Do you struggle to finish the CTET paper on time? Do long, confusing pedagogy questions make you nervous?
Here is the secret truth about the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET): You don’t need to read every single word to find the correct answer.
The CTET exam follows a specific philosophy based on the National Education Policy (NEP) and NCF. Because of this, certain words are always right (Positive Tag Words) and certain words are always wrong (Negative Tag Words).
If you learn to spot these "Tag Words," you can eliminate wrong options in seconds and score 25+ marks in CDP, Hindi, English, and EVS Pedagogy easily.
In this post, I am sharing the Ultimate List of Positive vs. Negative Tag Words for CTET 2026.
How to Use These Tag Words?
- For Positive Questions: If the question asks "Which is the best method..." or "How should a teacher...", look for the Positive Words.
- For Negative Questions: If the question asks "Which is NOT a feature..." or "What should a teacher avoid...", look for the Negative Words.
Part 1: The Master List (CDP & General Pedagogy)
These words apply to Child Development & Pedagogy (CDP) as well as the pedagogy sections of all subjects.
Positive Tag Words (The Answer is usually YES)
These words indicate a "Constructivist" classroom where the child is active. If you see these words, there is a 99% chance it is the Correct Answer.
| English Keyword | Hindi Meaning | Why is it Correct? |
| Child-Centered | बाल-केंद्रित | The student is the hero of the class. |
| Active Participation | सक्रिय भागीदारी | Kids are discussing, doing, and moving. |
| Learning by Doing | करके सीखना | Learning through hands-on tasks. |
| Encourage | प्रोत्साहित करना | Boosting confidence is key. |
| Inclusive Classroom | समावेशी कक्षा | All students (Gifted + Disabled) learn together. |
| Scaffolding | पाड़ / ढांचा | Temporary help provided by the teacher. |
| Divergent Thinking | अपसारी चिंतन | Thinking in multiple directions (Creativity). |
| Open-Ended Questions | मुक्त अंत वाले प्रश्न | Questions with many correct answers. |
| Opportunity | अवसर | Giving chance to explore. |
| Multilingualism | बहुभाषिकता | Using many languages as a resource (संसाधन). |
| Peer Learning | सहपाठी अधिगम | Learning from friends/classmates. |
| Discovery Learning | खोजबीन आधारित अधिगम | Letting the child find the answer. |
| Real-life Context | दैनिक जीवन से जोड़ना | Connecting books to the outside world. |
| Internal Motivation | आंतरिक अभिप्रेरणा | Learning for the joy of it. |
Negative Tag Words (The Answer is usually NO)
These words indicate an old-school, "Authoritarian" classroom. If you see these, eliminate the option immediately (unless the question asks "Which is NOT…").
| English Keyword | Hindi Meaning | Why is it Wrong? |
| Teacher-Centered | शिक्षक-केंद्रित | The teacher talks, students listen silently. |
| Rote Memorization | रटना / कंठस्थ करना | Memorizing without understanding. |
| Passive | निष्क्रिय | No interaction from the student. |
| Standardized | मानकीकृत | Treating all kids exactly the same. |
| Segregation | अलग करना / पृथक्करण | Separating "weak" students from others. |
| Labeling | नाम देना / लेबल करना | Calling a child "dumb" or "slow". |
| Closed-Ended Questions | बंद अंत वाले प्रश्न | Questions with only one answer (Yes/No). |
| Punishment | दंड / सजा | Fear stops learning. |
| Textbook-Centric | पाठ्यपुस्तक-केंद्रित | Relying only on the book. |
| Comparison | तुलना | Never compare one child with another. |
| Ignore / Neglect | उपेक्षा करना | Never ignore a child's errors or background. |
| Convergent Thinking | अभिसारी चिंतन | Thinking only in one fixed way. |
Part 2: Assessment & Evaluation Keywords
CTET asks many questions about how to test students (CCE). Use this list to solve those.
| Positive (Correct Approach) | Hindi | Negative (Wrong Approach) | Hindi |
| Formative Assessment (Best) | रचनात्मक आकलन | Summative Assessment | योगात्मक आकलन |
| Diagnostic & Remedial | निदानात्मक और उपचारात्मक | Ranking / Grading | रैंकिंग / श्रेणी देना |
| Assessment FOR Learning | सीखने के लिए आकलन | Assessment OF Learning | सीखने का आकलन |
| Continuous & Comprehensive | सतत एवं व्यापक मूल्यांकन | Term-End Exams | सत्र-अंत परीक्षा |
| Qualitative Feedback | गुणात्मक प्रतिपुष्टि | Marks / Scores only | केवल अंक |
| Portfolio | पोर्टफोलियो | Report Card only | केवल रिपोर्ट कार्ड |
Part 3: Psychology & Development (CDP Special)
This section is the "heart" of the CTET paper. Questions here are based on specific theories. If you see a word from the Positive column, it is likely the answer. If you see a word from the Negative column, it is a trap!
| Topic | Positive Tag Words (Correct View) | Hindi Meaning | Negative Tag Words (Wrong View) |
| Intelligence (Howard Gardner) | Multi-dimensional (Set of many abilities) Dynamic / Changeable | बहुआयामी परिवर्तनशील | Unitary / Single Factor (एकल कारक) Fixed / Static (स्थिर/नियत) |
| Development | Plasticity (Brain can change) Modifiable Spiral (Not a straight line) | लचीलापन बदलाव योग्य वर्तुलाकार | Linear (Straight line) Uniform pace (Same for all) Discontinuous (For Vygotsky) |
| Nature vs Nurture | Complex Interplay / Interaction (Heredity x Environment) | जटिल अंतःक्रिया (आनुवंशिकता x वातावरण) | Only Heredity (केवल आनुवंशिकता) Only Environment (केवल वातावरण) Independent (स्वतंत्र) |
| Errors / Mistakes | Windows to thinking Part of Learning process Insight | चिंतन की खिड़कियां सीखने का अभिन्न अंग अंतर्दृष्टि | Carelessness (लापरवाही) Failure (असफलता) Hinderance (बाधा) |
| Language | Innate Ability (Chomsky) Social Tool (Vygotsky) Acquisition | जन्मजात क्षमता सामाजिक उपकरण अर्जन | Imitation only (केवल नक़ल) Memorization (याद करना) Drill & Practice |
| Assessment | Assessment FOR Learning (During class, diagnostic) | सीखने के लिए आकलन (निदानात्मक) | Assessment OF Learning (After class, strictly for marks) |
| Socialization | Family = Primary Agent School = Secondary Agent | परिवार = प्राथमिक कारक विद्यालय = द्वितीयक कारक | Family = Secondary (Wrong) Textbooks = Primary (Wrong) |
Sometimes the question asks about a specific psychologist. Use these keywords to identify the right answer for them.
- Jean Piaget (जीन पियाजे):
- Keywords: Constructivism (रचनावाद), Active Explorer (सक्रिय खोजकर्ता), Schema (स्कीमा), Adaptation (अनुकूलन), Egocentric Speech (अहंकेंद्रित वाक्).
- Note: He believes development comes before learning.
- Lev Vygotsky (लेव वायगोत्स्की):
- Keywords: Social Interaction (सामाजिक अंतःक्रिया), Culture (संस्कृति), Scaffolding (पाड़/ढांचा), ZPD (समीपस्थ विकास का क्षेत्र), Private Speech (व्यक्तिगत वाक्).
- Note: He believes learning leads to development (Social → Individual).
- Lawrence Kohlberg (लॉरेंस कोहलबर्ग):
- Keywords: Moral Development (नैतिक विकास), Dilemma (दुविधा), Reasoning (तर्कणा).
- Note: Focuses on how a child decides right vs. wrong.
- Howard Gardner (हावर्ड गार्डनर):
- Keywords: Multiple Intelligence (बहु-बुद्धि सिद्धांत), 8 Types of Intelligence.
- Note: He rejects the idea that intelligence is a single entity (IQ).
Part 4: The "Mindset" Cheat Codes (Critical Thinking Hacks)
Sometimes, even after eliminating the obviously wrong answers, you might get stuck between two "correct-looking" options. This is where the Mindset Cheat Codes come in.
These codes require you to "role-play" as the Ideal Teacher (as envisioned by NCF 2005 & NEP 2020) to pick the best answer.
1. The "Teacher's Role" Trick (Facilitator Mindset)
In the old system, the teacher was the "Boss." In CTET (Constructivism), the teacher is a "Gardener." You don't make the plant grow; you provide the water and soil (environment) so it grows itself.
- The Golden Rule: If an option suggests the teacher is doing all the work (explaining, dictating, solving), it is WRONG. If the option suggests the teacher is helping students do the work themselves, it is RIGHT.
| Role | Keywords to Choose | Keywords to Avoid |
| Primary Role | Facilitator (सुविधादाता): Makes learning easier, not harder. | Dictator / Controller: Controls every movement of the child. |
| In Trouble? | Guide / Scaffolder: Gives hints, not answers. | Authority: "I say, you do." |
| In Class? | Co-learner / Observer: Learns with the kids. | Transmitter of Knowledge: Just pouring facts into empty heads. |
2. The "Language Pedagogy" Trick (Naturalist Mindset)
This trick applies to English, Hindi, and Sanskrit pedagogy. The core belief here is that language is acquired naturally (like your mother tongue), not learned forcefully (like grammar rules).
- The Golden Rule: Any option that looks like a "Natural Environment" is correct. Any option that looks like a "Strict Classroom" is wrong.
| Scenario | The "Natural" Way (Right Answer) | The "Artificial" Way (Wrong Answer) |
| How to start? | Acquisition (अर्जन) / Immersion: Surround them with language. | Learning Rules / Grammar: Forcing definitions first. |
| Resources? | Print-Rich Environment: Charts, stories, labels on walls. | Textbook Only: Relying 100% on the book. |
| Using L1? | Mother Tongue as Resource: Use Hindi to teach English. | Ban Mother Tongue: Punishing kids for speaking Hindi. |
| Mistakes? | Ignore or Correct Indirectly: Let them speak fluently first. | Instant Correction: Stopping them every time they make a grammar error. |
3. The "HOTS" Trick (Bloom's Taxonomy Hack)
CTET loves Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). If two options seem correct, always choose the one that requires more brain power.
- The Hierarchy:
- Level 1 (Lowest): Remembering / Copying / Recalling. (Avoid these)
- Level 2 (Medium): Understanding / Describing. (Better)
- Level 3 (Highest): Analyzing / Creating / Critically Thinking. (Best!)
How to Choose:
- Creating > Analyzing > Applying > Understanding > Remembering
| If Option A says... | And Option B says... | Choose This One! (Why?) |
| "Copy the diagram" | "Draw a diagram from imagination" | Option B (Creativity > Copying) |
| "Define pollution" | "Find causes of pollution in your city" | Option B (Analysis > Definition) |
| "Follow instructions" | "Solve the problem in different ways" | Option B (Divergent Thinking > Following) |
| "Listen to the story" | "Predict the ending of the story" | Option B (Prediction/HOTS > Passive Listening) |
Proof: Solving Dec 2024 Paper Using This Trick
Q. According to Vygotsky... which is an example of scaffolding?
- (1) Breaking a task down... and providing support as needed.
- (2) Providing a ... grade.
- (3) Asking them to answer independently.
- (4) Have them master it on their own.
The Trick Applied:
- Option 1: Contains "Support" (Positive Tag). Scaffolding literally means support.
- Option 2: Contains "Grade" (Negative Tag).
- Option 3 & 4: "Independently/On their own" ignores the teacher's help (Vygotsky supports help).
- Correct Answer: Option 1.
Q. Inclusion needs to be promoted through:
- (i) Flexible curriculum
- (ii) Cooperative learning
- (iii) Segregation and labelling
- (iv) Accessibility of building
Options:
(1) (ii) (iii) (iv)
(2) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
(3) (i) (ii) (iii)
(4) (i) (ii) (iv)
The Trick Applied:
- Flexible: Positive Tag.
- Cooperative: Positive Tag.
- Segregation/Labelling: NEGATIVE Tag (Huge Red Flag! Never separate kids).
- Accessibility: Positive Tag.
- Conclusion: We need (i), (ii), and (iv). Eliminate anything with (iii).
- Correct Answer: Option 4.
Q. Assertion (A): Teachers should distance themselves... place responsibility on [students] only.
Reason (R): Learning takes place... in an authoritative rather than a democratic environment.
The Trick Applied:
- Assertion: "Distance themselves" is Negative. Teachers must be facilitators. -> False.
- Reason: "Authoritative" (dictator style) is Negative. "Democratic" is Positive, but the sentence says rather than democratic. -> False.
- Correct Answer: Option 2 (Both A and R are false).
Conclusion
CTET is not just about knowledge; it is about your attitude towards teaching. By using these positive tag words, you align your mindset with the exam setters. Download this list, revise it before the exam, and you will see a massive jump in your Pedagogy score!
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