CTET Prep Tips that are Effective, and Often Overlooked
Every year, lakhs of aspiring teachers across India appear for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET). For many, this exam is the gateway to fulfilling their dream of becoming a teacher in government or private schools. Yet the reality is that only about 16.8% of candidates cleared the exam, a figure that reflects a long-standing trend of low pass percentages. Clearly, the issue is not just about effort but about preparation strategies that often miss the mark.
In the decades before and after Independence, a few remarkable women and men became the guiding lights of our nation’s learning journey. They were not just teachers or leaders; they were visionaries who imagined a nation where education belonged to everyone.
Most candidates are aware of the basics: study NCERT textbooks, practice mock tests, and manage time wisely. But the real difference often lies in less obvious approaches, the overlooked strategies that sharpen understanding and boost confidence. Based on our work with pre-service teachers (PSTs) across multiple states, we have seen first-hand how certain shifts in preparation can transform outcomes. Here, we highlight two such strategies that are simple yet powerful and can help you approach CTET with a new perspective.
Shifting from Candidate to Teacher Mindset
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for CTET aspirants is treating the exam like just another competitive test. But CTET is not only about recalling theories; it is about thinking like a teacher. This is especially true in the Child Development and Pedagogy (CDP) section, which makes up 30 marks. Many candidates struggle here because they memorize theorists and definitions without understanding how to apply them in real classroom situations.
For example, when a question poses how a teacher should respond to a child who is distracted, the answer that is correct does not come from recalling Piaget‘s stages, but instead thinking through those ideas in context. They were much more likely to succeed if the candidates constructed “teacher-like thinking“ while studying. This means not stopping with flashcards, but instead asking yourself: What would this concept actually look like in a classroom? How would I employ it to respond to students?
Reading Between the Lines in Language Papers
Another area that often is difficult for candidates is the language section. Many assume that being fluent in Hindi or English is enough, but CTET’s Language I and Language II papers test are focused on comprehension, inference, and pedagogy of language learning. Candidates frequently lose marks because they miss the deeper meaning in comprehension passages or fail to link theory with practical teaching methods.
Inculcating active reading habits, pausing to underline key points, summarizing passages in your own words, and connecting pedagogy questions with real-world classroom practices will help prepare you better. For instance, when faced with a question on teaching vocabulary, the right approach is not to recall definitions but to consider strategies like using real objects, flashcards, or story-based methods that align with child-centered learning.
How Sterlite EdIndia Foundation Supports PSTs
At Sterlite EdIndia Foundation, we believe that preparation for CTET should never feel like a lonely experience. We want to support pre-service teachers (PSTs) in their journey to becoming an empowered teacher. Empowerment is much more than just providing resources; it is about support, building confidence, and further developing professional identity.
Through our TeachAble app and digital learning modules, we provide an online environment for PSTs to take mock tests that are designed to replicate exam situations. We want PSTs to practice content and equip them not only with the mindset of a teacher but skills to apply when they are an effective teacher.
To understand the impact of our work, earlier this year, we conducted a large-scale feedback exercise to understand how our work is helping. We gathered insights from 1,371 pre-service teachers across 27 districts in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, representing 37 colleges. The results were encouraging, nearly 75% said their understanding improved through our courses and webinars, over 61% reported a boost in confidence after participating in training and workshops.
The voices of our beneficiaries speak louder than any data. As Kriti Moure, a 2nd-year D.El.Ed. student at DIET Raipur, shared “The online mock tests provided by Sterlite EdIndia Foundation at DIET Raipur were invaluable in my CTET/CGTET preparation. These tests closely mirrored the actual exam, helping me understand the format, manage time effectively, and identify my weaknesses. This focused approach boosted my confidence and prepared me for success.”
Cracking CTET is not just about hard work, it’s about working smart. By shifting from a candidate’s mindset to a teacher’s mindset, and by learning to read between the lines in the language papers, aspirants can gain a real edge. And with the right support system, mock tests, digital resources, and guided skill-building, success becomes far more attainable.
At Sterlite EdIndia Foundation, we are proud to walk alongside aspiring teachers on this journey. If you are preparing for CTET or other teacher eligibility exams, we invite you to explore our TeachAble app, practice with our mock tests, and benefit from the same resources that have already helped thousands of PSTs feel more confident and prepared.