CUET UG 2026: Complete Preparation Guide for University Admissions

Master India's largest undergraduate entrance exam and secure admission to 260+ central, state, and private universities across the country.

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) is India's unified undergraduate entrance examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to Bachelor's programs across more than 260 universities including Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, Allahabad University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, and many other central, state, deemed, and private universities.

CUET 2026 will be conducted between May 11 and May 31, 2026, as a computer-based test (CBT) in multiple shifts across the country, with the application window from February 8 to March 8, 2026.

The exam provides a standardized evaluation system that assesses candidates on languages, domain-specific subjects, and general aptitude, replacing individual university entrance tests and creating a level playing field for all applicants regardless of their board of study.

CUET 2026 Exam Pattern

Unlike fixed-pattern exams like NEET or JEE, CUET allows you to customize your paper based on your target university and course requirements.

Core Exam Details

Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) only
Exam dates: May 11 to May 31, 2026 (multiple days and shifts)
Application dates: February 8 to March 8, 2026
Correction window: February 9, 2026 onwards
Duration: 60 minutes per subject (time allocated individually for each subject chosen)
Question type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with four options
Languages available: 13 languages
Total subjects available: 13 languages + 23 domain subjects + 1 general test
Official website: cuet.nta.nic.in

Three-Section Structure

CUET is divided into three broad sections, and you can choose subjects based on your target university's eligibility criteria.

Section IA – Languages

Up to 2 languages, 50 questions, 60 minutes each, comprehension and language proficiency.

Section II – Domain Subjects

Up to 5 subjects, 50 questions, 60 minutes each, based on NCERT Class 12.

Section III – General Test

Optional, 50 questions, 60 minutes, GK, reasoning, and quantitative aptitude.

Important: Choosing the Right Subjects

Check each target university's admission requirements before selecting CUET subjects.
Different courses require different subject combinations (e.g., B.Sc. Physics may require Physics + Mathematics).
Some universities require the General Test, while others do not consider it.
You can take between 4 to 8 subjects in total (languages, domain subjects, and the general test).

CUET 2026 Marking Scheme

+5 marks for every correct answer
-1 mark for every incorrect answer (negative marking applies)
0 marks for unattempted questions
If more than one option is marked for a question, it is treated as incorrect (-1 mark)
If a question is dropped, all candidates who attempted it receive +5 marks

Available Domain Subjects (Section II)

CUET 2026 offers 23 domain-specific subjects across streams.

Science Subjects

Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biological Studies, Mathematics
Computer Science/Informatics Practices

Commerce Subjects

Accountancy/Book Keeping, Business Studies, Economics/Business Economics

Humanities & Social Sciences

History, Political Science, Geography/Geology, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology
English (as a domain subject), Sanskrit, Mass Media/Mass Communication

Other Subjects

Home Science, Fine Arts/Visual Arts/Commercial Arts
Physical Education/NCC/Yoga, Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India
Environmental Science, Performing Arts, Agriculture

Key Changes in CUET 2026

Reduced language options: Only 13 languages remain; 20 foreign and regional languages have been removed.
Fewer domain subjects: Entrepreneurship, Teaching Aptitude, Fashion Studies, Tourism, Legal Studies, and Engineering Graphics are discontinued.
Revised syllabus alignment: Several subjects align with the rationalized NCERT Class 12 curriculum.
All questions compulsory: All 50 questions per subject are mandatory.

Subject-wise Preparation Strategy

Languages (Section IA)

Practice reading comprehension passages from newspapers and editorials.
Build vocabulary with synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and phrases.
Focus on inference, tone, and context-based questions.

Domain Subjects (Section II)

Domain subjects are entirely based on NCERT Class 12. Master NCERT and solve previous year CUET papers.

Science Stream

Physics: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Optics, Modern Physics
Chemistry: Physical numericals, Organic mechanisms, Inorganic trends
Biology: Reproduction, Genetics, Biotechnology, Ecology
Mathematics: Calculus, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability

Commerce Stream

Accountancy: Partnership and company accounts, financial statements
Business Studies: Management principles, marketing, finance
Economics: Micro + macro concepts, graphs, data interpretation

Humanities Stream

History: Chronology, key events, important movements
Political Science: Constitution, institutions, international relations
Geography: Human geography, resources, maps and diagrams

General Test (Section III)

Stay updated with daily news and current affairs.
Practice reasoning and quantitative aptitude regularly.
Use mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.

Overall Preparation Strategy

Start with university and course selection so you know which subjects to choose.
Master NCERT Class 12 thoroughly for all domain subjects.
Build concise revision notes for formulas, definitions, and key concepts.
Solve previous year papers and analyze weak areas.
Take regular mocks under timed conditions.
Manage time carefully with 50 questions in 60 minutes per subject.

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