The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a national exam for undergraduate admission to Central and State Universities in India. Aspirants must understand the
CUET exam pattern due to increased competition and the importance of getting into a top university. This complete CUET exam pattern guide will prepare you for exam day and boost your confidence.
Overview of CUET
CUET is designed to assess a candidate’s proficiency in subjects studied at the school level and their aptitude for higher education. The exam is conducted in multiple sessions and offers flexibility to the students.
Key Highlights of CUET 2025
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Parameter
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Details
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Conducting Body
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National Testing Agency (NTA)
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Level
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National
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Frequency
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Once a year
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Mode of Examination
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Hybrid mode (Computer-based Test (CBT) and Pen & Paper mode)
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Medium
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13 languages including Malayalam, English Hindi Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu
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Sections
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Four (Language Test, Domain-Specific Subjects, General Test, Optional Language Test)
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Marking Scheme
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+4 for each correct answer and -1 for each incorrect answer
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CUET Free Master Classes:
Detailed CUET Exam Pattern
The
CUET Exam is divided into three main papers, each designed to evaluate different skills and knowledge areas of the candidates.
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Section
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Description
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Questions to be attempted
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Paper-I Language
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For the first section of the CUET exam, the majority of students of CBSE schools will opt for the English language. In this section, the questions will be asked from topics such as Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, etc.
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Students are required to answer 40 out of the 50 questions.
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Paper-II Domain (Subjects in Class 12)
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In this section, 29 subjects from the +2 cover only the NCERT syllabus. Aspirants can choose a minimum of two and a maximum of six subjects. In this paper, a student has to choose two to six subjects from the list mentioned in the table below.
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Students are required to attempt 40 out of 50 questions.
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Paper-III General Test
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This paper consists of questions from Basic Mathematics, Basic Reasoning and Mental Ability, and Basic General Knowledge. This section is mandatory for certain specific courses, the relevant details of which can be available on the official websites of participating colleges.
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Students are required to answer 50 questions out of the 60 available.
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- Total subjects: 63 (33 languages, 29 domain-specific, and 1 General Test)
- Medium of the Test: 13 languages ( English, Gujarati, Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu)
- Duration: 45 minutes for most test papers except for Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, Accountancy, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Computer Science/Informatics Practices, and General Tests which would be 60 minutes.
The candidate can choose a maximum of 06 subjects from all three sections from the above subjects/languages. It is advisable for candidates to select at least one Language and the
Cuet General Test.
The CUET (UG) 2025 is tentatively scheduled to be conducted in May 2025. The exam will be held in 380 cities, including 26 cities outside India, catering to approximately 13.48 lakh candidates.
Important Dates
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Event
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Date
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Online Submission of Application Form
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February to March 2025 (tentative)
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Last Date for Successful Transaction of Fee
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March 2025 (tentative)
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Correction in Particulars
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March 2025 (tentative)
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Announcement of the City of Examination
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April 2025 (tentative)
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Downloading Admit Cards
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Second week of May 2025 (tentative)
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Display of Recorded Responses and Answer Keys
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To be announced later on the website
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Declaration of Result
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June 2025 (tentative)
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Examination Fee
Examination fees will be based on the number of subjects chosen by the candidates.
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Category
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Up to 03 Subjects
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For each Additional Subject
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General (UR)
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₹ 1000/-
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₹ 400/- (each)
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OBC (NCL) / EWS
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₹ 900/-
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₹ 375/- (each)
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SC/ST/PwBD/Third gender
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₹ 800/-
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₹ 350/- (each)
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Centres outside India
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₹ 4500/-
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₹ 1800/- (each)
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Medium of the Examination
CUET (UG) – 2025 will be conducted in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. The selection of medium will be restricted to States/UTs.
CUET (UG) – 2025 will be available in 380 cities, including 26 cities outside of India.
Use of Scribe
PwBD Candidates have the option to either bring their own Scribe or request NTA to provide a Scribe. This option needs to be selected in the online Application Form of CUET (UG) 2025.
Policy for Drop Question
If none of the options are correct, or if a question is found to be incorrect or is dropped, all candidates who attempted the dropped question will be given five marks (+5).
Subject-Wise Preparation Tips
Language Test
- Reading Comprehension: Practice reading newspapers, articles, and comprehension passages to enhance speed and understanding.
- Vocabulary: Remember to regularly learn new words and how to use them.
- Grammar: Brush up on basic grammar rules and practice error detection exercises.
Domain-Specific Subjects
- Conceptual Clarity: Focus on understanding the fundamental concepts of each subject.
- Practice Questions: Solve CUET Previous Years’ Papers and CUET Sample Papers.
- Time Management: Allocate specific time slots for each subject to ensure balanced preparation.
- Current Affairs: Keep yourself informed about the most recent news and upcoming events.
- Mental Ability: Practice puzzles, logical reasoning, and quantitative questions.
- Mock Tests: Take regular CUET Mock Tests to gauge your preparation level.
- Understand the Syllabus: Go through the entire CUET Syllabus and CUET exam pattern thoroughly.
- Create a Study Plan: Make a realistic study schedule that covers all subjects and sections.
- Regular Revisions: Revise regularly to keep the concepts fresh in your mind.
- Practice Tests: Take mock tests and practice papers to build confidence and improve speed.
Important Points to Remember
- Admit Card: Download from the official website when available.
- Reporting Time: Arrive at the examination center well before the reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
- Documents Required: Carry a printout of the admit card, a valid photo ID, and any other required documents.
This guide provides an in-depth look at the CUET exam pattern for 2025, ensuring you have all the necessary information to excel. Prepare well, stay confident, and give your best effort to secure admission to your desired university.