Common University Entrance Test – CUET-UG
The CUET-UG (Common University Entrance Test – Undergraduate)
is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission into undergraduate programs in central, state, deemed, and participating private universities across India.
It was introduced in 2022 to create a uniform admission
system and reduce dependence on Class 12 board marks.
1️ Purpose of CUET-UG
Before CUET, universities had very high board cut-offs (sometimes 99%+). CUET-UG ensures:
Equal opportunity for students from all boards Standardized national-level testing
Merit-based admission
Flexibility in subject choice
It is accepted by major central universities like:
University of Delhi
Banaras Hindu University
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Aligarh Muslim University
University of Hyderabad
2️ Courses Covered
CUET-UG is used for admission into:
BA / BA (Hons)
BSc / BSc (Hons)
BCom / BCom (Hons)
BBA
BCA
BMS
Integrated courses (BA-LLB, BBA-MBA in some universities)
Each university defines its own eligibility and required subject combinations.
3️ Exam Structure (General Pattern)
CUET-UG typically consists of three components:
Section I – Language Test
Choose from multiple languages (e.g., English, Hindi)
Tests reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar
Section II – Domain Subjects
Students choose subjects based on their intended course.
Examples:
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Mathematics
Economics
Accountancy
Business Studies
History
Political Science
Geography
Psychology
Questions are based on NCERT Class 12 syllabus.
Section III – General Test
Includes:
General Knowledge
Current Affairs
Logical Reasoning
Quantitative Aptitude
Data Interpretation
Note: Some courses
require the General Test, while others do not.
4️ Mode of Examination
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Duration: Usually 60 minutes per subject
Marking Scheme:
+5 for correct answer
−1 for incorrect answer
Conducted in multiple shifts
5️ Eligibility Criteria
✔️ Educational Qualification
Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12
Must meet specific university eligibility
✔️ Age Limit
No specific age limit (subject to university rules)
6️ How Subject Selection Works
This is very important.
Example combinations:
BCom (Hons) – Usually requires:
Language (English)
Accountancy/Mathematics
Two domain subjects
BA (Hons) Economics – Usually requires:
English
Mathematics
Relevant domain subjects
BSc Physics – Requires:
Physics
Mathematics
Chemistry
Each university publishes its required combinations on its admission portal.
7 Participating Universities
Apart from central universities, CUET-UG scores are accepted by:
State universities
Deemed universities
Private universities
Examples:
Jamia Millia Islamia
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
8️ Counseling & Admission Process
Step-by-step:
Appear for CUET-UG
Check result
Apply separately on university websites
Universities release cut-offs/merit lists
Participate in counseling and seat allocation
Important:
NTA conducts only the exam. Admission is handled by individual universities.
9 Competition Level
Lakhs of students appear every year. Admission into top courses at:
University of Delhi
Jawaharlal Nehru University is highly competitive, especially for
popular courses like:
BA (Hons) Economics
BCom (Hons)
BA (Hons) Political Science
Preparation Strategy
1. Focus on NCERT (Class 12)
Most domain questions are NCERT-based.
2. Practice MCQs
CUET is fully objective.
3. Prepare Current Affairs (for General Test)
4. Improve Speed & Accuracy
Time management is key.
5. Take Mock Tests
CUET-UG vs Board Exams
| Feature | CUET-UG | Board Exams |
|---|---|---|
| Type | MCQs | Subjective + Objective |
| Purpose | University Admission | Academic Qualification |
| Conducted By | NTA | Respective Boards |
| Scope | National | Board-specific |