Updated for 2026 · TNTET qualifying-mark check. Category cutoffs are set by government order and can change — confirm the latest G.O.
- Each paper: 150 MCQs / 150 marks.
- General: 60% = 90 marks to qualify.
- Reserved (SC/ST/BC/BCM/MBC/DNC): 55% = 82.5 marks (per recent G.O.).
- TET is an eligibility test — qualifying is pass/fail, there is no rank here.
- Cutoffs are set by G.O. and can change.
How TNTET qualifying works
TNTET is an eligibility test, not a ranked exam — you either clear the category cutoff or you don't. Each paper has 150 objective questions for 150 marks. The pass mark is a percentage of that: 60% (90 marks) for General, and — following the recent 5% relaxation in G.O. Ms No.23 dated 28 January 2026 — 55% (82.5 marks) for SC, ST, BC, BCM, MBC and DNC candidates. Clearing TNTET makes you eligible to apply for teacher posts; it does not by itself give you a job.
Paper I vs Paper II
Paper I is for those who want to teach Classes 1–5; Paper II is for Classes 6–8. If you intend to teach across both stages, you take both papers. The marking and the qualifying percentages are the same for each — 150 marks, with the category cutoffs above — so the calculator applies to whichever paper you sat. Choose the paper(s) that match the classes you're aiming to teach — and if you're unsure of your career path, sitting both keeps the widest range of teaching posts open to you.
What a pass actually gets you
One crucial point that candidates repeatedly miss: qualifying TNTET is a gateway, not an appointment. It certifies you meet the eligibility standard to be considered for teacher recruitment — the actual selection then happens through the recruitment process (which may weigh your TET score alongside other factors, per the recruitment rules in force). So treat clearing the cutoff as step one: necessary, but followed by the recruitment itself. Because the exact weightage given to TET in recruitment is set by the rules of each drive and has changed over time, confirm the current recruitment rules separately rather than assuming.
Why the cutoffs are shown as editable knowledge, not fixed forever
The category cutoffs above reflect the most recent government order, but Tamil Nadu has revised TET qualifying marks before — the 5% relaxation for reserved categories is itself a recent change. Some sources also quote different figures (for example 50% for certain categories, or 40% for ST) from earlier notifications. That's why you should treat the calculator as reflecting the current G.O. and confirm against the live TRB notification for your exam, especially if you're close to a boundary. We'd rather show you the latest official figures with that honest caveat than pretend a cutoff is permanent.
A worked example
Say you're a BC candidate who scored 85 / 150. The reserved cutoff after the recent relaxation is 82.5, so you're 2.5 marks above — qualified. Now say a General candidate scored the same 85: the General cutoff is 90, so they're 5 marks short — not qualified. Same marks, different outcome, purely because of the category cutoff. This is why entering your correct category matters, and why candidates near the boundary should double-check the current official cutoff for their group.
If you're right on the boundary
If your score is within a mark or two of the cutoff, two things are worth knowing. First, confirm the exact current cutoff from the live TRB notification — the figure has been revised, and a page like this reflects the latest G.O. but the official notice governs. Second, wait for the official result and any revaluation window before concluding either way, rather than relying on a self-calculated total, since the final answer key can shift a borderline score. For everyone comfortably above or below, the calculator's verdict is reliable; it's only the boundary cases that need the official confirmation.
Related guides
See the TNPSC Group 1 marks calculator, the TN government salary calculator (what teachers are paid), and the First Graduate Certificate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TNTET pass mark?
General 60% (90/150); reserved categories 55% (82.5/150) per the recent G.O.
How many marks is each paper?
150 marks (150 MCQs).
Does qualifying TNTET get me a job?
No — it makes you eligible; selection is through the recruitment process.
Is there negative marking?
TNTET is an objective (MCQ) test and qualifying is decided by your total marks against the category cutoff, not by rank.
Can the cutoff change?
Yes — the category qualifying marks are set by government order and have been revised before, so always confirm the current cutoff in the live TRB notification for your exam.
About ComplyKraft. Built by Dinesh Kumar S in Chennai — B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. IT. Plain-language guides to Tamil Nadu government services and schemes.
Disclaimer: Informational guide, updated 2026. This is not official government communication. TNTET qualifying marks, category cutoffs and recruitment weightage are set by the Government of Tamil Nadu / TRB and can change — confirm the current TRB notification and G.O. before relying on this.