CTET mathematics and science syllabus
Mathematics and Science is one of the two alternative 60 mark blocks in Paper 2. It splits evenly into 30 questions of Mathematics and 30 of Science, and each of those splits again into 20 content questions and 10 pedagogy questions.
That means 20 of the 60 marks in this block are pedagogy rather than subject content, which is the share candidates most often leave unprepared. The CTET Paper 2 syllabus hub page covers the alternative block and the compulsory sections.
Pattern
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 60 |
| Marks | 60 |
| Mathematics | 30 questions |
| Science | 30 questions |
| Content within each subject | 20 questions |
| Pedagogy within each subject | 10 questions |
| Status | One of two alternatives, chosen on the application form |
| Negative marking | None |
There is no negative marking anywhere in CTET and no sectional timing, so every question in this section should be attempted and the 150 minutes can be spent wherever they are worth most. The full paper is below.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy, compulsory | 30 | 30 |
| Language I, compulsory | 30 | 30 |
| Language II, compulsory | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics and Science, or Social Studies and Social Science | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
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Syllabus
Mathematics content, 20 questions
- Number System: knowing our numbers, playing with numbers, whole numbers, negative numbers and integers, fractions
- Algebra: introduction to algebra, ratio and proportion
- Geometry: basic geometrical ideas in two dimensions, understanding elementary shapes in two and three dimensions, symmetry by reflection, construction using straight edge scale, protractor and compasses
- Mensuration
- Data Handling
Mathematics pedagogy, 10 questions
- Nature of mathematics and logical thinking
- Place of mathematics in the curriculum
- Language of mathematics
- Community mathematics
- Evaluation
- Remedial teaching
- Problems of teaching
Science content, 20 questions
- Food: sources of food, components of food, cleaning food
- Materials: materials of daily use
- The World of the Living
- Moving Things, People and Ideas
- How things work: electric current and circuits, magnets
- Natural Phenomena
- Natural Resources
Science pedagogy, 10 questions
- Nature and structure of science
- Natural science, its aims and objectives
- Understanding and appreciating science
- Integrated approach
- Observation, experiment and discovery as the method of science
- Innovation
- Text material and aids
- Evaluation across cognitive, psycho-motor and affective domains
- Problems of teaching
- Remedial teaching
What is not in this section
- No content above class VIII, though difficulty and linkages may reach the senior secondary stage
- No calculus, trigonometry or coordinate geometry
- No laboratory or practical component
- No Social Studies content. The two blocks are alternatives
- No negative marking
How to spend the time
Budget a third of this block for pedagogy. Twenty of the 60 marks are pedagogy questions, and they are the part that cannot be answered from subject knowledge alone.
Work from the NCERT books for classes VI to VIII directly. The content list is drawn from them, and the paper raises difficulty rather than raising the level of the content.
The two pedagogy lists are short and closed. Seven topics for Mathematics and ten for Science, which makes them the most efficiently coverable 20 marks in the block.
Evaluation and remedial teaching appear in both pedagogy lists, so preparing them once covers questions on both sides of the block. Browse the available CTET Paper 2 practice papers.
Common mistakes
- Preparing subject content only and leaving a third of the block unprepared
- Revising mathematics above class VIII level rather than the same content at greater depth
- Treating Science pedagogy and Mathematics pedagogy as one list, when each has its own named topics
- Choosing this block on the application form and then preparing Social Studies
- Skipping data handling and mensuration, which are named explicitly
- Leaving questions blank in a block with no negative marking
Mathematics and Science against Social Studies
| Feature | Mathematics and Science | Social Studies and Social Science |
|---|---|---|
| Marks | 60 | 60 |
| Internal split | Two subjects of 30 each | A single 60 question block |
| Content questions | 40, being 20 in each subject | 40 |
| Pedagogy questions | 20, being 10 in each subject | 20 |
| Who takes it | Mathematics and Science teachers | Social Studies teachers |
| Other candidates | May choose either block | May choose either block |
Frequently asked questions
How many marks is the Mathematics and Science block?
Sixty questions for 60 marks, split as 30 Mathematics and 30 Science.
How much of it is pedagogy?
Twenty of the 60 questions, being 10 in each subject.
What level is the content?
Based on the NCERT syllabus for classes VI to VIII, with difficulty and linkages that may reach the senior secondary stage.
Can I take both this and Social Studies?
No. They are alternatives and the choice is made on the application form.
Is calculus or trigonometry included?
No. The mathematics content stops at the class VI to VIII topics listed.
Is there a practical or laboratory component?
No. Every question is multiple choice.
What if I teach a subject other than these?
A candidate intending to teach any other subject may choose either block.
Is data handling in the syllabus?
Yes, named alongside mensuration in the Mathematics content list.
Is there negative marking?
No. There is none anywhere in CTET.
Can I change my block after applying?
No. The subject choice is made at the application stage.