CUCET Prep Tips: How to prepare for different sections of the exam
Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )
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 6 days ago
Definitely, along with LPUNEST, LPU accepts JEE (main) and CUET for B. Technical courses. The candidates can apply through any of these entrance tests and will be granted admission on the basis of valid scores, eligibility criteria, and counselling processes. The candidates would have flexibility an
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, CUET UG exam 2026 date has not been announced yet. It is expected that National Testing Agency will announce the CUET exam date 2026 anytime soon. The exam is expected to be scheduled in May-June. Candidates willing to appear for the exam must make sure to register for the exam online. As per th
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The exam (CUET UG 2025) was held from May 13 to early June (roughly) for many programmes.
The counselling/admission process for BCA programmes at many universities began in July 2025. For example, one news source for a university in Indore said counselling and registration “will soon open … likely b
B
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 2 weeks ago
No you can't. To get admission in ipu in BBA LLB course you have to give CLAT Exam
H
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 3 weeks ago
Career College Bhopal provides CUET Scholarships. Students who have appeared for the CUET exam are eligible for this scholarship. Shortlisted students get 10% waiver in the fee under this scholarship.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 3 weeks ago
The table below shows the top colleges in India accepting CUET scores along with their tuition fees:
Top Colleges | Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
Hindu College | INR 86,010 |
Miranda House | INR 19,014 |
Hansraj College | INR 540 |
Kirori Mal College | INR 50,445 |
ARSD College | INR 540 |
Disclaimer: This info. is taken from official website and may vary.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
You can't do BBA from CUET with PCB in 12 th as CUET requires the same subjects as in 12th for BBA you need math's English and general test
L
Beginner-Level 1
Answered a month ago
No, Bapuji Academy of Management & Research (BAMR) is not under CUET. The academy accepts the scores of certain other entrance exams such as, MAT/PGCET/KMAT. Candidates who have passed graduation with a minimum of 50% aggregate (45% for reserved category) can apply for admission.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
No, Terna Global Business School is not under CUET. Rather the college accepts scores of various other entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, GMAT, MAT, MAH-CET, etc. Candidates are not required to appear for the CUET exam rather they must appear for any of these exams.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
No, Chandola Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital is not under CUET. Instead the college accepts the scores of the UPMT exam for admission to the BHMS course. This is the Uttaranchal Pre-Medical Test and is conducted by the State Government of Uttarakhand at different centres.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Does LPU accepts JEE Main or CUET for BTech admission?