CUCET Prep Tips: How to prepare for different sections of the exam
Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )
Exam On - 11 May '26 - 31 May '26
CUCET preparation tips
CUCET exam is conducted in order to provide admission to candidates in 41 UG and integrated courses, 110 PG courses, and 78 MPhil/ PhD courses. Courses in which admission is provided on the basis of a candidate’s performance in CUCET exam are offered at 10 central universities and Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE).
Programmes in which candidates can secure admission basis their CUCET score/rank fall under a broad range of streams such as Engineering, Science, Teaching, Management, Humanities & Social Sciences, Law, Fine Arts, Beauty & Wellness, Design, Architecture, Pharmacy, IT & Software, Commerce, and Mass Communication.
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CUCET exam pattern is such that the paper contains a total of 100 multiple choice questions of 100 marks. The question paper is divided into two parts – A and B. Part A of the paper contains 25 questions (25 marks) from subjects such as English, General Awareness, Mathematical Aptitude and Analytical Skills. On the other hand, Part B of the paper consists of 75 questions (75 marks) on domain knowledge. Candidates need to attempt both the sections in two hours duration.
| Part |
Subject |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
|
A |
English |
25 |
25 |
| General Awareness |
|||
| Mathematical Aptitude |
|||
| Analytical Skills |
|||
| B |
Domain Knowledge |
75 |
75 |
| Total |
100 |
100 |
|
Each question in the exam carries one mark weightage. However, it may be noted that there is also negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer in the exam. Therefore, given below are some useful CUCET preparation tips that candidates should follow in order to score well in the exam and get into a course and university/ institute of their choice.
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• Focus on domain knowledge: Note that 75% of the questions asked in CUCET exam aim at testing the domain knowledge of candidates. Therefore, candidates are recommended to go through CUCET syllabus of their particular subject thoroughly to possess adequate knowledge. Check CUCET 2017 syllabus for all UG and PG courses here.
• Enhance English, general knowledge, mathematical aptitude and analytical skills: Although Part B (domain knowledge) of the exam holds major weightage, it is important that candidates also focus on subject areas of Part A. This part of the exam contains generic questions related to English language, GK, mathematical aptitude, reasoning, and analytical skills. To prepare for the same, candidates can use good reference books (as mentioned below) and enhance their knowledge and skills.
• Practice daily: Candidates should not ignore the fact that CUCET contains negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. So, any wrong option selected can affect the aspirant’s score in CUCET exam majorly. Therefore, daily practice is the key to pass CUCET exam with flying colours. For the same, candidates are recommended to practice as much as possible by solving CUCET model papers and old question papers. Daily practice will help candidates achieve accuracy in exam to a great extent.
• Manage time well: CUCET exam is an objective test that requires candidates to be quick with their answers. Therefore, candidates are recommended to work on their time management skills by practicing and solving MCQ-based questions in as less time as possible.
Books to Read for CUCET
| General |
|
| CUCET Guide & Practice Workbook |
|
| Chemistry |
|
| ABC Chemistry |
Arihant Organic Chemistry |
| Dinesh Chemistry |
Morrision Boyd for Organic Chemistry |
| NCERT Chemistry |
Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula for Physical Chemistry |
| Physics |
|
| Concept of Competition Physics for CBSE PMT by Aggarwals |
HC Verma for Physics |
| NCERT Physics |
Physics CBSE PMT set of 3 Volumes by Anil Aggarwal |
| Maths |
|
| Bernard & Child – Higher Algebra |
Calculus J Edward |
| DoroFeev Patapov – Elementary Maths |
Dr Gorakh Prasad – Coordinate Geometry |
| Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics by Chiang AC and K Wainwright |
GN Berman – A Problem Book in Mathematical Analysis |
| Hall & Knight – Higher Algebra |
IA Maron – Problems in Calculus of One Variable |
| KP Basu – Algebra Made Easy |
Krechmar Maths |
| RS Agarwal – Maths XI & XII |
SC Verma (Part1 and 2) |
| SL Loni – Coordinate Geometry |
SL Loni – Plane Trigonometry Part I |
| V Govorov, P Dybov, N Miroshin, S Smirnova– Problems in Mathematics |
Vectors & 3D Geometry– Arihant Prakashan |
| Vectors Shanti Narayan |
W Feller – Intro to Probability & its Applications |
| Biology |
|
| Dinesh Biology |
MTG (Biology Today) CBSE PMT (Subscription) |
| NCERT Biology Part 1 and Part 2 |
Pradeep’s Biology |
| Trueman’s Biology |
|
| Botany |
|
| AC Dutta for Botany (Oxford Publication) |
|
| Economics |
|
| Economics by Lipsey R and A Chrytal |
Indian Economy Environment and Policy by IC Dhingra |
| Indian Economy: Performance & Policies by Uma, Kapila |
International Economics by Dominick Salvatore |
| International Economics by Bo Soderstien and Geoffrey Reed |
Macro Economic Theory by Eugene Diutio |
| Microeconomics: Theory and Applications by Dominick Salvatore |
Modern Microeconomics by A Koutsoyannis |
| Social Science |
|
| Methodology and Perspectives of Social Science by Abhijit Kundu |
Social Science and its Methods in Social Science: An Introduction to the Study of Society by Hunt, Elgin |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
Yes, a majority of the top-ranking colleges for BBA in Hyderabad do not require CUET or any other entrance exam. You can get direct admissions to these top BBA colleges in Hyderabad:
Note: All info. is from official sites and c
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
For a lot of courses, Christ does not accept the CUET scores like the PG courses - MCom. Hence, joining the Christ without the CUET scores is quite easy. For admission, students must apply on the official site. The modes of Christ College, Bangalore course admissions are online and offline. Admissio
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
No, CUET exam is not compulsory to take admission in different programmes at Lucknow Institute of Pharmacy. The college offers admission in the UG and PG courses based on merit in last qualifying exam. They just have to fulfil the eligibility criteria.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
If the students are done registering for the CUET UG exam, they should wait for the exam date to release. Then, appear for the entrance exam and register on the DU CSAS portal. Only then, students can apply for their preferred course and college. At the end, pay the fee and seal your admission.
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 days ago
The students who want to apply for the CUET UG examination should have completed their 12th. The students who are interested can easily check the criteria from the official website of the college and apply accordingly.
S
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, DIT University has started accepting the CUET scores for admission to its BSc, BPharm, and BA courses. Eligibility criteria for BA course involves Passed 10+2 examination with 50% aggregate marks. Students can reach the site and see the complete info.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2026 exam will be held in Computer Based Test mode only. It is an online mode of examination held across various exam cities in India and abroad. Candidates cannot appear for CUET UG exam in offline mode if the exam is being held in online mode only.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 days ago
National Testing Agency does not release the official CUET UG mock test. This year, it is exected that NTA will release the CUET official mock test on its official website to help candidates become familiar with the exam pattern and mode of examination.
D
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 days ago
Based on CUET previous year question paper analysis, CUET Business Studies is the comparatively easy subject in CUET commerce subjects. The question paper includes questions based on theory and conceptual understanding. The CUET Business Studies questions does not include complex calculations.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 days ago
Common University Entrance Test UG 2025 question papers can be download at - CUET UG 2025 Question Papers. Candidates can visit the provided link and download subject wise CUET question paper 2025 PDF online for free. CUET PYQs are important for exam preparation.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Can I do BBA from a top ranking college in Hyderabad without CUET?