CTET 7 February 2026 Paper 1 and Paper 2 Answer Key (Unofficial)

The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026 has reached a critical milestone. For the first time in recent years, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) scheduled the examination over two distinct days—7 and 8 February 2026—to accommodate a surge in applicants, which exceeded 2.5 million.

As the first day of testing concludes, the focus shifts from preparation to evaluation. Thousands of aspiring teachers are now seeking unofficial answer keys to gauge their performance in both the morning and afternoon shifts. This guide provides an exhaustive look into the 7 February shifts, the available unofficial resources, and the roadmap to the official results.

CTET February Online Exam Form 2026 Admit Card – Exam Date

1. Overview of the 7 February 2026 Shifts

The exam on 7 February was divided into two primary sessions. Unlike previous years where Paper 1 and Paper 2 were held on the same day for everyone, the 2026 schedule utilized both days to ensure smooth center management.

Shift Timings and Structure

• Mode: Offline (Pen-and-Paper) using OMR sheets.

• Total Duration: 150 minutes per paper.

• Total Marks: 150 marks per paper.

2. Understanding Unofficial Answer Keys

Within hours of the exam’s conclusion, various coaching institutes (such as Adda247, Testbook, BYJU’S Exam Prep, and Let’s Learn) release unofficial answer keys.

What Makes Them “Unofficial”?

These keys are created by subject matter experts based on memory-based questions. Since candidates are allowed to take their question booklets home in the offline mode, experts can quickly solve the paper and provide a solution key.

• Speed: They offer immediate relief to anxious candidates.

• Accuracy: Generally 90-95% accurate, but they may vary on “pedagogy” questions which are often open to interpretation.

• Purpose: To provide a “probable score” and help candidates decide if they should begin preparing for the next recruitment cycle (KVS, NVS, DSSSB).

3. How to Download the 7 February Answer Key PDFs

To get the most reliable unofficial data, it is recommended to download keys from multiple sources and cross-verify.

Steps to Access PDFs:

1. Visit Reputed Portals: Go to the websites of major teaching-exam coaching centers.

2. Locate the “CTET 2026” Section: Look for links labeled “7 Feb Paper 1 Answer Key” or “7 Feb Paper 2 Answer Key.”

3. Check Set-Wise Links: Ensure you are downloading the PDF that matches your booklet code (e.g., Set I, J, K, or L).

4. YouTube “Live Analysis”: Many teachers provide live solved papers. You can often find the PDF link in the video description or pinned comment.

4. Paper 2 Analysis (Morning Shift: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM)

The morning shift of 7 February was dedicated to Paper 2, designed for those aiming to teach classes VI to VIII.

Section-Wise Breakdown:

• Child Development & Pedagogy (30 Marks): Rated “Moderate.” Questions focused heavily on Vygotsky’s Social Constructivism and Piaget’s stages.

• Language I & II (30 + 30 Marks): Generally “Easy to Moderate.” Unseen passages in English and Hindi were straightforward, though poetry sections required deeper analysis.

• Subject Specific (60 Marks):

  • Mathematics & Science: Candidates reported the Science section as “Tough” due to application-based physics and chemistry questions.

  • Social Studies: Rated “Moderate.” Questions were primarily derived from NCERT History, Geography, and Civics (Classes VI-VIII).

5. Paper 1 Analysis (Afternoon Shift: 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM)

The afternoon shift focused on Paper 1, meant for Primary Teacher (PRT) eligibility.

Section-Wise Breakdown:

• Child Development & Pedagogy (30 Marks): Rated “Easy.” Focus remained on Inclusive Education and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

• Environmental Studies (30 Marks): Always a favorite for discussion. Questions on “Themes of EVS” (Family, Food, Shelter, etc.) were prominent.

• Mathematics (30 Marks): Rated “Moderate.” Calculation-heavy questions on Area, Volume, and Number Systems took up significant time.

• Languages: “Easy” for most candidates who practiced previous year papers.

6. How to Calculate Your Score

Since CTET does not have negative marking, calculating your score is simple:

Marking Scheme Highlights:

• Correct Answer: +1 mark.

• Incorrect/Unattempted: 0 marks.

• Normalisation: Because the exam is held across two days (7 and 8 Feb), CBSE may apply a normalization process to account for variations in difficulty levels between the shifts.

7. Qualifying Marks and Validity

To be “CTET Qualified,” you must meet the following minimum percentage:

Note on Validity: Once you qualify, your CTET certificate is valid for lifetime. You do not need to appear for it again unless you wish to improve your score.

8. Precautions When Using Unofficial Keys

While these keys are helpful, they are not legal documents.

1. Don’t Panic Over Borderline Scores: If your unofficial score is 88 or 89 (for General), do not lose hope. The official key may have different interpretations for 2-3 questions.

2. Verify Pedagogy Answers: These are the most likely to change in the official version.

3. Wait for the OMR: CBSE will release the scanned OMR sheet on ctet.nic.in. Use that OMR alongside the official key for 100% accuracy.

9. What’s Next? The Official Timeline

Following the unofficial phase, the official process moves as follows:

• Provisional Answer Key: Expected by 20–25 February 2026.

• Objection Window: Candidates can challenge the key by paying ₹1,000 per question.

• Final Answer Key & Result: Usually declared by mid-March 2026.

• Certificates: Uploaded to DigiLocker shortly after the result.

10. Conclusion

The 7 February 2026 CTET shift marks the beginning of a new chapter for many aspiring educators. While the unofficial answer keys provide a quick snapshot of your performance, the journey doesn’t end here. Use this estimate to plan your next steps—whether it’s preparing for upcoming state-level TETs or gearing up for the official CBSE challenge window.