CTET: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility and Preparation

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CTET, the Central Teacher Eligibility Test, is a national-level eligibility exam conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Passing it makes you eligible to be considered for teaching jobs in Classes 1 to 8 in central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, and in many other schools that accept it.

CBSE usually holds CTET twice a year. There are two papers: Paper I for Classes 1 to 5 and Paper II for Classes 6 to 8. CTET is a qualifying test, not a recruitment exam, so a pass certificate makes you eligible but does not by itself give you a job. This guide covers the CTET exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility and preparation.

CTET at a glance

Full name	Central Teacher Eligibility Test
Conducted by	Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Exam level	National
Held	Usually twice a year; recent sittings have fallen between December and February, and in mid-year
Mode	Pen-and-paper (OMR) in recent editions
Duration	2 hours 30 minutes per paper
Subjects	Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, and EVS or Science or Social Studies
Total marks	150 per paper
Negative marking	None
Languages	Question papers bilingual; language sections offered in about 20 languages
Leads to	Eligibility to teach Classes 1 to 8 in central government and other schools
Official website	ctet.nic.in

CTET important dates

These dates update automatically from Kosuki’s exam calendar. “Announced” dates come from the official notice; “Expected” months are based on past years.

!Dates can change. Always confirm on the official website. Report a wrong date · How we check dates

What is CTET?

CTET was introduced under the Right to Education framework so that every teacher in the elementary classes meets a minimum standard set by the NCTE. Schools under the central government, such as KVS, NVS and Central Tibetan Schools, require it. Many private and state schools also accept CTET, though states run their own TETs as well.

A CTET certificate is now valid for life. You can take the exam again to improve your score, and there is no limit on attempts.

CTET eligibility

Eligibility depends on which paper you take. The main routes from the CTET bulletin are below. Candidates in the final year of a teacher education course can usually apply.

• Paper I (Classes 1 to 5): Senior Secondary (Class 12) with at least 50 percent and a two-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed), or a four-year B.El.Ed, or other routes listed in the bulletin.
• Paper II (Classes 6 to 8): Graduation and a two-year D.El.Ed, or graduation with at least 50 percent and a B.Ed, or a four-year integrated BA or BSc B.Ed, or other routes in the bulletin.
• Relaxation of 5 percent in qualifying marks applies to reserved categories as per rules.
• There is no upper age limit for CTET.
• To teach all of Classes 1 to 8, you can take both papers in the same sitting.

CTET exam pattern

Both papers have 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks in 2 hours 30 minutes. Language I is usually your medium of instruction, and Language II must be a different language.

Section	Paper I questions	Paper II questions
Child Development and Pedagogy	30	30
Language I	30	30
Language II	30	30
Mathematics	30	Part of Maths and Science
Environmental Studies	30	Not included
Mathematics and Science, or Social Studies	Not included	60
Total	150	150

CTET marking scheme and pass marks

• Each correct answer carries 1 mark.
• There is no negative marking.
• To pass, you need 60 percent (90 of 150) in the general category.
• Relaxation for reserved categories is decided by schools and employers under their own rules, not fixed by the CTET score itself; check the current bulletin.
• CBSE issues a separate result for each paper.

CTET syllabus

CTET tests content at school level, but most questions ask how you would teach it. Pedagogy matters in every section, not only in Child Development.

• Child Development and Pedagogy: growth and development, learning theories (Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg), inclusive education, and assessment.
• Languages: unseen passages plus language learning and teaching methods.
• Mathematics: school-level content up to the relevant class, and the pedagogy of teaching maths.
• Environmental Studies (Paper I): family, food, shelter, water, travel and EVS pedagogy.
• Science (Paper II): food, materials, living beings, natural phenomena and science pedagogy.
• Social Studies (Paper II): history, geography, social and political life, and social science pedagogy.

CTET result and where the certificate is used

CBSE releases a provisional answer key, takes objections, and then publishes results on the CTET website. Qualified candidates get a marks statement and an eligibility certificate through DigiLocker. The certificate is required when you apply to KVS, NVS and other central schools, and it counts toward eligibility in many private and state schools. Recruitment is a separate process run by each employer.

How to prepare for CTET

With no negative marking and 150 minutes for 150 questions, CTET is less about speed and more about reading questions carefully. Many questions describe a classroom situation and ask for the best response, which is usually the most child-centered and inclusive option.

• Start with Child Development and Pedagogy. It is common to both papers and shapes how you read every other section.
• Read the NCERT textbooks for the classes you will teach, especially EVS for Paper I and Science or Social Studies for Paper II.
• Study the pedagogy portions of each subject separately. They carry a large share of each subject section.
• Choose Language I and II carefully. Pick languages in which you can read passages quickly.
• Solve previous CTET papers to understand the tone of the options.
• Attempt every question in mocks and in the exam, since wrong answers cost nothing.
• Track your weak units in Kosuki and revise them in the last two weeks.

How to apply for CTET

1. Read the information bulletin on the CTET website when CBSE announces a new edition.
2. Register online and fill in personal and educational details.
3. Select Paper I, Paper II or both, your Language I and II, and exam city preferences.
4. Upload your photo and signature.
5. Pay the fee online and keep the confirmation page.
6. Download the admit card from the CTET website before the exam.

CTET FAQs

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Sources

• ctet.nic.in
• prepp.in/ctet-exam
• testbook.com/news/ctet-2026-notification-out

Last reviewed September 2026 against the official Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) notice and information brochure. Exam rules can change from year to year, so always confirm details on the official website before you apply. Kosuki is independent and is not connected with any exam body. Spotted something out of date? Write to contact@kosuki.com.