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CTET has been conducted since 2011, giving aspirants access to 14+ years of authentic question papers spanning 21 editions. This PYQ bank is the most valuable preparation resource available for CTET 2026 — more reliable than any coaching module or reference book — because it directly reveals what CBSE actually tests rather than what anyone predicts they will test.
Analysis of CTET papers from 2011 to 2025 reveals remarkably consistent patterns. Piaget's stages of cognitive development appear in every single edition. RTE Act 2009 provisions appear in every paper. EVS questions directly from NCERT Looking Around books appear across every Paper I. These patterns do not emerge from a single year's observation; they are confirmed over 14 years and 21 editions. Solving PYQs systematically is the most efficient way to identify these high-probability question areas and ensure your preparation covers them deeply.
This page covers: the complete CTET PYQ library from 2011 to 2025, section-wise question frequency analysis for CDP, Languages, Mathematics, EVS, Science, and Social Science, the most repeated concepts across all editions, how to use PYQs at each preparation phase, and direct access to the complete PYQ repository.
Access all CTET previous year questions with solutions here: CTET PYQ
Visit the CTET complete guide for the full exam overview.
| Edition Exam Date Papers Notable Feature | |||
| CTET 1st to 7th (2011-2016) | Multiple dates | Paper I and II | Pattern establishment phase |
| CTET 8th-12th (2016-2019) | Multiple dates | Paper I and II | Stable pattern; increased CDP application questions |
| CTET 13th (2019) | July 7, 2019 | Paper I and II | Pre-COVID; standard edition |
| CTET 14th (2021) | December 16, 2021 | Paper I and II | Post-COVID restart; high candidate count |
| CTET 15th (2022) | December 2022 | Paper I and II | |
| CTET 16th (2023) | February 2023 | Paper I and II | |
| CTET 17th (2023) | August 20, 2023 | Paper I and II | |
| CTET 18th (2024) | January 21, 2024 | Paper I and II | |
| CTET 19th (2024) | July 7, 2024 | Paper I and II | |
| CTET 20th (2025) | January 2025 | Paper I and II | 21st Edition; current most recent |
Each CTET edition produces multiple paper sets (Set A, B, C, D or equivalent) with the same questions but different question orders. Solving 2 to 3 sets from each edition provides complete coverage of that edition's question bank.
Access the complete PYQ library: CTET PYQ
No coaching module can predict what CBSE will ask as accurately as 14 years of actual papers reveal what CBSE has consistently asked. CDP questions on Piaget's pre-operational stage characteristics have appeared in multiple editions. RTE Act Section 16 (no detention) and Section 17 (no corporal punishment) appear almost every year. NCERT EVS questions on water sources and animal adaptations appear repeatedly. This is not coincidence — it is CBSE's testing philosophy made visible through PYQ analysis.
CTET questions are at a specific difficulty level — easier than competitive exams like KVS TGT written test but requiring genuine pedagogical understanding beyond what a simple NCERT reading produces. Reference book problems are often either easier (too direct) or harder (too conceptual for CTET level). PYQs are calibrated at exactly the right difficulty for CTET preparation.
CTET questions have a distinctive format, particularly for CDP. Scenario-based questions like "A child in Class III cannot perform addition despite repeated practice — the teacher should..." require recognising the error pattern (dyscalculia indicators vs procedural errors vs insufficient practice) and selecting the pedagogically appropriate response. This question format, repeated across editions, trains the specific analytical skill needed for CDP success.
| Concept Editions Appeared Typical Question Format | ||
| Piaget's Concrete Operational Stage | Every edition | Scenario: "A child can conserve but cannot think abstractly — which stage?" |
| Piaget's Pre-Operational Stage | Every edition | Scenario: "A child believes the moon follows them — which stage?" |
| Vygotsky's ZPD | Every edition | "A child cannot solve a problem alone but succeeds with teacher guidance — this illustrates..." |
| Vygotsky's Scaffolding | Every edition | Application: what the teacher should do to help a struggling student |
| Kohlberg Stage 3 (Interpersonal Concordance) | Most editions | "A child follows rules to gain approval from others — which stage?" |
| RTE Act Section 16 (No Detention) | Every edition | Direct: "Until which class cannot a child be detained?" |
| RTE Act Section 17 (No Corporal Punishment) | Every edition | Direct: "Which section prohibits physical punishment?" |
| Gardner's Multiple Intelligences | Most editions | Application: "A child excels in music but struggles with reading — which intelligence type?" |
| Dyslexia | Every edition | Scenario: "A child reverses letters while reading — this may indicate..." |
| Formative Assessment | Every edition | "Which type of assessment is used throughout learning to improve student performance?" |
| Inclusive Education | Every edition | Scenario: hearing-impaired/visually impaired child in mainstream classroom |
| NCF 2005 Vision | Most editions | "NCF 2005 recommends which approach to learning?" |
| Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation | Most editions | Application question with classroom scenario |
| Maslow's Hierarchy | Most editions | "Which need must be satisfied before a child can focus on learning?" |
| Constructivism | Every edition | "A teacher who builds on children's existing knowledge is following which approach?" |
| Sub-Section Average Questions Trend | ||
| Child Development (Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, theories) | 12 to 15 | Stable |
| Inclusive Education (disabilities, RTE, diversity) | 5 to 7 | Increasing since 2022 |
| Learning and Pedagogy (assessment, motivation, constructivism) | 8 to 10 | Stable with more NEP 2020 references recently |
| Concept Frequency | |
| Communicative Approach to Language Teaching | Every edition |
| Error Analysis in Language Learning | Every edition |
| Difference between L1, L2 acquisition | Most editions |
| Role of mother tongue in second language learning | Most editions |
| Chomsky's Language Acquisition Device (LAD) | Most editions |
| Cloze test as assessment tool | Most editions |
| Remedial teaching for language difficulties | Most editions |
| LSRW skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) | Every edition |
| Portfolio assessment in language | Some editions |
Passages have been drawn from diverse domains in recent editions:
| Topic Frequency Average Questions | ||
| Fractions (operations, equivalence) | Every edition | 3 to 4 |
| Number system (factors, multiples, prime numbers) | Every edition | 3 to 4 |
| Basic geometry (shapes, angles, symmetry) | Every edition | 3 to 4 |
| Measurement (length, weight, capacity, time) | Every edition | 2 to 3 |
| Data handling (pictograph, bar graph reading) | Most editions | 1 to 2 |
| Arithmetic (percentage, profit, simple interest) | Some editions | 1 to 2 |
| Pedagogy Concept Frequency | |
| Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) Approach | Every edition |
| Common mathematical errors and misconceptions | Every edition |
| Diagnostic assessment in Mathematics | Most editions |
| Van Hiele levels of geometric understanding | Some editions |
| Dienes' stages of mathematical concept development | Some editions |
| Problem-solving approaches in Mathematics | Most editions |
| Topic Frequency Average Questions | ||
| Linear equations (one variable) | Every edition | 2 to 3 |
| Ratio and proportion | Every edition | 2 to 3 |
| Mensuration (area, perimeter, volume) | Every edition | 3 to 4 |
| Data handling (mean, median, mode) | Every edition | 2 to 3 |
| Number system (integers, rational numbers, exponents) | Every edition | 2 to 3 |
| Basic algebra (expressions, identities) | Most editions | 2 to 3 |
| Pythagoras theorem applications | Most editions | 1 to 2 |
EVS has the highest PYQ repetition rate in CTET because the content is directly from NCERT Looking Around (Class III, IV, V) and CBSE consistently tests the same themes.
| Theme Average Questions Specific Topics | ||
| Animals (characteristics, habitats, adaptations) | 4 to 5 | Roosting birds, migratory birds, animal senses |
| Water (sources, conservation, purification) | 3 to 4 | Rainwater harvesting, water cycle, water pollution |
| Food (sources, preparation, preservation) | 2 to 3 | Food chains, cooking methods, food diversity |
| Plants (parts, photosynthesis basics, diversity) | 2 to 3 | Leaf types, plant adaptations, seeds |
| Family and Community | 2 to 3 | Occupations, relationships, community helpers |
| Shelter (types of houses, materials) | 1 to 2 | Houses across regions, animal shelters |
| Travel and Transport | 1 to 2 | History of transport, modes of travel |
| Concept Frequency | |
| Integrated nature of EVS (combining Science and Social Science) | Every edition |
| Activity-based and experiential learning in EVS | Every edition |
| Field trips and observations as EVS pedagogy | Most editions |
| Discussion-based learning | Most editions |
| Storytelling as EVS teaching approach | Some editions |
| Topic Frequency Average Questions | ||
| Harappan Civilisation (drainage system, trade) | Every edition | 1 to 2 |
| Mughal Empire (administration, culture) | Every edition | 2 to 3 |
| 1857 Revolt (causes, centres, outcome) | Every edition | 1 to 2 |
| Indian National Movement (Gandhi's movements) | Every edition | 3 to 4 |
| Partition and Independence | Every edition | 1 to 2 |
| Framing of the Constitution | Every edition | 1 to 2 |
| Medieval Bhakti and Sufi movements | Most editions | 1 to 2 |
| Topic Frequency | |
| Natural vegetation and wildlife | Every edition |
| Water resources and rivers | Every edition |
| Minerals and energy resources | Most editions |
| Agriculture (types, crops, crop patterns) | Most editions |
| Population distribution | Some editions |
| Topic Frequency | |
| Democratic principles and elections | Every edition |
| Fundamental Rights and Duties | Every edition |
| Panchayati Raj system | Most editions |
| Parliament and its functions | Most editions |
| Gender equality and social justice | Most editions |
After completing CDP theory (Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, RTE Act), solve all CDP PYQs from 2019 to 2025. After completing NCERT EVS books, solve all EVS PYQs. This reveals which specific NCERT paragraphs and which theory applications CBSE tests most.
Solve complete 150-question papers from recent editions (2022 to 2025) under the 150-minute time limit. This builds exam-condition accuracy and speed.
In the final 30 days, use PYQs as rapid revision tools. Solve 50 CDP questions from across editions to reinforce theory applications. Solve 100 EVS questions to consolidate NCERT content recall.
Q1. How many years of CTET PYQs should I solve? Solve at least the last 5 to 6 years (2019 to 2025). For CDP specifically, solving 10+ years of papers reveals the highly consistent question patterns. Full 14-year PYQ coverage (2011 to 2025) is available at CTET PYQ.
Q2. Are CTET questions repeated from previous years? CBSE does not repeat verbatim questions across editions. However, the concepts, theories, and NCERT content areas tested are remarkably consistent. Piaget's stages, RTE Act sections, EVS themes, and specific NCERT Social Science topics appear in similar forms across multiple years.
Q3. Which year's CTET papers are most relevant for 2026 preparation? The most recent editions (2022 to 2025) are most pattern-accurate. However, CDP questions from 2011 onwards are all equally relevant since CDP content has not changed.
Q4. Should I solve Paper I PYQs if I am appearing only in Paper II? CDP questions are the same across both papers. Solving CDP questions from both Paper I and Paper II PYQs doubles your exposure to CDP question patterns. For subject sections, focus on your specific paper's subject PYQs.