The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) has become the central gateway for undergraduate admissions in many Indian universities. This standardized exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), streamlines the admission process across a vast spectrum of institutions—central, state, deemed, and private.

CUET aims to provide equal opportunities for students nationwide by replacing multiple entrance tests with one unified platform. If you’re planning to pursue higher education in India, this is the roadmap you need. This blog dives into every important detail of CUET UG—eligibility, pattern, preparation strategies, counselling, and beyond.

1. What is CUET UG and Why Should You Care?

CUET, or Common University Entrance Test, is now your one-stop exam for undergraduate admission in over 250 universities—central, state, deemed, and private—all across India. Administered by the NTA, it’s a big deal because:

You take one exam and unlock doors to hundreds of institutions.
It promotes fairness, transparency, and standardized evaluation.
It focuses on what you’ve already studied—mostly from Classes 11 and 12 NCERT.

In short: Don’t try to overthink it—for Domains your board syllabus plus smart prep is your best bet. You need to add LR, QA, Language, GK/CA into your knowledge.

2. Exam Format at a Glance

CUET UG is divided into three parts:

Section I – Language Test (choose 1 of 13): Grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension (factual, narrative, literary).
Section II – Domain-Specific Subjects: Up to 5 subjects. Stick to what you’re solid in, preferably from Class 12 NCERT.
Section III – General Test: Logical reasoning, quantitative ability, general awareness, current affairs.

Question format: MCQs (compulsory)
Marking: +5 for right answers, –1 for wrong ones
Timing: 60 minutes per paper (roughly)

3. The Syllabus You Need: Focus, Fresh, and Fundamental

Section I – Language (all languages follow the same pattern):

Reading Comprehension: passages with factual, literary, narrative styles
Verbal reasoning: synonyms, antonyms, vocabulary
Sentence rearrangement, grammar questions

Section II – Domain Subjects (Based on Class 12 NCERT)

You can pick up to five subjects, but choose wisely based on your comfort and course requirements. Here’s a sample of popular ones:

Accountancy: Covers partnerships, financial statements, capital, share/debenture accounting.
Chemistry: Topics like electrochemistry, coordination compounds, organic nitrogen compounds, biomolecules, polymers.
Physics: Includes optics, electromagnetic induction, dual nature of matter, electronics, communication systems.
Mathematics: Algebra, calculus, differential equations, vectors, probability, numerical applications.
Economics: From micro fundamentals to national income, banking, reforms, balance of payments, Indian economic development.
Biology: Reproduction, genetics, biotechnology, ecology.
Mass Communication: Covers journalism, TV, radio, cinema, social and new media.

There are many others—geography, home science, sociology, fine arts, anthropology, psychology, Sanskrit, performing arts, political science, environmental science, etc.

Choose based on what aligns with your boards and your strongest subjects.

Section III – General Test (CUET-GAT)

Prepares you for life, not just college:

Logical & Analytical Reasoning
Numerical & Quantitative Ability (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics basics)
General Knowledge & Current Affairs

Stay updated by reading newspapers and staying engaged with national & global news.

4. Heard the Buzz? Exam Day and the Issues (2025 Highlights)

The Accountancy paper faced backlash—some questions were from Unit V, originally optional. NTA called a re‑test starting May 22, but students can’t keep their better score. Many students and parents cried foul over fairness.
Physical Education aspirants suffered too—an optional section was omitted, and NTA hasn’t addressed the error.
Several students and experts pointed out inconsistencies across shifts, syllabus-mismatch, and time‑management issues.
That said—papers in Chemistry and Biology were largely based on NCERT and fairly balanced in difficulty. General and English sections were manageable.

5. How to Prepare Like a Pro (Without Losing Your Chill)

Start Smart with NCERT

Your Class 11 and 12 NCERT books are your allies. They cover the core concepts.

Build a Domain Plan

Pick 3–5 subjects you’ve mastered. Depth beats random breadth.
Make a week-by-week plan. Start early—no late-night cram culture.
Use subject-wise mock tests and past papers to pinpoint weak areas.

Language and General Test Prep

Read articles in different styles: editorials, poetry, narratives.
Build vocab lists—focus on synonyms, antonyms, and usage.
For GAT, practice both speed and accuracy: reasoning quizzes, GK capsules, daily current news.
You can refer to our General Test Guide and various articles available at touch4career.com

Practice under Pressure

Time yourself—60 min per paper is non-negotiable.
Use full mock tests to simulate exam day.
Analyze and revise—don’t just practice, understand where and why you erred.

On Exam Day

Skip and return. Time is precious—dwell less, do more.
Stay calm. One paper is one step closer to your dream university.

6. Exam Timeline & What’s New in 2026

Mark your calendar roughly like this:

Event	Tentative Timeline
Official Notification	First week of March 2026
Registration Opens	1–31 March 2026
Correction Window	Late March 2026
Admit Cards Release	From 10 May 2026
CUET UG Exam Days	Mid-May to early June 2026
Answer Key & Results	Late June–Early July 2026
Counselling Begins	July 2026

Key changes:

No longer limited by your Class 12 subjects—you can choose any domain subject.
Subject list trimmed to 37 (13 languages, 23 domains, + General Test); removed subjects like Entrepreneurship, Legal Studies, Tourism, etc.
Each paper: 60 minutes, 50 compulsory MCQs, same marking across the board (+5 for correct, –1 for wrong).

Quick Checklist:

Pick your domain wisely (3–5 subjects)
Get the official syllabus from NTA
Follow a weekly study schedule
Read widely—newspapers, editorials, textbooks
Practice mocks with time constraints
Monitor NTA updates (especially for anomalies like accountancy/PE issues)
Stay relaxed, focused, and ready