What is a Good Score in CTET Exam 2026?

Wondering what is a good score in CTET 2026? A score of 90 marks and above (60%)is the passing mark for general category candidates. Those scoring at least 90 out of 150 will be CTET-qualified. However, for better shortlisting chances in teacher recruitment, a score of 100–120 marks is considered a strong and competitive score. Historically, 20%-30% of candidates qualify in each cycle of the CTET exam. The CTET 2026 Exam , to be conducted by CBSE under NCTE guidelines, assesses eligibility for teaching Classes 1 to 8 in Central Government schools. Let's delve into what constitutes a good score in CTET 2026.

What is CTET Score and award of certificate?

CTET results are announced by CBSE on the official website - ctet.nic.in. It is released in the form of a mark sheet or a certificate is awarded with details such as the Candidate’s name, roll number, father’s and mother's name, category, subjects, exam qualifying status, marks obtained in each subject, and the total score. Hence, CTET scores are a combination of the total score and subject-wise scores.

A qualifying marks in CTET 2026 is generally considered to be 90 marks and above, which corresponds to 60% and is the minimum qualifying mark for the General category. However, candidates targeting central government teaching jobs are advised to aim for a higher score for better shortlisting prospects.

CTET Score Calculation:

The CTET score is calculated based on the raw score, which is the total number of correct answers marked by the candidate. Each correct answer carries 1 mark, and there is no negative marking.

If the examination is conducted in multiple shifts, normalisation may be applied by CBSE to ensure fairness across shifts. The final CTET result is declared only in marks, and no ranks or percentile scores are released.

Given below is a sample of a CTET scorecard:

CTET 2024 Qualifying Marks

The exam conducting authority decides the qualifying marks for the CTET 2026. It is mandatory for them to obtain a score of 60% to qualify for the test, which means 60% marks or above in the exam is a good score. Overall, the CTET exam 2026 is of 150 marks. Hence, to clear the exam, candidates will have to score at least 90 or more. The candidates with 90 marks will become eligible for a CTET certificate 2026 . After the results are announced by the CBSE, the authority will provide eligibility certificates to the qualified applicants.
Notably, as notified by NCTE, relaxation of up to 5% in the CTET passing marks, and educational qualification for eligibility will be allowed to candidates belonging to reserved categories including SC/ST/ OBC/Differently-abled. Check out the good score in CTET below:

Note: The CTET Qualifying Cutoff for Female candidates is the same as that of other candidates for all categories. This means that a female candidate from the General category has to score 60% and a female candidate from the reserved categories has to score 55% in order to qualify for the CTET exam.

What is CTET Cut Off?

CTET does not have a cut-off in the traditional sense. Instead, as discussed above, CBSE follows fixed qualifying marks prescribed by NCTE, which candidates must score to be declared CTET qualified.
The CTET exam will consist of two papers - Paper 1 and Paper 2. In each of the papers, candidates will have to answer 150 questions. Each question will be of one mark. The general category candidates need to score 90 marks out of 150 marks. The candidates from reserved categories need only 82 marks to qualify for CTET.

Also Read : List of Documents Required to Fill CTET Form

Factors Affecting CTET 2026 Cut-off Scores

There are various factors to suggest the exact Cutoff marks for CTET 2024. The cut-off is the minimum qualifying marks that candidates must score to match the eligibility and achieve the CTET Certificate. The cut-off score will be determined by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Let us check out some of the important factors that affect the CTET Cut-off 2026:

• Number of Total Candidates Appeared for Exam
• Difficulty Level of Exam
• Availability of Seats
• Previous Year Cutoff
• Availability of Seats
• Category of Candidate

Also Read : CTET 2024 Application Form Correction

Why Obtain a Good Score in CTET 2026

Scoring above the CTET cutoff marks is essential for qualifying the exam and becoming eligible for teaching positions in central government schools in India. CTET is a mandatory qualification requirement for individuals aspiring to become teachers in central government schools for classes I to VIII. Scoring above the cutoff marks ensures that you meet this requirement. Only candidates who score above the cutoff marks are considered eligible for teaching positions in central government schools. Without qualifying CTET, your application for such positions may not be considered.
The teaching field can be competitive, especially for government school positions. Scoring above the cutoff marks gives you a competitive edge over candidates who score below the cutoff. Many schools require CTET qualifications for teacher recruitment. CTET qualification can contribute to your career growth. Many schools and educational institutions offer better pay scales and career advancement opportunities to qualified teachers.

Tips to Get a Good Score in CTET 2026

There are some essential tips that can help aspirants to get a good score in CTET 2026 exam easily. Take a look at them:

• Candidates must always keep track of time while attempting the previous year question papers. It is highly important for candidates to divide the required time for all questions. So, without wasting time, one must prepare and manage to answer all questions within the given time.
• While preparing for the CTET exam, it is necessary to plan a strategy that helps in covering the syllabus and solving the previous year questions. Regular practice will also help you in improving your performance in the exam hall.
• Speed and Accuracy plan a vital role in competitive exams. If candidates get stuck with a question, they will get confused and lose time to solve other questions.
• Practice is crucial. Solve CTET sample papers, and previous years' question papers, and take mock tests. This will help you get accustomed to the exam pattern and time constraints.
• Instead of memorizing, focus on understanding the underlying concepts. This will help you solve problems more effectively and handle different question types.

Candidates must also check out the articles mentioned below to learn more about the CTET exam!

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Candidates who have any doubts regarding the CTET 2026 exam may ask questions on the Collegedekho QnA zone . For more such articles on CTET, stay tuned to CollegeDekho!