Common University Entrance Test (Undergraduate)
One test, 250+ universities — the unified entrance to central, state and participating private universities for UG admissions.
Heads up — CUET UG is in our launch pipeline. The guide below is live and accurate; full mock tests, sectional-timer runner, and subject-picker for CUET UG will go live with our next content drop. Sign up to be the first to know.
CUET UG is the unified entrance test for undergraduate admissions to nearly every central university in India and a growing list of state and private universities. One score, used everywhere — no more shuttling between five different university entrance papers.
Unlike JEE Main or NEET UG, CUET is à la carte: each aspirant picks the subject combination they want to be tested in — one language, up to six domain subjects, and optionally the General Test — depending on the courses they want to apply for.
| Mode | Computer-based test (CBT) |
| Duration | 45 or 60 minutes per subject (sectional timer — locked once expired) |
| Sections | Section IA (1 language) · Section IB (optional additional language) · Section II (Domain Subjects) · Section III (General Test) |
| Subjects you can pick | 1 language + up to 6 domain subjects + optional General Test, based on the course you're applying for |
| Questions per subject | 50 questions, attempt 40 (45 min) for languages and most domains; 60 questions, attempt 50 (60 min) for the General Test |
| Medium | 13 Indian languages — answer the same paper in your strongest language |
Marking scheme
Correct
+5 for every correct answer
Incorrect
−1 for every incorrect answer
CUET uses sectional timing — once your timer for a chosen subject ends, you cannot return to it. There is no shared paper timer to redistribute time across subjects, which makes per-subject pacing the single biggest skill that decides scores.
Every domain subject in CUET is built directly on the NCERT Class 12 textbook for that subject. No coaching-specific reference is required to crack it — start with NCERT, finish with NCERT, then move to MCQ drills.
Unlike JEE or NEET where you can redistribute time across the paper, CUET locks each subject to its own 45 / 60-minute window. Practice each subject under its own timer — finishing 30 of 40 Physics Qs in 30 minutes is worse than finishing 40 of 40 in 44 minutes.
Most candidates over-pick and end up under-prepared. Look at your target universities, list the actual courses you want, and pick only the subjects those courses require. Three subjects done thoroughly beats six done halfway.
CUET papers are normalized across shifts, so every wasted question costs you. Run full-length sectional mocks weekly — and track per-subject accuracy, because that's the unit universities normalize on.
For B.A. Programmes and B.Com. (Hons.) at most central universities, the General Test is mandatory and often decides admission. GK and current affairs need daily reading — a newspaper, a monthly magazine, and one static GK book.
Purpose-built for CUET UG aspirants — not a generic test platform.
Note: This guide covers the evergreen pattern, syllabus, and preparation framework. Registration dates, exam dates, and category-wise cutoffs change every cycle — always verify the latest details on the official National Testing Agency (NTA) notification before you act on timelines.