CTET Exam Pattern 2026 [Paper 1 & 2]- Check Format, Marks Distribution & Questions
Central Teacher Eligibility Test 2026 ( CTET )
CTET Exam Pattern 2026: The CBSE is schedule to conduct the CTET exam 2026 on February 7 & 8 in two shifts for both Papers 1 and 2. Less time is left for the CTET February session exam. Candidates should do frequent revision and check once the whole exam pattern along with the marking scheme.
In total 150 question in the form of MCQs will be asked in each Paper 1 and Paper 2. With the help of CTET exam pattern, candidates will come to know about the format, questions, total marks, marking scheme, etc.
The CBSE CTET exam syllabus is also an important part of the preparation journey. In the CTET exam, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. One mark is awarded for each correct answer. Paper 1 has five sections and Paper 2 have four sections. Scroll down in detail about the CTET exam pattern 2026.
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- CTET Paper Pattern 2026 - Key Highlights
- CTET Exam Pattern 2026 (Paper 1)
- CTET Exam Pattern 2026 (Paper 2)
- CTET Exam Duration 2026
- CTET Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
CTET Paper Pattern 2026 - Key Highlights
It is important for a candidate to familiarize with the CTET exam pattern. The highlights of the CTET exam pattern for Paper 1 and Paper 2 are shared here in the table:
| CTET Exam Particulars |
CTET Paper 1 Highlights |
CTET Paper 2 Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Exam mode |
Offline |
Offline |
| Number of subjects/ sections |
5 |
4 |
| Names of subjects |
|
|
| CTET exam time duration |
2.5 hours (150 minutes) |
2.5 hours (150 minutes) |
| Total questions |
150 |
150 |
| Type of questions |
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs); 4 options with only 1 correct option |
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs); 4 options with only 1 correct option |
| Total marks |
150 |
150 |
| Marking scheme |
+1 for correct answer 0 for incorrect answer |
+1 for correct answer 0 for incorrect answer |
| Language of paper |
English and Hindi (candidates can write the paper in either of the languages) |
English and Hindi (candidates can write the paper in either of the languages) |
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CTET Exam Pattern 2026 (Paper 1)
The CTET exam pattern 2026 differs for Paper 1 and Paper 2. Have a look at the paper-wise exam pattern and structure of the CTET Paper 1 below:
CTET Exam Pattern for Paper 1- Subjects, Number of Questions & Total Marks
CTET exam pattern for Paper 1 contains a total of 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that candidates need to attempt in two and a half hours duration. The paper is conducted in online mode as a computer-based test. The CTET question paper contains questions from the five sections as mentioned below:
| CTET Subjects |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy |
30 |
30 |
| Language-I (compulsory) |
30 |
30 |
| Language-II (compulsory) |
30 |
30 |
| Mathematics |
30 |
30 |
| Environmental Studies |
30 |
30 |
| Total |
150 |
150 |
| CTET 2026 Syllabus PDF |
CTET Marking Scheme for Paper 1
One mark is awarded for every correct answer in the exam. There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
Nature & Standard of Questions in CTET Paper 1
Questions in Paper 1 are based on topics prescribed in the NCERT syllabus for Classes 1 to 5. However, the difficulty level can go up to the secondary level.
- Questions in Child Development and Pedagogy subject of Paper 1 focus on the educational psychology of teaching and learning relevant to the age group of 6-11 years
- Questions in Language I focus on the proficiencies related to the medium of instruction
- Questions in Language II focus on the elements of language, communication and comprehension abilities. It may be noted that language-II should be different than language-I. Candidates need to choose any one language as Language I and other as Language II from the options available in the table below:
| CTET Language | Code Number |
|---|---|
| English | 01 |
| Hindi | 02 |
| Assamese | 03 |
| Bengali | 04 |
| Garo | 05 |
| Gujarati | 06 |
| Kannada | 07 |
| Khasi | 08 |
| Malayalam | 09 |
| Manipuri | 10 |
| Marathi | 11 |
| Mizo | 12 |
| Nepali | 13 |
| Oriya | 14 |
| Punjabi | 15 |
| Sanskrit | 16 |
| Tamil | 17 |
| Telugu | 18 |
| Tibetan | 19 |
| Urdu | 20 |
Questions in Mathematics and Environmental Studies focus on the concepts, problem-solving abilities and pedagogical understanding and applications of the subjects
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CTET Exam Pattern 2026 (Paper 2)
Have a look at the CTET Paper 2 exam pattern 2026 below:
CTET Exam Pattern for Paper 2- Subjects, Number of Questions & Total Marks
CTET exam pattern for Paper 2 contains a total of 150 objective-type questions of 150 marks. The exam is conducted in online mode, and candidates need to complete the paper in 150 minutes. The CTET Question Paper for Paper 2 contains questions from four sections as mentioned below:
| CTET Subjects |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy (compulsory) |
30 |
30 |
| Language-I (compulsory) |
30 |
30 |
| Language-II (compulsory) |
30 |
30 |
| Mathematics and Science (for Mathematics and Science teacher) OR Social Studies/ Social Science (for Social Studies/Social Science teacher) OR Any one of the above (iv)/(v) - for teacher of any other subject |
60 |
60 |
| Total |
150 |
150 |
CTET Marking Scheme for Paper 2
Similar to the marking scheme for Paper 1, candidates are awarded one mark for every correct answer in the exam. There is no negative marking.
Nature & Standard of Questions in CTET Paper 2
Questions in Paper 2 are based on topics prescribed in the NCERT syllabus for classes VI-VIII. However, the difficulty level could be up to senior secondary level.
- Questions in Child Development and Pedagogy subject of Paper 2 focus on educational psychology of teaching and learning relevant to the age group of 11-14 years
- Questions in Language-I focus on the proficiencies related to the medium of instruction
- Questions in Language-II focus on the elements of language, communication and comprehension abilities. It may be noted that language-II should be different from language-I. Candidates need to choose any one language as language-I and other as language-II from the options available in the table below:
| CTET Language | Code No. |
|---|---|
| English | 01 |
| Hindi | 02 |
| Assamese | 03 |
| Bengali | 04 |
| Garo | 05 |
| Gujarati | 06 |
| Kannada | 07 |
| Khasi | 08 |
| Malayalam | 09 |
| Manipuri | 10 |
| Marathi | 11 |
| Mizo | 12 |
| Nepali | 13 |
| Oriya | 14 |
| Punjabi | 15 |
| Sanskrit | 16 |
| Tamil | 17 |
| Telugu | 18 |
| Tibetan | 19 |
| Urdu | 20 |
Questions in Mathematics and Science and Social Studies/Social Science focus on the concepts, problem-solving abilities and pedagogical understanding and applications of the subjects. Questions of Maths and Science are of 30 marks each
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CTET Exam Duration 2026
The CTET exam is conducted in two shifts for Paper 1 and 2. Each shift is of 2 hours 30 minutes duration. The Paper 2 is conducted in morning shift from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and Paper 1 is conducted in morning shift from 2:30 PM to 05:00 PM.
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CTET Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
Have a look at CTET exam pattern 2026 FAQs below:
There is no limit on the number of attempts in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test, as per the exam notification.
Candidates need to choose different language for CTET Language I and Language II sections. The CBSE provides a list of 20 languages from which the candidates can choose the language.
Candidates can attempt the CTET mock test by visiting the Shiksha.com website. The CTET mock tests are available for free here. The CTET mock test cannot be downloaded, however, can be attempted online. The Shiksha-curated mock tests are available separately for Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates can practice these mock tests without any difficulty.
Candidates need to solve the questions from both the languages in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. There are a 30 multiple choice questions of 1 mark each in the language sections.
Candidates can prepare for CTET in ten days by practicing more through previous years papers and mock tests. Attempt at least two CTET question papers daily in the last one week of the exam.
The CTET 2026 exam was conducted on February 7 and 8. The Board released the time table for the exam as given below:
Events | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
|---|---|---|
Reporting Time | 7:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
Checking of Admit Cards | 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM | 2:00 PM to 2:15 PM |
Checking of Computer | 9:15 AM | 2:15 PM |
Last Entry in the Examination Centre | 9:30 AM | 2:30 PM |
Test Commences | 9:30 AM | 2:30 PM |
Test Concludes | 12:00 Noon | 5:00 PM |
You can get the CTET old marksheet or duplicate CTET marksheet and certificate by visiting the official website of the exam. Follow the steps given below to get the previous years marksheets or certificates:
- Visit the official website - ctet.nic.in.
- Go to the 'Duplicate Marksheet & Certificate' link under e-Services.
- Click on the link given under '2011 to 2016' or '2018 & onwards'.
- Login using the registered mobile or Aadhaar number.
- Click on the Get Issued Documents link.
- Select CBSE >>> Teacher Eligibility Test Mark-sheet or Certificate.
- Enter the Roll Number and Year of passing.
- Click on get document link.
The CTET qualifying marks for females in Bihar are the same as those in other states. Moreover, the CTET passing marks are same for both male and female candidates. Have a look at the CTET qualifying marks for all genders and states below:
Category | Minimum Qualiying Marks (Out of 150) | Minimum Qualiying Percentage (in %) |
|---|---|---|
General in all states | 90 | 60 |
SC/ST/OBC/PwD in all states | 82 | 55 |
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