The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a standardized national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).It serves as a centralized single-window gateway for admission into undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses across participating Central, State, Deemed, and Private universities in India.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Test Mode | Hybrid / Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Question Format | Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Marking Scheme | +5 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect answer |
| Accepted By | Central universities (DU, BHU, JNU, JMI, etc.), State, Deemed, and Private institutions |
Why CUET Was Introduced
- Eliminating Sky-High Board Cutoffs: Prior to CUET, admissions into top institutions like Delhi University relied on Class 12 percentages, leading to cutoffs as high as 99–100%. CUET shifts the focus to a standardized exam.
- Level Playing Field: Differences in evaluation rigor across state and central boards (e.g., CBSE, ICSE, State Boards) no longer disadvantage students.
- Single Application Portal:Candidates can apply to multiple courses across dozens of universities with a single exam score, saving substantial application fees and travel time.
CUET (UG) Exam Structure
The undergraduate test is divided into three primary sections:
1. Section I: Languages
- Section IA (13 Languages):English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Urdu, etc.
- Section IB (20 Languages): Foreign and regional options like French, German, Spanish, Sanskrit, Arabic, etc.
- Syllabus:Reading comprehension (factual, literary, narrative), vocabulary, synonyms/antonyms, and grammar.
2. Section II: Domain-Specific Subjects
- Covers 27 subject areas across Science, Commerce, and Humanities (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology).
- Syllabus: Strictly mapped to the Class 12 NCERT curriculum.
3. Section III: General Test (GT)
- Required for interdisciplinary courses, vocational programs, and specific degrees like BBA, BMS, or general BA/B.Com programs depending on the university.
- Syllabus:General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Basic Quantitative Reasoning, and Logical Reasoning.
Eligibility Criteria
- Academic Qualification:Candidates must have passed or be appearing in their Class 12 / equivalent examination.
- Age Limit:No upper age limit set by NTA (though individual university criteria apply).
- Subject Mapping:Candidates must choose subject combinations that match the eligibility criteria of their targeted university program.
How the Admission Process Works
- Registration & Form Filling:Choose target universities, courses, and corresponding test subjects on the official NTA portal.
- Appearing for the Exam: Take the paper based on assigned schedule and test slots.
- Scorecards & Normalization: NTA releases raw scores and normalized NTA percentiles.
- University-Level Counseling: Candidates apply separately to the admission portals of their chosen universities (e.g., DU CSAS) where merit lists are formed based on CUET scores.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About CUET
Q. What is the full form of CUET?
CUET stands for Common University Entrance Test. It is a standardized national entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions into undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses across participating central, state, deemed, and private universities in India.
Q. Is CUET mandatory for admission into Delhi University (DU)?
Yes, CUET is strictly mandatory for admission to all undergraduate programs across Delhi University (DU) colleges. Admission is determined entirely by merit scores calculated from required CUET subject combinations rather than Class 12 board marks.
Q. How many subjects can a student choose in CUET UG?
Candidates can select a maximum of 6 test papers across the three sections (Languages, Domain Subjects, and General Test). The optimal combination depends on the specific course requirements of your target universities.
Q. Is there negative marking in the CUET exam?
Yes. CUET follows a standardized marking scheme:
- +5 marks for every correct answer.
- -1 mark for every incorrect answer.
- 0 marks for unattempted questions.
Q. What is the syllabus for CUET domain-specific subjects?
The CUET domain subject syllabus is based strictly on the Class 12 NCERT curriculum. Topics taught solely in Class 11 are not tested in domain-specific sections.
Q. Are Class 12 board marks considered along with CUET scores?
Class 12 board scores serve only as a basic eligibility threshold (usually 50% for general categories, varying by university). The actual merit rankings and seat allocation are based purely on your normalized CUET score.
Q. Can I change my academic stream through CUET?
Yes. CUET allows stream transitions (e.g., Science students applying for Humanities or Commerce courses). However, candidates must verify the stream-mapping and subject eligibility guidelines of their specific target university.
Q. What is the difference between CUET UG and CUET PG?
- CUET UG: Designed for students completing Class 12 seeking admission into Bachelor’s degree programs (e.g., BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA).
- CUET PG: Designed for undergraduate graduates seeking admission into Master’s programs (e.g., MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MBA).