CUET UG 2026 CBT Pattern: What Candidates Should Know?
Applying to take Common University Entrance Test for UG admissions? CUET UG 2026 exam will be conducted in CBT pattern (computer based test mode) for the offered 37 UG subjects. Read this news to know about exam pattern, marking scheme and other details.
CUET UG 2026 CBT Pattern
Students preparing for CUET UG 2026 exam must know the mode of examination and pattern. National Testing Agency will conduct Common University Entrance Test (UG) for 2026-27 admission cycle in CBT pattern (computer based test mode). The exam will include multiple choice questions across three sections – Language, Domain-specific, and General Test in 13 mediums. NTA released CUET exam pattern in its Information Bulletin PDF on January 03, 2026. CUET exam will be scheduled between May 11 and May 31, 2026. Check below to know what’s included in CUET structure.
LATEST - NTA CUET UG Registration 2026 LIVE: Online Form Last Date
What is CUET UG CBT Pattern 2026?
The full form of CBT mode is computer based test mode. In this exam mode, candidates have to answer the questions digitally on a computer screen at allotted exam centre. Candidates have to log in on their assigned computer, use a mouse to select the right answer and submit paper online. Earlier CUET UG exam used to be conducted in pen and paper or hybrid mode. But, from last year, NTA administers the exam in CBT mode to make the process more flexible and transparent.
Where Will CUET 2026 Exam be Conducted?
National Testing Agency will conduct CUET exam 2026 across 321 exam centres. These centres are located in 306 cities in India and 15 cities abroad. Candidates can select maximum four cities within the States provided in their Present and Permanent Address in their online application form.
Note - No changes can be made after a city is allotted to the applicant.
What is CUET Exam Pattern 2026?
Check below to know exam pattern for CUET 2026.
- Mode of Exam - Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Total Sections – 3
- Section I – Language (13)
- Section II – Domain Subjects (23)
- Section III – General Aptitude Test
- Exam Duration – 60 minutes per subject
- Total Marks – 250
- Number of Questions – 50 questions (all compulsory)
- Medium of Exam - 13 languages (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu)
- Negative Marking – Yes
- Number of Slots – Three to Four
National Testing Agency has not introduced any specific changes for CUET UG 2026. However, in CUET 2025, NTA introduced major changes like
- Reduction of CUET subjects from 63 to 37
- GAT scores will be used for dropped subjects
- Exma to be held CBT mode only
- Compulsory 50 questions in each subject, no optional questions
- Maximum five CUET subjects can be chosen
The above changes are to continued for CUET UG 2026 exam.
NTA prescribes the CUET UG marking scheme. Check below to know the CUET UG marking scheme 2026:
- Correct answer or the most appropriate answer: Five marks (+5)
- Any incorrect option marked will be given minus one mark (-1).
- Unanswered/Marked for Review will be given no mark (0).
- If more than one option is found to be correct then Five marks (+5) will be awarded to only those who have marked any of the correct options.
- If all options are found to be correct then Five marks (+5) will be awarded to all those who have attempted the question.
- If none of the options is found correct or a question is found to be wrong or a question is dropped, then all candidates who have attempted the dropped question will be given five marks (+5) marks.
CUET UG Marking Scheme
A candidate’s CUET response sheet will be marked by following below marking scheme.
- +5 marks for every correct answer
- - 1 for every incorrect answer
- 0 for unanswered questions
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Candidates can see table showing the latest CUET UG exam pattern 2026 below -
Section
Number of Questions
Duration
Language
50
60 Minutes
Domain Specific
50
General Test
50
Note: The exam pattern is taken from official website of the conducting body and can be changed if instructed by it.
Hope this helps your query! All the best!