CUET Exam Pattern 2026, Official Notification & Section Wise Pattern, Marking Scheme

CUET UG 2026 exam pattern has been released along with the official notification by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on 3rd January 2026 on its website, cuet.nta.nic.in. The exam is designed to provide a standardized admission process for undergraduate courses across central and participating universities in India. CUET 2026 will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and consists of three sections—Languages (Section I), Domain-Specific Subjects (Section II), and General Test (Section III).

Each section contains 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), with +5 marks for correct answers and -1 for wrong answers. Candidates can select up to two language papers, five domain subjects, and an optional general test, depending on their chosen course and university requirements. Questions in domain subjects are based on the NCERT Class 12 syllabus, and the total duration varies with the number of subjects selected, ensuring a fair and flexible evaluation.

CUET 2026 Exam Pattern Overview

CUET UG 2026 exam pattern provides a clear structure for candidates preparing for undergraduate admissions through the Common University Entrance Test mentioned in CUET UG Notification 2026. 

CUET 2026 Exam Pattern Section Wise

 CUET UG 2026 exam is divided into three main sections, each testing different skill sets. The table below summarizes the number of questions, duration, and the types of questions for each section.

CUET UG Marking Scheme 2026

The total marks for the CUET exam are 250. The marking scheme of CUET UG 2026 as per the National Testing Agency (NTA) is as follows:

CUET Exam Pattern 2026 Section-wise Details

CUET UG 2026 exam is divided into three main sections: Languages, Domain-Specific Subjects, and the General Aptitude Test. Each section tests different skills and knowledge areas, allowing candidates to choose subjects based on their academic background and course preferences. Below is a detailed look at each section of the exam pattern.

Section 1 – Languages:

Candidates can choose from the following 13 languages:
Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Odia, Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, English, Hindi, and Urdu.

Section 2 – Domain-Specific Subjects

Candidates may select CUET domain specific subjects regardless of their Class 12 subjects. It is recommended to check the respective university brochure for subject eligibility. The available domain-specific subjects include:

• Accountancy / Book Keeping

• Agriculture

• Anthropology

• Biology

• Business Studies

• Chemistry

• Computer Science / Informatics Practices

• Economics / Business Economics

• Fine Arts / Visual Arts (Sculpture / Painting) / Commercial Arts

• Geography / Geology

• Home Science

• History

• Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India

• Environmental Science

• Mathematics

• Physical Education / NCC / Yoga

• Physics

• Political Science

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Mass Media / Mass Communication

• Performing Arts

• Sanskrit

Section 3 – General Aptitude Test:

This section is optional and can be chosen by candidates applying for discontinued subjects, vocational courses, open eligibility, cross-stream, or other applicable undergraduate courses. The availability of this section depends on the requirements of the participating CUET universities.

CUET 2026 MCQ Format Details

The CUET UG 2026 exam follows a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) format across all sections. Each question presents four or more options, out of which only one is the correct or most appropriate answer. Candidates must select the correct option by marking it on the computer-based test interface.

CUET 2026 Number of Questions

CUET UG 2026 exam is structured to allow flexibility in subject selection, and each paper consists of a fixed number of questions. Here's how the number of questions in CUET is distributed across the sections:

CUET 2026 Negative Marking Rules

CUET UG 2026 exam follows a standardized marking scheme with negative marking in CUET, as prescribed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Below are the details:

CUET 2026 Official Exam Pattern PDF

The CUET UG 2026 official exam pattern was released along with the notification by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on its official website, cuet.nta.nic.in. Candidates can refer to it to understand the exam structure, number of questions, marking scheme, and time allocation. Meanwhile, students may also review the CUET 2025 exam pattern for additional practice, as the overall format and rules are expected to remain largely similar.

CUET 2026 Exam Pattern Download PDF

CUET 2026 Time Management Tips

1.  Know the number of questions, marking scheme, and duration for each section (Language – 45/60 mins, Domain – 45 mins, General Test – 60 mins).

2.  Allocate specific time slots for each subject based on difficulty and importance. Follow a balanced routine covering all sections.

3.  Since domain-specific subjects are directly linked to your chosen UG course, spend more time mastering these areas.

4.  Solve CUET previous year question papers and full-length mocks under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam environment.

5.  Focus 80% of your time on high-weightage topics and frequently asked questions.

6.  In the actual exam, move on if a question takes too long. You can mark it for review and return later.

7.  Set aside weekly time slots just for revision and formula recaps, especially for General Test and Quant sections.

8.  Study in focused blocks (e.g., 50 mins study + 10 mins break) to stay refreshed and productive.

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