Overview
The Common Eligibility Test (CET) is a proposed nationwide screening test in India, designed to streamline the recruitment process for various non-gazetted Group B and Group C posts in the central government, public sector banks, and Indian Railways. It's being introduced by the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to replace the preliminary exams currently conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
The CET will serve as a common preliminary exam for multiple government recruitment bodies, reducing the burden on candidates who previously had to appear for separate exams. The exam will be offered in 12 languages, aligning with the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Candidates' scores will be shared with various government departments, PSUs, and even the private sector for recruitment purposes. By streamlining the recruitment process, the CET is expected to reduce opportunities for corruption and malpractices.
CET Exam Highlights
|
Exam Name |
CET |
|
Full Form |
Common Eligibility Test |
|
Most popular for |
Group B and Group C posts in the central government, public sector banks, and Indian Railways. |
|
Level |
Central |
|
Conducting Body |
National Recruitment Agency (NRA) |
|
Mode of Exam |
Online and Offline |
|
Application Mode |
Online |
|
Application form fee |
INR 500 for General INR 250 for SC/ST/PWD/ESM |
|
Medium |
12 Languages |
|
Website |
www.nracet.nic.in. |
Eligibility Criteria for appearing in CET Exam
1. Candidate must be a citizen of India.
2. Candidates must have passed the qualifying examination (10th, 12th, or graduation) from a recognized board or university.
3. Age limits vary depending on the specific CET and the level of the exam (10th pass, 12th pass, or graduate).
4. Some state-level CETs may require candidates to be residents of that state.
CET Exam Pattern
The CET (Common Eligibility Test) exam pattern generally includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) across subjects like Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness. The exam is typically conducted online, and the duration is usually 90-120 minutes. There might be negative marking for incorrect answers.
Exam Structure:
· Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test).
· Subjects: General Intelligence/Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness.
· Duration: 90-120 minutes.
· Questions: Typically 100 questions.
· Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
Exam levels:
The NRA CET will be conducted at three levels, based on educational qualifications:
· Matriculate (10th pass)
· Higher Secondary (12th pass)
· Graduate Level
CET Exam Syllabus
The Common Eligibility Test (CET) syllabus generally includes sections on Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. The specific topics within each section can vary based on the level of the CET (e.g., graduate, 12th pass, 10th pass) and the recruiting body.
General Reasoning and Intelligence:
· Verbal Reasoning:
This includes topics like analogies, syllogisms, coding-decoding, blood relations, seating arrangements, input-output, data sufficiency, order and ranking, alphanumeric series, distance and direction, and verbal reasoning.
· Non-Verbal Reasoning:
This section may cover topics like classification, analogy, jumbling, Venn diagrams, conclusions and decision-making, pattern folding and unfolding, and analytical reasoning.
· Other Reasoning Topics:
Puzzles, inequalities, charts, completion of patterns, character puzzles, image analysis, logical sequence of words, semantic analogy, social intelligence, emotional intelligence, word building, similarities and differences, visual memory, and space visualization.
Quantitative Aptitude:
· Number System: Includes topics like number systems, fractions, decimals, LCM and HCF.
· Data Interpretation: Involves reading and interpreting data from tables, graphs, and charts.
· Other Math Topics: Simplification, ratio and proportion, discounts, averages, percentages, profit and loss, time, work, distance, rate of interest, probability, permutation and combination, geometry, mensuration, simple and compound interest, elementary algebra, elementary statistics, and trigonometry.
English Language:
· Vocabulary: Includes knowledge of words and their meanings.
· Grammar: Focuses on the rules of English grammar.
· Comprehension: Involves understanding and interpreting written passages.
· Other English Topics: Fill in the blanks, cloze test, and para jumbles.
General Awareness:
· Current Affairs: Covers national and international events.
· General Science: Includes basic scientific knowledge.
· Other General Awareness Topics: History, politics, economics, computer knowledge, banking and economics, games and sports, Indian economy, and culture.
CET Exam Purpose
The Common Eligibility Test (CET) serves as a preliminary screening exam for various government jobs and college admissions. It aims to streamline the recruitment and admission processes by replacing multiple preliminary exams with a single, standardized test.
For Government Jobs:
· The National Recruitment Agency (NRA) conducts CET to shortlist candidates for non-gazetted Group B and Group C posts in various government departments, including those under the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
· CET scores will be valid for a certain period (e.g., 3 years), allowing candidates to apply to multiple departments using the same score.
· This centralized system aims to reduce the number of preliminary exams, saving candidates time and resources.
· CET is expected to be conducted twice a year and will have different levels for graduates, higher secondary (12th pass), and matriculate (10th pass) candidates.
For College Admissions:
· CET can also refer to a Common Entrance Test conducted by various states and universities for admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate courses like engineering, medicine, law, and management.
· These CETs help in evaluating candidates' aptitude and knowledge for specific programs.
· By centralizing the assessment, CETs streamline the admission process for educational institutions.
In essence, CET aims to:
· Reduce the burden on candidates: by replacing multiple preliminary exams with a single standardized test.
· Improve efficiency and transparency: in both government recruitment and college admissions.
· Provide equal opportunities: for all candidates by ensuring a level playing field.
