CTET Paper I is for candidates intending to teach Classes I to V, while Paper II covers Classes VI to VIII. Each paper has 150 multiple-choice questions carrying 150 marks and lasts two and a half hours. The official bulletin specifies one mark per question and no negative marking.
Candidates intending to teach at both levels must take both papers. The difference is in the subject structure and teaching stage, so comparing only the total marks can hide the choice an applicant needs to make.
CTET Paper I exam pattern and subjects
Section 7 of the official CTET information bulletin divides Paper I into five compulsory sections. Each contributes the same number of questions and marks.
| Paper I section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Language I | 30 | 30 |
| Language II | 30 | 30 |
A simple way to read the table is that every section accounts for one-fifth of the paper: 30 divided by 150 equals 20%. Environmental Studies is therefore a full section in Paper I, rather than a few questions added to Mathematics.
For syllabus detail, the same PDF provides Appendix I. That is the place to check the listed topics within a section, rather than assuming that a section heading describes the complete syllabus. A topic list and a question-count table answer different preparation questions.
CTET Paper II pattern: choose the correct subject block
Paper II has 30 questions each in Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I and Language II. Its remaining 60 questions come from Mathematics and Science for the corresponding teacher category, or Social Studies/Social Science for that category. For another teacher category, the bulletin permits either of those two subject options.
The calculation is 30 + 30 + 30 + 60 = 150. The selected subject block therefore accounts for 40% of Paper II. It is not a sixth section to be attempted on top of both subject options. For example, someone taking the Social Studies/Social Science option does not add the separate 60-question Mathematics and Science block to make a 210-question paper.
Language I and II must be different
The bulletin requires Language II to be different from Language I. It describes Language I questions as focusing on proficiency related to the medium of instruction, while Language II focuses on language, communication and comprehension. Applicants should check the choices recorded in their confirmation page against the options permitted in the bulletin.
The names can be misleading if read casually. Language I and Language II are two assessed language sections, not labels for Paper I and Paper II. Both language sections occur within each paper. Choosing one teaching level does not remove either language section from its pattern.
CTET marking scheme and the official PDF
With one mark for each correct answer and no negative marking, a hypothetical response set containing 100 correct answers contributes 100 marks. Wrong answers do not create a deduction under this marking rule. This arithmetic does not establish a candidate's qualification or recruitment eligibility, which must be checked separately.
To locate the document, open the CTET website and select the public-notice link titled CTET SEPT 2026 INFORMATION BULLETIN. Use section 7 for the paper structure and Appendix I for topics. This guide explains the pattern and does not reproduce an old examination date from the bulletin.
Related reading: CTET certificate validity, the separate CTET schedule guide and UPSC examination stages.
