How to Prepare for CUET Math Exam 2026: Complete Strategy, Syllabus, Books & Tips

Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 3 Jan '26 - 30 Jan '26

Shruti
Shruti Garg
Assistant Manager- Editorial
Updated on Jan 9, 2026 16:14 IST
How to prepare for the CUET Math 2026 exam is a common question among aspirants. Check the step-by-step guide to prepare for the CUET 2026 Mathematics exam, including the detailed syllabus and important topics. The CUET 2026 Math exam will take place between 11 and 31 May 2026.

How to prepare for CUET Math 2026 exam is a common question among aspirants. Check steps by step guide to prepare for CUET 2026 Mathematics exam, detailed syllabus and important topics. CUET 2026 Math exam will be scheduled between May 11 and May 31, 2026.

CUET Math Preparation

CUET Math Preparation

How to prepare for CUET Math 2026 Exam? To prepare for CUET Mathematics exam students must have understanding of syllabus and exam pattern. Aspirants must create a well-planned preparation strategy to prepare for exam. CUET UG Mathematics is a high-scoring subject, but it needs clarity of basic concepts, regular practice, and time skills. If an student is targeting top colleges like Delhi University, BHU, JNU, or Jamia, they must create strategy that can improve CUET score in Maths. Read this article to know get preparation guide for CUET Maths 2026.

Table of contents
  • CUET Mathematics Exam Pattern
  • CUET 2026 Mathematics Syllabus: What to Study?
  • How to Prepare for CUET Math 2026? Step-by-Step Strategy
  • Best Books for CUET Mathematics Preparation
  • Time Management Tips for CUET Mathematics Exam
  • Common Mistakes to Avoid in CUET Maths Preparation

CUET Mathematics Exam Pattern

Before starting with CUET Math exam preparation, it is important to know the CUET Mathematics exam pattern. CUET exam includes negative marking, students must carefully mark the answers and maintain speed to complete exam. Chekc table below to know CUET exam pattern 2026:

Feature

Details

Mode of examination

Computer Based Test (CBT)

Question Type

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Number of Questions

50 questions

Number of questions to attempt

All compulsory

Marks for correct answer

Five marks

Marks for wrong answer

Minus one mark

CUET Math exam duration

60 minutes

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Q:   Is NCERT enough for CUET Maths?
A:

Yes, NCERT is sufficient for conceptual clarity while preparing for CUET exam, but MCQ practice and CUET mock tests are important for scoring high. Students must not only focus on preparation books, they must solve CUET previous year question papers for Mathematics to know important topics or repeated questions.

Q:   How many hours should I study daily for CUET Maths?
A:

To prepare for CUET Mathematics exam effectively, students must ideally give two to three hours practice. Students must focus on previous year qiuestion papers and mock tests to prepare well for exam. Daily practice and consistency will help candidate score 250 marks in exam.

Q:   is it enough to learn from NCERT textbooks to clear CUET?
A:

Since the CUET UG 2025 syllabus is in line with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus, it can be safely assumed that the NCERT books are enough to clear CUET UG 2025 exam. Candidates must note that, CUET exam tests students' understanding of the concepts and ability to apply them in various situations. Therefore, to prepare well and get a good score, it is advised that students refer to other study materials and books designed for national level competitive entrance exams. The CUET UG syllabus is in tune with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus. The chapters and topics are similar to Class 12 syllabus. Unlike other UG entrance exams, CUET UG syllabus does not include Class 11 syllabus.

CUET 2026 Mathematics Syllabus: What to Study?

The CUET Maths syllabus is based on Class 12 NCERT Mathematics syllabus.The CUET Maths syllabus is divided into two major sections:

Sections

Topics

Section A


 

 

 

 

 

Algebra

Calculus

Integration and its Application

Differential Equation

Probability Distributions

Linear programming

Section B1


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relations and Functions

Inverse Trigonometry Functions

Matrices

Determinants

Continuity and Differentiability

Applications of Derivatives

Integrals

Application of Integrals

Differential Equations

Vectors

Three-Dimensional Geometry

Linera Programming

Probability

Section B2


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numbers, Quantification and Numerical Applications

Matrices and types

Algebra of Matrices

Equality of matrices, Transpose of a matrix, Symmetric and Skew symmetric matrix

Determinant of Matrices

Inverse of a Matrix

Solving system of simultaneous equations (upto three variables only (non- homogeneous equations))

Higher Order Derivatives

Application of Derivatives

Marginal Cost and Marginal Revenue using derivatives

Increasing/Decreasing Functions

Maxima and Minima

Integration

Probability Distributions

Time Based Data

Inferential Statistics

Financial Mathematics

Linera Programming

Also Read: CUET Maths Important Topics & Chapter Wise Weightage

How to Prepare for CUET Math 2026? Step-by-Step Strategy

To prepare for CUET Mathematics exam, students can check step by step strategy by CUET toppers and experts:

Start with NCERT Textbooks

NCERT books are important for CUET Mathematics preparation. Most CUET questions are either directly based on NCERT examples or variations. While preparing from NCERT books, students must

  • Solve all examples and exercise questions
  • Focus on definitions, formulas, and theorems
  • Do not skip solved examples

Make a Topic-Wise Preparation Plan

Divide the CUET syllabus into weekly and daily targets.

  1. Algebra (Matrices, Determinants)
  2. Calculus
  3. Coordinate Geometry
  4. Vector Algebra & 3D Geometry
  5. Probability & Statistics

Know Formulas and Shortcuts

CUET Maths is time based, so remembering formulas is important. Students must create a formula book and revised from it on daily basis. Learning the calculation shortcuts helps in saving time for solving questions related to Matrices, Determinnats, and Integrals. Regular formula revision helps in reducing calculation mistakes during the exam.

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Practice MCQs Daily

Since CUET Maths is MCQ-based, subjective practice alone is not enough. Students must solve topic-wise MCQs after completing each chapter. NCERT books containts numerical-based and conceptual questions. Students must aim to solve around 50 MCQs daily when the exam is near.

Best Books for CUET Mathematics Preparation

Apart from NCERT, the following books are recommended for CUET Maths:

Also Download:

CUET Mathematics Question Paper

Time Management Tips for CUET Mathematics Exam

While solvin CUET question paper it is important to manage time effectively. To answer questions within 60 minutes, candidates can check the below time management tips for CUET Mathematics preparation:

  • Do not spend more than one minute per question
  • Attempt easy questions first
  • Avoid blind guessing due to negative marking
  • Keep the last five minutes for review
  • Practicing with a timer can improve performance on exam day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in CUET Maths Preparation

While preparing for CUET UG 2026 exam, students must avoid below common mistakes:

  • Ignoring NCERT theory
  • Not analysing CUET mock test
  • Not revising formulas regularly
  • Answering questions with low correctness

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About the Author
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Shruti Garg
Assistant Manager- Editorial

Shruti Garg is a graduate in English and Education with over 7 years of experience in content writing/editing and education journalism. At Shiksha.com, Shruti covers UG and PG entrance exams like MBA entrance exams,

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Answered Yesterday

To prepare for CUET Mathematics exam effectively, students must ideally give two to three hours practice. Students must focus on previous year qiuestion papers and mock tests to prepare well for exam. Daily practice and consistency will help candidate score 250 marks in exam.

N

Nishtha Pandey

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

Yes, NCERT is sufficient for conceptual clarity while preparing for CUET exam, but MCQ practice and CUET mock tests are important for scoring high. Students must not only focus on preparation books, they must solve CUET previous year question papers for Mathematics to know important topics or repeat

...Read more

N

Nishtha Bhandari

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

No, a valid CUET score is accepted for admissions to both BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts & Humanities and the BA (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics & Economics at JSLAH. 

In the previous year admissions, CUET was only listed as an accepted exam for the BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts & Humanities admission.

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

No, candidates who wish receive the Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities BA (Hons) scholarships must provide a valid score in the JSAT. Those candidates who appeared for the CUET during BA (Hons) admissions can still appear for the JSAT after getting admitted into the Jindal School of Libera

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

For admission to Delhi University, candidate must have passed or appeared for class 12 examination. There are no minimum marks requirement in class 12 for DU admission through CUET UG. DU may use the class 12 marks or percentage for tie breaking criteria.

N

Nishtha Arora

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

Class 12 marks are important for fulfilling the admission criteria and tie breaking criteria (if any) during admissions. Admission to Central Universities are conducted through CUET scores, however, candidates must fulfil the minimum marks requirement for admissions.

D

Dhanya Dhyani

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

The minimum marks for CUET class 12th is prescribed differently for accepting universities. CUET universities like DU and Allahabad University does not prescribe the minimum marks in class 12 for CUET UG. However, universities like Banaras Hindu University, BBAU has prescribed the minimum percentage

...Read more

N

Nishtha Kumar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

There are a total of 157 subjects in the CUET PG exam. The subjects are segregated into six streams. The table below shows the number of papers in each stream.

StreamNumber of Subjects or Papers
Science30
MTech12
Language41
Humanities26
Common22
Acharya26

The CUET PG exam pattern is the same for each paper. The language of the CUET PG question papers is English and Hindi. For the Language paper

...Read more

P

Piyush Singh

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 5 days ago

Yes, there is a scholarship for BSc students at IILM University Greater Noida based on the CUET percentile. 

  • If you score 95 percentile or more, you get a 40% scholarship. 

  • In case your percentile is between 90 to 94.99, you get a 30% scholarship.

  • For the 80 to 89.99 percentile, a 20% scholarship is of

...Read more

J

Jaya Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Bro domain subject ke sath laungage bhi compulsory ho skti hai vese kuch university me 

v

varun

Beginner-Level 2