The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026 session was conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on 7 and 8 February 2026 across the country to assess eligibility for teaching positions in primary and elementary schools. Alongside answer key release and result queries, many candidates are asking whether normalisation will be used to calculate CTET 2026 scores — a method often seen in multi‑shift competitive exams.
What Normalisation Means in Multi‑Shift Exams?
Normalisation is a statistical method used in examinations conducted in multiple shifts to adjust scores so that candidates from different shifts are evaluated fairly, especially when difficulty varies across question papers. It is commonly applied in large competitive exams to counter imbalance in difficulty levels among shifts.For example, many national examinations use normalisation based on percentile or other formulas to ensure that no group of candidates is disadvantaged due to a particularly tougher or easier shift. This method helps maintain fairness when calculating final results across all test takers.
Normalisation in CTET 2026: What Candidates Should Know
In the context of CTET February 2026, several educational analysis sources explain that formal normalisation is generally not applied because CTET is a qualifying exam rather than a competitive, rank‑based test. The purpose of CTET is to determine whether a candidate meets the minimum qualifying criteria for teacher eligibility, not to create a rank list. According to this guidance:
- Normalisation is not routinely used for CTET scores; raw marks are considered straightforwardly for qualifying decisions.
- Scores may only be adjusted slightly if specific questions are disputed, removed, or revised after final answer key publication.
- The provisional answer key — usually released shortly after the exam — allows candidates to estimate raw marks and raise objections if needed before the final result.
Answer Key and Result Timeline
Candidates appeared for CTET 2026 in two papers — Paper I (Primary) and Paper II (Elementary) — over two days due to a record number of applicants and logistical planning. CBSE typically releases a provisional answer key first, followed by a final answer key within a few weeks after the exam. After finalisation, results are prepared based on the raw or slightly adjusted marks from answer key corrections. While many competitive exams use statistical methods to equalise scores across shifts, CTET’s focus on qualifying minimum marks means normalisation is not a standard part of its score calculation unless the official bulletin states otherwise. Candidates should follow updates from the official CTET website for final confirmation and result announcements.