CUET Exam Pattern 2026: Check Marking Scheme
CUET UG 2026 exam pattern follows a structured evaluation process to ensure fair and merit-based admissions. The exam consists of multiple sections based on the chosen undergraduate programme, including language, domain-specific, and general test papers. Each question carries designated marks, with negative marking applied where specified. Candidates scores are compiled to prepare the merit list, which is used by universities for admission. The pattern ensures a comprehensive assessment of academic knowledge, subject understanding, and aptitude relevant to undergraduate courses.
Table of Contents
- CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern Highlights
- CUET UG 2026 Exam Structure
- CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern: Choice of Subjects
- Steps to calculate CUET UG 2026 Marks
- Changes in CUET UG 2026
- CUET Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-wise Pattern
- CUET UG 2026 Expected Score
- CUET UG 2026 Marks for DU
- Best College under CUET UG
- CUET UG Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Sections |
|
| Number of Choices | Maximum 5 subjects (including languages & General Test) |
| Questions per Subject | 50 MCQs (all compulsory) |
| Duration per Subject | 60 minutes |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme |
|
| Syllabus |
|
| Medium of Exam | 13 Indian languages (including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Urdu, etc.) |
| Exam Slots |
|
| Normalization | NTA Score normalisation across shifts |
Candidates appearing for CUET UG 2026 shall attempt CUET UG 2026 Mock test
CUET UG 2026 Exam Structure
CUET UG 2026 exam includes 3 main sections: Languages, Domain-Specific Subjects, and General Test. Every section will test candidates' different skills like communication, subject knowledge, and aptitude.
| Section | Details | Duration | No. of Questions | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Test | Tests reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar | 60 minutes | 50 MCQs | +5 for correct, –1 for wrong |
| Domain-Specific Test | Subject knowledge aligned with Class XI/XII syllabus | 60 minutes | 50 MCQs | |
| General Test | Covers reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and GK | 60 minutes | 50 MCQs |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern: Choice of Subjects
CUET UG 2026 Exam offers flexibility to each candidate, allowing them to choose subjects as per their course target and university requirements.
| Section | Choice of Subjects | Maximum Subjects Allowed | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section IA – Languages | 13 Languages | Up to 2 languages | Based on comprehension, grammar & vocabulary |
| Section IB – Languages | 20 Languages | Additional languages apart from Section IA | For candidates opting for regional/foreign languages |
| Section II – Domain Subjects | 27 Domain-specific subjects | Maximum 6 domain subjects | MCQs based on the NCERT Class 12 syllabus |
| Section III – General Test | 1 (Compulsory if required by course) | 1 | Covers GK, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude |
Steps to calculate CUET UG 2026 Marks
Candidates can follow the steps given below to calculate their marks in CUET UG 2026:
- Check CUET UG 2026 Answer Key: Download the official/provisional answer key and your response sheet
- Correct Answers: Award +5 marks for each correct response
- Incorrect Answers: Deduct 1 mark for every incorrect answer
- Unattempted Questions: No marks are added or deducted for unanswered questions
- Calculate Total Marks: Total Marks = (Number of Correct Answers × 5) − (Number of Incorrect Answers × 1)
- Estimate Section-wise & Overall Score
- Repeat the same process for each test (Language, Domain, General Aptitude) and add them to get the final score
Changes in CUET UG 2026
NTA has made certain changes for CUET UG 2026 exam to reduce the overall difficulty level of the exam. candidates can check below the latest changes :
| Change | CUET UG 2025 | CUET UG 2026 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Subjects | 27 offered | 23 offered | Some niche subjects (Entrepreneurship, Performing Arts, etc.) were removed |
| Subject Flexibility | Mostly Class 12 subjects only | Can choose subjects not studied in Class 12 | Wider choice for students |
| Exam Mode | CBT in multiple slots | Fully standardised CBT | Fairness across sessions |
| Marking Scheme | +5 / –1 / 0 | Same | More transparency |
| Scheduling | Multiple shifts | 2–3 slots/day | Smoother conduct of the exam |
CUET UG Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-wise Pattern
CUET UG Exam 2026 is divided into 3 sections: Language, Domain-Specific Subjects and General Test. In CUET UG Exam, every section will carry a weightage of 250 marks and will test the skill set of students. Candidates can select 5 subjects depending on the course and the university requirements in CUET UG 2026 exam.
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern: Language Section (Section IA & IB)
| Exam Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | IA (13 Languages) & IB (20 Languages) |
| Number of Questions | 50 |
| Marks per Question |
|
| Total Marks | 250 |
| Duration | 60 minutes per language |
| Question Type | MCQs based on Reading Comprehension (Factual, Narrative, Literary), Literary Aptitude & Vocabulary |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern: Domain-Specific Subjects (Section II)
| Exam Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Subjects Offered | 27 Domain Subjects (Science, Commerce, Humanities) |
| Number of Questions | 50 |
| Marks per Question |
|
| Total Marks | 250 per subject |
| Duration | 60 minutes per subject |
| Question Type | MCQs based on the NCERT Class 12 syllabus |
CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern: General Test (Section III)
| Exam Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | General Test |
| Number of Questions | 50 (40 to be attempted) |
| Marks per Question |
|
| Total Marks | 250 Marks |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Question Type | MCQs covering GK, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Logical & Analytical Reasoning |
CUET UG 2026 Expected Score Range and Admission Possibilities
| Score Range | Percentile Range | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 700–800 | 95–100 | Highly competitive courses (DU B.A. Hons, St. Stephens, Miranda House, JNU, BHU Science) |
| 600–699 | 85–94 | Good chances in mid to top programs across DU, BHU, AMU, JMI |
| 500–599 | 70–84 | Acceptable for state/private universities, non-honours courses |
| Below 500 | <70 | Limited to private or less competitive colleges |
Best College under CUET UG
CUET Provides admission into 250+ universities including central, state, deemed and private colleges. Among them, DU, BHU and JNU are among the top choices.
| College | CUET Acceptance | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi University (DU) | Yes | BA, B.Com, B.Sc, Economics Hons |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Yes | BA, B.Sc, B.Com, Law |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | Yes | BA (Hons), MA (via CUET PG) |
| Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Yes | BA, B.Sc, Law |
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) | Yes | BA, B.Com, Mass Communication |
DU Expected Cut-off Scores for Top UG Courses
Candidates aiming for admission to Delhi University (DU) through CUET UG can get a fair idea of their chances by checking the expected cut-off scores for popular undergraduate programmes. The cut-offs mentioned below are indicative and based on previous admission trends and competition levels.
| UG Course | Expected Cut-off Score (DU) |
|---|---|
| B.A. (Hons) English | 710 and above |
| B.A. (Hons) Economics | 730 and above |
| B.Com (Hons) | 742 and above |
| B.A. (Hons) Political Science | 770 and above |
| B.A. (Hons) History | 750 and above |
| B.Sc (Hons) Mathematics | 97 percentile and above |
| B.Sc (Hons) Chemistry | 95 percentile and above |
Cutoff scores may vary depending on the college, category, seat availability, and normalization process. Science courses are often evaluated based on percentile scores, while arts and commerce courses usually consider normalized CUET marks.
CUET UG Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
Ques: How many exams are there in CUET UG 2026 exam?
Ans: CUET UG 2026 Exam is a single-national level exam, but it is divided into different sections and subject-wise papers according to the candidate's preference.
CUET UG consists of three sections:
- Section IA & IB: Language Papers (13 + 20 languages)
- Section II: Domain-Specific Subjects (27 subjects available)
- Section III: General Test (optional, but crucial for many courses)
Ques: Do we have to attempt 40 questions in CUET UG 2026?
Ans: No, CUET UG 2026 includes 50 MCQ Questions in each section. All the questions are compulsory. The Internal choices are expected to be there in the exam to reduce candidates' stress levels.
Ques: Who is eligible for CUET UG 2026?
Ans: CUET UG 2026 Eligibility is primarily based on the Class 12 qualification.
- Students should have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board.
- Minimum aggregate marks: 45% (General), 40% (SC/ST), 35% (PwD).
- Age limit: No upper age limit; candidates should satisfy university-specific age rules.
- Specific domain eligibility depends on the program applied (e.g., Maths required for B.Sc. Mathematics).
Ques: How many total subjects are in CUET UG 2026 exam?
Ans: CUET UG 2026 offers a choice of more than 23 subjects, including 13 languages and 1 General Test. This will allow candidates to customise their exam combinations for university and course eligibility.
Ques: Which subjects to choose in CUET UG 2026?
Ans: CUET UG 2026 Subjects choice depends upon the course and the university requirement. Candidates should follow their selections with the class 12 subjects and eligibility of their preferred college.
Ques: Is CUET UG 2026 based on the 12th syllabus?
Ans: Yes, CUET UG 2026 is based on class 12 NCERT Syllabus for domain subjects. The Language section will test the reading comprehension, general test will cover GK, Reasoning and quantitative aptitude
Download the PREPP App and attempt FREE CUET UG Mock Tests and get complete study material!
Live Test : CUET (UG) Political Science (May 05 - 08)
Live Test : CUET (UG) Psychology (May 05 - 08)
Full Test - 16 : CUET (UG) 2026 Hindi Language
Full Test - 15 : CUET (UG) 2026 Hindi Language
CUET UG 2025 Biology Question Paper (May 13, 2025) Shift 1
CUET UG 2025 English Question Paper (May 13, 2025) Shift 1
17 February 2025 | The Hindu Must Read Articles | Current Affairs
16 February 2026 | The Hindu Must Read Articles | Current Affairs
13 February 2026 | The Hindu Must Read Articles | Current Affairs
Comments