• Updated on 8 Sept, 2026 by Paulami Chandra
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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has set the CTET Exam Pattern 2026 for the September session exam and consists of two papers. Paper 1 is for candidates intending to teach in Classes 1 to 5, and Paper 2 is for those preparing to teach Classes 6 to 8. The CTET exam pattern 2026 consists of a total of 300 multiple-choice questions, with each question carrying one mark and no negative marking. Both papers are of 150 marks and have a duration of 2 hours 30 minutes.
The CTET exam paper pattern 2026 covers five sections in Paper 1, with 30 questions and 30 marks each in Child Development and Pedagogy, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Language I and Language II. Paper 2 also has 150 questions for 150 marks, comprising Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, and either Mathematics & Science or Social Studies / Social Science. The CTET marking scheme 2026 awards 1 mark for every correct answer without any deduction for incorrect responses. CBSE has notified that the September 6, 2026 exam announced earlier has been postponed, and the revised exam date is yet to be announced.
Table of Contents
CTET Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
CTET Exam Pattern 2026 involves division across two papers. Paper I is meant for candidates aiming to teach Classes I to V, while Paper II is designed for those wishing to teach Classes VI to VIII. Each paper includes 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), with every correct response carrying 1 mark. There is no negative marking for wrong answers. The CTET 2026 is held in an offline, pen-and-paper format. Paper I is structured into five sections, whereas Paper II comprises four sections.
CTET Exam Pattern 2026: Paper 1
CTET Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2026 is for candidates preparing to teach at the primary stage, covering Classes 1 to 5. The paper comprises 150 multiple-choice questions carrying 150 marks, with 30 questions each from Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies. The CTET Paper 1 time duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Below is the detailed CTET Paper 1 exam pattern 2026:
Check: CTET Notification 2026
CTET Exam Pattern 2026: Paper 2
CTET Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026 is meant for candidates preparing to teach at the upper-primary stage, covering Classes 6 to 8. The paper consists of 150 questions carrying 150 marks, including compulsory sections on Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I and Language II, along with a choice of Mathematics and Science, Social Studies / Social Science, or the relevant option for teachers of other subjects. The CTET Paper 2 time duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Below is the detailed CTET Paper 2 exam pattern 2026:
Read: CTET Admit Card 2026
CTET Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme
The CTET Marking Scheme 2026 helps candidates understand how marks are awarded in Paper 1 and Paper 2 and plan their attempts accordingly. Each paper carries 150 marks, with 1 mark awarded for every correct answer. Candidates should also note that there is no negative marking in CTET 2026, meaning there is no deduction for incorrect or unanswered questions. Each paper carries equal marks, and there is no negative marking in the exam.
- The exam consists of two papers: Paper 1 (for Classes 1 to 5 teachers) and Paper 2 (for Classes 6 to 8 teachers).
- Each paper contains 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark.
- There is no negative marking for incorrect or unanswered questions.
- The total marks for each paper are 150.
- The duration of each paper is 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes).
- The papers are conducted offline in a pen-and-paper mode.
CTET Exam Pattern 2026: Syllabus
Candidates who are preparing for the CTET 2026 exam must go through the CTET Syllabus 2026 and the topics included in the syllabus. The topic-wise sections are given in the table below.
CTET Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
What is the CTET Exam Pattern 2026?
The CTET exam pattern 2026 has two papers: Paper 1 for Classes 1-5 teachers and Paper 2 for Classes 6-8 teachers. Each paper has 150 multiple-choice questions with a total of 150 marks. The exam is offline and lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. There is no negative marking, and each correct answer carries 1 mark.
How many papers are there in CTET 2026?
CTET 2026 has two papers. Paper 1 is for candidates who want to teach classes 1 to 5. Paper 2 is for candidates aiming to teach classes 6 to 8. Candidates can choose to appear in either one or both papers as per their teaching preference.
What subjects are in CTET Paper 1?
Paper 1 consists of five subjects: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies. Each subject has 30 questions, totaling 150 questions. Candidates need to prepare all these sections carefully to qualify.
What subjects are in CTET Paper 2?
Paper 2 has four sections: Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I, Language II, and a choice between Mathematics and Science or Social Studies/Social Science. The last section contains 60 questions, while the others have 30 questions each.
How many questions are there in each CTET paper?
The CTET 2026 Paper 1 and Paper 2 each comprise 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Each question carries 1 mark, making the total marks 150 for each paper. The questions are divided as per sections of the respective paper, with Paper 1 covering five sections and Paper 2 comprising three compulsory sections and one subject-specific section.
Is there any negative marking in CTET 2026?
No, CTET 2026 does not have any negative marking. Candidates will not lose marks for wrong answers or unanswered questions. It is recommended to attempt all questions.
How much time is given to solve the CTET exam?
Candidates are given 2 hours and 30 minutes, or 150 minutes, to complete the CTET exam for each paper. This duration is sufficient to carefully answer all questions.
In which mode is CTET 2026 conducted?
CTET 2026 is conducted in offline mode. It is a pen-and-paper-based exam where candidates use a sheet to mark their answers.
What type of questions are asked in CTET 2026?
All questions in CTET 2026 are multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with four options. Only one option is correct, and candidates must select the right answer.
Are both papers held on the same day?
Yes. As per the CTET September 2026 Information Bulletin, Paper 1 and Paper 2 are scheduled in two different shifts on the same day. Paper 2 is conducted in the morning shift from 9:30 AM to 12:00 noon, while Paper 1 is scheduled in the evening shift from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Candidates appearing for both papers should follow the reporting and exam timings mentioned on their admit card.
Can candidates choose the language of the paper?
Yes, candidates can choose to write the CTET exam paper in either English or Hindi, depending on their comfort.
What is the marking scheme for correct answers?
Each correct answer in CTET is awarded 1 mark. There are no extra marks, and no marks are deducted for wrong answers.
How can a candidate prepare as per the CTET exam pattern?
Candidates should focus on understanding all five subjects for Paper 1 and four sections for Paper 2. Practicing multiple-choice questions and managing time as per the 2.5-hour limit is essential.
Is qualifying for one paper enough for all teaching jobs?
Qualifying for one paper allows teaching at the level covered by that paper. For teaching classes 1-5, Paper 1 is needed, and for classes 6-8, Paper 2. Some jobs may require qualifying for both papers.
Where can candidates find the CTET exam pattern and syllabus?
Candidates can find the official CTET exam pattern and syllabus on the official CTET website and various educational portals. It is important to follow the latest notification for accurate details.