How to prepare for CUET English Paper 2026? Guide to Maximize your CUET Score
Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )
Candidates preparing for the CUET UG English exam 2026 must know the syllabus for CUET English in detail. Read this article to get the preparation strategy to score well in the entrance test. Also, find out the list of books you can prepare for the CUET English 2026 exam.
CUET English Exam Preparation Tips
Preparation Strategy for CUET English Exam: Candidates taking English as a language from Section 1 of the Common University Entrance Test must prepare well to score competitive marks in the exam. According to the CUET UG statistics, English is the most opted subject by students. The CUET English exam is expected to have a moderate difficulty level. The English question paper includes a total of 50 questions from reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and verbal ability. Candidates get 60 minutes to complete their exam in CBT mode. The National Testing Agency is expected to schedule CUET 2026 in May/June 2026. The exact CUET 2026 exam dates will be announced by NTA on the official website. Check out this article to get some preparation tips for the CUET English paper. Also, find out the CUET 2026 Syllabus for English on this page.
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- CUET English Exam Pattern 2026
- CUET English Syllabus 2026
- Preparation Tips for CUET English 2026
- Recommended Books for CUET 2026 English Exam
CUET English Exam Pattern 2026
The National Testing Agency lays down the CUET UG exam pattern for all subjects and sections. Check out the table below for the CUET English Exam Pattern:
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| CUET Exam Conducting Body |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Examination Mode |
Computer-Based Mode |
| Medium of Exam |
13 languages - English, Hindi, Urdu, Assamese, Bengali, Odia, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam |
| Maximum Marks |
250 per subject |
| Number of questions |
50 questions (all compulsory) |
| Exam Duration |
60 minutes |
| Type of questions |
Multiple Choice Questions |
| Marking Scheme |
+5 for each correct answer -1 for each incorrect answer |
| CUET English Mapping for Courses |
Bachelor of Arts - English (Honours) |
Must Read: Stream-wise Best UG courses options through CUET: Engineering, Science, Commerce, Arts
CUET UG total marks is 250 Marks for each subject. Candidates can choose up to five CUET subjects. Each subject paper has 50 questions which will total to 250 marks for each subject. For every correct answer, candidate will get 5 marks. The CUET total marks will be uniform for all 37 subjects. The Total CUET subjects marks can vary depending on the number of subjects chosen by candidates.
- If three CUET subjects chosen: 750 total marks
- If four CUET subjects chosen: 1000 total marks
- If five CUET subjects chosen: 1250 total marks
Applicants must select CUET UG 2025 exam centre city from the dropdown, based on their permanent and contact address state/country. Candidates must not choose the state/country far from their permamnent address. Choose the CUET exam centre which is convenient to reach on time.
CUET English Syllabus 2026
According to the exam pattern, no optional questions will be given in the test paper, and candidates must attempt all the questions. With no choice in the questions, candidates must study more thoroughly to ensure they can answer as many questions as possible within 60 minutes. To prepare well for the exam, start by understanding the CUET 2026 English Syllabus given below:
- Reading Comprehension: There will be three types of passages (maximum 300-350 words):
- Factual
- Narrative
- Literary
- Verbal Ability
- Rearranging the parts
- Choosing the correct word
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Vocabulary
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Preparation Tips for CUET English 2026
Preparing for the CUET English exam requires a well-structured approach that covers all aspects of the syllabus, from reading comprehension to grammar and vocabulary. Candidates planning to take the Common University Entrance Test for English must ensure to follow the preparation strategies given below:
1. The first step of preparing for the CUET English exam is to understand its syllabus and exam pattern. According to the official syllabus released by the National Testing Agency, the CUET English paper includes questions from reading comprehension, English vocabulary (such as synonyms, antonyms), grammar (such as tenses, subject-verb agreement), and verbal ability.
2. Practice as many RCs as you can. With good practice, you can learn how to grasp information while reading a paragraph and can easily find answers. Start with simple and short RCs. Once you master them, practice complex reading comprehension, in case the difficulty level for these questions increases.
3. Everyone must know the basics of grammar topics. However, do not overestimate yourself and go through the basic rules and aspects of the grammar topics such as verbs, active-passive voice, conjunctions, prepositions, etc.
5. Improve your vocabulary. According to the previous year's student reaction and exam analysis, vocabulary-based questions are the most difficult ones for them. The CUET English paper sometimes includes foreign vocabulary words. Do not cram, but try to understand how to derive the meaning of a word using the root words.
6. Practice from CUET previous years’ papers to improve your speed in the exam. While solving past papers, give yourself 60 minutes and see whether or not you are able to complete the exam on time.
Check Out:
Recommended Books for CUET 2026 English Exam
To perform well in the English test, candidates must practice CUET mock tests. Here is a list of some recommended books for students to prepare for the CUET English Section.
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
- English Language Comprehension Skills by Arihant Experts
- CUET 2025 English Guide by Oswaal Books
- Reading Comprehension for Competitive Exams by Disha Experts
- Idioms, Phrases, and Proverbs with Usage by Oxford
No, CUET UG intimation slip will not mention the CUET exam centre details. On release of the CUET intimation slip candidates can know the state where the CUET exam for the candidate will be conducted. The complete details of CUET UG exam centre will be notified on release of CUET admit card. NTA will release the CUET UG 2025 hall ticket two to three days before the scheduled exam date.
To map the CUET subjects as per the B.Sc course criteria at University of Delhi, candidates must select the following test papers as per the course specialisation:
B.Sc Specialisation | CUET Subject Selection |
|---|---|
B.Sc. (Hons.) Anthropology | Physics + Chemistry + Biology/ Biological Studies/ Biotechnology/ Biochemistry |
B.Sc. (Hons.) Biological Sciences | Physics + Chemistry + Biology/ Biological Studies/ Biotechnology/ Biochemistry |
B.Sc. (Hons.) Biomedical Science | Chemistry + Physics + Biology/Biological Studies/Biotechnology/ Biochemistry |
B.Sc. (Hons.) Bio-Chemistry | Combination I: Chemistry + Biology/ Biological Studies/ Biotechnology/ Biochemistry + Physics |
Combination II: Chemistry + Biology/Biological Studies/ Biotechnology/ Biochemistry + Mathematics/Applied Mathematics | |
B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany | Physics + Chemistry + Biology/Biological Studies/ Biotechnology/Biochemistry |
B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry | Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics/Applied Mathematics |
B.Sc. (Hons.) Computer Science | Combination I : Any one Language from List A + Mathematics/ Applied Mathematics + Any two subjects from List B OR |
Combination II : Any two Languages from List A + Mathematics/ Applied Mathematics + Any one subject from List B | |
B.Sc. (Hons.) Electronics | Combination I: Physics + Mathematics/Applied Mathematics + Chemistry |
Combination II: Physics + Mathematics/Applied Mathematics + Computer Science/Informatics Practices | |
B.Sc. (Hons.) Physics | Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics/Applied Mathematics |
B.Sc. (Prog.) Mathematical Sciences | Combination I: Any one language from List A + Mathematics/ Applied Mathematics + Any two subjects from List B |
The maximum total marks for the CUET UG 2025 exam is 250. However, actual total marks you can score depend on number of subjects you choose during application process.
For instance, the subject combination for B.Com at Allahabad University is English or Hindi, Accountancy/Book Keeping, and General Test. So, total marks will be 750.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 23 hours ago
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h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered Yesterday
Hi.
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered 4 weeks 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 month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 2 months 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
CUET UG English syllabus imcludes: