What is CTET Teacher Exam? - Full Form, Exam Pattern & Selection Process

1. CTET Paper - 1 (Class 1 - 5) Eligibility Criteria

• The candidate must have passed Senior Secondary (or equivalent) examination with at least 50% marks and should either be pursuing or have completed a 2 year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
OR
• According to NCTE regulations, the candidate must have secured 45% marks in the Senior Secondary (or equivalent) examination and should either be pursuing or have completed a 2 year D.El.Ed.
OR
• The candidate must have secured 50% marks in the Senior Secondary (or equivalent) examination and should either be pursuing or have completed a 4 year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
OR
• The candidate must have secured 50% marks in the Senior Secondary (or equivalent) examination and should either be pursuing or have completed a 2 year Diploma in Special Education.
OR
• The candidate must have completed Graduation with at least 50% marks and should have obtained a B.Ed degree.

2. CTET Paper - 2 (Class 6 - 8) Eligibility Criteria

• The candidate must have completed Graduation and should either be pursuing or have completed a 2 year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
OR
• The candidate must have secured 50% marks in Graduation and should either be pursuing or have completed a B.Ed degree.
OR
• As per NCTE regulations the candidate must have secured 45% marks in Graduation and should either be pursuing or have completed a B.Ed degree.
OR
• The candidate must have secured 50% marks in the Senior Secondary (or equivalent) examination and should either be pursuing or have completed a 4 year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed).
OR
• The candidate must have secured 50% marks in the Senior Secondary (or equivalent) examination and should either be pursuing or have completed a 4 year B.A./B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed.
OR
• The candidate must have secured 50% marks in Graduation and should either be pursuing or have completed a 1 year B.Ed (Special Education) program.

Document Require

• Scanned passport size photo and signature (specified format and size).
• Class 10^th marksheet and certificate.
• Class 12^th marksheet and certificate.
• Graduation marksheet and degree certificate.
• Valid ID proof (Aadhar card, PAN card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving license).
• Category certificate (if applicable).
• PwD certificate (if applicable).

1. CTET Registration (New User)

• To apply for CTET exam candidates have to visit CTET website of CTET.
• After reaching the website the candidate should click on the "Apply for CTET" link.
• Once the candidate clicks the application link options for login and registration will appear on the screen. The candidate should click on the "New Registration" button.
• Next the candidate must carefully read the information provided on the screen and click on the "Click here to proceed" button.
• A registration form will then open on the candidates screen. The candidate needs to fill in their personal details (as per 10th class), contact details, permanent address, password, and security pin accurately and verify the OTP by clicking the "Submit" button.
• After completing the registration form and OTP verification the candidate will receive an application number on their mobile phone.

2. Application Form

After successfully completing the registration the candidate needs to click on the "Complete Application Form" button. In the application form the candidate must accurately fill in the following details:

• Personal Details: In personal information candidate has to fill name, father name, mother name, category, nationality and click on "Save & Next" button.
• Applying for Examination: In Applying for Exam section candidate has to enter Paper Type (Paper 1, Paper 2, or Both), Qualifying Exam, Exam Centre and click on "Save & Next" button.
• Qualification Details: In the qualification details candidates have to fill their educational information and click on "Save & Next" button.
• Document Upload: In document upload section candidate has to upload recent passport size photo and signature as per the specification and click on "Save & Next" button.
• Final Submit: In Final Submit the candidate has to review the complete application form and then submit it finally.

3. Application Fee Payment

• After final submission of the form candidates have to click on "Pay Exam Fee" and pay the fee using any payment option.
• After the fee is paid candidates have to take a printout of the application for future reference.

CTET Exam Pattern

There are total two papers in CTET exam.

• Paper - 1 (PRT Class 1 - 5)
• Paper - 2 (TGT Class 6 - 8)

CTET Exam Selection Process

• Answer Key: Answer key is declared by CBSE a some days after the exam.
• Result Declaration: Result is declared by CBSE after the answer key declaration.
• Scorecard and Certificate: Candidates who successfully qualify the CTET exam are given a scorecard and CTET certificate. This certificate is valid for a lifetime (no longer limited to 7 years).
• KVS/NVS Process: After qualifying for the CTET exam candidates become eligible to apply for teacher positions in central government schools. Once the CTET scorecard is released candidates can apply for available vacancies in their preferred CBSE affiliated schools such as KV, NV, or any other central school according to the respective notifications.
• Shortlisting for Interview: Based on the CTET scorecard candidates are shortlisted in the recruitment process of KVS or NVS.
• Interview: Shortlisted candidates are called for interview. In the interview the candidates teaching skills, subject knowledge, and personal characteristics and skill test for some major posts are taken.
• Final Selection: The final merit list is declared based on the interview and skill test.
• Document Verification: The finally selected candidates are called for document verification. In this educational qualification, experience certificate, identity proof, and other related documents are verified.
• Appointment Letter: After document verification the selected candidates are given appointment letter.

1. Primary Level (Class 1 - 5)

• PRT (Primary Teacher) in Government School: candidate are eligible to apply for primary teacher positions (PRT) in government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and various state government schools.
• Primary Teacher in Private School: After passing the CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) candidates can teach students in many private schools especially CBSE-affiliated schools in primary teacher positions.
• TET Qualified Jobs in State School: CTET certification can also be useful for state level TET exam.
• Special Education Teacher: With additional certifications in special education candidate can work as a primary teacher for students with special needs.
• Coaching or Private Tutoring: candidate can offer coaching for students preparing for primary classes.
• Teacher in NGO or Educational Institution: Some NGO and educational organization hire certified teachers to provide education to underprivileged children.
• Education Consultant: With experience candidate can work as an education consultant, advising schools or education startups on curriculum development, teaching strategies, or assessment methods for primary education.
• Content Developer for Educational Material: Many EdTech companies hire CTET qualified individuals to create learning content, lesson plans, and teaching material for primary education.

2. Upper Primary Level (Class 6 - 8)

• TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher) in Government School: candidate elegible to apply for TGT positions in government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas for teaching classes 6 to 8.
• TGT in Private School: CBSE affiliated institutions require CTET certified teachers for middle school teaching positions.
• Subject Specific Teacher: With a specialization in subjects like Mathematics, Science, or Social Science, candidate can work as a subject Specific Teacher.
• State TET Qualified Jobs: CTET Paper - 2 certification can also be useful for applying to state level TET exams for teaching jobs in classes 6 to 8.
• Educational Content Developer: With expertise in handling middle school subjects candidate can work as a curriculum developer or educational content creator for textbooks or online platforms.
• Private Tutoring or Coaching: candidate can offer private tutoring to students from classes 6 to 8 or coach future teachers for CTET exams.
• NGO and Education Projects: Many NGO or education initiatives look for CTET qualified teachers to handle middle school education for underprivileged students.

CTET Exam Advantages

• Teaching Career: Candidates who qualify the CTET exam are given a certificate by CBSE. with this certificate the candidate is given preference for the post of teacher in central government schools as well as private schools.
• Nationwide Validity: CTET certificate is valid all over India. Using this candidates can apply in central government and state government schools.

CTET Exam Disadvantages

• High competition: Every year 30 lakh candidates apply for the CTET exam, with a success rate of 15% to 20%. This means that out of every 100 candidates only 15 to 20 candidates are able to clear the CTET exam.
• No direct job guarantee: CTET is only an eligibility criterion; clearing the CTET exam the candidate is not given a direct job by the central government. Candidates have to apply themselves for the vacant posts in Kendriya Vidyalayas. In this process also candidates have to go through the recruitment process which includes interviews and other selection rounds after getting vacancies.
• Cut off: In the CTET exam the candidate has to achieve a specific cut off mark. Getting this cut off is not easy for everyone.
• Multiple attempts: Sometimes candidates have to make multiple attempts to pass the CTET exam.
• Limited scope: The CTET exam certificate is valid only for central government schools. For state government schools, each state conducts its own TET exam. Due to this the scope of CTET in state government schools and private schools is limited or almost negligible.