CUCET Prep Tips: How to prepare for different sections of the exam

Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )

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CUET UG 2026 Intimation Slip

29 Apr '26 - 31 May '26

Updated on Jul 20, 2017 15:29 IST
Go through some useful CUCET preparation tips that you should follow to score well in the exam. Also, know which books you should read to prepare well for CUCET exam.

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.

Explore colleges based on CUET

Varanasi
Popular Specialisation
Agriculture,Nursing,B.Sc. (Hons.) Computer Science,Biology,B.Sc. (Hons.) Psychology,Nursing,B.Sc. (Hons.) Zoology,B.Sc. (Hons.) Statistics,Mathematics,B.Sc. (Hons.) Physics,B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry,Computer Science,B Sc (Hons) Agriculture,Earth Science,B.Sc. (Hons.) Geology,B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany,B.Sc. (Hons.) Geography,B.Sc. (Hons.) Mathematics,Biology,Psychology
₹600.00
Delhi
Popular Specialisation
Biotechnology,Aeronautics (Avionics),Bioscience,Life Sciences with Computer Applications,Chemistry,Mathematics,Physics,Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.),Applied Mathematics,Aeronautics (Mechanical),Geography
₹41.90 K
Aligarh
Popular Specialisation
Nursing,Medical Radiology & Imaging Technology,Physiotherapy,Agriculture,Computer Applications,Optometry,Statistics,Medical Laboratory Sciences,Zoology,Biochemistry,Community Science,Operation Theater Technology,Mathematics,Geology,Chemistry,Physics,Geography,Computer Science,Industrial Chemistry,Dialysis Therapy Technology
NA
Noida
Popular Specialisation
Biotechnology,Clinical Psychology,Agriculture,Forensic Science,Medical Imaging Technology (Honours / Research),Artificial Intelligence & Data Science with Research,Neuroscience,Information Technology,Agriculture (Honours / Research),Marine Science,Biotechnology (Dual Degree),Special Education,Actuarial Science,Microbiology,Medical Physiology,Clinical Psychology (Honours / Research),Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours /Research),Physics,Anthropology,Medical Lab Technology
₹2.40 L

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Hyderabad
Popular Specialisation
Physics,Health Psychology,Chemistry,History,Nursing,Chemistry
₹14.90 K
BilasPur
Popular Specialisation
Biotechnology,Forensic Science,Forestry,Zoology,Mathematics,Computer Science,Chemistry,Physics,Rural Technology,Botany,Electronics,Anthropology
₹38.25 K
Jalandhar
Popular Specialisation
Agriculture,Biotechnology,Forensic Sciences,Hotel and Hospitality Management,B.Sc. B.Ed. (Secondary Stage) - Four Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP),Nutrition and Dietetics,Biotechnology,Information Technology,Computer Science,Microbiology,Economics,Fashion Design,Agriculture,Bachelor of Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology,Physics,Food Technology,Zoology,Airlines, Tourism and Hospitality,Computer Science (Cyber Security) in tie up with Comptia,Chemistry
₹4.80 L
Lucknow
Popular Specialisation
Life Sciences (Zoology, Botany, Biotechnology),Basic Sciences
₹1.20 L
Srinagar
Popular Specialisation
Nursing,Integrated B.Sc.M.Sc. In Biotechnology,Integrated B.Sc.M.Sc. In Zoology,Biotechnology,Physics,Physics,Zoology,Integrated B.Sc.M.Sc. In Mathematics,Mathematics,Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.),Medical Laboratoy Technology (Part -Time),Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.),Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.),Zoology,Home Science,Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.),Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.),Medical Science,Information Technology,Computer Application
NA
Patna
Popular Specialisation
Computer Science and Data Analytics,Economics + MBA (IIM Bodh Gaya)
₹2.40 L
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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.

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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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Answered Yesterday

 

The BHU CUET LLM 2025 cutoff (3-year program) generally required a score between 218 and 286 for the General Category in the first round. The cutoff for OBC was 218–201 marks, while EWS/OBC candidates often need 190+, and SC/ST candidates 165–190+ marks. Admission is for approximately 92 seats (sub

...Read more

105311026
Dinesh upadhyay

Scholar-Level 16

Answered 2 days ago

Yes absolutely. CUET is required only for Delhi University colleges. Most private B.Com colleges in Delhi NCR like Amity, Sharda, Bennett, and GD Goenka either conduct their own simple entrance test or offer direct admission based on your 12th marks — so CUET is not the only route.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

No, SAGE University, Bhopal does not mention CUET-UG as an alternative to SEE for BBA admissions. Thus, candidates who have a valid score of CUET-UG are still required to appear in the SEE to qualify for BBA admissions at SAGE University, Bhopal.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

No my dear if you want to pursue B.Tech or engineering degree then you have to write and qualify JEE or state engineering entrance examination. For eg I wrote MHTCET as I'm from Maharashtra 

K

Kritika Maurya

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 3 days ago

Osmania University generally accepts students through state-level or in-house tests. These include OUCET/ CPGET. However, in some cases, the university may consider CUET scores. Students have to check the DTE webpage to know more.

B

Bhumika Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

TimeTask
6:30–8:30 AMDomain Subject 1 – Focus on NCERT + PYQs
9:00–11:00 AMDomain Subject 2 – Concept clarity + formula sheet
11:30–1:00 PMDomain Subject 3 – Practice MCQs + short notes
2:00–3:00 PMLanguage Section – Reading comprehension, grammar, vocab
3:30–4:30 PMGeneral Test (if applicable) – Reasoning + aptitude
5:00–6:00 PMMock Test / PYQ practice (alternate days full‑length, other days sectional)
Night (30 min)Quick revision of formulas, vocab, GK

S

Sidhartha Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 6 days ago

Good question — CUET subject choices don't lock you out of professional programs like BBA or Journalism.

 How CUET Subjects Work

  • CUET requires you to attempt at least one language + domain subjects + general test.
  • You chose English, History, Political Science.
  • For BBA/Management programs, most universit

...Read more

S

Sidhartha Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

No, CUET is not compulsory for admissions in the institute. The UG admissions are based on Class 12 marks. Students have to fill the application form on the Rajasthan University official website. The university allocates seats in all courses on the basis of merit scores.  

 

B

Bipasha Jha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The CUET PG 2026 result has been released at https://exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/. The National Testing Agency released the candidates' scorecard and final answer keys with the result.

R

Raj Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

Goel Group of Institutions BPharma selection criteria does not mention any other entrance exams which are accepted for admission to this course. Thus, candidates can assume that they cannot join the BPharma course of Goel Group of Institutions without gtting a valid score in CUET-UG.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10