From "One Student-One Day Exam" to Shorter Duration: Here’s How CUET 2027 Might Work

Shift to "One Student-One Day Exam" Model

Previously, candidates used to visit test centres 2 to 3 times across a 12 to 15 day window. This often means that students get allotted different test centers on different days, which not only adds to already existing anxiety, it is very inconvenient, costs time and money. While the CUET 2027 will still be conducted throughout several days, a student will take all his/ her tests in a single day. This not only saves them from a multi-day trip, it saves food and accommodation costs, ultimately reducing stress for outstation and rural students.

Also read,

• Expected Major Changes in CUET UG 2027 Exam Pattern

Shorter Paper Duration

CUET exam duration used to be 60 minutes, which may get reduced to 40 to 45 minutes. This will help the agencies to conduct the exams more swiftly. This means students will not need to be more careful about their time management as this will leave them with less time per question.

Reduced Number of Questions

The total number of questions in CUET UG 2027 may come down to 35 to 40, which was 50 earlier. If both less duration and questions are implemented, candidates will have to complete their exams with higher accuracy and pacing. Fewer questions result in each question carrying higher weightage, increasing the competition.

Fewer Maximum Allowed Subjects

Students could choose up to 5 subjects in the CUET exam, which might get reduced to 4 subjects out of 37 offered (13 languages, 23 domain subjects, and 1 general aptitude test). The authorities are suggesting this change so that the total exam runtime of CUET is reduced. For example, with 5 subjects in a single day, the total exam hours would be 200 minutes (3 hours and 20 minutes), with 4 subjects it would be 160 minutes (2 hours and 40 minutes).

Change in Standardised Admission in University Admission

CUET participating universities currently have no uniform admission criteria. For example, Delhi University has very very strict DU CUET subject combination rules, where not every course requires a general aptitude test, whereas many state universities in Uttar Pradesh have made it mandatory.

If the total subject cap is set at 4, the UGC might be instructed to ensure that participating universities make adjustments to their admission requirements. Every university may be required to formally recognise and accept the general aptitude test to avoid penalising applicants under the reduced subject limit.

Are there any changes made to CUET PG 2027?

The CUET PG exam 2027 might not be mandatory for admission to various postgraduate admissions where candidate applications fall below the available seat capacity. For example, if the course offers 500 seats and NTA receives less than 500 applications for that particular subject, the agency will scrap the exam and shift to direct merit-based admissions. This is a favourable situation for students as over 30 CUET PG subjects fall under this low-application category.

These changes we have mentioned here are still under review, and are a part of the operational roadmap from UGC, NTA and UGC. The official notification from NTA and UGC is expected to be released soon, after which we will update accordingly. Students are encouraged to check this article regularly.