Over 13 lakh students register for CUET every year. However, 10 lakh appear for the exam each year. Therefore, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the test in multiple phases for 37 subjects. The CUET exam is held in multiple sessions as per the number of registrations per subject. Due to this, NTA uses the normalisation process to ensure fairness to students who appeared in different shifts.
CUET 2026 Exam Overview (Key Highlights)
Check the key details of CUET Phase 1 and 2 mentioned below. NTA is likely to release the complete datesheet phase-wise soon on the official website.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| CUET exam date | May 11 to May 31, 2026 |
| Examination Mode | CBT |
| Exam duration | 60 minutes |
| Reporting time | 2 hours before the exam |
| Exam shift | Multiple shift |
| CUET Total marks | 250 |
| No. of questions | 50 |
| Marking scheme | +5 for each correct response, -1 for each incorrect answer |
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What are Phase 1 and Phase 2 in CUET 2026?
The CUET is held in different phases to allow seamless conduct of exams. For instance, CUET 2026 will be held from May 11 to May 31, 2026, in 2-3 shifts each day. To ensure students opting the different subject combination take the exam without time constrain or conflict, exams are held in phases. In addition to this, NTA might conduct the exams in both CBT and pen and paper mode for remote students. This may be held in 2 phases for smooth conduct of the exam.
CUET Phase 1 and Phase 2 Details (Subjects, Dates and Process)
Subject-wise CUET 2026 datesheet is yet to be released. The given table will be updated as soon as NTA release the dates on the official website.
| CUET Phase I and Phase 2 | Details |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 exam dates | To be Updated |
| Phase 2 exam dates | To be Updated |
| Phase 1 subjects | To be Updated |
| Phase 2 subjects | To be Updated |
| Phase 1 exam process | To be Updated |
| Phase 2 Process | To be Updated |
Checkout important resources for CUET Exam here:
| CUET Application Form | CUET Universities List |
| CUET Exam Day Guidelines | CUET Registration |
| CUET Marks vs Percentile | CUET Application Fees |
| CUET Exam Centers | CUET Passing Marks |
Why is the CUET Exam Conducted in Multiple Phases?
Key reasons why NTA conducts CUET in multiple phases are as follows:
- CUET offers 37 different subjects for Science, Commerce and Humanities. Therefore, student select different combinations.
- Conducting the exams in multiple phases ensures that students selecting the different combinations can appear for all the subjects they opted for without time conflict.
- Since the exam is held in Computer-based mode and more than 13 lakh students register for the exam, NTA conducts the exam in phases to prevent technical glitches.
Checkout CUET Colleges in India:
| CUET Colleges in Rajasthan | CUET Colleges in Jaipur |
| BTech CUET Colleges in Rajasthan | CUET Colleges in West Bengal |
| CUET Colleges in Maharashtra | CUET Colleges in Bangalore |
How to Check Your CUET Exam Phase 2026
The CUET 2026 exam date has been released. The exam will be held from May 11 to May 31, 2026. NTA shall release the CUET exam phase 2026 dates soon on the CUET official website. To check in which phase your exam will be held, follow the steps given below.
- CUET phase-wise dates will be declared by the NTA on the official website.
- Once released, check the website- cuet.nta.nic.in and download the CUET 2026 datesheet.
- The complete details about the exam dates and phase will be mentioned in your CUET admit card 2026.
Explore CUET coaching centers across different cities:
CUET 2026 Phase-Wise Preparation Strategy
- Since the CUET domain subjects are directly from NCERT, study each chapter, highlight specific dates, names of theorists, and information that NTA often targets.
- If you have opted for the General test, then dedicate just 1-2 hours daily to Section III (General Test) or Section I (Language). These sections requires consistent practice in mental math and vocabulary building.
- Prepare cheat sheets to summarise important information, containing only formulas, chronologies, or keyword definitions. These will be your only study materials in the final week.
- CUET is a Computer-Based Test. Practice under 60 minutes duration for all subjects; train your brain to handle this specific time pressure.
- Take a full-length mock test under real exam conditions. Analyse your error after each test to improve your speed and accuracy.
Checkout important resources for CUET Exam here:
| CUET Passing Marks | CUET Eligibility Criteria |
| CUET Exam Pattern | CUET DU Cut Off |
| CUET Cut Off | CUET Course List |
| CUET Preparation 2026 | CUET Result 2026 |
Last Minute Tips for CUET 2026 Exam
A few days before the exam, it is crucial to strategise your studies based on that. Some last-minute tips to follow are listed below.
- 10 to 15 days before the exam, focus on the revision of the topics you have covered so far.
- Do not bring up any new topic at this crucial time. This will cause confusion and anxiety.
- Stick to the notes you have prepared, revise them multiple times and give importance to high-weightage topics.
- Focus on revising formulas, tricks and key areas that are important from the exam’s perspective.
Find the latest CUET subject-wise syllabus below:
FAQs on CUET Phase 1 and Phase 2
Phase 1 and Phase 2 in CUET mean the exam will be held 2 to 3 shifts each day to avoid overcrowding and technical glitches.
Yes, the CUET exam is conducted in the 2nd phase as well due to a high number of registrations in each subject. NTA conducts the 2nd phase only if there is a high number of registrations in each subject.
After phase two of the exam, you can check the unofficial answer key released by the coaching institute. With this, you can calculate your score and check the expected university you may get into.
A good score in CUET depends on the total score and the cutoff of the university. If we consider out of 1000, then the good score can be 900+ marks for general category students. For reserved category students, the good score is 600+ marks in CUET.
To get into DU with 300 marks in CUET is tough. Your score should be 800+ in CUET for DU or other top universities. If you are from a reserved category, then you might get tier colleges affiliated to DU.
A few days before the exam, candidates must focus on revising the notes and giving priority to high-weightage topics. You should not touch new topics, as it will lead to confusion and anxiety.
650 out of 1000 is an average score for general students to get into DU. But you may get admission to tier 2 colleges affiliated to DU. However, if 650 for OBC or SC/ST students is sufficient for DU.
Yes, DU opens phase 2 of counselling based on the seat availability in each course. The counselling is held in 4-5 steps, which include registration, choice filling, accepting the seat, followed by the fee payment, and reporting to the allotted college with the necessary documents.
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