Based on the 2018 notification (September 2018 exam); check the latest official notification for any change in pattern.
Exam Pattern at a Glance
- Two papers: Paper I for Classes I to V (Primary Stage) and Paper II for Classes VI to VIII (Elementary Stage); a candidate may take either paper or both.
- Question type: multiple choice (MCQ); mode in 2018: offline written exam.
- Full marks: 150 per paper; duration: 2 hours 30 minutes per paper.
- Paper II lists Mathematics and Science and Social Studies / Social Sciences at 60 questions each. With full marks of 150, candidates attempt the section that matches their teaching subject; confirm the option rule in the official notification.
Paper I: Child Development and Pedagogy (30 Marks)
- Child development with focus on the primary school child
- Concept of inclusive education and understanding children with special needs
- Learning and pedagogy
Paper I: Language I and Language II (30 Marks Each)
- Language comprehension
- Pedagogy of language development
Paper I: Mathematics (30 Marks)
- Geometry, shapes and spatial understanding, solids around us
- Numbers, addition and subtraction, multiplication, division
- Measurement, weight, time, volume
- Data handling, patterns, money
- Pedagogical issues
Paper I: Environmental Studies (30 Marks)
- Family and friends: relationships, work and play, animals, plants
- Food, shelter, water, travel
- Things we make and do
- Pedagogical issues
Paper II: Child Development and Pedagogy (30 Marks)
- Child development with focus on the elementary school child
- Concept of inclusive education and understanding children with special needs
- Learning and pedagogy
Paper II: Language I and Language II (30 Marks Each)
- Language comprehension
- Pedagogy of language development
Paper II: Mathematics and Science (60 Marks)
- Mathematics: number system, algebra, geometry, mensuration, data handling, pedagogical issues
- Science: food, materials, the world of the living, moving things, people and ideas
- Science: how things work (electric current and circuits), natural phenomena, natural resources, pedagogical issues
Paper II: Social Studies / Social Sciences (60 Marks)
- History: when, where and how; the earliest societies; the first farmers and herders; the first cities; early states; new ideas; the first empire; contact with distant lands
- History: political developments; culture and science; new kings and kingdoms; Sultans of Delhi; architecture; creation of an empire; social change; regional cultures
- History: establishment of Company power; rural life and society; colonialism and tribal societies; the Revolt of 1857-58; women and reform; challenging the caste system; the nationalist movement; India after independence
- Geography: geography as a social study and as a science; planet earth in the solar system; the globe; environment in its totality; air; water; human environment; resources; agriculture
- Social and Political Life: diversity, government, local government, making a living, democracy, state government, understanding media, unpacking gender, the Constitution, parliamentary government, the judiciary, social justice and the marginalised
- Pedagogical issues
Marking Scheme
- Each question carries 1 mark (30 questions for 30 marks, 60 questions for 60 marks).
- No negative marking under the 2018 scheme.
Preparation Pointers
- Child Development and Pedagogy and both language sections are common to Paper I and Paper II, so preparing them once helps candidates who take both papers.
- In Paper II, the subject section (Mathematics and Science, or Social Studies) carries 60 marks, the largest single block of the paper.
- Every subject includes pedagogical issues, so study teaching methods along with content.