Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has invited online applications by August 31 for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) to be held on November 18.

“The candidates can apply online for CTET-NOV, 2012, on the CBSE or CTET websites. The last date for filing of applications is August 31 and candidates cracking the examination will be eligible to teach in schools from classes I to VIII,” a board official said from New Delhi.

The examination will be held in two shifts, each of one-and-a-half-hour duration. The first half will begin at 10.30am and the second at 1.30pm. Candidates appearing for the examination will have to answer objective-type multiple choice questions and there would not be any negative marking.

Those aspiring to teach in classes I to V (primary stage) will have to appear for the Paper I, while those interested in teaching in classes VI to VIII (elementary stage) will have to appear for Paper II. On the other hand, candidates aspiring to teach in classes I to V and classes VI to VIII will have to take both the papers.

The official said: “The minimum qualification as the criteria to teach in the primary stage will be senior secondary or its equivalent with at least 50 per cent marks. On the other hand, those appearing for the Paper II need to have a graduation degree with at least 50 per cent marks. Besides, those who have either passed or are appearing in the final-year of the 2-year diploma in Elementary Education or the one-year Bachelor in Education can also appear for the test.”

The board’s announcement of the examination date has come as a relief for hundreds of aspiring teachers.

Rakesh Kumar, a candidate from Patna, said: “I was waiting for the announcement of the date of applying for the test. Now that the board has announced the date, I will be able to take the first step. It’s good that the examination is of objective nature. Another relief for us that there will not be any negative marking in the examination. Unlike other competitive examinations where there’s negative marking, we can attempt all the questions at CTET.”