What marks are required to pass the CTET, what is the exam pattern, and where can one find a job after qualifying?

CTET: If you are preparing for CTET 2026, merely studying is not enough. You also need to be aware of the exam pattern, the marks required to pass, and the career options available after qualifying. CBSE recently announced the new dates for CTET 2026, prompting lakhs of candidates to start formulating their preparation strategies. Let us look at all the details related to this exam...

How many papers are there in CTET?
The CTET exam is conducted in two separate papers:

Paper-1
For teaching classes 1 to 5.

Paper-2
For teaching classes 6 to 8.

Candidates who wish to teach at both primary and upper primary levels can appear for both papers.

What is the exam pattern?
Each CTET paper consists of 150 questions, with each question carrying 1 mark. Thus, the total paper is worth 150 marks.

A key feature of this exam is that there is no negative marking.

What marks are required to pass?
Merely appearing for the CTET exam is not enough; candidates must also secure the minimum qualifying marks.

Candidates in the General category must score 90 marks (60%).

Candidates in the SC/ST categories must score 82 marks (55%).

Candidates who achieve these marks are considered to have qualified for CTET.

What happens after passing CTET?
Many candidates believe that passing CTET guarantees a job, but that is not the case. CTET is an eligibility test. After qualifying for the CTET, candidates can apply for teaching vacancies at the following institutions:

Kendriya Vidyalaya (KVS)
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV)
Other Central Government schools
Various educational institutions that accept CTET scores
However, to be selected for any recruitment, candidates must fulfill all the academic and other eligibility criteria for the respective post.

When will the admit card and city slip be released?
The CTET 2026 examination will now be held on December 12 and 13, 2026. The city slip for candidates will be released prior to the exam, while the admit card will be made available approximately two days before the examination. Therefore, candidates are advised to regularly check the official website.

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