Is CTET Paper 1 Compulsory?

If you’re planning to become a teacher in primary schools in India, you must have heard about the CTET exam. The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is an important exam for anyone who wants to teach from Class 1 to Class 8 in government or private schools.

One common question many candidates ask, “Is CTET Paper 1 compulsory”? In this blog, we will explain everything you need to know about CTET Paper 1, its importance, and how to prepare for it.

What is CTET Paper 1?

CTET has two papers:

• Paper 1 (Primary Stage): For candidates who wish to teach Classes 1 to 5. 

• Paper 2 (Elementary Stage): For candidates who wish to teach Classes 6 to 8. 

Paper 1 focuses on topics related to teaching younger children, including child development, pedagogy, language skills, and subjects like mathematics, environmental studies, and more.

Is CTET Paper 1 Compulsory?

Yes, CTET Paper 1 is compulsory if you want to teach Classes 1 to 5.
If your goal is to become a primary school teacher, you must clear Paper 1 to be eligible. If you wish to teach lower primary classes, you can’t miss paper 1; you have to appear for both tests. 

Read More: How to Prepare for CTET Without Coaching: Self-Study Success Formula

However, if you want to teach classes 6 to 8, you must appear for Paper 2 only. Some candidates choose to appear for both papers if they want to be eligible for teaching from Class 1 to 8.

How to Prepare for CTET Paper 1?

There are many study materials and books available to help you prepare. Using good CTET preparation books can make your study easy and organized.

Practice from the CTET previous year book can be really helpful. It gives you an idea about the exam pattern and the type of questions asked.

To improve speed and accuracy on the CTET English Paper 1 previous year question paper, you can either download it online or choose a good past year book for more practice. 

Tips to Clear CTET Paper 1 in First Attempt

Understand the syllabus and exam pattern carefully. After knowing the syllabus, focus on child development and pedagogy, as they carry a high weightage of marks. Try to solve previous year's question papers regularly. And the most important thing is to always stay confident and calm during the exam. 

FAQs 

Q1: Can I appear only for CTET Paper 2 if I want to teach classes 1 to 5?
No, Paper 1 is compulsory for teaching Classes 1 to 5.

Q2: Is it necessary to clear both Paper 1 and Paper 2?
Only if you want to teach from Class 1 to 8. Otherwise, choose the paper based on your target class.

Q3: How many marks are required to qualify for CTET Paper 1?
You need to score at least 60% (90 out of 150) to qualify.

Q4: Are there any good books to prepare for CTET Paper 1?
 Yes, there are many CTET preparation books available that cover the whole syllabus, along with previous year question papers for practice.