Paper 2 generally needs a relevant postgraduate degree plus B.Ed.
For application dates, fees and step-by-step instructions, see Bihar STET Notification 2026: Dates, Fee and How to Apply. For your exact exam date, check the official notification and your admit card on the BSEB STET website.
Bihar STET Exam Pattern: The Common Structure
Here's the good news: the exam structure is the same for Paper 1 and Paper 2. The number of questions, marks, time limit and marking scheme don't change. Only the subjects and the depth of the subject questions differ.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Unit I: Specified (chosen) subject | 100 | 100 |
| Unit II: Teaching Art and Other Skills | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Other key features of both papers:
- Mode: Online, computer-based test (CBT)
- Question type: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
- Duration: 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes)
- Marks per correct answer: 1
- Negative marking: None
What "no negative marking" means for you
A wrong answer costs you nothing, so attempt all 150 questions. Never leave a question blank. If you're stuck, rule out the options you know are wrong, pick the best of what's left and move on.
The real challenge is time. You have 150 minutes for 150 questions, about one minute per question. Many candidates find the common 50 questions faster to answer, so they can save time there for tougher subject questions.
How the 50-mark Unit II is divided
Unit II has two parts. BSEB's published STET 2023 syllabus gave 30 marks to Art of Teaching and 20 marks to Other Skills (General Knowledge, Environmental Science, Mathematical Aptitude and Logical Reasoning).
Many education portals break the 20 Other Skills marks down further for the current cycle:
| Unit II component | Questions (as commonly reported) | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Art of Teaching | 30 | 30 |
| General Knowledge | 5 | 5 |
| Environmental Science | 5 | 5 |
| Mathematical Aptitude | 5 | 5 |
| Logical Reasoning | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 50 | 50 |
A word of caution: sources don't fully agree here. Some list only the 50-mark total without splitting it, and at least one analysis says the internal split of the 20 Other Skills marks is unclear for this cycle. The 30-mark Art of Teaching block is reported consistently. Treat the 5-5-5-5 split as a guide and check the official syllabus PDF for your subject.
Qualifying marks and normalisation
You need a minimum qualifying percentage for your category to earn the STET certificate. Education portals don't all report the same category-wise figures for the 2026 cycle, so check the official notification for the exact percentages before you set your target.
The exam runs in several shifts, so results are worked out on normalised scores, not raw scores. Reported examples from the notification show that a raw score just above the cut-off can drop below it after normalisation. Don't aim for the minimum. Give yourself a comfortable margin above it.
According to reports on the notification, the qualifying certificate has lifetime validity, so you only need to clear it once.
Bihar STET Paper 1 Syllabus (Class 9-10)
Paper 1 is for candidates who want to teach Classes 9 and 10. You choose one subject, and 100 of your 150 marks come from it.
Subjects available in Paper 1
The Bihar STET Paper 1 syllabus covers 16 subjects, each with its own subject code:
| Subject | Code | Subject | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hindi | 101 | English | 109 |
| Urdu | 102 | Mathematics | 110 |
| Bangla | 103 | Science | 111 |
| Maithili | 104 | Social Science | 112 |
| Sanskrit | 105 | Physical Education | 113 |
| Arabic | 106 | Music | 114 |
| Farsi (Persian) | 107 | Fine Arts | 115 |
| Bhojpuri | 108 | Dance (Nritya) | 116 |
Check the subject code against the official list when you apply. Choosing the wrong subject is a mistake you can't fix in the exam hall.
What level are the Paper 1 questions?
Paper 1 subject questions are set at graduation level. They also draw on the secondary school (Class 9-10) curriculum you would actually teach. So revise your Class 9-10 NCERT and Bihar Board concepts thoroughly, then go deeper with your graduation notes.
A few examples:
- Mathematics: algebra, geometry, mensuration, statistics and probability, with graduation-level depth in topics such as calculus and linear algebra.
- Science: physics, chemistry and biology together, since Paper 1 Science is a combined subject.
- Social Science: history, geography, political science and economics as taught in secondary school, plus graduation-level understanding.
- Languages: grammar, literature, literary history and comprehension in the chosen language.
What carries the most weight in Paper 1
Your chosen subject is worth 100 of 150 marks, two-thirds of the paper. Make it the centre of your preparation. Within the common section, Art of Teaching (30 marks) is the next biggest block, far larger than any single Other Skills area.
Bihar STET Paper 2 Syllabus (Class 11-12)
Paper 2 is for candidates who want to teach Classes 11 and 12. The exam structure is exactly the same as Paper 1. What changes is the subject list and how deep the questions go.
Subjects available in Paper 2
The Bihar STET Paper 2 syllabus has a much wider, stream-wise subject list:
- Languages: Hindi, Urdu, English, Sanskrit, Bangla, Maithili, Magahi, Arabic, Persian, Bhojpuri, Pali, Prakrit
- Science: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology
- Humanities and social sciences: History, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Home Science
- Other subjects: Commerce, Computer Science, Agriculture, Music and others listed in the notification
Notice the main difference from Paper 1: Science and Social Science are split into separate disciplines. A Paper 1 candidate takes "Science". A Paper 2 candidate picks Physics, Chemistry, Botany or Zoology on its own. Your subject must match your postgraduate discipline, so check the subject-group rules in the official notification.
What level are the Paper 2 questions?
Sources disagree slightly here, so we'll give you both views. Some describe the Paper 2 subject syllabus as postgraduate level. Others call it graduation (Hons) level with higher secondary content. Either way, Paper 2 goes clearly deeper than Paper 1. Prepare from your honours and master's textbooks, and keep the Class 11-12 curriculum in view.
Examples of how deep it goes:
- Mathematics: limits, derivatives, integration and their applications, plus higher topics from your degree.
- Computer Science: operating systems, digital logic, programming and data structures, computer organisation and architecture, computer networks, algorithms and databases.
- Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology: graduation and higher secondary level concepts, numericals and applications.
What carries the most weight in Paper 2
As in Paper 1, the specialised subject is worth 100 marks. Paper 2 subjects are narrower but deeper, so spend more time on advanced chapters and less on broad survey reading. The common section is the same 50 marks, again led by Art of Teaching.
Paper 1 vs Paper 2: Where They Differ
Here's a side-by-side comparison so you can see the differences plainly:
| Feature | Paper 1 (Class 9-10) | Paper 2 (Class 11-12) |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching level | Secondary | Higher Secondary |
| Typical qualification | Relevant graduation + B.Ed. | Relevant postgraduation + B.Ed. |
| Subject list | 16 subjects, with combined Science and Social Science | Wider list, with separate disciplines (Physics, History, Economics, etc.) |
| Depth of subject questions | Graduation level, linked to Class 9-10 content | Postgraduate or honours level (sources differ), linked to Class 11-12 content |
| Questions, marks, time | 150 / 150 / 150 minutes | Same |
| Unit II (Teaching Art and Other Skills) | 50 marks | Same 50 marks |
| Negative marking | None | None |
In short: the structure is identical, but the subject options and depth differ. If you're eligible for both papers, your Unit II preparation counts twice.
Teaching Art and Other Skills: The Common Section
This 50-mark section is common to both papers, so every candidate must prepare it. It's also one of the most scoring parts of the exam because the topics are limited and come up again and again.
Art of Teaching (30 marks)
BSEB's STET 2023 syllabus for Art of Teaching lists these topics:
- Teaching and learning: meaning, process and characteristics
- Teaching objectives and instructional objectives: meaning, types and Bloom's Taxonomy
- Teaching methods: types, characteristics, merits and demerits
- Lesson plans: types, formats and models
- Microteaching and instructional analysis
- An effective classroom environment
- Textbooks and the library
- Qualities of a teacher
Preparation guides also stress classroom management, communication skills, teaching aids, evaluation techniques and the phases of teaching (pre-active, interactive, post-active).
Tip: Bihar STET's Art of Teaching is not the same as the Child Development and Pedagogy section of CTET. There is overlap, but don't rely only on CTET material. Follow the STET topic list above.
Other Skills (20 marks)
- General Knowledge: static GK plus current affairs, especially Bihar and national events. Following daily current affairs for a few minutes a day helps a lot here.
- Environmental Science: ecology, pollution, conservation, climate and the environmental issues taught in school.
- Mathematical Aptitude: percentages, ratios, averages, simple and compound interest, time and work. This is school-level arithmetic.
- Logical Reasoning: series, coding-decoding, analogies, blood relations, directions and syllogisms.
Each of these areas carries only a few marks, but together they can add up to a lot. With no negative marking, they're easy marks if you've practised.
How to Prepare for the Bihar STET Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Now for the plan. Prepare the two units in parallel, not one after the other.
Step 1: Download your official subject syllabus
Get the official subject-wise syllabus PDF for your paper and subject code from the BSEB STET website. Print it, stick it on your wall and tick off topics as you finish them.
Step 2: Build your subject base (Unit I)
- Start with the school textbooks for the classes you'll teach: Class 9-10 for Paper 1, Class 11-12 for Paper 2.
- Then move to your graduation (Paper 1) or honours and postgraduate (Paper 2) textbooks for depth.
- Keep short notes of formulas, definitions, dates and key facts for quick revision.
Step 3: Master Teaching Art and Other Skills (Unit II)
This is where targeted practice pays off. Our own STET SHIKSHAN KALA EVAM ANYA DAKSHTA PRACTICE SETS | PAPER 1 & PAPER 2 | BIHAR SHIKSHAK PATRATA PARIKSHA is built for exactly this section. Shikshan Kala evam Anya Dakshta means Teaching Art and Other Skills, and the practice sets work for both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Step 4: Practise under real exam conditions
Set a timer for 150 minutes and attempt full 150-question mocks. Afterwards, look at your accuracy section by section. Our online test series lets you practise in a CBT-style format.
Recommended resources
| Resource | What it's for | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STET SHIKSHAN KALA EVAM ANYA DAKSHTA PRACTICE SETS \ | PAPER 1 & PAPER 2 \ | BIHAR SHIKSHAK PATRATA PARIKSHA | Practice sets for the common 50-mark Teaching Art and Other Skills section (Paper 1 and Paper 2) |
| School textbooks (Class 9-10 or 11-12) | Core concepts of the subject you'll teach | ||
| Your graduation or postgraduate textbooks | Depth for the 100-mark subject section |
You'll find more titles in our range of books for competitive exams.
A simple weekly rhythm
- Daily: 2-3 hours on your subject, 45 minutes on Art of Teaching, 20 minutes on reasoning or maths practice, 10 minutes of current affairs.
- Weekly: one full-length timed mock, followed by a careful review of every wrong answer.
- Final stretch: revise your short notes and redo the questions you got wrong.
Conclusion
Now you know the Bihar STET syllabus and exam pattern. Both papers have 150 questions for 150 marks in 150 minutes, with no negative marking. Your chosen subject carries 100 marks and the common Teaching Art and Other Skills section carries 50. Paper 1 (Class 9-10) and Paper 2 (Class 11-12) share this structure exactly. They differ in the subjects on offer and in how deep the subject questions go.
Put most of your effort into your subject, make the Art of Teaching block your strongest section, and attempt every question in the exam. Practise with timed mocks, aim well above the qualifying mark, and check the official notification for anything that may change. You can do this. Good luck!
FAQs
How many questions are there in Bihar STET Paper 1 and Paper 2?
Each paper has 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks, to be finished in 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes). 100 questions come from your chosen subject and 50 from Teaching Art and Other Skills.
Is there negative marking in Bihar STET?
No. Each correct answer earns 1 mark and wrong answers lose nothing, so you should attempt all 150 questions.
What is the main difference between the Bihar STET Paper 1 and Paper 2 syllabus?
The exam structure is the same. Paper 1 (Class 9-10) has 16 subjects, including combined Science and Social Science, at graduation level. Paper 2 (Class 11-12) has a wider list of separate disciplines such as Physics, History and Economics, with deeper questions that sources describe as honours or postgraduate level.
Is the Teaching Art and Other Skills section the same in both papers?
Yes. This 50-mark section is common to Paper 1 and Paper 2. It covers Art of Teaching (30 marks) and Other Skills (General Knowledge, Environmental Science, Mathematical Aptitude and Logical Reasoning).
What are the qualifying marks for Bihar STET?
Qualifying percentages vary by category, and different education portals report different figures, so check the official notification for the exact numbers. Results use normalised scores, so aim comfortably above the minimum.
Can I prepare for Bihar STET using CTET pedagogy material?
Partly. The topics overlap, but Bihar STET follows its own Art of Teaching syllabus, which covers teaching methods, Bloom's Taxonomy, lesson plans and microteaching. Use STET-specific practice material such as Crown's Shikshan Kala evam Anya Dakshta practice sets alongside it.