EMRS PGT Exam Pattern 2025-26: Tier 1, Tier 2 and Marking Scheme

The EMRS PGT exam pattern under the EMRS Staff Selection Exam (ESSE) has two written stages, both conducted for the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS). Tier 1 is a 100-mark preliminary test of general and teaching skills with a separate qualifying language section. Tier 2 is a 100-mark subject knowledge exam that mixes objective and descriptive questions and alone decides the merit list.

This page explains the ESSE 2025 PGT pattern in detail: questions, marks, timing, negative marking, qualifying rules, how merit is calculated, and how to manage your time in each paper. Every figure here comes from the ESSE 2025 information bulletin, so use it to plan practice for the next cycle as well, unless a new notification changes the scheme.

Table of Contents

EMRS PGT Exam Pattern at a Glance

Both written papers are bilingual, in Hindi and English. Exam cities are allotted randomly and cannot be changed once allotted.

Key Points to Know

• Two-tier structure: ESSE 2025 uses a common preliminary paper for all PGT subjects followed by a separate subject paper.

• Merit from Tier 2 alone: Your Tier 1 score only decides whether you reach Tier 2; it does not add to final merit.

• Descriptive questions: Tier 2 includes 15 descriptive questions worth 60 marks, so writing practice matters as much as MCQ practice.

• No interview for PGT: The interview applies only to the Principal post.

• Older pages: Some sites still show Tier 1 as 120 or 130 marks, list an interview for PGT, or describe the test as computer-based. The bulletin states 100 scored marks plus 20 qualifying language marks, and OMR-based papers.

Tier 1 Exam Pattern

The bulletin gives Domain Knowledge as 30 marks in total, split 20 and 10; at one mark per question, that works out to 20 and 10 questions. The whole paper runs for 2 hours 30 minutes with no separate timing for any part.

Tier 1 Qualifying Rules

• Language section first: You must score at least 40% in Part VI, that is 8 out of 20 across English and Hindi together. If you do not, Parts I to V are not evaluated at all.

• No published minimum for Parts I to V: The bulletin sets no separate pass mark for these parts. Shortlisting is by rank within your subject and category.

• Shortlisting ratio: Candidates are called to Tier 2 in a ratio of 1:10 against notified vacancies. With 198 Physics posts, for example, roughly 1,980 candidates would be shortlisted, divided across categories.

Section-wise Approach for Tier 1

Each Tier 1 section rewards a different kind of preparation. The table below turns the pattern into a working plan. The approach column is guidance, not an official rule.

Tier 1 Versus Tier 2 Compared

Tier 2 Exam Pattern

Tier 2 lasts 3 hours and tests the subject you applied for. NESTS does not publish how the 60 descriptive marks are divided across the 15 questions, so the four-mark figure is only an average to help you plan.

Tier 2 Qualifying Marks

These are minimum qualifying marks, not cut-offs. The marks needed for selection are usually much higher, because candidates are ranked within each subject and category.

Writing Descriptive Answers That Score

• Answer the exact question: Underline the task word (explain, derive, compare, illustrate) and answer that, not a general essay on the topic.

• Use structure: An opening line that defines the idea, two to four points or steps, and a closing line that links back to the question.

• Show working in numericals: In Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Economics and Commerce, write the formula, substitution and units. Partial credit depends on visible steps.

• Add a diagram or example: A labelled diagram in Biology or Geography, or a quoted line in English and Hindi literature, makes an answer clearer and faster to read.

Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

• Correct answer: 1 mark for each correct objective answer.

• Wrong answer: One-third of a mark is deducted.

• Multiple answers: Marking more than one option is treated as a wrong answer.

• Unanswered: No marks and no deduction.

The bulletin states the negative marking rule in general terms for the objective questions. It does not separately describe how descriptive answers are evaluated, so write them as you would for any subject paper: clear, structured and complete.

What the Pattern Means for You

• The cost of a guess: On a four-option question, a random guess gives you a one-in-four chance of +1 and a three-in-four chance of minus one-third. The expected gain is zero. Guess only when you can rule out at least one option.

• Where Tier 1 marks are: Teaching Aptitude and Domain Knowledge carry 60 of the 100 scored marks. Reasoning and ICT carry 30, and General Awareness only 10.

• Where Tier 2 marks are: 60% of the paper is descriptive. A candidate strong only in MCQs is capped at 40 marks from the objective section.

• The language trap: 8 marks out of 20 sounds easy, but a careless approach to General Hindi or General English can void an otherwise good Tier 1 paper.

Document Verification and Later Stages

After Tier 2, candidates are called for document verification in a ratio of 1:3 against vacancies. You need the printout of your application confirmation page, original certificates and self-attested copies for age, qualification, experience, caste, OBC non-creamy layer, EWS and disability, as applicable. PwBD candidates also need a certificate from a Civil Surgeon or Chief Medical Officer confirming they meet the functional requirements of the post.

There is no interview, demonstration lesson or skill test for PGT. The selected panel remains valid for two years. For ESSE 2025, NESTS has said the document verification schedule will be posted on its website.

How the Final Merit Is Prepared

The PGT merit list is prepared on Tier 2 performance only, separately for each subject and category. Here is a simple illustration of how the stages work together. The numbers are examples, not real results.

Candidate A had the better Tier 1 score but ranks below Candidate B, because only Tier 2 counts. The lesson is clear: clearing Tier 1 comfortably is enough, and the real contest is your subject paper, especially the descriptive section.

Time Management and Exam-Day Strategy

Tier 1: 120 Questions in 150 Minutes

• Start with the language section: Spend 12 to 15 minutes on Part VI and secure the qualifying marks while you are fresh.

• Move to Teaching Aptitude and Domain Knowledge: Give these 60 questions about 60 to 65 minutes, since case-study questions need careful reading.

• Finish with Reasoning, ICT and General Awareness: Leave about 50 minutes for these 40 questions, then 10 minutes to check your OMR bubbling.

Tier 2: 55 Questions in 180 Minutes

• Objective first, but quickly: Aim to finish the 40 objective questions in 35 to 40 minutes.

• Budget the descriptive section: That leaves about 130 minutes for 15 descriptive questions, close to 8 or 9 minutes each. Attempt the ones you know best first.

• Write to the point: Use headings, labelled diagrams, derivation steps or examples as your subject demands. Keep 10 minutes at the end to review.

To build this pacing before the next cycle, you can attempt teaching exam online tests on Testkart in the same section order and track your time per section in the analysis.

Official Source

The pattern above follows the ESSE 2025 information bulletin published by NESTS. Older pages may still show a different structure, so always follow the latest official notification.

ESSE 2025 notification page: https://nests.tribal.gov.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=1&ls_id=949&lid=550