CTET Exam Pattern 2026 [Paper 1 & 2]- Check Format, Marks Distribution & Questions

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

As per the analysis, it has been considered that the Mathematics section mainly for the candidates who belongs to non-math background and also the Maths and Science (Paper 2) sections is generally considered the difficult to prepare. Also, for several candidates, mainly for those who are from non-English medium is also find difficult mainly English grammar and vocabulary part, etc.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

Those candidates who score more than 60% marks in the CTET exam is considered to be a good score. Also, those candidates who manage to get over 130 marks are considered to be as the highest scores in the CTET exam. General Category need to score 90 out of 150 marks that is 60 percent where as OBC, SC, ST and PwD candidates need to score 82 marks that is 55 per cent. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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