CTET exam-day guide
CTET · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed CTET admit card (carry two copies)
Download from the official CTET website and print on A4. Check name, paper, roll number, centre and reporting time. Carry one copy and keep a spare in your bag.
Original photo ID matching the admit card
Carry an original government photo ID from the list in the current information bulletin (for example Aadhaar, passport, PAN, voter ID or driving licence). A photocopy alone is usually not accepted; confirm the accepted ID list with the provider.
Passport-size photographs
needs_review: carry 2–3 recent colour photographs matching the one uploaded with your form. Confirm the exact number and specification from your admit card or the information bulletin.
Blue or black ballpoint pen
needs_review: carry two ballpoint pens. Confirm the permitted ink colour and whether pens are allowed on your admit card, because stationery instructions can change between cycles.
Transparent water bottle
needs_review: some centres allow a clear bottle with labels removed. Confirm centre rules before relying on it.
Simple analog watch (optional)
needs_review: a basic watch can help with timing, but smartwatches and any device with communication or storage are banned. Confirm whether wristwatches are allowed.
Centre location and travel plan
Check the address, nearest landmark and entry gate. Plan transport for the reporting time and add a buffer for traffic and security checks.
Prescribed reporting time and gate-closing time
Take these from your admit card, not from memory. Arrive early; late entry is usually not allowed after gate closing - confirm the exact cut-off with the provider.
Name-change or category documents
needs_review: if your ID name differs from the admit card, carry supporting originals such as a marriage certificate or gazette notification. Confirm the accepted documents with CBSE/CTET.
Prohibited-item plan
Leave phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, earphones, calculators and study material at home or with a companion. Centres usually do not provide secure storage.
Plan the day
Download and print your admit card. Verify every detail: name, paper, roll number, centre and reporting time. If there is an error, contact the official CTET unit immediately through the official channel.
Check that your photo ID is original, valid and matches the admit card name. Arrange any supporting document if the names differ.
Visit or map the centre. Estimate travel time, identify a backup route and decide how early you will leave.
Shift to an exam sleep schedule and avoid all-night study. Revise only high-yield notes: child development theorists, inclusive education terms, language pedagogy and mathematics pedagogy.
Pack a clear folder with the admit card, original ID, photographs, pens and water bottle if allowed. Keep it by the door.
Do a light revision of high-yield areas and stop by evening. Avoid starting a new topic or taking a full mock test late in the day.
Prepare comfortable clothes, check the weather, set two alarms and aim for 7–8 hours of sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast, use the washroom before entering the centre and carry only allowed items. Avoid heavy meals that make you drowsy.
Reach the centre before the reporting time, follow security checks and locate your room and seat without rushing.
Fill roll number, booklet number and other OMR details exactly as instructed. Check the booklet code and page count before starting.
Attempt in passes: easy questions first, then moderate, then difficult. Under the usual no-negative-marking scheme, confirm the current rule and leave no bubble blank unless instructions say otherwise.
Keep about 10–15 minutes to verify that answers are on the correct serial numbers and that the OMR sheet is not folded, smudged or wet.
Rules to check
Entry requires the printed admit card and an original photo ID. Carry both in one folder; without them the centre may refuse entry. Confirm the accepted ID list in the current information bulletin.
Electronic devices - phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth earpieces, calculators and storage devices - are prohibited. Possession can lead to cancellation or debarment; do not rely on centre storage.
There are normally no scheduled breaks, and you cannot leave the examination hall until the paper ends. Use the washroom before entry and follow the invigilator's instructions if you feel unwell.
CTET is a single-mark MCQ paper with no negative marking under the usual scheme: 150 questions carry 150 marks in 150 minutes. Confirm both points in the current information bulletin before relying on them.
Qualifying marks are generally 60% (90/150) for the general category, with relaxation for reserved categories as per government norms. Confirm the current qualifying threshold and your category's relaxation with CBSE/CTET.
Use only the pen or medium specified on the admit card. Darken OMR bubbles fully and do not scratch or fold the sheet. Do rough work only in the space provided in the booklet.
Maintain silence and do not communicate with other candidates. Any unfair means - talking, copying or carrying chits - can lead to cancellation of candidature.
Answer-key challenges and scorecard timelines are published by the official body. Check the official CTET website for dates and fees; do not act on unofficial messages or social-media forwards.