Eligibility criteria for CTET
The minimum qualifications mentioned below are applicable for teachers of Languages, Mathematics/ Social Studies/ Social Science, Science etc. For Art Education, Craft Education, Home Science and Work etc. there are special norms directed by NCERTs.
Level 1: Primary classes [Classes I-V] | |
Qualifications | Minimum Marks |
Senior Secondary and 2 year Diploma in elementary education. | 50% |
Senior Secondary and 4 year Bachelor of Elementary Education. | 50% |
Senior Secondary and 2 year Diploma in Education (Special Education) | 50% |
Graduation and 2 year Diploma in Elementary Education | 50% |
Level 2: Elementary classes [Classes VI-VIII] | |
Qualifications | Minimum Marks |
Graduation and 2 year Diploma in elementary education. | 50% |
Graduation and 1 year Bachelor of Education. | 50% |
Senior Secondary and 4 year Bachelor of Elementary Education. | 50% |
Senior Secondary and 4 year B.A./ B.Sc. Ed or B.A. Ed/ B.Sc. Ed | 50% |
Graduation and in 1 year B. Ed (Special Education) | 50% |
Syllabus for CTET
The paper is conducted as in two levels, primary and elementary. Some states have third level too for the post of PGT. The syllabus for CTET first level is:
Subjects for Levels | Number of Questions asked |
Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 |
Environmental Studies | 30 |
Language I | 30 |
Language II | 30 |
Mathematics | 30 |
Social Science/ Social Studies | 30 |
Child Development and Pedagogy | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
15 | Child Development | Concept of development, principles of development, Influence of hereditary and environment, Socialization process, Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky: constructs and critical perspectives, concepts of child-centered and progressive education, intelligence, multi-dimensional intelligence, language and thought, gender constructs, differences, diversity, assessment of learning, continuous and comprehensive evaluation. |
5 | Concept of Inclusive education and understanding children with special needs | Addressing learners from diverse backgrounds, Addressing needs of children with imparities, learning disabilities, talent, creativity, specially-abled learners. |
10 | Learning and Pedagogy | Concepts related to thinking and learning processes of children, basic process of teaching and learning, children as problem solvers , children’s strategy, social context of learning, social activity in learning, Cognition and emotions, motivation and learning. |
Environmental Studies | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
15 | Family and Friends | Relationships, Work and play, animals, plants, food, shelter, travel, and things we make and do. |
15 | Pedagogical Issue | Concept, Scope, Significance of EVS, Environmental studies and environmental education, scope and relation to science and social science. |
Language I | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
15 | Language Comprehension | Unseen passages, questions on prose or drama, questions on poem with comprehension, grammar, inference, verbal ability. |
15 | Pedagogy of Language Development | Challenges of teaching, Evaluation of language comprehension and proficiency, Errors and Disorders, Language skills, Learning and acquisition, Principles of language teaching, Role of listening and speaking, Role of grammar in listening and writing, Teaching-learning materials. |
Language II | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
15 | Language Comprehension | Unseen passages, questions on literary or scientific passages, assessing written, comprehension and verbal ability. |
15 | Pedagogy of Language Development | Challenges of teaching, Evaluation of language comprehension and proficiency, Errors and Disorders, Language skills, Learning and acquisition, Principles of language teaching, Role of listening and speaking, Role of grammar in listening and writing, Teaching-learning materials. |
Mathematics | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
15 | Basic Mathematics | Addition and subtraction, Division and Multiplication, Data Handling, Measurement, Money, Numbers, Patterns, Shapes and Spatial Understanding, Solids, Time, Volume, Weight. |
15 | Pedagogical Issues | Community Mathematics, Diagnostic and Remedial Teaching, Error analysis, Evaluation through formal, informal methods, Nature of Mathematics/ Logical Thinking, Place of Mathematics, Problems of teaching, Language of Mathematics. |
LEVEL II- Elementary classes
To teach students from VI-VIII, an aspirant has to clear the level 2 of TET. The syllabus includes basic knowledge about subjects that are to be taught to students of primary level.
Child Development and Pedagogy | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
15 | Child Development | Socialization process, Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky: constructs and critical perspectives, concepts of child-centered and progressive education, intelligence, multi-dimensional intelligence, language and thought, gender constructs, differences, diversity, assessment of learning, continuous and comprehensive evaluation. |
5 | Concept of Inclusive education and understanding children with special needs | Addressing learners from diverse backgrounds, Addressing needs of children with imparities, learning disabilities, talent, creativity, specially-abled learners, and Special needs. |
10 | Learning and Pedagogy | Concepts related to thinking and learning processes of children, basic process of teaching and learning, children as problem solvers, children’s strategy, Factors contributing to learning-personal and environmental, social context of learning, social activity in learning, Cognition and emotions, motivation and learning. |
Language I | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
15 | Language Comprehension | Unseen passages, questions on prose or drama, questions on poem with comprehension, grammar, inference, verbal ability. |
15 | Pedagogy of Language Development | Challenges of teaching, Evaluation of language comprehension and proficiency, Errors and Disorders, Language skills, Learning and acquisition, Principles of language teaching, Role of listening and speaking, Role of grammar in listening and writing, Teaching-learning materials. |
Language II | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
15 | Language Comprehension | Unseen passages, questions on literary or scientific passages, assessing written, comprehension and verbal ability. |
15 | Pedagogy of Language Development | Challenges of teaching, Evaluation of language comprehension and proficiency, Errors and Disorders, Language skills, Learning and acquisition, Principles of language teaching, Role of listening and speaking, Role of grammar in listening and writing, Teaching-learning materials. |
Mathematics | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
15 | Basic Mathematics | Algebra, Addition and subtraction, Division and Multiplication, Construction, Data Handling, Fractions, Geometry, Knowing numbers, Measurement, Mensuration, Money, Negative numbers and Integers, Number system, Patterns, Ratio and proportions, Shapes and Spatial Understanding, Solids, Symmetry, Time, Volume, Weight, Whole numbers, 2-D, 3-D. |
15 | Pedagogical Issues | Community Mathematics, Diagnostic and Remedial Teaching, Error analysis, Evaluation through formal, informal methods, Nature of Mathematics/ Logical Thinking, Place of Mathematics, Problems of teaching, Language of Mathematics. |
Science | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
20 | Basic sciences | Food, sources of food, materials, Living things, moving things, ideas and people, how things work, electric currents and circuits, magnets, natural phenomenon, natural resources. |
10 | Pedagogical issues | Approaches/ Integrated approaches, Innovations, Nature and structure of sciences, Natural sciences/ Aims and Objectives, Methods of science, Problems, Remedial teaching, Understanding science, Text materials. |
Social Sciences and Social Studies | ||
Number of questions | Topic | Details |
40 | History
Geography Politics |
Early history of empires, revolts, sultans and architecture. Nationalist movement.
Geography as a social study and science, Earth in solar system, globe, Environment, Air, water, Human environment, resources and its types, agriculture. Diversity, government, Parliament, state government, democracy, constitution and judiciary. |
20 | Pedagogical Issues | Concept and nature of Social Science, Social studies, class room processes, critical thinking development, enquiry/ empirical evidence, evaluation, Problems on teaching social studies/ sciences, Primary and secondary sources, project works, |
After the successful clearance of CTET or state TET exam, the result is declared in a couple of months. A candidate can attempt TET any number of times and can improve his/ her score in subsequent exams. Many states conduct a state wise TET exam to recruit candidates locally.