CUET: All You Need To Know About Common University Entrance Test

CUET: All You Need To Know About Common University Entrance Test

Prabha DhavalaUpdated on 25 Apr 2022, 09:00 AM IST

The Common University Entrance Test, or CUET, will replace the individual admission policies of central universities from this year. The details of the exam were announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on its official website in April. The entrance exam is the gateway for undergraduate university admissions in all central universities.

CUET: All You Need To Know About Common University Entrance Test
CUET: Miranda House and all other Delhi University colleges will admit through the CUET (Image: Official website)

Earlier known as CUCET, the exam has seen a total transformation starting from the name to the list of participating universities, exam pattern and syllabus. The CUET exam announced by NTA is the undergraduate one.

CUET 2022: Quick Facts

Here are the basics:

  • Name of Exam: Common University Entrance Test (CUET - UG)
  • Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
  • Participating Universities: 44 Central Universities and over 15 other universities
  • Official CUET website: cuet.samarth.ac.in
  • CUET exam date and time: First and second weeks of July tentatively

Registrations started on April 7 and the last date to fill the application form is May 22. The correction window to edit any mistakes in the CUET application form will be opened from May 25 to 31. CUET 2022 will be held in the first and second week of July 2022 tentatively.

CUET 2022: Key Points

These are the main points to keep in mind about the CUET exam:

  • The exam is slated to be held in two slots. Slot 1 will be for 195 minutes and Slot 2 for for 225 minutes. Since the structure of the CUET exam depends on the course chosen by the student, the subjects and sections to be attempted will differ accordingly.
  • CUET exam pattern consists of three sections: languages, domain subjects and general test. Candidates must check the eligibility criteria for the course they are applying for and then choose the CUET 2022 exam paper.
  • CUET will be conducted in two or more slots on different days as per the subjects or tests chosen
  • Candidates can take a maximum of nine tests when combining Slot 1 and Slot 2
  • Counselling will be university-specific. CUET scores will form the basis for admission
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CUET Eligibility Criteria.

NTA has specified that candidates who have passed their Class 12 or are appearing for it in 2022 are eligible to appear for the CUET exam.

There is no age limit for the exam. However, the eligibility for admissions depends upon the respective university and the course. So, candidates will need to check the detailed CUET eligibility criteria on the CUET official website by going to the tab for the participating universities where each university’s criteria have been specified along with the CUET exam paper to be attempted.

CUET Exam Pattern

The biggest change is in the paper pattern. The new CUET exam pattern has three sections and can be summarised as follows

Sections

Subjects/ Tests

Questions To Attempt

No. Of Questions Per Paper

Duration

Section IA­ Language


1 language to be chosen from a total of 13

40

50

45 minutes for each language

Section 1B -

Languages

1 language (apart from IA) out of 20 languages

40

50

45 minutes for each language

Section II -

Domain

27 Domain-specific subjects out of which a maximum of 6 can be selected

40

50


45 Minutes for each subject

Section III­ General Test

As per university specifications



60

75

60 Minutes


CUET Exam Pattern: Key Points

Mode of CUET exam

Computer-based

CUET 2022 exam days and slots

Two slots per day for multiple days

Timings

Slot 1: 9am to 12.15 pm

Slot 2: 3 pm to 6.45 pm

Duration of CUET exam

Slot 1: 45 or 60 minutes to 195 minutes

Slot 2: 45 minutes to 225 minutes

Maximum tests allowed in CUET slot 1

For Slot 1 (Morning): 4 tests


  • Language from Section IA
  • Maximum of two domain-specific subjects from Section II
  • One General Test from Section III

Maximum tests allowed in CUET 2022 slot 2

Slot 2: 5 tests


  • Section IA and IB: 1 language
  • Section II: 4 domain-specific subjects max

OR


  • Section IA and IB: Two languages
  • Section II: Three domain specific-subjects max

Marking scheme

1 mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.

Compensatory time for PwD candidates

  • 15 minutes for a 45-minute
  • 20 minutes for a 1-hour exam
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CUET Syllabus

While the syllabus will be based on the NCERT textbooks, CUET syllabus is available on the NTA website as well. As to the best books for the various subjects, it is best to refer to the NCERT textbooks. The syllabus for CUET 2022 can be checked below.

Sections IA, IB

Language to be tested through reading comprehension (based on factual, literary and narrative passages), literary aptitude and vocabulary

Section II

As given on NTA website, cuet.samarth.ac.in.

Section III

General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (application of basic mathematical concepts including Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics taught till Class 8) Logical and Analytical Reasoning

CUET Participating Institutes

The entire list of the universities participating in CUET 2022 is available at cuet.samarth.ac.in. However, the total number may rise as the University Grants Commission is inviting more institutions, including state ones, to join.

After the conclusion of the CUET exam, candidates will need to visit each of the universities they are interested in to apply for admissions. The selection process and other details will be given on the respective university websites.

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Questions related to CUET UG

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CUET UG ?

NTA has released the CUET UG 2026 application form on January 3 at cuet.nta.nic.in. Aspirants can fill and submit the CUET UG form 2026 till January 31. The candidates must provide their academic, personal, and contact information in the CUET UG 2026 application form. Prior to submission, it is important

A mismatch in father's name on official documents (like 10th marksheet vs. Aadhaar) will not lead to an immediate rejection of CUET application form, but it can cause significant problems during the document verification stage at universities. The National Testing Agency provides a CUET UG correction window to fix such

Hello

The application process for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2026 has officially begun. The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the application form on January 3, 2026. If you want to join top central universities like Delhi University (DU), BHU, or JNU, you must apply before the deadline.

Hello

Yes, it is fine to choose Political Science and History as your domain subjects, English as your language, and GAT in CUET for BA Ancient Indian Culture & Archaeology at BHU. These subjects are fully accepted and will not affect your eligibility for the course.

Hello,

Yes, you can get a reservation to study B Tech. through cuet exam as per your category. It is partially dependent on the university you will get admission.

Thank You.