What Is CUET?

CUET stands for Common University Entrance Test. It is a national level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate courses in central universities across India. Central universities like Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and many others use CUET scores for admission instead of Class 12 board marks.

CUET was introduced so that students from different state boards are evaluated on the same platform, making the admission process fairer.

Who Should Take CUET?

Any student who has passed or is appearing in Class 12 can apply for CUET. It is relevant for students who want to:

Get admission to Delhi University or other central universities
Study BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, or BCA in top government universities
Compete for seats without depending only on board exam marks

Structure of the CUET Exam

CUET has three main sections:

Section 1A and 1B — Language Test

This tests reading comprehension and language skills. Section 1A covers 13 languages and Section 1B covers 20 additional languages. Most students appear in the English language test.

Section 2 — Domain Subjects

You choose subjects based on the course you are applying for. For example, if you want to study B.Sc Physics, you choose Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. If you want BA Economics, you choose Economics and Mathematics. Each subject has 45 to 50 questions from the Class 12 NCERT syllabus.

Section 3 — General Test

This section covers general knowledge, current affairs, logical reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. It is required for courses like BBA, BMS, and many general arts programmes.

How Is CUET Scored?

The exam is computer-based (CBT). Each correct answer gets 5 marks. Each wrong answer loses 1 mark. Questions are objective type with 4 options. You must attempt 40 out of 50 questions in most domain subjects.

How to Prepare for CUET

Step 1: Know Your Target University and Course

First, decide which universities and courses you are targeting. Then check which domain subjects that course requires. Do not prepare for subjects you do not need.

Step 2: Study NCERT Thoroughly

CUET domain subject questions come directly from Class 12 NCERT textbooks. This is confirmed by NTA every year. Read your NCERT books carefully — every line, every table, every example. For most students who have studied CBSE, much of this is already done.

Step 3: Practice Past CUET Papers

Solve previous year CUET question papers to understand the type of questions asked, the difficulty level, and how much time each section takes. This is the single most effective preparation activity.

Step 4: Prepare for the Language Section

Practice reading comprehension daily. Read a paragraph and answer questions based on it. Vocabulary questions are also common, so read widely.

Step 5: General Test Preparation

For the general test, read a good current affairs source daily, practice simple quantitative problems, and solve logical reasoning puzzles. 30 minutes a day over 3 months is enough for most students.

Timeline for CUET Preparation

6 months before: complete domain subjects, revise NCERT
3 months before: start solving past papers, start general test practice
1 month before: full length mock tests, revision of weak areas

If you need a tutor to help you prepare for CUET domain subjects or the general test, find experienced tutors on TuitionsinIndia.com. You can also register as a tutor if you want to help students prepare for CUET.

What Is the CUET Exam and How to Prepare for It