Education news
CTET 2026: Exam on 12 and 13 December, Preparation Tips and Exam Pattern
· Source: Amar Ujala
The Central Board of Secondary Education will conduct the 22nd Central Teacher Eligibility Test on 12 and 13 December 2026. Candidates have around one and a half months left to focus on their preparation, exam pattern, and revision.
CTET 2026 Exam Dates Announced
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will organize the 22nd Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) on 12 and 13 December 2026. Around one and a half months remain for the exam. To succeed, candidates need subject knowledge along with an understanding of child development, teaching methods, language comprehension, and the ability to explain topics simply to children.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| 22nd CTET Exam Day 1 | 12 December 2026 |
| 22nd CTET Exam Day 2 | 13 December 2026 |
Understanding the Exam Pattern and Papers
The CTET consists of two papers, each lasting two and a half hours with 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks. Candidates wishing to teach at both primary and upper primary levels must appear for both papers.
| Paper | Target Teaching Level | Total Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-1 | Classes 1 to 5 | 150 MCQs | 150 Marks | 2.5 Hours |
| Paper-2 | Classes 6 to 8 | 150 MCQs | 150 Marks | 2.5 Hours |
Preparation Strategy for Key Subjects
Candidates are advised to strengthen their preparation by understanding core concepts and connecting them to practical learning:
- Child Development and Pedagogy (CDP): Understand children's development, learning processes, individual differences, and inclusive education. Study the theories of Piaget, Kohlberg, and Vygotsky with examples, focusing on a teacher's role in different situations.
- Connecting Subjects to Real Life: For Mathematics, Environmental Studies (EVS), Science, and Social Science, move beyond mere facts and formulas. Think about how to explain concepts to children. Connect EVS topics like family, food, water, shelter, and transport to daily life.
- Paper-2 Subjects: Clarify concepts in natural phenomena, materials, and the living world for Science, as well as history and geography for Social Science.
- Language Sections: Both language sections contain 30 questions each, covering unseen passages, language comprehension, and language pedagogy. Read one Hindi passage and one English, Sanskrit, or chosen second language passage daily to practice finding main ideas, conclusions, and word meanings.
Key Tips for Candidates
- Solve two to three mock tests every week.
- Practice solving questions subject-wise first, and then attempt the entire paper within the two-and-a-half-hour time limit.
- Pay special attention to questions based on Child Development and Pedagogy and language teaching.
Questions
When will the CBSE CTET 2026 examination be held?
The 22nd CTET examination will be conducted on 12 and 13 December 2026.
What is the difference between CTET Paper-1 and Paper-2?
Paper-1 is for candidates who want to teach classes 1 to 5, while Paper-2 is for those who wish to teach classes 6 to 8.
What is the format and duration of each CTET paper?
Each paper consists of 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks, with an exam duration of two and a half hours.
How many questions are asked in the language sections of CTET?
There are 30 questions in each of the two language sections, covering unseen passages, comprehension, and language development pedagogy.
Written in English by Disha Stars from the Amar Ujala report (read the original in Hindi). Check dates and links on the official website before you act.
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