CTET and STET Exam Preparation
How to Prepare for the CTET and STET Exams
Future teachers’ eligibility is determined by the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) and State Teacher Eligibility Test (STET), which are national exams administered by the CBSE and relevant state boards. These exams require a solid strategic plan and thorough preparation to succeed. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide effective tips and strategies for the CTET and STET exam preparation and increase your chances of success.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
- Creating a Study Plan
- Subject-wise Preparation Tips
- Child Development and Pedagogy
- Mathematics
- Environmental Studies
- Science
- Social Science
- Language Papers
- Recommended Books for CTET and STET Preparation
- Last-Minute Preparation Tips
- Cracking the Exam Without Coaching
- Conclusion
1. Introduction
The CTET and STET exam preparation is crucial for aspiring teachers looking to secure teaching positions in government schools. These exams assess the candidates’ knowledge, understanding, and pedagogical skills required for effective teaching. To excel in these exams, it is essential to have a solid preparation strategy and a thorough understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus.
2. Understanding the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Before starting your preparation, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus of the CTET and STET exams ( UPTET Exam & BTET Exam). This will give you a clear idea of the sections, marks distribution, and topics that need to be covered. Here are details of the exam pattern:
CTET Exam Pattern 2023
There are 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in each of CTET Papers I and II. Once the mark is awarded to correct answers and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. The Paper is conducted in offline mode as a pen and paper-based test. Paper 1 has five sections, but Paper 2 has only four.
- Paper 1: For instructors of grades I–V
- Paper 2: For instructors of grades VI-VIII
STET Exam Pattern:
- Paper 1: For instructors of grades I to V
- Paper 2: For instructors of grades VI to VIII
CTET Exam Pattern – Paper I
The CTET Paper-I test consists of five portions. You should read the list below before beginning your preparation for the CTET Exam. For Paper 1, the whole list of questions and their respective grades is provided below:
| Subjects | Total Number of Questions | Total Number of Marks | Duration |
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 2.5 hours |
| Language I (compulsory) | 30 | 30 | |
| Language II (compulsory) | 30 | 30 | |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 | |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
CTET Exam Pattern – Paper II
There are 4 sections in the CTET Paper-I test. Candidates must choose between mathematics, science, and social studies for Paper 2. For Paper 2, the complete list of questions and their respective grades is provided below:
| Subjects | Total Number of Questions | Total Number of Marks | Duration |
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 | 2.5 hours |
| Language I (compulsory) | 30 | 30 | |
| Language II (compulsory) | 30 | 30 | |
| A. Mathematics & Science | 30 + 30 | 60 | |
| B. Social Studies & Social Science | 60 | 60 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
There are no negative marks for any wrong answer. But for UPTET Exam Preparation BTET Exam Preparation there is negative marking system.
Subjects including Child Development and Pedagogy, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Science, Social Science, and Language Papers are typically included in the curriculum. Understanding the relative importance of each subject can help you plan your study time effectively.
3. Creating a Study Plan
A well-organized study schedule is necessary for efficient preparation. Here are some suggestions for making a study schedule for the CTET and STET tests.:
- Give each subject or topic a set amount of time.
- Establish attainable daily, weekly, and monthly objectives.
- To reinforce your learning, incorporate regular revision sessions.
- To gauge your progress, practise the previous year’s question papers and take practice exams.
You can take a methodical approach to covering all the topics and ensuring thorough preparation by adhering to a study plan.
4. Subject-wise Preparation Tips
4.1 Child Development and Pedagogy
An important course that assesses your knowledge of teaching techniques and child psychology is child development and Pedagogy. Here are some pointers for tackling this subject.:
- Learn about the theories of education and child development.
- Recognise the idea of inclusive education for kids with disabilities.
- Learn the concepts and guiding tenets of the thinkers.
- Consider theories of intelligence, theories of learning, and methods of assessment and evaluation.
- Practise answering pedagogy and child development-related questions from past exams.
4.2 Mathematics
CTET and STET exam Preparation heavily rely on mathematics. Here are some pointers to succeed in this field.:
- Consult the appropriate NCERT mathematics textbooks.
- To comprehend the exam format, complete practice questions and sample papers.
- Accentuate pedagogical issues concerning the instruction of mathematics.
- Work on answering questions about a variety of subjects, such as math, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.
- Participate in mock exams and online test preparation groups to hone your problem-solving abilities.
4.3 Environmental Studies
An important course that assesses your understanding of environmental principles is environmental studies. Here are some pointers for tackling this subject. To get a better rank in CTET and STET Exam Preparation you should focus in by following ways:
- Study the NCERT books from Class I to Class V and Geography books from Class VI to Class VIII.
- Stay updated with current environmental issues by reading newspapers and watching news clips.
- Practice online sample tests and test questions to familiarize yourself with the question format.
- Take random quizzes on environmental studies and general knowledge to improve your scores.
- Manage your time effectively while answering questions that require nearby data.
4.4 Science
Science is an integral part of the CTET and STET exams. Here are some tips to excel in this subject:
- Study the NCERT materials for classes I to VIII to understand the fundamental concepts.
- Complete scientific homework assignments from classes VI to VIII.
- Solve online CTET test series and practice sample papers.
- Join online study groups to discuss and prepare for the science portion.
- Revise topics like cell generation, unit conversion, and basic scientific principles.
4.5 Social Science
Social Science is an important subject that tests your knowledge of history, geography, and civics. There are a few tips for CTET and STET Exam Preparation:
- Cover the social science and environmental science content from Class I to Class VIII.
- Focus on fundamental concepts of cultural, economic, and political capacities.
- To keep up with current events, routinely read newspapers and watch news programmes.
- Make brief notes on historical events and important dates.
- Participate in online test preparation groups and solve mock tests to improve your performance.
4.6 Language Papers
Language papers assess your proficiency in the medium of instruction and language skills. Here are some tips to prepare for language papers:
- Purchase a basic grammar book and familiarize yourself with the different parts of speech.
- Read extensively to improve your language skills in both language I and language II.
- Understand the syllabus instructions thoroughly before beginning the exam.
- Gain hands-on experience with teaching approaches and respond creatively to queries.
- Practice solving questions from the prose, drama, and poetry sections.
Syllabus:
I. Child Development and Pedagogy Syllabus- 30 Questions
a) 15 Questions Regarding Child Development (Primary School Student)
- The idea of development and how it relates to learning
- Children’s Developmental Principles
- Influence of Environment & Heredity
- The social world and children’s socialisation processes (Teacher, Parents, Peers)
- Piaget, Kohlberg, and Vygotsky: critical viewpoints and Constructions
- Child-centred and progressive education ideas
- Critical Viewpoint on the Intelligence Construct
- Intelligence in several dimensions
- Language and Thought
- The social construction of Gender; gender roles; gender bias; and educational Policy
- Understanding variances based on language, caste, gender, community, religion, and other variety among learners.
- Perspective and practice for school-based assessment, continuous and comprehensive evaluation
- The distinction between assessment of learning and assessment for learning, as well as the development of important questions for evaluating student readiness
- encouraging critical thinking and learning in the classroom, and tracking student development.
a) Child Development (Primary School Child): 15 Questions
- Concept of development and its relationship with learning
- Principles of the Development of Children
- Influence of Heredity & Environment
- Socialization processes: Social world & children (Teacher, Parents, Peers)
- Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky: constructs and critical perspectives
- Concepts of child-centred and progressive education
- Critical Perspective of the Construct of Intelligence
- Multi-Dimensional Intelligence
- Language & Thought
- Gender as a social construct; gender roles, gender bias and educational practice
- Individual differences among learners, understanding differences based on diversity of language, caste, gender, community, religion etc.
- School-Based Assessment, Continuous & Comprehensive Evaluation: Perspective and Practise; The Difference Between Assessment for Learning and Assessment of Learning;
- Creating pertinent inquiries for gauging student preparation, fostering critical thinking and learning in the classroom, and measuring student progress.
b) Concept of Inclusive education and understanding children with special needs: 5 Questions
- Interacting with pupils from all backgrounds, including those who are poor and underprivileged
- The needs of children with “impairment,” learning difficulties, etc.
- Taking Care of the Gifted, Creative, and Specially Able Learners
c) Learning and Pedagogy: 10 Questions
- How children learn and think; why kids ‘fail’ to succeed in school; and how kids think and learn.
- Learning as a social activity; basic teaching and learning processes; children’s learning strategies; social context of education.
- Child as a scientific investigator’ and problem-solver
- alternative ideas on how children learn, viewing children’s “mistakes” as important phases in the learning process.
- Cognition & Emotions
- Motivation and learning
- Personal and Environmental factors that affect learning.
II. Language I Syllabus- 30 Questions
a) Language Comprehension: 15 Questions
Reading two sections that haven’t been seen before, one of which is prose or drama and the other of which is a poem, along with questions about comprehension, inference, grammar, and verbal skills.
b) Pedagogy of Language Development: 15 Questions
- Learning and acquisition
- Principles of Language Teaching
- The importance of speaking and listening; how language works and how youngsters utilise it as a tool
- An examination of the function of grammar in learning a language for conveying ideas both orally and in writing
- Language difficulties, blunders, and disorders; challenges of teaching language in a classroom with a diverse student body
- Language Abilities
- Evaluation of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills and language comprehension
- Textbooks, multimedia materials, and classroom resources in multiple languages are examples of teaching-learning resources. materials: Textbook, multi-media materials, multilingual resources of the classroom
- Remedial Instruction
III. Language II Syllabus- 30 Questions
a) Comprehension: 15 Questions
Two unseen prose passages (discursive or literary or narrative or scientific) with questions on comprehension, grammar and verbal ability
b) Pedagogy of Language Development: 15 Questions
- Learning and acquisition
- Principles of Language Teaching
- Role of listening and speaking; function of language and how children use it as a tool
- A critical perspective on the role of grammar in learning a language for communicating ideas verbally and in written form;
- Challenges of teaching language in a diverse classroom; language difficulties, errors and disorders
- Language Skills
- Evaluating language comprehension and proficiency: speaking, listening, reading and writing
- Teaching-learning materials: Textbook, multi-media materials, multilingual resources of the classroom
- Remedial Teaching
IV. Mathematics Syllabus- 30 Questions
a) Content: 15 Questions
- Geometry
- Shapes & Spatial Understanding
- Solids around Us
- Numbers
- Addition and Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- Measurement
- Weight
- Time
- Volume
- Data Handling
- Patterns
- Money
b) Pedagogical issues: 15 Questions
Nature of Mathematics/Logical thinking; understanding children’s thinking and reasoning patterns and strategies for making meaning and learning
- Place of Mathematics in Curriculum
- Language of Mathematics
- Community Mathematics
- Valuation through formal and informal methods
- Problems of Teaching
- Error analysis and related aspects of learning and teaching
- Diagnostic and Remedial Teaching
V. Environmental Studies Syllabus- 30 Questions
a) Content: 15 Questions
I. Family and Friends:
• Relationships
• Work and Play
• Animals
• Plants
II. Food
III. Shelter
IV. Water
V. Travel
VI. Things We Make and Do
b) Pedagogical Issues: 15 Questions
- Concept and scope of EVS
- Significance of EVS integrated EVS
- Environmental Studies & Environmental Education
- Learning Principles
- Scope & Relation to Science & Social Science
- Approaches of presenting concepts
- Activities
- Experimentation/Practical Work
- Discussion
- CCE
- Teaching material/Aids
- Problems
5. Recommended Books for CTET and STET Preparation
Choosing the right books is crucial for effective preparation. In the case of CTET and STET exam Preparation, different people refer to different books. But Here are some recommended books for the CTET and STET exams:
- “A Complete Resource for CTET: Child Development and Pedagogy” by Pearson or A Book written by Himanshi Singh
- “CTET English & Pedagogy” by Pearson
- “Mathematics and Science for CTET 2023 Paper II” by Pearson or R.S. Aggarwal
- “CTET Success Master Paper-II Teacher Selection for Class VI-VIII Social Studies/Science 2023” by Arihant
These books provide comprehensive coverage of the exam syllabus and include practice questions for better understanding. But the most important is to do mock tests on a weekly or daily basis to complete CTET and STET exam Preparation.
6. Recommended Youtube Channel for CTET and STET exam Preparation
There are lots of channels for every course you are looking for on Youtube for CTET and STET exam Preparation. But it is tough to identify the right channel. I personally recommend going with HIMANSHI SINGH. Her way of teaching is very simple and in both language HINDI & ENGLISH.
6. Last-Minute Preparation Tips
As the exam approaches, here are some last-minute preparation tips to maximize your chances of success:
- Review completed CTET question papers and mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format.
- Create a strategy for attempting the paper, focusing on time management and precision.
- Practice mock tests and previous years’ question papers to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Revise important concepts, formulas, and theories one last time before the exam.
- Maintain your calm and confidence on the day of the exam.
7. Cracking the Exam Without Coaching
It is possible to crack the CTET and STET exams without coaching by following a well-structured self-study plan. Here are some tips to crack the exam without coaching:
- Understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
- Refer to recommended books and study materials for comprehensive coverage.
- Take advantage of online resources, mock tests, and previous years’ question papers.
- Join online study groups and engage in discussions with fellow aspirants.
- Focus on regular practice, revision, and self-assessment.
By following these tips, you can effectively prepare for the CTET and STET exams without the need for coaching.
8. Conclusion
The CTET and STET exams are stepping stones to a successful teaching career. With a well-structured study plan, subject-wise preparation, and regular practice, you can increase your chances of success in these exams. Remember to stay focused, be consistent in your preparation, and believe in your abilities. Good luck!
