Is CTET preparation enough for your state TET?
By EasyCTET Research Team · Last checked: 3 October 2026 · From the official bulletins, syllabus documents and recruitment notices of each exam board.
Short answer: mostly yes for the teaching part of the exam. A large share of every TET is pedagogy (how children learn and how to teach), and that is where CTET practice carries over. What you add is the state's own content: local language, local GK and grammar.
Where CTET practice pays off most: the pedagogy marks
Child development and pedagogy is the part most teachers find hardest, and it carries the most marks. This table shows how much of each exam's own topics your CTET practice already covers, split into the child-development part, the subject-pedagogy part and the content part.
| Exam paper | Child development & learning (CDP) | Subject pedagogy (languages, maths, EVS, science, social) | Content topics shared with CTET |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTET Cat 1 (classes 1-5) | ~85% | ~65% | ~75% |
| KTET Cat 2 (classes 6-8) | ~80% | ~80% | ~60% |
| UPTET Paper 1 (classes 1-5) | ~75% | ~100% | ~80% |
| UPTET Paper 2 (classes 6-8) | ~75% | ~100% | ~80% |
| REET Level 1 (classes 1-5) | ~75% | n/a | ~60%* |
| REET Level 2 (classes 6-8) | ~75% | n/a | ~65%* |
| MPTET primary (in-service) | ~95% | ~95%* | ~95%* |
| HTET Level 1 (classes 1-5) | ~85%* | n/a | ~80% |
| HTET Level 2 (classes 6-8) | ~85%* | n/a | n/a |
Each percentage is the share of the exam's topics that CTET practice also covers (a matching topic counts fully, a similar one counts half; topics only the exam has count as not covered), rounded to the nearest 5. They describe syllabus overlap, not the questions in the app and not a score prediction. * = some language sections not yet compared. HTET figures are indicative: they rest on one past Level 2 paper and an unverified syllabus summary, because the board publishes no topic list. Spot-check, 3 October 2026: every child-development topic for KTET Category 1, UPTET Paper 1 and REET Level 1, plus a random sample of subject topics, was re-read against the official syllabus; the mapping held, with one borderline call.
Theories and theorists: CTET lists Piaget, Kohlberg and Vygotsky. UPTET, MPTET and KTET also name the learning theorists Thorndike, Pavlov, Skinner and Kohler, and REET lists the theories of learning, so make sure your child-development practice includes those too. That is the main CDP gap between CTET and the state exams.
What CTET practice covers, exam by exam
| Exam paper | Child dev. | Language I | Language II | Maths | EVS / Science / Social | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTET Cat 1 (classes 1-5) | Covered~85% | Partly | Partly~75% | Covered~90% | Partly~60% | – |
| KTET Cat 2 (classes 6-8) | Covered~85% | Partly | Covered~95% | – | Partly | – |
| UPTET Paper 1 (classes 1-5) | Partly~75% | Partly | Add-on | Covered~95% | Covered~95% | – |
| UPTET Paper 2 (classes 6-8) | Partly~75% | Partly | Add-on | – | Covered~95% | – |
| REET Level 1 (classes 1-5) | Partly~75% | Not compared | Not compared | Covered~90% | Partly | – |
| REET Level 2 (classes 6-8) | Partly~75% | Not compared | Not compared | – | Partly | – |
| MPTET primary (in-service) | Covered~95% | Covered~95% | Covered~100% | Covered~95% | Not compared | – |
| HTET Level 1 (classes 1-5) | Partly | Add-on | – | Likely | Likely | Add-on |
| HTET Level 2 (classes 6-8) | Partly | Add-on | – | – | Not compared | Add-on |
Each exam paper compared topic by topic with CTET, using the official syllabus. Open an exam card below to see its sections as a 150-mark bar.
How to use it
Why CTET practice travels well
Counts from CTET September 2026 Information Bulletin, Appendix I.
All exams at a glance
| CTET | KTET | UPTET | REET | MPTET | HTET | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does CTET count here? | Accepted by central schools such as KVS and NVS. Marks needed by category: CTET passing marks by employer | Partly. CTET Paper 1 replaces KTET Category 1 (LP posts) and Paper 2 replaces Category 2 (UP posts). Not accepted in place of Category 3. | Yes, for primary. UP's 2026 assistant teacher (primary) recruitment accepts a TET held by the state or the Government of India, so UPTET or CTET for classes 1–5. | No. RSSB's 2025 primary and upper primary teacher recruitment asked for REET (2022 or 2025). | No, for fresh primary posts. The Primary Teacher Selection Test 2025 was open only to those who passed MP's own primary teacher eligibility test (2020 or 2024). | Not in recent notices. HSSC's primary teacher recruitment (Advt. 05/2024) asked for HTET/STET. |
| Syllabus carry-over from CTET | – | Very high / High | High | Very high / High | Very high | Likely high |
| Structure | Paper 1 (classes 1–5), Paper 2 (6–8) | Categories 1–4 (Cat 1: 1–5, Cat 2: 6–8, Cat 3: high school, Cat 4: language/specialist) | Paper 1 (1–5), Paper 2 (6–8) | Level 1 (1–5), Level 2 (6–8) | 2026 test for in-service teachers (primary and middle) | Level 1 (1–5), Level 2 (6–8), Level 3 (PGT) |
| Negative marking | No | No | No | Wrong answers: no penalty. A question left with no option marked loses ⅓ mark (tick option E to skip) | No | No |
| Pass mark (General) | 60% | 60% General; 55% reserved categories; 50% disability | See the notification | 60% General; 55% SC/OBC/MBC/EWS | 60% others; 50% SC/ST/OBC/PwD/EWS | 60% General; 55% SC/disabled of Haryana |
| Certificate validity | Lifetime | Check the notification | See the notification | Lifetime | Check the rulebook | Lifetime |
| Next exam | See ctet.nic.in | 14–15 Nov 2026 | See upessc.up.gov.in | Per REET-2024 notification | 12 Oct 2026. Not valid for fresh recruitment | HTET-2026 announced, no dates yet |
"Does CTET count here?" is taken from each state's latest teacher recruitment notice we could find (listed under Sources). Syllabus carry-over compares the topics we checked (Very high, High, Partial, Low). HTET is marked "Likely" because the board publishes no topic list. Eligibility rules differ by exam and change; read the official notice before you apply.
What to do for each exam
KTETOverlap with CTET: Very high / High
Your CTET practice carries over well, especially for classes 1–8. Add the Kerala-specific parts.
60 marks in sections CTET practice covers well · 90 partly covered (of 150)
60 marks in sections CTET practice covers well · 90 partly covered (of 150)
Covered by CTET practice
- Child development, learning and inclusive education
- Maths and EVS pedagogy
- English language pedagogy and comprehension
Add on top
- Mother-tongue paper (Malayalam, Tamil or Kannada)
- Kerala-specific curriculum questions
- Learning theories and personality in more detail
- Category 2: economics and Kerala history and geography
Not covered / unknown
- Category 3 and 4 subject papers (secondary level or specialist)
UPTETOverlap with CTET: High
The pedagogy you practise for CTET applies here too. UPTET adds heavy grammar, so budget extra time for it.
60 marks in sections CTET practice covers well · 60 partly covered · 30 need an add-on (of 150)
60 marks in sections CTET practice covers well · 60 partly covered · 30 need an add-on (of 150)
Covered by CTET practice
- Child development, learning theories and inclusive education
- Hindi language pedagogy
- Maths and EVS content and pedagogy
- Paper 2: science and social studies pedagogy
Add on top
- Hindi and English grammar (sandhi, samas, alankar, tenses, voice...)
- Uttar Pradesh geography and civics
- Paper 2: home science, physical education, music and similar sections for those subject teachers
Not covered / unknown
- UPTET does not list assessment/CCE or intelligence, so skip those unless you also sit CTET
REETOverlap with CTET: Very high / High
Most of the pedagogy matches. Add Rajasthan-specific content and learn the blank-answer rule before exam day.
30 marks in sections CTET practice covers well · 60 partly covered · 60 not compared yet (of 150)
90 partly covered · 60 not compared yet (of 150)
Covered by CTET practice
- Child development and learning
- Maths and EVS pedagogy
- Level 2: science and social studies pedagogy
Add on top
- Rajasthan content in EVS and Level 2 social studies
- Applied arithmetic (profit and loss, interest, HCF/LCM)
- Personality, action research and RTE Act 2009
Not covered / unknown
- Language papers: we have not yet compared the Hindi, English and other language syllabi
Exam-day tip from the REET-2024 notification: wrong answers carry no penalty, but a question with none of the five options marked loses ⅓ mark.
MPTETOverlap with CTET: Very high
The 2026 test is only for teachers already in service, and its result is not valid for fresh recruitment.
120 marks in sections CTET practice covers well · 30 not compared yet (of 150)
Covered by CTET practice
- Child development, learning and inclusive education (almost the same text as CTET)
- Language II pedagogy
- Maths content and pedagogy
Add on top
- Mental health and behaviour problems, guidance and counselling, child delinquency
Not covered / unknown
- EVS details were not listed in full in the rulebook we read
HTETOverlap with CTET: Likely high
The board publishes no topic list, but a past Level 2 paper shows what to expect: child-development questions lean on named theorists, and the language marks are pure grammar.
60 likely covered (no topic list) · 30 partly covered · 60 need an add-on (of 150)
30 partly covered · 60 need an add-on · 60 not compared yet (of 150)
Covered by CTET practice
- Child development and learning (30 marks): your CTET practice carries over
- Inclusive education and learning difficulties
Add on top
- Go deeper on named theories: intelligence tests, motivation theorists (Maslow, McClelland), Gagne, Sternberg, Thorndike's laws, Kohlberg's stages
- Hindi (15) and English (15) grammar and vocabulary
- General Studies (30 marks): quantitative aptitude, reasoning and Haryana GK, 10 marks each
Not covered / unknown
- Level 1 maths and EVS: no official topic list, so check the board's sample papers
- Level 2 and 3 subject papers (60 marks) need subject study
Evidence: the board's 2023 sample paper for Level 2 (Mathematics, Set A). Level 1 papers were not available to us.
Practise this way with EasyCTET
- Start with the pedagogy topics, since they count for the most marks and carry across exams.
- Take a mock test offline and note your weak topics.
- Add the state-specific items from the "Add on top" list for your exam.
EasyCTET works offline, with no sign-up and no phone number. Get EasyCTET on Google Play
Preparing for KTET Category 3 or 4?
These are different exams. Category 3 (high school) has 40 marks of adolescent psychology, learning theories and teaching aptitude, 30 marks of language, and 80 marks of subject content for classes 8 to 10. Category 4 is for language and specialist teachers. CTET practice helps with the psychology and teaching-aptitude part, but not with the subject content, which needs its own study.
Common questions
Can I use the CTET certificate for a state job?
It depends on the state. CTET counts for UP primary posts and, in Kerala, in place of KTET Category 1 and 2. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana asked for their own TET in their latest recruitment. See the "Does CTET count here?" row above, and always check the recruitment notice you are applying under.
How accurate is this comparison?
We read the official syllabus and bulletin of each exam and compared them topic by topic. The comparison is an independent study aid, not issued by any exam board, and syllabi change, so check the board's website before each exam.
Sources
Syllabus and exam documents
- CBSE, CTET September 2026 Information Bulletin.
- Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan, K-TET September 2026 notification and Category I, II, III and IV syllabus documents.
- UPESSC, UPTET syllabus documents, Primary and Upper Primary (upessc.up.gov.in).
- Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan, REET-2024 notification and syllabus files.
- MP Employees Selection Board, 2026 eligibility test rulebook for in-service teachers.
- Board of School Education Haryana, HTET-2025 Information Bulletin.
Recruitment notices behind "Does CTET count here?"
- Kerala PSC, L P School Teacher notification, Category No. 239–241/2025, citing G.O.(P) No. 6/2024/G.Edn dated 01.02.2024.
- UPESSC, Assistant Teacher (Primary) Selection Examination 2026, Advt. No. 05/2026, clause 7.
- Rajasthan Staff Selection Board, Primary and Upper Primary School Teacher recruitment 2025 (rssb.rajasthan.gov.in).
- MP Employees Selection Board, Primary Teacher Selection Test 2025 rulebook.
- Haryana Staff Selection Commission, Primary Teacher (Mewat cadre) recruitment, Advt. No. 05/2024 (hssc.gov.in).
- Central schools: CBSE for KVS and NVS, Recruitment Notification 01/2025.