CUET UG Exam Pattern 2025: Subjects-wise Exam Structure & Negative Marking
CUET UG Exam Pattern 2025
The NTA has updated the CUET UG 2025 exam pattern. According to UGC Chairperson Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, the exam duration, manner of examination, and number of subjects for CUET UG would alter. The exam has been switched back to CBT mode. CUET UG will feature three sections. Section 1 will feature 13 languages, Section 2 will contain 23 domain subjects, and Section 3 will be a General Test. Candidates can now take up to five subjects instead of six. Students will be able to choose any CUET course, regardless of what subjects they studied in class 12th. Candidates can begin preparing for the CUET UG alongside the board exam.
The CUET 2025 exam date will be revealed shortly. The exam is expected to take place in May or June of 2025. The CUET UG 2025 exam will be divided into three parts, each with objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The CUET question paper will be in English, and candidates will be able to choose from 12 regional languages. Each question will be worth five points, with a one-point deduction for incorrect answers. The table given below shows some of the key highlights of the CUET UG exam pattern.
Particulars | Details |
Mode of the examination | Hybrid Mode (OMR sheet or Computer Based Test) |
Number of Slots | Three to four |
Exam timing | Mentioned in NTA CUET datesheet |
Type of questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
CUET UG sections | Section 1 - Language Section 2 - Domain Subject Section 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 UG Mode of Examination
CUET UG Exam 2025 is scheduled to be held in both offline and online methods where the candidates will use both pen and paper as well as computer.
Examples of CUET UG subjects that have been administered in pen-and-paper mode are; Chemistry, English, Biology, General Tests, Economics, Hindi, Physics, Mathematics, Geography, Physical Education, Business Studies, Accountancy, History, Political Science, and Sociology.
The CUET UG subjects that are proposed to be conducted in computer-based mode are Kannada, Odia, Punjabi, Telugu, Arabic, Chinese, French, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Nepali, Russian, Santhali, Sindhi, Tibetan, Agriculture, Fine Arts, Sanskrit, Psychology, Fashion Studies, Computer Science/Informatic Practices, Sanskrit, Entrepreneurship, Home Science, Teaching Aptitude, Anthrop
CUET 2025 Exam Pattern: Section-Wise Overview
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG exam consists of multiple sections, each testing different aspects of a candidate's knowledge and skills. Below is a detailed explanation of the exam pattern, broken down by sections, along with their structure, duration, and question types.
Section | No. of Questions | Duration | Question Types |
Section IA: Language | 50 Questions | 60 minutes for all subjects | Reading Comprehension based on passages of different types: Factual, Literary, and Narrative (including Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary). |
Section II: Domain Specific | 50 Questions | Input text for MCQ-based questions | MCQs derived strictly from the NCERT Class 12 syllabus. |
Section III: General Test | 50 Questions | Input text for MCQ-based questions | Includes topics like General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, Numerical Ability, and Quantitative Reasoning. Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and mensuration concepts taught till Grade 8 are covered. |
CUET UG Marking Scheme
The CUET exam has a total of 250 marks. The marking scheme is as follows:
- Correct Answer: Each correct response earns +5 marks.
- Incorrect Answer: Each wrong response deducts 1 mark.
- Unanswered/Marked for Review: No marks are awarded.
- Multiple Correct Options:
- If multiple correct options exist, +5 marks will be awarded for marking any one of the correct options.
- If all options are correct, +5 marks will be awarded to all candidates attempting the question.
- Dropped or Incorrect Questions: If a question is invalid or dropped, all candidates who attempted it will receive +5 marks.
This marking scheme ensures fairness while rewarding accuracy and discouraging guesswork.
CUET Subjects & Language Guidelines
The CUET exam is available in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. The availability of languages at examination centers varies:
Language | Examination Centre |
English | All examination centres |
English and Hindi | All examination centres |
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 Malayalam | Examination Centres in Kerala and Lakshadweep |
English and Marathi | Examination Centres in Maharashtra |
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) |
English and Tamil | Examination Centres in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
English and Telugu | Examination Centres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana |
English and Urdu | All Examination Centres in India |
Candidates can select their preferred languages when filling out the application form. They can choose up to two languages from Section IA and Section IB combined. If a third language is chosen, it must replace the sixth domain-specific subject, ensuring the total number of tests does not exceed nine. The structure for the tests is:
- Two languages
- Three domain-specific subjects
- One general test
This structure allows flexibility, enabling candidates to apply to multiple universities depending on their eligibility. A maximum of six CUET subjects can be chosen.
The exam will be conducted over several days in three shifts, based on the number of registered candidates and their subject choices for CUET 2025.
CUET UG Syllabus 2025
The NTA publishes the CUET UG syllabus on the CUET official website. Unlike exams like JEE Main and NEET, which cover material from both Class 11 and Class 12, the CUET UG syllabus focuses exclusively on Class 12 content. The syllabus varies depending on the subject, with different units, chapters, and topics for each.
Before beginning their preparation, candidates should download the subject-specific CUET UG syllabus PDFs. It's important to prepare according to the subjects chosen, as the content covered will differ for each subject.
Subjects | CUET Syllabus PDFs |
English | CUET English Syllabus PDF |
Biology | CUET Biology Syllabus PDF |
Accountancy/ Book Keeping | CUET Accountancy Syllabus PDF |
Business Studies | CUET Business Studies Syllabus PDF |
Chemistry | CUET Chemistry Syllabus PDF |
Computer Science/ Informatics Practices | CUET Computer Science Syllabus PDF |
Economics/ Business Economics | CUET Economics Syllabus PDF |
Engineering Graphics | CUET Engineering Graphics Syllabus PDF |
Entrepreneurship | CUET Entrepreneurship Syllabus PDF |
Fashion Studies | CUET Fashion Studies Syllabus PDF |
Geography/Geology | CUET Geography Syllabus PDF |
Home Science | CUET Home Science Syllabus PDF |
Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India | CUET Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India Syllabus PDF |
Legal Studies | CUET Legal Studies Syllabus PDF |
Environmental Science | CUET Environmental Science Syllabus PDF |
Mathematics | CUET Mathematics Syllabus PDF |
Physical Education/ NCC /Yoga | CUET Physical Education Syllabus PDF |
Physics | CUET Physics Syllabus PDF |
Political Science | CUET Political Science Syllabus PDF |
Psychology | CUET Psychology Syllabus PDF |
Sociology | CUET Sociology Syllabus PDF |
Teaching Aptitude | CUET Teaching Aptitude Syllabus PDF |
Agriculture | CUET Agriculture Syllabus PDF |
Mass Media/ Mass Communication | CUET Mass Media/ Mass Communication Syllabus PDF |
Anthropology | CUET Anthropology Syllabus PDF |
Fine Arts/ Visual Arts (Sculpture/ Painting)/Commercial Arts | CUET Fine Arts Syllabus PDF |
Performing Arts | CUET Performing Arts Syllabus PDF |
Sanskrit | CUET Sanskrit Syllabus PDF |
Tourism | CUET Tourism Syllabus PDF |
History | CUET History Syllabus PDF |
General Test | CUET General Test Syllabus PDF |
CUET UG 2025 Preparation Strategies
To succeed in the CUET UG 2025 exam, candidates need to prepare with focus and consistency. Since the exam is based on the Class 12 syllabus, your preparation should align with how you study for your board exams. However, you must also dedicate time to language subjects and the General Test (if applicable). Below are some strategies to help you prepare effectively.
Preparation Steps | Description |
Understand the CUET Syllabus | Review the entire syllabus to identify topics for all sections, including domain-specific subjects, language, and the General Test. |
Familiarize with the Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme | Learn about the question types, the number of questions, and the marking scheme. This helps you prepare in alignment with the structure of the exam. |
Collect Study Materials | Gather essential resources such as preparation books, NCERT textbooks, and previous years' question papers. These materials give clarity about the exam. |
Create a Monthly Study Plan | Make a timetable to plan how much syllabus to cover each day. A consistent study schedule ensures timely completion of the syllabus. |
Practice Regularly | Solve sample papers, mock tests, and past question papers. This improves your accuracy, time management, and confidence. |
Additional Tips for Preparation
- Time Management: Divide your study hours between domain subjects, language preparation, and the General Test.
- Analyze Weak Areas: After attempting mock tests, focus on topics where you scored less and improve them.
- Improve Vocabulary and Reading Skills: For the language section, practice reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar.
- Stay Consistent: Regular revision is essential to retain information. Ensure you allocate time for periodic review of all subjects.
- Stay Updated: For the General Test, keep up with current affairs and practice reasoning questions daily.
By following these strategies, candidates can prepare systematically and improve their chances of performing well in the CUET UG 2025 exam.
CUET UG Mock Test
The NTA is anticipated to offer CUET UG 2025 mock examinations for practice purposes. Mock tests, like question papers, are crucial tools for preparation. To take CUET UG mock tests, you can register for tests offered by various coaching institutes. In addition to taking the examinations, you should have your mentors or teachers analyze them regularly. Based on the study, you will gain a complete understanding of your preparation level and opportunities for improvement. Taking CUET mock exams on a regular basis will also help you develop an appropriate exam day strategy, such as the sequence of sections to attempt, time management, method for selecting backup questions, and so on.
