CTET Preparation 2026: Tips, Tricks, Strategy & Study Plan

You can start CTET preparation by thoroughly going through the CTET exam pattern and CTET syllabus. The CTET exam pattern makes candidates familiar with the structure of question paper. On the other hand, CTET syllabus makes candidates aware of the topics from which questions are asked in the exam. After going through the exam pattern and syllabus, candidates should ensure studying each topic prescribed by the CBSE in the CTET syllabus.

Almost all the sections of the CTET exam hold equal weightage. In CTET Paper 1, all subjects including Child Development and Pedagogy, Language-I, Language-II, Mathematics and Environmental Studies hold equal weightage. However, in CTET Paper 2, the Mathematics & Science and Social Studies/Social Science section holds maximum weightage of 60 marks.

It has been said that for the CTET exam preparation around three to four months is required with dedicated study and practice of question papers. It also depends upon the candidate to candidate and their conceptual clarity of the topics. 

No, coaching is not necessary for the CTET exam. Candidates can prepare well through self studies. One needs to cover the syllabus, solve previous year question papers and mock tests to clear the exam.

The CTET qualifying marks are different for different categories. General category candidates need to obtain a minimum of 60 per cent or above marks in the CTET 2025 exam in order to be considered as a CTET pass. The CTET passing marks for OBC/SC/ST category candidates are 55 per cent. Candidates scoring more than or equal to the qualifying marks are considered CTET qualified. Only those candidates are awarded the CTET Certificate those who secure the minimum qualifying marks. However, a higher CTET score is advantageous in the further teacher recruitment process.

The most important topics for the CTET exam in Environmental studies are family and friends, food, shelter, water, travel, environmental studies and its integration with other subjects, methods of teaching EVS, scope and importance of EVS in primary education, evaluation and assessment techniques in EVS, learning through projects, field trips and experiments, constructivist approach to EVS learning, etc.

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.

No, practicing only CTTE question papers and sample papers will not help in exam preparation. Candidates must study every topic prescribed in the CTET syllabus through various books. Once done, candidates should then start attempting CTET question papers, sample papers and mock tests.

The most important topics that candidates need to focus on Child Development and pedagogy including child psychology, pedagogical application, theories like Piaget's, Vygotsky's, Multiple Intelligences Theory, Learning disabilities and how to help, Motivation. In Language 1 Writing skills development, Using stories and poems in teaching, How to teach language to children, Reading two passages and answering questions, Teaching methods for language learning, etc. In Language 2 Reading comprehension, Grammar and vocabulary, Cultural aspects of language, Translation skills, Literature appreciation, etc. In Mathematics Numbers and number systems, Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Fractions and decimals, Geometry and shapes, Measurement (length, weight, time, money), Data handling and simple graphs, etc.

Candidates should start the preparation at least one year before the CBSE CTET exam. Candidates must cover the syllabus and then should practice through the question papers or mock papers.

Candidates can clear the CBSE CTET exam in one month. For this, candidates must study at least 10 to 12 hours daily. Solving the question papers us must to know the exam pattern and types of questions asked in the exam.

First candidate should understand pattern of an exam and syllabus. Analyze the previous year question papers and practice them. From this, candidates will come to know about the type of questions asked in the examination. Refer NCERT books, make a proper strategy for the preparation. Practice questions related to CDP. Give mock test online. Do frequent revision, etc.

The CTET Paper 2 question papers for Maharashtra are the same as for other states in India. To get the CTET question papers for Maharashtra, candidates simply need to download the Marathi language question papers. The language-wise and year-wise CTET previous years papers are available on the CTET website. Moreover, candidates can easily download the CTET question papers on Shiksha page here - https://www.shiksha.com/exams/ctet-exam-question-papers 

The CTET exam process contains the stages shared below-

• Release of notification
• Submission of application form
• CTET admit card
• Conduct of the exam in offline mode
• Provisional answer key
• Declaration of result
• Final answer key
• CTET certificate for qualified candidates

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

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

The CTET question paper of previous years are there on the official website of the CBSE CTET exam. Candidates can easily find their CTET February 2026 question papers on the official website once released. Moreover, candidates who are looking for the CTET previous years papers with the answer key PDF, they can visit this page of the Shiksha.com -  https://www.shiksha.com/sarkari-exams/teaching/articles/ctet-last-minute-preparation-tips-blogId-78125

Almost all the sections of the CTET exam hold equal weightage. In CTET Paper 1, all subjects including Child Development and Pedagogy, Language-I, Language-II, Mathematics and Environmental Studies hold equal weightage. However, in CTET Paper 2, the Mathematics & Science and Social Studies/Social Science section holds maximum weightage of 60 marks.

The CTET exam pattern for Paper 1 and Paper 2 is shared below-

Particular	Paper 1 Pattern	Paper 2 Pattern
Exam Mode	Offline	Offline
Name of Subjects	Child Development and Pedagogy Language-I Language-II Mathematics Environmental Studies	Child Development and Pedagogy Language-I Language-II Mathematics and Science/ Social Studies or Social Science
Exam Duration	2 hours 30 minutes	2 hours 30 minutes
Question	150	150
Marks	150	150

Though NCERT books are good for understanding the basic concepts of the CTET syllabus, there are other best books available for CTET exam preparation as well. Apart from studying NCERT books, candidates should refer other CTET best books and previous years' papers books to boost their exam preparations.

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.

 

CTET Paper 1 contains five sections - Child Development and Pedagogy Language-I Language-II Mathematics Environmental Studies.

The CTET question paper contains multiple choice questions- MCQs. There are 150 questions in the exam. The paper carries 150 marks. Candidates need to mark the answers on the OMR Sheet.

CTET exam is of 2 hours 30 minutes duration for each paper. The CTET exam is conducted in two shifts. The CTET Shift 1 starts from 9:30 am to 12 noon and Shift 2 is from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

CTET Paper 1 and Paper 2 each contain a total of 150 multiple-choice questions. In the CTET exam, one mark is given for each correct answer. Have a look at the CTET marking scheme below-

Marks for a correct answer: +1.

Marks for an incorrect answer: 0.

Marks for an unanswered question: 0.

CTET exam contains almost equal number of questions from each section. Each question carries one mark. So, in general terms, all the sections are scoring if candidates have prepared well. However, as per the candidates' feedback shared in the past, the most scoring section in the CTET exam is Child Development & Pedagogy.