7 Tips to Prepare for CTET 2022 Exam

By Malavika Kapur

The CTET 2022 exam will be conducted December 28, 2022. Check out the seven important tips to crack the CTET exam here.

CTET 2022 exam will be conducted by the CBSE on December 28, 2022. So, now, you must be in the final leg of your CTET preparations. CTET is well-known for being a difficult examination to crack, and rote learning is not the best approach to doing well in it. How well you utilize these last days can make a big difference in your success rate.

As you already know, CTET is a mandatory test for getting teaching jobs in government schools, from Class 1-8, in any state in India. In this article, we will walk through not only what you must do, but also the kind of mindset you need to be successful in the exam.

Also Read: CTET 2022 Live Updates: Exam Schedule, Timings, Dates, Exam Analysis, and more

CTET Preparation Tips

Here are seven important questions which you need to ask yourself while preparing for CTET.

1. How well do you know the CTET syllabus?

All preparation books will give you an outline of the syllabus, but the best way to go about it is to read the NCERT textbooks themselves. CTET syllabus is vast and therefore, if possible, start reading the textbooks much before the exam. You should ideally have an understanding of the NCERT syllabus for a class or two higher for each paper – that is, till Class 6 or 7 for paper-I, and till Class 9 or 10 for paper-II.

2. How well do you know the subject Child Development and Pedagogy?

Understanding the subject of Child Development and Pedagogy (CDP) is fundamental to becoming a good teacher. This subject is therefore emphasized in CTET, and a lot of pedagogy-related questions in other subjects have their roots in CDP.

Also Read: How to prepare for CTET Child Development and Pedagogy section

3. What are your weak areas in CTET?

Be very clear about what your weak areas are. Practicing questions will help you determine this. Do not be swayed by generalizations – for example, you might hear from people that CDP is the most difficult subject and the language sections are the easiest, but this may not be necessarily true for you. Work on making your weak areas stronger. If you are studying at the last moment, ensure that you strengthen areas you already have a decent grasp of, and do not waste time trying to read up on completely new topics.

4. Did you read the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 and its Position Papers?

The approach towards teaching in India favours child-centred learning, activity-based teaching, empowering children to learn at their own pace, and encouraging teachers to appreciate children. CTET reflects and tests the candidates on these principles. The NCF 2005 sets forth best practices of education in India as a whole and how each subject should be taught. Read the NCF 2005 and its Position Papers carefully – even though it may seem like a waste of time, there are vital clues in these documents to solving the application-based classroom-teaching questions.

5. What are your CTET deadlines?

For an examination with a vast syllabus like CTET, it is important to have section-wise deadlines for completing your preparation for each subject. CTET is related to the B.Ed syllabus, but the paper is notoriously tricky. You definitely need to study hard for it, which can often be difficult if you are already employed somewhere. Create a timetable for studies and stick to it as strictly as possible.

6. What is your approach towards CTET mock/model tests?

There can be two methods for attempting mock/model tests. The first way is to be very aware of how you are doing each section, timing yourself every time, understanding how much you are working on each question, and basically understanding your own capabilities. This method will help you create your own individual strategy for cracking the test. The second method involves the simulation of real exam conditions and attempting the CTET mock test papers. Remove all distractions and do not allow any interruptions. Use a practice OMR sheet, take time to fill in your details in the beginning, and complete the whole paper in one sitting.

7. What is your game plan for answering the CTET questions? 

Here are some important CTET preparation tips for tackling questions:

• Increase your reading speed. Learn how to scan questions fast and understand them well. Some CTET questions are very long, so this will help you save time.
• Remember that there is no negative marking in CTET for wrong answers, so do not leave any question unanswered. Finish the paper however you can.
• Determine the time you will spend on each subject and strictly adhere to it during the exam. You will get one minute per question, so ideally you should be spending 30 minutes per subject. You might want to spend more time on certain sections, so time yourself accordingly while attempting each section during practice to understand the strategy you need during the actual exam.
• Do not get stuck on questions that you are finding difficult. Remember the ‘one minute per question’ tip. Do not linger on a question; if you cannot understand it in half a minute, move on to the next question.

Also Read: CTET 2023 Exam

On the day of the exam, be well prepared – take enough stationery and remember to carry your CTET admit card. Be clear about the route to your exam centre so that you arrive on time. Most importantly, be confident and keep a cool head. All the best!

About the Author:

Malavika Kapur

Malavika Kapur is the author of Child Development and Pedagogy for CTET published by Oxford University Press as a part of its ‘CTET Preparation and Practice’ series. Kapur is a visiting professor, School of Humanities, NIAS, Bangalore. She retired as Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore. She has worked over the last four decades with school teachers, sensitizing them to child development and mental health, and has also worked directly with children promoting their overall development and mental health in urban and rural government schools and tribal schools in Karnataka.