CTET Exam Pattern 2026 [Paper 1 & 2]- Check Format, Marks Distribution & Questions
Central Teacher Eligibility Test 2026 ( CTET )
CTET 2026 Sep Session Application Form
11 May '26 - 10 Jun '26
CTET Exam Pattern 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education released the CTET 2026 notification for the September session. The exam is scheduled to be conducted on September 6, 2026. This is the high time for the preparation. It is important for a candidate to know the exam pattern as it will help to understand the structure of an exam, marking scheme, question format, etc. The CBSE CTET exam comprises 150 multiple choice questions. For the incorrect answer, there is no negative marking. One mark is awarded for every correct answer.
The exam will be held in pen and paper mode that is offline. Paper 1 consists of 5 sections where as Paper 2 comprises 4 sections. The CTET Syllabus is also an important part of the preparation journey. Scroll down in detail about the CTET exam pattern 2026.
Popular Read: Last 5 Years Question Papers of CTET: Download Free PDFs
- CTET Paper Pattern 2026 - Key Highlights
- CTET Subject Wise Weightage 2026 (Paper 1 & Paper 2)
- CTET Total Marks and Marking Scheme 2026
- CTET Exam Sections and Important Topics 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. Paper 1 will be conducted for those candidates who want to become a teacher for classes I to IV and Paper 2 for those candidates who wish to teach from classes VI to VIII. 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) |
Also Read:
CTET Subject Wise Weightage 2026 (Paper 1 & Paper 2)
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 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 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 Total Marks and Marking Scheme 2026
The CTET Paper 1 is conducted for those candidates who want to teach for Classes I to IV and Paper 2 for those candidates who want to teach from Classes VI to VIII. 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. In both the papers, there is no negative marking and one mark is awarded for every correct answer.
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CTET Exam Sections and Important Topics 2026
The CTET exam test the skills and knowledge about teaching children from classes 1 to 9. Candidates can check below the sections of Paper 1 and 2 along with the important topics that will help in the preparation.
Paper 1 consists of 5 sections and Paper 2 consists of 4 sections as mentioned below:
CTET Paper 1 Sections
| CTET Subjects |
Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy |
30 |
| Language-I (compulsory) |
30 |
| Language-II (compulsory) |
30 |
| Mathematics |
30 |
| Environmental Studies |
30 |
| Total |
150 |
CTET Paper 2 Sections
| CTET Subjects |
Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Child Development & Pedagogy (compulsory) |
30 |
| Language-I (compulsory) |
30 |
| Language-II (compulsory) |
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 |
| Total |
150 |
Also Read: CTET Syllabus
CTET 2026 Paper 1: Important Topics
- How children learn new things
- How children develop from age 6 to 11
- How to teach children with special needs
- Different ways children think and solve problems
- How to make learning fun and easy
- Vygotsky's social learning theory
- Piaget's theory of child development
- Ways to check if children are learning well
- Learning disabilities and how to help
- Motivation and how it affects learning
- Understanding children who learn differently, etc.
Language I (Total Questions asked 30)
The Language section tests the candidate reading skills and teaching methods. Some of the important topics are mentioned below:
- Reading comprehension
- Listening and speaking skills
- Grammar and language rules
- Finding specific information from passages
- How to teach language to children
- Dealing with language problems in class
- Using stories and poems in teaching
- How children learn their first language, etc.
- Reading comprehension
- Cultural aspects of language
- Grammar and vocabulary
- Teaching methods for a second language
- Translation skills
- Literature appreciation, etc.
- Fractions and decimals
- Numbers and number systems
- Measurement (length, weight, time, money)
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- Data handling and simple graphs
- Geometry and shapes, etc.
Teaching Methods (10 Questions)
- How to make math easy for children
- Common mistakes children make in math
- Solving math problems step by step
- Using games and activities in math teaching
- How to check if children understand math concepts, etc.
Environmental Studies (Total Questions asked 30)
- Food and nutrition
- Housing and shelter
- Family and relationships
- Our community helpers
- Water and its importance
- Plant and animals arount us
- Travel and transport
- Festivals and celebrations, etc.
- Using the local environment for teaching
- Learning through activities and experiments
- Field trips and outdoor learning
- Making EVS interesting for children, etc.
CTET 2026 Paper 2: Important Topics
- Principles of the development of children
- Influence on Heredity & Environment
- Socialization processes: Social world & children (Teacher, Parents, Peers)
- Piaget, Kohlberg, and Vygotsky: constructs and critical perspectives
- Multi-Dimensional Intelligence
- Gender as a social construct; gender roles, gender-bias and educational practice
-
Dealing with discipline issues
- How children think and learn; how and why children ‘fail’ to succeed in school performance.
- Motivation for teenage students
- Basic teaching and learning processes are learning strategic activity; social context of learning.
- Child as a problem solver and a ‘scientific investigator.
- Cognition & Emotions
- Factors contributing to learning – personal & environmental, etc.
Language I and Language II (Total Questions asked 30 Each)
Language I and II section of Paper 2 are similar to Paper 1 but a little harder passages and more complex grammar asked in the examination.
Mathematics and Science OR Social Studies (Total Questions asked 60)
Candidates can choose either Maths & Science or Social Studies based what subject a candidate want to teach.
Mathematics Important Topics
Some of the topics that can be prepared for the exam are mentioned below:
- Number System
- Knowing our Numbers & Playing with numbers
- Whole Numbers
- Negative Numbers and Integers
- Fractions
- Algebra
- Ratio and Proportion
- Geometry
- Basic geometrical ideas (2-D)
- Understanding Elementary Shapes (2-D and 3-D)
- Symmetry: (reflection)
- Construction (using Straight edge Scale, protractor, compasses)
- Mensuration
- Data handling, etc.
Pedagogical issues:
- Place of Mathematics in Curriculum
- Nature of Mathematics/Logical thinking
- Language of Mathematics
- Community Mathematics
- Evaluation
- Remedial Teaching
- Problem of Teaching, etc.
- Materials and their properties
- Natural resources and environment
- Basic chemistry and physics concepts
- Light, sound, and motion
- Food and nutrition science
Social Studies
History topics are:
- When, Where, and How
- Earliest Societies
- First Farmers and Herders
- First Cities & Early States, First Empire
- Political Developments
- Culture and Science
- New Kings and Kingdoms
- Sultans of Delhi
- Architecture
- Creation of an Empire
- Social Change
- Regional Cultures
- Establishment of Company Power
- Rural Life and Society
- Colonialism and Tribal Societies
- Revolt of 1857-58
- Women and Reform
- Challenging the Caste System
- The Nationalist Movement
- India After Independence, etc.
Geography:
- Physical features of India
- Climate and weather
- Natural resources
- Population and settlements, etc.
Civics:
- Indian Constitution basics
- Rights and duties
- Government and democracy
- Social issues and solutions, etc.
Also Read: CTET Preparation
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.
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 |
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.
In general, the CTET exam is considered of easy to moderate in difficulty level and with the focused preparation and conceptual clarity is manageable to prepare. Also the difficulty level of the paper depends upon the nature of the questions asked in the examination.
The duration of the CTET exam 2026 for both papers is 2.5 hours or 150 minutes. Both the papers of the CTET exam is conducted in an offline mode and there is no negative marking.
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.
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.
Subjects that candidate need to study for the CTET exam Paper 1 are Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I usually Hindi or English, Language II, Mathematics, Environmental Studies. For Paper 2 apart from CDP, Language 1 and 2, Mathematics and Science or Social studies.
The CTET 2026 exam for the September session will be conducted on September 6. The Board released the time table for the exam as given below:
Events | Paper 2 | Paper 1 |
|---|---|---|
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 |
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.
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
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