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CTET 1 Mar 2026 Paper 1, Question 53

Topic: Pedagogy of mathematics

Q53

Madhu has begun to reason logically and can perform conservation-based activities mentally. According to Jean Piaget, in which stage of cognitive development is Madhu ?

  1. (1) Formal-operationalCorrect answer
  2. (2) Pre-operational
  3. (3) Concrete-operational
  4. (4) Sensori-motor

Solution.

CBSE answer: (1)

Answer: (1) Formal-operational

  1. The stem stresses that Madhu reasons logically and carries out the operations mentally, in her head, rather than with objects in front of her.
  2. Thinking through operations internally, without concrete support, is the mark of the formal-operational stage (about 11 years onward).
  3. Pre-operational and sensori-motor children cannot reason logically or conserve, so options 2 and 4 are out.
Our note

Note: in Piaget's standard account, logical reasoning together with mastery of conservation defines the concrete-operational stage, so option (3) fits the description better.