A complete, honest guide to preparing for Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET): a real self-study path, a weekly study plan, how tough it actually is, and what the job pays. Everything you need is free on Shishya — no coaching fees.
Without coaching (recommended for most candidates):
REET is one of the most accessible teaching eligibility tests in India, and self-study is not just viable but often more effective than coaching. Start by understanding that REET has two levels: Level 1 for classes 1-5 (Child Development, Hindi, English, Maths, EVS) and Level 2 for classes 6-8 (Child Development, Hindi, English, Maths & Science OR Social Science). You choose your level based on which classes you want to teach.
Your self-study toolkit:
1. Shishya's free resources — Use Shishya's REET-specific mock tests religiously. The platform offers unlimited practice tests that mirror the actual exam pattern. Take at least 15-20 full-length mocks in the last two months. Their PYQ (previous year questions) database is gold — REET repeats question themes heavily, sometimes even exact questions with minor tweaks.
2. NCERT textbooks — This is non-negotiable. For EVS, read NCERT Class 3-5 books thoroughly. For Maths and Science (Level 2), NCERT Class 6-8 are your Bible. For Social Science, NCERT 6-8 again. Don't just skim — understand concepts because questions test application, not rote memory.
3. Child Development and Pedagogy — This 30-mark section scares many, but it's scoring. Download free PDFs on Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg (easily available online). Focus on learning theories, assessment methods, NEP 2020 basics, and inclusive education. Shishya's notes section covers this comprehensively.
4. Language sections — For Hindi, practice unseen passages, grammar (sangya, sarvanam, kaal, sandhi), and pedagogy of language teaching. For English, brush up basic grammar (tenses, articles, prepositions), comprehension, and teaching methods. Both sections are Class 6-8 standard.
5. Free YouTube channels — Study91, Study IQ Education (Rajasthan specific playlists), and Examपुर for Hindi medium content. Watch at 1.5x speed to save time.
6. Rajasthan-specific GK — Though not heavily weighted, knowing basic Rajasthan history, geography, culture helps in Social Science section. Use free current affairs PDFs monthly.
Daily routine without coaching:
Morning (2 hours): NCERT reading + note-making
Evening (1.5 hours): Topic-wise practice on Shishya
Night (30 mins): Revision of the day's notes
Weekly: One full mock test on Shishya, then thorough analysis
With coaching:
If you're working or have major knowledge gaps, coaching provides structure. But choose wisely — many REET coaching centers in Rajasthan are overpriced. Good options include Study IQ's online courses (₹3000-5000) or local centers in Jaipur/Ajmer that offer weekend batches. Even with coaching, supplement with Shishya's mocks because coaching test series often don't match actual difficulty levels.
Key insight: REET's difficulty lies not in complexity but in time management. You get 1 minute per question, and some passages are lengthy. Practice with a timer from day one.
Study plan
This is a 16-week plan assuming you're starting from scratch. Adjust based on your current knowledge level.
Weeks 1-4: Foundation building
*Week 1:*
Mon-Tue: Child Development basics (learning theories, developmental stages)
Wed-Thu: Hindi grammar fundamentals + NCERT Class 6 Hindi book
Fri-Sat: English grammar basics + NCERT Class 6 English
Sunday: Review week's learning, make flashcards
*Week 2:*
Mon-Tue: Mathematics — Number system, fractions, decimals (NCERT Class 6-7)
Wed-Thu: EVS/Science — Living and non-living, plants, animals (NCERT Class 3-5 for Level 1; Class 6-7 for Level 2)
Fri-Sat: Social Science — Civics (Indian Constitution, Panchayati Raj)
Sunday: Revision day — go through all notes made so far
*Week 8:*
Mon-Tue: Child Development — Revision + previous year questions
Wed-Thu: Both languages — Revision + PYQs from Shishya
Fri-Sat: Maths + Science/Social Science weak areas
Sunday: Fourth mock test
Weeks 9-12: Practice and refinement
*Week 9-10:*
Daily: Solve 50 PYQs (mix of all subjects) on Shishya
Focus 2 hours daily on your weakest subject identified from mocks
Weekend: One full mock each weekend + 3-hour analysis session
Make a separate "repeat mistakes" notebook
*Week 11-12:*
Daily: Speed practice — solve 30 questions in 30 minutes (any subject)
Focus on pedagogy sections (often neglected, but scoring)
Rajasthan current affairs + GK (free monthly PDFs)
Weekend: Full mocks, now aiming for 100+ scores
Weeks 13-16: Final sprint
*Week 13-14:*
Mon-Sat: Two mocks per week now (Tue, Sat)
Other days: Only revision + PYQs of topics you scored poorly in
No new topics — consolidate what you know
Make formula sheets for Maths, flashcards for pedagogy
*Week 15:*
Daily: One subject deep revision per day (Monday = Child Dev, Tuesday = Hindi, etc.)
Solve Shishya's "Most Expected Questions" if available
Practice OMR sheet filling (sounds silly, but saves time in exam)
Light mock on Sunday (don't burn out)
*Week 16 (Exam week):*
Mon-Wed: Only revision, no new solving
Thu-Fri: Read your notes, relax, watch light videos on weak topics
Saturday (day before exam): Glance through formula sheet, sleep by 10 PM
Sunday: REET exam day — reach center 45 minutes early
Daily non-negotiables throughout:
3.5-4 hours study (if working, split into morning 1 hour + evening 2.5 hours)
At least 30 minutes on Shishya platform daily
Physical revision (write, don't just read)
Is it tough? An honest take for an average student
Short answer: REET is MODERATE in difficulty. Not a cakewalk, but definitely not as tough as CTET or state PSC exams.
For an average student (let's say you scored 50-60% in graduation):
The exam is passable with 3-4 months of sincere preparation. Here's the reality check:
What makes it manageable:
Questions are Class 6-8 standard — no trick questions or deep conceptual puzzles
Negative marking was removed (huge relief; earlier it was 0.25 per wrong answer)
Passing marks are just 60% (90/150) for General category, 55% (82.5/150) for OBC, 50% (75/150) for SC/ST/PwD
Pattern is straightforward MCQs, no descriptive writing
Same question types repeat year after year (solving PYQs gives 40-50% direct advantage)
What requires effort:
Time pressure is REAL — 150 questions in 150 minutes means zero thinking time. You must answer on autopilot, which comes only from practice.
Child Development Pedagogy section (30 marks) is unfamiliar territory for those from non-education backgrounds. Terms like "zone of proximal development" or "constructivism" need focused learning.
Language pedagogy questions are tricky — they don't test Hindi/English but *how to teach* Hindi/English. Many candidates ignore this and lose 10-15 marks.
If you're appearing for Level 2, choosing between Maths-Science and Social Science matters. Maths-Science is scoring if you're comfortable with calculations; Social Science is better if you have decent memory and hate numerical problems.
Honest difficulty rating by section (1-5 scale, 5 = toughest):
Child Development: 3/5 (conceptual but limited syllabus)
Hindi: 2/5 (Class 10 pass can manage easily)
English: 2.5/5 (basic grammar + comprehension)
Mathematics: 3.5/5 (easy concepts but calculation-heavy)
EVS: 2/5 (common sense + NCERT reading)
Science: 3/5 (factual, not analytical)
Social Science: 2.5/5 (memory-based)
Competition aspect: In 2023, approximately 16 lakh candidates appeared, and about 5.8 lakh qualified. That's roughly 36% pass rate. But here's the thing — many appear without preparation (treating it as a backup), so effective competition is lower. If you're reading this guide and following through, you're already in the top 50% by virtue of being systematic.
Biggest mistakes average students make: 1. Ignoring pedagogy (30-40 marks gone) 2. Not practicing mocks with timer 3. Studying only 15 days before exam (common in Rajasthan, leads to failure) 4. Over-relying on coaching notes, not reading NCERTs
Bottom line: If you're average but consistent, REET is achievable. If you're average and inconsistent, it'll take 2-3 attempts. The exam doesn't demand brilliance; it demands thoroughness.
Salary, job profile & career growth
Salary structure (approximate, varies by notification):
Upon clearing REET, you become eligible to apply for teacher posts in Rajasthan government schools (direct recruitment or Panchayati Raj institutions). Salary is as per 7th Pay Commission:
Level 1 qualified (Class 1-5 teacher): Pay Level 2, approximately ₹22,000-25,000 in-hand initially, reaching ₹70,000+ at senior scale with allowances (DA, HRA). Gross pay starts around ₹30,000.
Level 2 qualified (Class 6-8 teacher): Pay Level 2 (same as Level 1 in Rajasthan), though some posts offer Level 3 (₹25,000-28,000 in-hand initially). Senior scale reaches ₹75,000-80,000 gross.
Additionally, teachers get annual increments, travel allowance (if rural posting), and medical benefits. Pension benefits under National Pension System (NPS).
Job profile:
Teaching in government primary/upper primary schools across Rajasthan. Responsibilities include classroom teaching, maintaining student records, midday meal supervision (primary level), co-curricular activities, and community engagement. Most postings are in rural or semi-urban areas initially; urban postings come through transfers after 5-7 years or via competitive transfer policies.
Career growth:
Promotions to Headmaster/Principal posts after 10-15 years, or lateral moves to Block Resource Centers, DIET (District Institute of Education and Training) as lecturers. Some pursue B.Ed. + M.Ed. to become teacher educators. Job security is excellent; work-life balance is good compared to private teaching. However, upward mobility is slower than administrative services.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can I appear for both REET Level 1 and Level 2 in the same exam cycle?
A. Yes, absolutely. You can apply for both levels simultaneously by paying separate fees. Many candidates do this to maximize opportunities. If you qualify both, you can choose which level post to accept during recruitment based on vacancy and preference.
Q. Is B.Ed. mandatory before applying for REET, or can I do it after qualifying?
A. For Level 1 (Class 1-5), D.El.Ed. (2-year diploma) is minimum; B.Ed. not mandatory. For Level 2 (Class 6-8), you need graduation + B.Ed. or graduation with 50% + B.Ed. ongoing (final year). Rules change, so check latest REET notification carefully. Generally, REET is attempted during B.Ed.
Q. How long is REET qualification valid, and does it guarantee a government teaching job immediately?
A. REET qualification is lifetime valid (no expiry). However, it only makes you *eligible* to apply when Rajasthan government announces teacher recruitment (RPSC or Panchayati Raj). Actual job depends on separate recruitment exam/selection. REET is eligibility, not appointment. Recruitment cycles happen every 2-3 years.
Q. Which is easier to crack and has better job prospects — REET Level 1 or Level 2?
A. Level 1 is slightly easier (EVS vs. Science/Social Science) but has more competition. Level 2 has marginally tougher syllabus but similar salary and slightly less competition in some subjects. Job prospects are equal; choose based on which classes you prefer teaching. Both have ample rural vacancies.
Q. Can I qualify REET using only Shishya mocks and NCERT books without buying any paid material?
A. Yes, definitely. REET is designed around NCERT curriculum. Shishya's mocks + PYQs cover pattern and practice needs comprehensively. Add free YouTube lectures for Child Development pedagogy, and you're set. Paid books help but aren't necessary if you're disciplined with free resources. Thousands qualify this way annually.
AI-curated guidance — pay bands and cutoffs are indicative; always confirm with the latest official notification.
Start your REET prep now — free
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