How to Crack CUET Exam 2025
Exam pattern, section-wise strategy, preparation tips, and best books for CUET UG preparation
What is CUET and Why Does It Matter?
CUET (Common University Entrance Test) UG is the central entrance exam for admission to undergraduate programmes at 230+ central, state, private and deemed universities in India — including Delhi University (DU), JNU, BHU, IGNOU, Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and many others.
CUET was introduced in 2022 to replace university-specific entrance tests and reduce the pressure of a 100% Class 12 marks cutoff. CUET is now mandatory for central universities — Class 12 marks alone are not enough for DU, JNU, or BHU admissions.
CUET UG is conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency) in Computer Based Test (CBT) format. It is one of India's largest entrance examinations by number of candidates — over 13 lakh registered in 2024.
CUET Exam Pattern
Section IA — Languages (13 languages): 45-minute test per language, 50 questions per language. Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary. This section tests proficiency in the language of your choice (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali etc.). Candidates can choose up to 3 languages.
Section IB — Domain-Specific Subjects (27 subjects): The core academic test based on Class 12 syllabus. 45 minutes, 50 questions per subject. Subjects: Accountancy, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, History, Home Science, Maths, Physics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology etc. Candidates can appear for up to 6 domain subjects.
Section III — General Test (Mandatory for some programmes): 60 minutes, 75 questions. Covers General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, Logical Reasoning. Required for Humanities and Social Science programmes at many universities.
Marking: +5 for correct answer, −1 for wrong answer (some variation by university). Total score out of 250 per subject section.
Mode: Computer-based, 13 cities and 329 test centres across India.
Section-wise Preparation Strategy
Domain Subjects (Most Important): CUET domain questions are based on Class 12 NCERT syllabus — this is the single most important resource. 70–80% of questions come directly from NCERT content.
Strategy: (1) Complete NCERT chapter by chapter with notes; (2) Practice CUET domain-specific mock tests (NTA website releases sample papers); (3) Focus on application-based questions, not just definitions; (4) Revise chapter summaries 2–3 weeks before exam.
Language Section: English Language is chosen by most candidates. Focus: Reading Comprehension (2 passages, 10 questions each), Grammar (tenses, voice, narration), Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution).
Strategy: Read 2 English passages daily (The Hindu, BBC English). Practice grammar from standard Class 11-12 grammar books. Time management is crucial — 45 minutes for 50 questions means under 1 minute per question.
General Test (Section III): Covers GK, Current Affairs (last 1 year), Quantitative Aptitude (Class 10 level), and Logical Reasoning. 75 questions in 60 minutes — fastest-paced section.
Strategy: Read GK capsule (Lucent's GK or Arihant CUET General Test guide). Follow monthly current affairs (AffairsCloud or GK Today). Practice 20–30 aptitude questions daily for 1 month.
Important Books and Resources
Domain Subjects: NCERT Class 12 textbooks (all subjects) — primary resource. Oswaal CUET Question Bank for each subject. NTA CUET Official Mock Tests (free on cuet.samarth.ac.in).
English Language: Arihant CUET English book. 20 Solved Sample Papers for CUET English. Wren & Martin Grammar for reference.
General Test: Arihant CUET General Test Guide. Lucent's General Knowledge (GK section). RS Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude (Maths portion).
Mock Tests: NTA CUET Official website (free mock tests), Embibe CUET series, Oswaal CUET sample papers (chapter-wise + mock papers). Solve at least 10 full-length mocks before the exam.
Online Resources: NTA's official CUET portal, YouTube channels for CUET preparation, BYJU'S/Unacademy CUET crash courses (useful for domain subjects).
Tips to Score High in CUET
1. Prioritise NCERT for domain subjects: Every single CUET domain question maps to NCERT. Do not use reference books before finishing NCERT completely.
2. Choose subjects strategically: Choose domain subjects that match your Class 12 syllabus exactly. Do not attempt subjects you haven't studied — negative marking will hurt your score.
3. Time management in mock tests: Practice timed sections from mock tests. Many candidates lose marks by not completing sections in time, especially General Test (60 min, 75 questions).
4. Attempt 45–48 out of 50 questions per domain subject: Attempting all 50 questions without confidence risks penalty from wrong answers. Aim for 45–48 with 85–90% accuracy.
5. University-specific cut-offs vary widely: DU cut-offs for some courses exceed 95% composite. JNU and BHU typically have lower cut-offs. Apply to multiple universities — CUET score is accepted by 230+ universities.
6. Last month revision: Use the last 4 weeks only for NCERT revision, mock tests, and mistake analysis. Do not introduce new material in the last month.
7. Download NTA sample papers: NTA releases official CUET sample papers on their website each year. These are the closest indicator of actual question style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CUET harder than JEE or NEET?
No. CUET is significantly less difficult than JEE or NEET. CUET domain questions are Class 12 NCERT-level — straightforward if you know your NCERT well. JEE requires deep problem-solving beyond NCERT; NEET requires detailed conceptual understanding. The challenge in CUET is speed, strategy, and subject selection — not conceptual difficulty.
What score is needed for DU in CUET?
DU CUET cut-offs vary significantly by course: Popular courses like B.Com (H) at SRCC, B.A. Economics (H) at Lady Shri Ram require 95+ percentile. BSc Maths at Hindu College: 90–95 percentile. Arts courses (English H, Political Science H) at top colleges: 85–92 percentile. DU releases merit lists based on domain scores + language scores combined. Apply to 10–15 DU colleges to maximise chances.
How many months of preparation is needed for CUET?
For students with strong Class 12 preparation: 3–4 months dedicated CUET preparation is sufficient (domain subjects are based on what you studied). For students who need to revise Class 12 content: 5–6 months. Strategy: Complete NCERT by February → Mock tests in March → Full mocks in April → Exam typically in May. CUET registration opens in February–March.
Which universities accept CUET scores?
Over 230 universities accept CUET, including: All 44 Central Universities (DU, JNU, BHU, Jamia, AMU, Hyderabad Central, etc.), many state universities (Delhi State, Lucknow, Allahabad), and private universities (Bennett, O.P. Jindal, Sharda, Manipal, etc.). The list grows each year — check the official NTA CUET website for the current list.
Can I prepare for CUET alongside Class 12 boards?
Yes, and in fact CUET preparation and Class 12 board preparation largely overlap — both test Class 12 NCERT content. A student who studies NCERT thoroughly for Class 12 boards is already 70–80% prepared for CUET domain subjects. The additional CUET-specific preparation needed is: mock tests, language section practice, and General Test (GK + aptitude). Start dedicated CUET mock practice after boards end in March.
Related resources
Ace CUET and Class 12 Together
Expert Class 12 tutors who help students excel in both board exams and CUET — NCERT mastery that works for both.
Find a Class 12 TutorInformational purposes only. The content on this page is provided as general information and may not be fully accurate, complete or up to date. It does not constitute professional, legal, medical, financial or career advice. Learnizo is not responsible for decisions made based on this content. Always verify information with the relevant official authority, government body, or official documentation before acting on it.