CUET Exam Pattern 2026, Section-wise Paper Pattern and Scheme

CUET Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights

Have a quick look at the CUET exam pattern provided below.

Particulars	Details
Exam mode	Computer-Based Test
Question format	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
CUET UG sections	Section 1 - LanguageSection 2 - Domain SubjectSection 3 - General Aptitude Test
Total number of Questions	50 across all subjects
Negative marking	Yes
Marking Scheme	+5 for each correct answer-1 for each incorrect answer
Medium of CUET exam	13 languages - English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu
Number of domain subjects	23

CUET 2026 Exam Pattern: Section-Wise Structure

CUET exam pattern follows a specific structure that is applicable to all three sections. Check the following table to understand the section-wise structure of the question paper.

Section	Number of Questions	Question Types	Exam Duration
Section I- Language	50 Questions	Candidates language skill is tested through Reading Comprehension based on different passages–Factual, Literary and Narrative.	60 minutes for each
Section II- Domain Specific	50 Questions	MCQs based on the NCERT Class 12 syllabus only
Section III- General Test	50 Questions	Tests students’ general Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts arithmetic/algebra geometry/mensuration/s tat taught till Grade 8), Logical and Analytical Reasoning

Checkout important resources for CUET Exam here:

CUET Eligibility Criteria	CUET Exam Registration
CUET Admit Card	CUET Marks vs Percentile
CUET Application Form	CUET Compulsory Subjects
CUET Exam Day Guidelines	CUET Universities List

CUET Exam Pattern: Subjects and Language Mapping Guidelines

CUET offers 13 language subjects. Students, based on their interest, can choose any one language subject. As per the NTA rules, the language mapping guidelines are as follows

Language	Examination Centre
English	All examination centres
English and Hindi	All examination centres
English and Urdu	All Examination Centres in India
English and Assamese	Examination centres in Assam
English and Bengali	Examination Centres in West Bengal, Tripura, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
English and Gujarati	Examination Centres in Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli
English and Kannada	Examination Centres in Karnataka
English and Marathi	Examination Centres in Maharashtra
English and Telugu	Examination Centres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
English and Malayalam	Examination Centres in Kerala and Lakshadweep
English and Tamil	Examination Centres in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
English and Odia	Examination Centres in Odisha
English and Punjabi	Examination Centres in Punjab, Chandigarh, and Delhi/New Delhi (including Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Meerut, Noida/Greater Noida)

CUET Exam Pattern 2026: Important Points to Remember

Candidates must adhere to the pattern provided by the conducting authority. Students are allowed to choose up to 5 subjects for the CUET 2026. Some of the key points to consider while selecting subjects for the CUET exam are as follows:

• It is mandatory to choose at least one subject from the language sections. With this, you can choose 3 domain subjects and a general aptitude from section III.
• In case you want to choose 2 language-based subjects, then you need to choose 2 from the domain section and a general aptitude from section III.

Checkout the CUET Application fees!

CUET Marking Scheme 2026

The CUET marking criteria are definite. The marking scheme as per the NTA pattern is provided below.

• The CUET total marks are 250.
• The total duration allotted to answer 50 MCQ questions is 60 minutes. 
• Each correct answer carries 5 marks.
• 1 mark is deducted for a wrong answer. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unattempted questions.

Important resources for CUET Exam:

CUET Mock Test	CUET Study Material
CUET Good Score	CUET Question Paper
CUET Merit List	CUET Exam Analysis
CUET UG Answer Key	CUET Result 2026
CUET Previous year question paper

CUET Total Marks Per Subject

CUET total marks per subject are 250. But candidates must appear in all subjects they applied for to maximise their score. The following mentions what the total marks would be based on the number of subjects students choose and the expected passing marks for each.

• CUET total marks for 3 subjects: For 3 subjects, the total marks would be 750. The passing marks for 750 are expected to be between 600 and 700 for most courses in top colleges.
• CUET total marks for 4 subjects: If candidates opt for 4 subjects, then the total marks will be 1000. The good score for such marks is 900+ marks in CUET. The expected passing marks or the cut-off score can be around 850+ for DU, BHU, Jamia, JNU and other top affiliated colleges of DU.
• CUET total marks for 5 subjects: The CUET total marks for 5 subjects are 1250. As per the previous cut-off analysis, you can expect the cut-off to be around 1100+ for top-ranked colleges.

CUET 2026 Exam Slots and Timing Details

The CUET 2026 subject-wise schedule will be released in April, tentatively. The NTA will also declare the number of slots in which exams will be held, along with the reporting time in the admit card. The tentative dates are mentioned below

Shift	Reporting Time (Tentative)	Exam Time (Tentative)
Slot1	7:00 AM to 8:00 AM	9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Slot 2	1:00 PM to 2:00 PM	3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

CUET Syllabus 2026 Overview

NTA has released the CUET syllabus for 23 CUET domain subjects, 13 language subjects and the general aptitude test on its official website of CUET. Subject-wise CUET pattern and syllabus, along with question paper PDFs, are provided below.

CUET Domain Subjects	Subject-wise CUET Syllabus 2026	Question Paper (To be Updated)
History	CUET History Syllabus	Check Here
Political Science	CUET Political Science Syllabus	Check Here
Psychology	CUET Psychology Syllabus	Check Here
Home Science	CUET Home Science Syllabus	Check Here
Mass Media/Mass Communication	CUET Mass Media/Mass Communication Syllabus	Check Here
Sociology	CUET Sociology Syllabus	Check Here
Sanskrit	CUET Sanskrit Syllabus	Check Here
Physical Education	CUET Physical Education Syllabus	Check Here
Knowledge Tradition- Practices in India	CUET Knowledge Tradition- Practices in India Syllabus	Check Here
Performing Arts	CUET Performing Arts Syllabus	Check Here
Environmental Science	CUET Environmental Science Syllabus	Check Here
Computer Science	CUET Computer Science Syllabus	Check Here
Economics	CUET Economics Syllabus	Check Here
Mathematics	CUET Mathematics Syllabus	Check Here
Accountancy	CUET Accountancy Syllabus	Check Here
Agriculture	CUET Agriculture Syllabus	Check Here
Anthropology	CUET Anthropology Syllabus	Check Here
Biology	CUET Biology Syllabus	Check Here
Business Studies	CUET Business Studies Syllabus	Check Here
Chemistry	CUET Chemistry Syllabus	Check Here
Physics	CUET Physics Syllabus	Check Here
General Aptitude Test	CUET General Aptitude Test Syllabus	Check Here

Explore CUET coaching centers across different cities:

CUET Coaching in Jaipur	CUET Coaching in Gwalior
CUET Coaching in Bhopal	CUET Coaching in Lucknow

CUET 2026 Preparation Tips

CUET 2026 preparation requires a structured strategy to ace the exam with flying colours. Your raw score should be at least 235+ in each subject to secure a seat in a top university. Here are a few preparation strategies we have listed below that you may use in your preparation journey.

• The CUET syllabus is designed based on the 12th standard NCERTs. Check the syllabus and pattern before you directly jump to prepare randomly.
• Initially, study basics from the NCERTs, followed by standard books from legit authors who meticulously cover the CUET syllabus.
• Make a timetable where you will include what to study and give a deadline to cover the specific topic, so that you cover everything on time.
• Your study routine must include a slot for regular revision, mock tests and practice sessions.
• Always analyse your mock and aim at scoring 240+ in the mock to improve speed and accuracy.

Find the latest CUET subject-wise syllabus below:

CUET Geography Syllabus	CUET Economics Syllabus
CUET Commerce Syllabus	CUET Humanities Syllabus
CUET Science Syllabus

Checkout important resources for CUET Exam here:

CUET Exam Centers	CUET Course List
CUET Counselling 2026	CUET Passing Marks
CUET Application fees	CUET Cut Off
CUET DU Cut Off	CUET Phase 1 & Phase 2

Checkout CUET Colleges in India:

CUET Colleges in Rajasthan	CUET Colleges in Jaipur
CUET Colleges in West Bengal	CUET Colleges in Maharashtra
CUET Colleges in Bangalore	CUET Colleges in Lucknow
CUET Colleges in Hyderabad	CUET Colleges in Karnataka
CUET Colleges in Indore	CUET Colleges in Pune
CUET Colleges in Punjab	CUET Colleges in Mumbai
CUET Colleges in Bihar	CUET Colleges in Chennai
CUET Colleges in Telangana	CUET Colleges in Gujarat
BTech CUET Colleges in Rajasthan