The CTET exam opens a lot of doors to aspirants seeking to become teachers. Once you clear the CTET Paper 1 and Paper2, you can teach the students of Classes I to VIII. However, to ace this exam, you need a study plan and the right study materials. You need to choose the right set of books for CTET exam preparation with extra care.
How to prepare for the CTET examination?
The following steps will help you prepare beneficially for the CTET examination:
- Child development & pedagogy is the most important concept to focus on while preparing for the CTET exam. The exam contains so many questions on this subject. Moreover, it makes you a better teacher.
- Identify the concepts and areas where you are weaker and try to work on them. Spend more time brushing through those topics, to improve your knowledge in those areas.
- Also, try solving as many question banks and mock tests as you can. This will give you consistent practice to write the exam. It also helps you familiarize yourself with the examination process.
- Moreover, solve a lot of previous years’ question papers. This will help you get acquainted with the types of questions that are asked in the exam. You may also identify a few repeated questions and learn them.
- Solving lots of CTET-type questions can also improve your speed. This way you can improve your time management skills and finish your exam in time.
- Realize from your mistakes and work on them. Try not to repeat a mistake more than once.
- Most importantly, do not lose your cool. Stay calm and familiarize yourself with the exam pattern. Keep practicing to improve your performance and boost your confidence.
Tips to bear in mind while preparing for the CTET exam
- Devise a proper study plan. Include all the concepts in the syllabus and allow enough time to prepare each of them. Also, make sure you follow the plan religiously.
- Read a lot of study material. This will help increase your reading speed. Likewise, it helps you solve questions faster, and consequently, finish your exam sooner.
- Since there is no negative marking for the wrong questions, make sure you attempt all of the questions in the paper. Hence, do not leave any of the questions without answering.
- Also, learn the art of segregating the most time-consuming questions from the rest. This trick will help you identify such questions on reading the question paper. Hence, you can save these questions for the end and solve the rest in the exam.
- Do not spend too much time on a single question. Hence, if you find any of the questions complicated and time-consuming, skip the question and solve the rest. You can come back to it at closure if your time permits. Even then, do not leave it unanswered.
How do you choose the right books for CTET preparation?
- You need to reflect on a few factors before selecting the right books for your preparation. Following are aspects to consider when books:
- Firstly, ensure that you notice the year of publication of the books when selecting them.
- Opt for books authored in a simple and easy language. Hence, they help you understand the topics better and easier.
- Just as the old saying goes…Do not judge a book by its cover. An eye-catching cover does not mean it has useful content. Thus, before purchasing your books, read through the index and the topics covered in them.
- Also, the syllabus of the CTET exam may be updated once in a while. Hence, ensure that you purchase the latest edition of all the books. Moreover, make sure the books include all the topics in the current syllabus.
- Finally, you need to analyze the exam pattern and syllabus of the exam before purchasing books. Moreover, you can also buy books that include mock papers, sample questions, and previous years’ question papers.
Best books to prepare for CTET Paper 1 and Paper 2
The CTET examination comprises two different papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2. Candidates who wish to teach for Classes I to V (Primary grades) can attempt Paper 1. Likewise, candidates who wish to teach for Classes VI to VIII (Elementary grades) can attempt Paper 2.
Listed below are some of the books to buy when preparing for Paper 1:
SUBJECT | NAME OF THE BOOK | AUTHOR/PUBLICATION |
Mathematics | CTET & TETs for Class I-V Mathematics & Pedagogy | Arihant Experts |
Environmental Studies | CTET & TETs for Class I-V Environmental Studies & Pedagogy | Arihant Experts |
Child Development & Pedagogy | CTET & TETs for Class I-V Child Development & Pedagogy | Arihant Experts |
Similarly, given below are some of the books you can buy when preparing for Paper 2:
SUBJECT | NAME OF THE BOOK | AUTHOR/PUBLICATION |
Social Science | CTET Success Master Social Science/Social Studies Paper II for Class VI-VIII | Arihant Experts |
Child Development & Pedagogy | CTET & TETs for Class I-V Child Development & Pedagogy | Arihant Experts |
Child Development & Pedagogy | A Complete Resource for CTET: Child Development & Pedagogy | Sandeep Kumar |
Science & Mathematics | CTET Success Master Paper II Teacher Selection for Class VI-VIII | Arihant Experts |
Likewise, listed below are some of the books to buy for English Language section in the CTET exam:
NAME OF THE BOOK | AUTHOR/ PUBLICATION |
CTET & TETs English Language & Pedagogy | Arihant Experts |
A Complete Resource for CTET: English Language & Pedagogy | Geeta Sahni |
Few other books for CTET exam preparation
NAME OF THE BOOK | AUTHOR/PUBLICATION |
Child Development & Pedagogy | Arihant Publication |
Child Development & Pedagogy | Disha Publication |
Child Development & Pedagogy: Paper 1 & 2 of CTET | Shalini Punjabi |
Hindi Language | Arihant Publication |
A Complete Resource for CTET: Mathematics & Pedagogy | Haneet Gandhi |
CTET & TETs for Class VI-VIII: Mathematics & Pedagogy | Arihant Experts |
A Complete Resource for CTET: Science & Pedagogy | Yukti Sharma |
Environmental Studies | Wiley Publication |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations; Edition 7 | R. S. Aggarwal |
CTET Practice Workbook Mathematics and Science | Disha Experts |
CTET Success Master Paper 2 with Solved Papers Maths & Science | Arihant Experts |
Conclusion
CTET is a national-level competitive examination conducted to recruit teachers for Classes I to VIII. Hence, to prepare in the best way, you need to purchase the right kind of books. Thus, take your time and do your research to find which books are the best for CTET preparation.