Loading...
Loading...
CTET exam analysis serves two critical purposes. For candidates who have already appeared, it helps estimate scores before the official answer key release and identifies areas where preparation gaps affected performance. For candidates preparing for CTET September 2026, analysis of recent editions reveals exactly which CDP theories CBSE tests most frequently, which NCERT chapters dominate each subject section, how difficult the language papers typically run, and what a well-prepared candidate can realistically attempt correctly within 150 minutes.
The CTET January 2025 (21st Edition) was conducted by CBSE across multiple shifts. Based on comprehensive student feedback and expert analysis from major coaching platforms, the examination was rated moderate overall. CDP had application-based questions requiring genuine theory understanding. Language papers were moderate with standard RC passages. Mathematics in Paper I was easy to moderate. EVS was the most scoring section. Paper II Social Science was straightforward for NCERT-prepared candidates, while Maths-Science was moderately challenging.
This page provides the complete, authenticated CTET 2025 and 2024 exam analysis: overall difficulty verdict, section-wise breakdown for both papers, key topics tested, student reactions from across India, year-wise difficulty comparison from 2022 to 2025, good attempts benchmarks, and preparation insights for CTET September 2026.
For CTET 2026 aspirants: This page will be updated with complete analysis within hours of the September 6, 2026 exam. Bookmark this page.
Visit the CTET complete guide for dates, eligibility, syllabus, cutoff, and all resources.
| Parameter Data | |
| Exam Date | January 2025 (exact date: January 2025) |
| Edition | 21st |
| Mode | Offline (Pen-and-Paper OMR) |
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate |
| Paper I Overall | Moderate (EVS easiest; Mathematics moderate) |
| Paper II Overall | Moderate (Social Science easy-moderate; Maths-Science moderate) |
| CDP Difficulty | Moderate (application-based; theory required) |
| Language I and II | Moderate (standard RC passages; manageable grammar) |
| No Negative Marking | All 150 questions safe to attempt |
| Expected Qualifying Rate | ~23 to 25% of appeared candidates |
CDP is the most conceptual section and consistently the most differentiating section between high scorers and average scorers across all CTET editions.
| Parameter CTET 2025 CDP | |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| NCERT/Theory Dependency | High (Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg dominate) |
| Application-Based Questions | 40 to 50% of CDP questions |
| Direct Theory Questions | 50 to 60% of CDP questions |
| RTE Act Questions | 2 to 4 questions per paper |
| Good Attempts | 22 to 26 out of 30 for well-prepared candidates |
| Topic Questions (Approximate) Key Concepts Tested | ||
| Piaget's Theory | 3 to 4 | Concrete operational stage; conservation; assimilation vs accommodation |
| Vygotsky's Theory | 2 to 3 | ZPD; scaffolding; more knowledgeable other |
| Kohlberg's Moral Development | 1 to 2 | Stage identification; pre-conventional vs conventional |
| Inclusive Education | 3 to 5 | Dyslexia, ADHD identification; classroom strategies; differentiated instruction |
| RTE Act 2009 | 2 to 3 | Section-specific provisions; free and compulsory education age group |
| Assessment and Evaluation | 2 to 3 | Formative assessment; CCE; portfolio; rubrics |
| Learning and Motivation | 2 to 3 | Intrinsic vs extrinsic; Maslow's hierarchy |
| Intelligence | 1 to 2 | Gardner's Multiple Intelligences; types of intelligence |
| Gender and Development | 1 to 2 | Gender socialization; stereotypes in education |
| NCF 2005 and NEP 2020 | 1 to 2 | Key recommendations; child-centred approach |
Students found CDP moderate with several scenario-based questions. Questions like "A teacher notices a child who reads words in reverse order — what learning difficulty does this indicate?" and "A child from a tribal community is unable to understand the classroom content due to language barriers — which approach should the teacher take?" were reported across shifts. These require application of theory, not just memorisation of definitions.
| Parameter CTET 2025 Language I | |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Reading Comprehension | 2 passages (prose + poem); inference-based questions dominant |
| Grammar Questions | Standard; tenses, voice, narration |
| Vocabulary | Context-based; 4 to 5 questions |
| Language Pedagogy | 8 to 10 questions; language acquisition theories |
| Good Attempts | 24 to 27 out of 30 |
For English specifically: Passages were moderate in difficulty with standard comprehension questions. Grammar covered active-passive voice, direct-indirect speech, tense identification, and one-word substitution.
| Parameter CTET 2025 Language II | |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Reading Comprehension | 1 to 2 passages; slightly easier than Language I |
| Grammar | Similar scope to Language I |
| Language Pedagogy | 8 to 10 questions; error analysis; remedial teaching |
| Good Attempts | 23 to 27 out of 30 |
Language II was rated slightly easier than Language I across most feedback, making it a reliable scoring section for prepared candidates.
| Parameter CTET 2025 Mathematics (Paper I) | |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Content Questions | 20 questions; number system, fractions, geometry, measurement |
| Pedagogy Questions | 10 questions; CPA approach, error analysis, teaching methods |
| Calculation-Heavy | 6 to 8 questions required actual computation |
| Good Attempts | 22 to 26 out of 30 |
Key topics tested in Mathematics (Paper I, 2025):
| Parameter CTET 2025 EVS (Paper I) | |
| Difficulty | Easy (most scoring section in Paper I) |
| NCERT Dependency | Very High (direct from Looking Around Class III-V) |
| Themes Covered | Family, Water, Food, Animals, Plants, Travel, Shelter |
| Good Attempts | 24 to 28 out of 30 |
EVS is consistently the most scoring section in CTET Paper I across all editions. Questions are directly from NCERT Looking Around textbooks. Candidates who read all three volumes (Class III, IV, V) cover virtually all EVS content questions.
Key EVS topics tested in 2025:
| Parameter CTET 2025 Maths-Science | |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Mathematics Content | 20 questions; Classes VI-VIII NCERT |
| Mathematics Pedagogy | 10 questions |
| Science Content | 20 questions; Classes VI-VIII NCERT |
| Science Pedagogy | 10 questions |
| Good Attempts | 44 to 52 out of 60 |
Key Mathematics topics (Paper II, 2025): Linear equations, Basic algebra, Ratio and proportion, Mensuration (area and perimeter), Data handling, Pythagoras theorem application.
Key Science topics (Paper II, 2025): Microorganisms and their types, Metals and non-metals, Reproduction in plants and animals, Force and pressure, Light reflection, Electricity basics, Natural resources conservation.
| Parameter CTET 2025 Social Science | |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| History Questions | 15 to 18; Ancient, Medieval, Modern India |
| Geography Questions | 12 to 15; Physical and human geography |
| Political Science | 10 to 12; Democracy, Constitution, governance |
| Economics | 8 to 10; Livelihoods, markets, poverty |
| Pedagogy | 10; teaching methods, critical thinking |
| Good Attempts | 47 to 54 out of 60 |
Social Science was the easier choice in Paper II across most feedback in 2025 editions. History questions from NCERT Our Pasts series were straightforward for well-prepared candidates. Political Science covering democratic governance and the Constitution was direct.
Key History topics (Paper II, 2025): Harappan Civilisation, Mughal administration, 1857 Revolt, Indian National Movement, Gandhi's movements, Partition and Independence.
| Edition Overall Difficulty CDP Language Paper I Subject Paper II Subject | |||||
| CTET December 2022 | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Easy-Moderate (EVS easiest) | Moderate |
| CTET August 2023 | Moderate | Moderate to Tough | Moderate | Easy-Moderate | Moderate |
| CTET January 2024 | Moderate | Moderate | Easy-Moderate | Easy (EVS very easy) | Moderate |
| CTET July 2024 | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Easy-Moderate | Moderate |
| CTET January 2025 | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Easy-Moderate | Easy-Moderate |
| CTET September 2026 (Expected) | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Easy-Moderate | Moderate |
Consistent pattern across all years (2022 to 2025):
| Section Paper I Good Attempts Paper II Good Attempts | ||
| CDP (30) | 22 to 26 | 22 to 26 |
| Language I (30) | 24 to 27 | 24 to 27 |
| Language II (30) | 23 to 27 | 23 to 27 |
| Mathematics (30) (Paper I) | 22 to 26 | — |
| EVS (30) (Paper I) | 24 to 28 | — |
| Maths-Science (60) (Paper II) | — | 44 to 52 |
| Social Science (60) (Paper II) | — | 47 to 54 |
| Total Good Attempts | 115 to 134 out of 150 | 120 to 138 out of 150 |
Note: Since there is no negative marking, "good attempts" means correctly answered questions. Candidates should attempt all 150 to maximise score, with these numbers reflecting realistic accuracy for well-prepared candidates.
CDP in CTET consistently has 40 to 50% application-based questions where a classroom scenario is described and candidates must identify the correct pedagogical response, learning disability, or teaching strategy. Memorising definitions is insufficient. Practice solving scenario-based CDP questions from previous year papers to build the application reflex.
EVS is the most direct, NCERT-based section in Paper I. Candidates who read all three NCERT Looking Around volumes (Class III, IV, V) can reliably score 24 to 28 out of 30. Given CTET's qualifying threshold of 90/150, EVS alone can contribute 26 marks, making it the most reliable contribution to qualification.
The 10 language pedagogy questions in each Language paper (I and II) require understanding of language teaching theories, not just grammar knowledge. Error analysis, remedial teaching approaches, reading aloud vs silent reading, and phonics-based instruction are tested. These cannot be answered from general English knowledge; study language pedagogy specifically.
Candidates who have the option of choosing either Social Science or Maths-Science specialisation in Paper II but are uncertain should note that Social Science is consistently rated easier across 2022 to 2025. However, the better choice remains the subject aligned with your graduation background and teaching career intention.
RTE Act 2009 questions appear in CDP in every CTET edition. Key sections to memorise: Section 3 (free and compulsory education for 6 to 14 year old children), Section 12 (25% reservation in private schools), Section 16 (no detention policy), Section 17 (prohibition of physical punishment), Section 23 (qualifications of teachers), Section 28 (teachers prohibited from private teaching), Section 30 (no board examinations till Class VIII).
Based on the consistent 2022 to 2025 pattern, the following is expected for CTET September 2026.
| Parameter Expected for CTET September 2026 | |
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate |
| CDP | Moderate; mix of direct theory and scenario-based |
| Language Papers | Moderate; 2 RC passages; standard grammar |
| Mathematics (Paper I) | Easy to Moderate; NCERT Class I-V content |
| EVS (Paper I) | Easy; most scoring section |
| Maths-Science (Paper II) | Moderate; NCERT Class VI-VIII |
| Social Science (Paper II) | Easy to Moderate; NCERT-direct |
| Good Attempts Target (for 120+) | 118 to 130 correct out of 150 |
This forecast will be replaced with live analysis on September 6, 2026, within hours of the Paper I and Paper II conclusion.
Q1. Which section is easiest in CTET Paper I? EVS (Environmental Studies) is consistently the easiest section in CTET Paper I across all editions from 2022 to 2025. Questions are directly from NCERT Looking Around Class III, IV, and V textbooks.
Q2. Which section is toughest in CTET? CDP (Child Development and Pedagogy) is the most challenging section for many candidates because it requires genuine understanding of developmental psychology theories and their classroom applications, not just memorisation.
Q3. How many questions should I attempt in CTET for 110+ score? Since there is no negative marking, attempt all 150 questions. For 110+ score, target 110 to 115 correct answers, which means allowing yourself 35 to 40 questions where you are uncertain but still attempt (rather than leave blank).
Q4. Was CTET 2025 easier or harder than 2024? Both CTET 2025 and CTET 2024 editions were rated moderate overall with similar section-wise difficulty patterns. CTET has been consistently moderate since 2022 with no significant shift toward easy or hard.
Q5. Which is easier in Paper II — Social Science or Maths-Science? Social Science has been consistently rated easier than Maths-Science in Paper II across 2022 to 2025. However, choose based on your graduation subject background and intended teaching specialisation.