Is CUET Exam Tough In 2026, Check Difficulty Level, Exam Challenges

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2026 is a national-level exam conducted for admission to undergraduate programs in over 250 universities, including top central, state, and private institutions across India. Every year, lakhs of students compete for limited seats, making it one of the most competitive entrance exams in the country.

Although CUET is primarily based on the NCERT Class 12 syllabus, its high competition level, strict time limits, and dynamic question patterns can make the exam quite challenging. Many aspirants wonder how tough CUET really is in 2026. The answer depends on preparation level, time management, and subject-wise strategies especially for high-weightage sections.

CUET Difficulty Level 2026 

CUET UG 2026 exam difficulty level is expected to be moderate to high, depending on the subject combination, the candidate’s preparation level, and the exam format. With over 14 lakh+ candidates expected to appear in 2026, the CUET preparation difficulty lies not just in the syllabus, but also in time pressure, accuracy, and rising cut-offs.

CUET 2026 Exam Analysis vs Previous Years

Let’s compare the CUET 2026 exam difficulty compared to previous years:

The overall trend shows CUET becoming more structured but competitive, especially for sought-after universities like DU, BHU, JNU, and JMI.

 CUET 2026 Exam Challenges  

Students often face the following CUET exam challenges 2026:

•  Limited Time: Only 60 minutes per subject with 50 MCQs.

• Broad Syllabus: Requires thorough coverage of Class 12 NCERT topics.

• High Accuracy Required: Negative marking (-1) for wrong answers.

• Increasing Cut-offs: Top colleges demanding 700+ marks.

CUET 2026 Toughest Sections (Expected)

Let’s break down the CUET 2026 toughest sections and analyze their difficulty level:

CUET 2026 English Difficulty

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

• Includes: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar

• Challenge: Tricky comprehension questions

• Tip: Practice RCs daily and build strong vocabulary

 CUET 2026 General Test Difficulty

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Includes: General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, Basic Maths

• Challenge: Solving 50 MCQs in 60 mins from mixed topics

• Tips: Solve mocks & stay updated with current affairs
  
  

CUET 2026 Mathematics Difficulty Level

• Difficulty: High

• Includes: Class 12 topics – Calculus, Algebra, Coordinate Geometry

• Challenge: Time-consuming & calculation-heavy

• Tip: Practice NCERT + PYQs + shortcuts for speed

CUET 2026 Science Section Difficulty

• Physics: High (conceptual + numerical)

• Chemistry: Moderate (Organic & Inorganic balanced)

• Biology: Moderate (factual, theory-heavy)

• Tip: Stick to NCERTs, revise formulas & reactions regularly

CUET 2026 Domain Subject Difficulty

• Commerce: Business Studies – theory-heavy but scoring

• Humanities: History, Pol. Sci. – memory-based but lengthy

• Tip: Make notes, revise definitions, understand chronology

CUET 2026 Difficulty Level Compared to Board Exams

CUET UG 2026 and Class 12 board exams may cover similar syllabus (mostly NCERT), but the approach, format, and difficulty level are quite different.

CUET tests application, speed, and concept clarity, whereas board exams test presentation and theory recall.

CUET vs JEE Difficulty

When comparing CUET (Common University Entrance Test) with JEE (Joint Entrance Examination), the difference in difficulty level becomes quite clear. Both exams are national-level entrance tests, but they have different academic purposes and test students in significantly different ways.

Verdict: JEE is tougher than CUET due to deeper concepts and higher math level.

CUET vs NEET Difficulty 2026

When comparing CUET UG 2026 and NEET 2026, it’s important to understand that both serve different academic streams and have unique structures, goals, and difficulty levels. Here’s a comparison of the CUET vs NEET difficulty level in 2026 to help students make informed choices and prepare effectively.

Verdict: NEET is tougher than CUET, especially for Biology students.

Tips to Crack CUET 2026 Exam

Here’s how to prepare for tough CUET exam 2026:

1. Know Your Subjects: Choose domains where you’re confident.

2. Use NCERT Smartly: 80–90% questions are based on NCERT Class 12.

3. Daily Mock Practice: Solve 1 full mock test every 3 days.

4. Time Management: Use a timer when solving papers.

5. Focus on English & General Test: Easy marks if practiced well.

6. Revise Weekly: Make summary sheets and revise every Sunday.

7. Previous Year Papers: Must-do for understanding question trends.