What Happens If You Do Not Pass the GTT or STT?

Not clearing the GTT or the STT on your first sitting does not end your path to a teaching license in Saudi Arabia. You register again as a retake candidate, sit the same test again, and are scored the same way as anyone else. What changes is which registration category you fall into and what you pay.

How is a retake registered differently from a first attempt?

ETEC registers candidates separately by whether they are sitting a test for the first time or retaking it, alongside the separate registration windows for male and female teachers. That means the retake window for a given cycle is not automatically the same window a first-time candidate is registering in, so it is worth checking which category actually applies to you before assuming a published date covers your case. Why registration is split between first-time and retake candidates covers that distinction in more detail.

Does a retake cost the same as the original test?

Yes. Retaking either the GTT or the STT costs 100 Saudi riyals, the same fee as sitting it the first time. How much the exam actually costs across every stage breaks down the fee for the original tests and the license issuance fee alongside the retake fee.

Do I have to retake both tests if I only failed one?

No. The GTT and STT are scored independently, so if you cleared one of the two, you only need to register for and retake the one you did not clear. A passed test result is not reset by a failed one on the other test.

Are there conditions on how many times I can retake, or how soon?

ETEC has been actively revising the controls around professional licenses, including a public consultation opened in early 2026 on amending the rules for teaching-role licenses, so any specific cap on attempts or cooldown period is the kind of detail that can change between cycles. Rather than relying on a fixed number, check the current terms on ETEC’s professional licensing service page or the Qiyas individuals portal before you register for a retake, since that is where the rules in force for your specific cycle are published.

What should I actually do differently for a retake?

Treat a retake the same way you would treat preparing the first time, since the test itself, its format and its scoring do not change. If your score fell short of the tier you wanted rather than short of passing outright, how the three license tiers work is worth reviewing so you know exactly what score you need this time. The exam’s own page, Professional License Exam for Teachers, has the official links for registering again.

Frequently asked questions

Does a failed GTT attempt affect my STT registration? No, the two tests are independent; a result on one does not change your eligibility to sit or your score on the other.

Is the retake fee different from the original exam fee? No, it is the same 100 riyals per test, whether it is your first attempt or a retake.

Do I need new documents to register for a retake? Registration requirements do not change based on whether it is your first attempt or a retake; you still need the same qualification and identification documents.

Where can I confirm the current retake rules for my cycle? On ETEC’s own professional licensing service page or the Qiyas individuals portal, since ETEC has been revising these controls and a fixed rule cannot be assumed to carry over between cycles.