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Quick summary of this article
Solving CTET previous year question papers is a proven way to prepare effectively for the exam, offering insight into the actual question pattern, high-weightage topics, and time management. A collection of 128 verified papers from 2018 to 2026, covering both Paper I (Classes I-V) and Paper II (Classes VI-VIII), is available to help candidates practice.
- Exam Format: CTET consists of 150 multiple-choice questions for 150 marks, with a 2.5-hour duration and no negative marking.
- Key Benefits: Practicing old papers helps identify frequently tested areas, build speed and accuracy, and reveal personal knowledge gaps for targeted revision.
- Smart Practice Strategy: Start with a diagnostic paper without time pressure, strengthen weak topics, then progress to timed, full-length attempts to simulate real exam conditions.
- Paper Selection: Choose Paper I for teaching primary classes (I-V) and Paper II for elementary classes (VI-VIII).
- Best Use: For optimal preparation, combine previous papers with syllabus study, concept revision, and online CBT mock tests for a complete exam simulation.
Cracking the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) takes more than memorising the syllabus. To score well, aspirants must study how questions are designed, recognise high-weightage areas, and practise pacing themselves through a 150-question exam. This is exactly where solving CTET previous year question papers becomes invaluable.
TargetExams brings you a well-structured collection of CTET previous papers from 2018 to 2026, covering Paper I and Paper II. All papers are verified and ready to download, giving you a solid base for practice.
Download CTET Previous Year Papers PDF
The papers are arranged neatly by examination session, paper type, and question set. Just pick the session you need and download the PDF straight away.
The collection holds 128 verified question-paper PDFs spanning CTET sessions from 2018 through 2026:
- CTET February 2026
- CTET December 2024
- CTET July 2024
- CTET January 2024
- CTET August 2023
- CTET December 2022
- CTET December 2021
- CTET January 2021
- CTET December 2019
- CTET July 2019
- CTET December 2018
Depending on the session, you will find both CTET Paper I and CTET Paper II papers here. You can also grab the complete set of CTET previous year papers PDF directly from the archive.
CTET Examination Pattern – Quick Summary
- Total Questions: 150 MCQs
- Total Marks: 150 Marks
- Marks per Question: 1 Mark
- Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
- Negative Marking: No negative marking
Because you must answer 150 questions in 150 minutes, time management is crucial. Previous-paper practice is a proven way to develop this ability.
What Makes Old Papers So Valuable?
Previous papers go beyond ordinary practice material — they reveal how CTET questions have really appeared in the exam hall.
Learn the Actual Paper Pattern
Studying the syllabus tells you what to cover, but old papers show you the exact style of questions, section-wise weightage, and the difficulty level you can expect.
Identify Frequently Tested Areas
When you review multiple years of papers, you notice certain chapters repeating often, sometimes in new formats. This helps you channel your revision energy where it counts.
Build Speed and Accuracy
Getting the right answer matters, but so does speed. Regular timed practice enhances reading pace, clarity of thought, accuracy, and overall time management.
Recognise Your Gaps
Look at every paper as a check-up. Once done, study each incorrect answer deeply and figure out whether the issue was concepts, reading, or carelessness — then work on it.
Choosing Between Paper I and Paper II
CTET Paper I
Paper I suits candidates who wish to teach Classes I to V. It evaluates the knowledge, aptitude, and pedagogy required for the primary stage. Practice CTET Paper I question papers regularly if this is your goal.
CTET Paper II
Paper II is intended for those who wish to teach Classes VI to VIII. It covers subject-specific components plus pedagogy and language areas. Candidates targeting elementary classes should practise CTET Paper II question papers.
A Smart Way to Use CTET Papers
Step 1: Cover the Basics First
Gain a decent hold over major syllabus areas before diving into full papers. Complete preparation is not mandatory, but basic knowledge makes practice more fruitful.
Step 2: Try Your First Paper Without Pressure
Treat the first paper as a diagnostic. Ignore the score and observe your strong and weak sections, hard concepts, slow questions, and repeated errors.
Step 3: Strengthen Weak Topics
Based on your analysis, revisit the concepts you found difficult. Revise and solve additional questions for those areas.
Step 4: Attempt Papers With a Timer
As you improve, simulate real exam conditions. Set 2 hours 30 minutes and answer all 150 questions without interruptions.
Step 5: Review Every Attempt
The review after a test is often more useful than the test itself. Maintain a notebook following: Question/Topic → Your Mistake → Correct Concept → Revision Required, and revisit it before the next mock.
Try CTET CBT Mock Tests Online
While PDF papers work well for revision, online CBT practice adds genuine exam simulation. TargetExams offers CTET papers in an online practice environment for selected exams with a countdown timer, question navigation, automatic scoring, an exam-style interface, detailed solutions, and full-length mock papers.
Study → Practise Topic Questions → Solve Previous Papers → Attempt CBT Mock Tests → Analyse Mistakes → Revise → Repeat
How Many CTET Previous Papers to Practise?
There is no magic number, yet one or two papers are rarely sufficient. Begin with older sessions and progressively move towards recent ones.
- Phase 1: Solve older papers to learn the pattern.
- Phase 2: Revise based on your mistakes.
- Phase 3: Attempt recent papers under timed conditions.
- Phase 4: Take full-length mocks for final preparation.
The real objective is not quantity — it is to learn something valuable from every paper.
Benefits of Solving CTET Old Papers
- Learn the exact question format of CTET
- Become familiar with both paper structures
- Identify concepts that repeat frequently
- Measure your current level of preparation
- Boost speed and accuracy
- Improve time management skills
- Uncover weak chapters in advance
- Overcome nervousness around full-length tests
- Build a targeted revision strategy
- Gain confidence with consistent practice
Common CTET Questions – Answered
Where can I get CTET previous year question papers?
You can download CTET previous-year papers, arranged by session and paper, on TargetExams. The collection spans 2018 to 2026.
Are both Paper I and Paper II available?
Yes — the archive covers Paper I (Classes I–V) and Paper II (Classes VI–VIII) as released each session.
How many questions does CTET have?
CTET consists of 150 MCQs worth 150 marks.
Does CTET have negative marking?
No, there is no negative marking in the exam.
How long is the CTET exam?
The duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Are old papers enough for CTET?
They are highly useful, but best combined with syllabus study, concept revision, and mock tests.
Can beginners use CTET previous papers?
Absolutely — begin with a diagnostic paper, then move to timed full-length attempts after covering the syllabus.
Begin Your CTET Preparation Now
Mixing conceptual study with real exam practice brings structure to your CTET preparation. Old papers reveal how questions are framed, highlight weak areas, improve speed, and show whether your preparation is progressing well.
TargetExams offers a big archive of CTET Previous Year Question Papers from 2018 to 2026, covering Paper I and Paper II, along with selected online CBT mock tests.
Stop reading endlessly and start practising. Download a paper, set the timer, solve it seriously, analyse each mistake, and improve your next score.