The Central Board of Secondary Education holds the CTET in the MCQ format. Each question is followed by four options. Moreover, each correct answer carries one mark. However, candidates don’t have to worry even if they give the wrong answer. This is because there is no negative marking in CTET. CBSE releases the CTET syllabus on its official website.
Table of Contents
CTET Syllabus: An Overdraft
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test has provided the CTET Syllabus in its notification. You can find the notification on CTET Chegg India. The CTET exam consists of two papers in its stricture:
Paper I for candidates who wish to teach classes I to V. Thus, it is of the Primary Level
Paper II for candidates who wish to teach classes VI to VIII. Thus, it is of the Elementary Level
Many candidates wish to qualify as a teacher for both Primary Level and Elementary Level. Thus, they will have to take both papers.
CTET Paper
Total Marks
Duration
Paper I
150
150 minutes or two & a half hours
Paper-II
150
150 minutes or two & a half hours
For CTET Paper I, the exam structure is as follows:
Topic
Number of Questions (out of 150)
Marks Carried
Child Development and Pedagogy
30
30
Language I
30
30
Language II
30
30
Mathematics
30
30
Environmental Science
30
30
Candidates can further divide the question pattern of the exam structure in the following ways:
Child Development and Pedagogy:
Child Development in the Primary School Level: 15 Questions
Inclusive education and understanding children with diverse needs: 5 Questions
Learning and Pedagogy: 10 Questions
Language I
Comprehension of Language: 15 Questions
Language Development Methods: 15 Questions
Language II
Comprehension of Language: 15 Questions
Language Development Methods: 15 Questions
Mathematics
Basic Arithmetic Problems: 15 Questions
Pedagogical Issues: 15 Questions
Environmental Science
Basic Issues in Life Science: 15 Questions
Pedagogical Issues: 15 Questions
For CTET Paper II, the exam structure is as follows:
Topic
Number of Questions (out of 150)
Marks Carried
Child Development and Pedagogy
30
30
Language I
30
30
Language II
30
30
Mathematics and Science
Or
Social Studies/Social Science
60
60
Furthermore, candidates can divide the question pattern of the exam structure in the following ways:
Child Development and Pedagogy:
Child Development in the Elementary School Level: 15 Questions
Inclusive education and understanding children with diverse needs: 5 Questions
Learning and Pedagogy: 10 Questions
Language I
Comprehension of Language: 15 Questions
Language Development Methods: 15 Questions
Language II
Comprehension of Language: 15 Questions
Language Development Methods: 15 Questions
Mathematics and Science
Basic Arithmetic Problems: 20 Questions
Pedagogical Issues in Math: 10 Questions
Basic Content in Science: 20 Questions
Pedagogical Issues in Science: 10 Questions
Social Studies/Social Science
Basic Content tackled in Social Studies/Social Science: 40 Questions
Pedagogical Issues in Social Studies/Social Science: 20 Questions
I
n Central Teacher Eligibility Test, the Language II subject is mandatory in both Papers I and II. Moreover, the language chosen in Language II must be different than the one tackled in Language I. Consequently, the Central Board of Secondary Education allows the following languages as options in Language II.
English
Gujarati
Marathi
Sanskrit
Hindi
Kannada
Mizo
Tamil
Assamese
Khasi
Nepali
Telegu
Bengali
Malayalam
Oriya
Tibetan
Garo
Manipuri
Punjabi
Urdu
CTET Syllabus: In depth
There are two sets of CTET syllabus for Paper I and II of the CTET. Some candidates may wish to qualify as a teacher for both Primary Level and Elementary Level. Thus, they will have to prepare for both papers.
Firstly, the CTET syllabus for Paper I will revolve around the concepts dealt with in NCERT textbooks of classes I to V. However, the difficulty level may also be at par with the Secondary Level. This will depend on the content of specific questions. Thus, we have outlined the detailed CTET syllabus for Paper I below.
Child Development and Pedagogy:
Child Development in the Primary School Level:
Both Development and learning.
Principles of development of children.
Both heredity and environment.
Socialization processes in children. Both among peers and with elders.
Piaget, Kohlberg, in addition toVygotsky
Concepts of progressive education for children
Critical perspectives on the construct of Intelligence in children
Multi-Dimensional Intelligence
Both language and thought
Gender roles. How it is a social construct.
Differences among individual learners. Also, how to understand differences based on differences. For example, the diversity of language, gender, community, religion, etc.
The differences between assessment both for and of learning
Assessment: both perspective and practice
Inclusive education. Moreover, understanding children with diverse needs.
Addressing learners from diverse backgrounds. For Example, the disadvantaged and deprived.
Addressing the needs of neuro-divergent children
Addressing the talented and creative. Also, addressing the differently-abled children
Learning and Pedagogy:
How do children think and learn? The hows and whys of children’s ‘failure’. Failure to achieve success in school performance.
Basic processes of teaching and learning
Children as problem solvers
Alternative concepts of learning in children. Understanding children’s mistakes as important steps in the learning process.
Cognition and emotions
Motivation and learning
Personal & environmental factors affecting learning
The Language I and Language II
Comprehension of Language.
Comprehension, Grammar, Verbal Ability.
Language Development Methods.
Methods of learning and acquisition.
Principles of teaching language.
Role of listening and speaking among children. That is, how they act as a learning tool.
The role of grammar when learning a language. Both in verbal and written forms.
Challenges of teaching language in a classroom with diverse needs
Language Skills
Language comprehension and skill. Speaking, listening, reading, writing
Teaching learning materials. For Example, textbooks and multi-media materials
Remedial Teaching
Mathematics
Basic Arithmetic Problems:
Geometry, Shapes and Spatial Understanding
Number system
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
Measurement
Weight
Time
Volume
Data Handling
Money
Patterns
Pedagogical Issues:
Nature of both Mathematics and Logical thinking. Understanding the children’s thinking and reasoning patterns
Place of Mathematics in Curriculum
Language of Mathematics
Community Mathematics
Both formal and informal methods of evaluation
Both diagnostic and remedial Teaching
Environmental Science:
Basic Issues in Life Science:
Family and Friends. Children’s relationships. Work and play. Animals and plants.
Food
Shelter
Water
Travel
Things we make and do
Pedagogical Issues:
Both concept and scope
Both significance and integrated EVS
Environmental Education
Learning Principles
Both Scope and Relation to Science and Social Science
Approaches of presenting concepts
Activities, experimentation, in addition to practical work
Discussion
Both Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation
Teaching material
Problems and issues
The CTET syllabus for Paper II will revolve around the concepts dealt with in NCERT textbooks of classes VI to VIII. But, the difficulty level may also be at par with the Senior Secondary Level. As it depends on the kind subject the question deals with. The CTET syllabus for Paper II is below.
Child Development and Pedagogy:
Child Development in the Primary School Level:
Development and learning
Principles of development of children
Heredity and environment
Socialization processes in children. Both among peers and with elders
Piaget, Kohlberg, in addition to Vygotsky
Concepts of progressive education for children
Critical perspectives on the construct of Intelligence in children
Multi-Dimensional Intelligence
Both language and thought
Gender as a social construct
Differences among individual learners. Also, how to understand differences. For instance, diversity of language, gender, community, religion, etc.
Difference between assessment both for and of learning
Assessment: perspective and practice
Inclusive education. Also, understanding children with diverse needs:
Addressing learners from diverse backgrounds. For instance, the disadvantaged and deprived children
Addressing the needs of children with neuro-divergence
Addressing the talented and creative. Also, the differently-abled children
Learning and Pedagogy:
How children both think and learn. The hows and whys children ‘fail’. That is failure to achieve success in school performance.
Basic processes of both teaching and learning
Children as problem solvers
Alternative concepts of learning in children. Also, understanding children’s mistakes as important step in the learning process.
Cognition and emotions
Both motivation and learning
Personal & environmental factors affecting learning
Language I and Language II
Comprehension of Language:
Comprehension, Grammar, in addition to Verbal Ability
Language Development Methods
Methods of both learning and acquisition
Principles of teaching language
Role of both listening and speaking among children. How they act as a learning tool
The role of grammar when learning a language both in verbal and written forms
Challenges of teaching language in a classroom with diverse needs
Language Skills
Language comprehension in addition to proficiency. Speaking, listening, reading as well as writing
Teaching learning materials. For example, textbooks and multi-media materials
Remedial Teaching
Mathematics and Science
Basic Arithmetic Problems:
Geometry, Symmetry, and Construction
Number system – Whole numbers, Negatives, Integers, as well as Fraction
Algebra, Ratio,as well as Proportion
Mensuration
Data Handling
Pedagogical Issues concerning Math:
Nature of both Mathematics and Logical thinking. Understanding both student’s thinking and reasoning patterns
Place of Mathematics in Curriculum
Language of Mathematics
Community Mathematics
Both formal and informal methods of evaluation
Both Diagnostic and Remedial Teaching
Basic Concepts in Science:
Food – Sources, Components, in addition to Cleaning
Materials of Daily Use
The living world
Movement
Electric current, circuits, and in addition to magnets
Both Natural Phenomena and Natural Resources
Pedagogical Issues concerning Science:
Both Nature and structure of sciences
Both Aims and Objectives of Natural Science
Understanding as well as Appreciation
Methods of Science: Observation, Experimentation, in addition to Discovery
Evaluation as well as Innovation
Textbooks as well as aids
Both Diagnostic and Remedial Teaching
Social Studies/Social Science:
History:
Early societies as well as states
First farmers as well as first herders
Both trade contacts and political Developments
Culture, Science, in addition to Architecture
Sultans of Delhi
Social Change
Regional Cultures as well as rural life
Company power as well as its effects
Both colonialism and its effects on Tribals
The Revolt of 1857
Women and reforms
Challenging Caste system
Nationalist Movement as well as minor protests
Both pre and post-Independence India
Geography:
Geography, both as a social study and social science
Earth in the Solar System. Additionally, the Globe
Environment, Air, in addition to Water
The settlement, transport, in addition to communication
Resources, both natural and human
Agriculture
Social and Political Life:
Diversity
Government. Both Local bodies and State Government
Democracy as well as the Constitution
Media
Gender
Parliamentary Government as well as the Judiciary
Lastly, the marginalized
Pedagogical Issues:
Both concept and scope
Classroom processes of both activities and discourse
Critical Thinking
Both Inquiry and Empirical evidence
Sources, both Primary and Secondary
Approaches of presenting concepts
Both projects and practical work
Evaluation
Lastly, the problems and issues of teaching Social Studies and Social Science
CTET Books: Recommended
Candidates appearing for the CTET certainly have to study a myriad of subjects. But if you have held on to your school books, be it NCERT or CBSE, you should be fine. And if you are looking for more resources, look no further. In order to make it easier for you, we have arranged a comprehensive list of the best books. These books are both papers I and II and for each subject in the CTET exam structure.
Subject
Best Books
Child Development and Pedagogy
o Pearson’s Child Development and Pedagogy
o Prateek Shivalik’s Pedagogy and Child Development
Language: English
o Pearson’s Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
o Arihant’s English Grammar and Composition
Mathematics
o R. K. Agarwal’s Mathematics and Pedagogy
Environmental Science
o S. Chand’s Textbook of Environmental Studies
Science
o Om Prakash’s Science and Pedagogy
o Arihant Expert’s Science and Pedagogy
Social Studies/Social Science
o Arihant Pearson’s Social Sciences
o K. Reddy’s World History
o M. Husain’s Indian and World Geography
o Pearson’s Indian Polity
CTET Preparation Tips
Like any competitive exam, the CTET certainly induces stress for its candidates. But as long as you prepare with discipline and drive, cracking the CTET should get easier for you. Thus, a few helpful preparation tips are as follows:
Firstly, attempt previous years’ CTET questions for both papers I and II. Or take any number of Mock tests.
Certainly, the best resource to get hold of is the previous years’ CTET question papers. Also, both online or offline mock tests remain excellent resources. Some of the books offering previous year’s CTET questions for both papers I and II are:
Arihant’s CTET and TET Previous Years’ Papers (Classes I to V)
Arihant’s CTET 15 Practice Sets
Disha Expert’s 12 Year-Wise CTET Paper 1 Solved Papers
Secondly, track your habits.
Maintaining a habit tracker will surely help you to study more efficiently. But it will also drive you to stick to your schedule.
Thirdly, revise and evaluate.
After you have familiarized yourself with the concepts in CTET syllabus, make sure to certainly go through various rounds of revision. Moreover, the revision will make you realize how much more you’ll have to study and which subjects you have mastered. Therefore, based on the observations, you can amend your study schedule.
Fourthly, learn time management.
The CTET allots only 150 minutes to a set of 150 questions in both Papers I and II. Thus, a candidate will often have to think on their feet. Moreover, they will have to solve as many questions as they can in under a minute. So, make sure to have ample time to go over confusing questions and to look for wrong answers
Candidates should certainly see to it that they attempt every question. Even if they are unsure about the answer. Because there is no negative marking in CTET. Thus, make an educated guess by the method of eliminating unlikelier options. Then, a candidate will have a better chance at choosing the correct answer.
Finally, always remain hopeful.
Lastly, it is important that a candidate remains hopeful both before and during the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. Because qualifying the CTET needs immense patience. So does mastering the entire CTET syllabus. Also, they must have enough discipline. Moreover, if a candidate has both, all the better.
Firstly, Paper I is for candidates who wish to teach classes I to V. Thus, Primary Level
Secondly, Paper II is for candidates who wish to teach classes VI to VIII. Thus, Elementary Level
Alternatively, some candidates may wish to qualify as a teacher for both Primary Level and Elementary Level. In this case, they will have to take both papers. The CTET syllabus is different for both papers.
Q2. Should I select another language for Language II?
A. A CTET candidate must choose a different language other than the one in Language I. For instance, if your Language I is English, the other should be something else like Hindi. The Admit card mention both Language I and Language II.
Q3. Are NCERT books enough to prepare for the both CTET papers I and II?
A. The NCERT books certainly have some of the concepts well-dispersed according to the CTET Notification. But, a candidate may need to refer to other books to prepare for the more difficult concepts.
Q4. What is the duration of the CTET Paper I as well as Paper II?
A. The duration of both Papers I and II are 150 minutes or 2.5 hours.
Q5. What are the question types for Child Development and Pedagogy for both papers I and II?
A. Firstly, the questions on Child Development and Pedagogy will focus on the educational psychology of teaching and learning. Moreover, the test items will be relevant to the age group of 6-11 years for Paper I. Similarly, it is the age group of 11-14 years for Paper II. Further, the questions will focus on the characteristics and needs of diverse learners. Also, it will cover questions on interaction with learners and the attributes and qualities of a good teacher.
