CUET 2026 exam will be conducted between May 11 and May 31, 2026. When few days are left for the exam, here we bring the last-minute preparation strategy and tips for the exam day. Read the article by Shiksha to know the dos and don’ts regarding the last-minute preparation for CUET UG 2026.
CUET 2026 Last Minute Tips and Strategy
CUET UG 2026 exam will be conducted between May 11 and May 31, 2026. NTA will conduct CUET UG exam in a CBT mode only. Candidates who are willing to take the test must be well prepared and are focusing on the revision. Those who will be scheduled to take the CUET UG 2026 on later dates must also concentrate on the last-moment practice and brush up on their weak areas. When few days are left for the test, this article of Shiksha brings the CUET 2026 last-minute preparation tips.
- CUET Exam Pattern 2026
- CUET 2026 Section-wise Question Types
- CUET 2026 Last-Minute Preparation Tips
CUET Exam Pattern 2026
CUET 2026 exam will be conducted in hybrid mode for different time slots and subjects. There will be three sections in the CUET UG with a varied number of questions. The detailed structure of the exam is given below:
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of the examination |
Computer-Based Test |
| Number of Slots |
Three to four |
| Type of questions |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| CUET UG sections |
Section 1 - Language Section 2 - Domain Subject Section 3 - General Aptitude Test |
| Total number of Questions |
50 across all subjects |
| Negative marking |
Yes |
| Marking Scheme |
+5 for each correct answer -1 for each incorrect answer |
| Medium of CUET exam |
13 languages - English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu |
| Number of domain subjects |
23 |
CUET 2026 Exam Pattern: Marking Scheme
As per the CUET 2026 exam pattern, following marking scheme will be followed:
- Each question will carry five marks
- There will be negative marking of -1 for each wrong answer
- No marks will be awarded or deducted for the unattempted questions.
Commonly asked questions
CUET 2026 exam was held in two slots. first slot was held between 9 AM to 12 PM and second slot was held between 3 PM to 6 PM. Candidates could check the exact subject-ise timings on their admit card.
Common University Entrance Test/ CUET UG is an entrance exam. It is conducted for admission to UG programs offered by various central, state, private and deemed universities. Candidates willing to take admission to undergraduation programme in streams like Science, Humanities, Commerce, Law and Management must appear for CUET UG exam when conducted.
This entrance examination assesses candidates at various levels: Language, domain knowledge and general aptitude. CUET UG is conducted annually in computer based mode. CUET UG scores are accepted by more than 300 universities across India.
Candidates can check the CUET 2026 allotted exam centre upon release of CUET intimation slip and CUET admit card. Only candidates who will fill the CUET application form along with the successful application fee payment will be able to download the intimation slip for CUET exam. The name of exam centre will be mentioned on the intimation alip in advance to help candidates make preparations accordingly. The CUET 2026 admit card is expected to release three to four days prior to the day of examination in online mode. Candidates will be able to check the following details on the release of CUET 2026 admit card:
- Name of the candidate
- Registration number
- Category
- Location
- Date of exam
- Time of exam
- Exam centre name & address
- Photograph
- Signature
- Instructions related to the exam
Candidates must note that the CUET exam centre once allotted, no request for change in exam centre will be entertained under any circumstances. Candidates are advised to carefully enter the exam centre preference while filling the CUET 2026 application form.
As per CUET exam pattern, the subjects are divided into three sections as:
Section I- Languages
Section II- Domain Subject
Section III- General Test
Candidates will get 60 minutes for each subject. Candidates will not be given extra time.
CUET 2026 Section-wise Question Types
NTA has given the guidelines on the CUET 2026 syllabus or the types of questions asked in each section.
Section I- Language: Language to be tested through Reading Comprehension based on different types of passages–Factual, Literary and Narrative, (Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary).
Section II- Domain Subject: MCQs based on NCERT Class 12 syllabus only
Section III- General Test: General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts arithmetic/algebra geometry/mensuration/s tat taught till Grade 8), Logical and Analytical Reasoning
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CUET 2026 Last-Minute Preparation Tips
Now, we will bring to the readers the last-minute preparation tips to ace the CUET UG 2026 exam.
Revise the core subjects: Go through the notes for the core subjects. You may also check the question papers or mock tests you have already taken and scored well. This would not only boost your confidence but would also help you take note of the mistakes to avoid and steps to follow to solve different question types. You must make notes for the topic studied to study in brief at last minute.
Decide the exam-taking strategy: By now, you must have decided on your exam-taking strategy in terms of the number of questions to attempt, duration to dedicate for each question and section, topics of questions to select, and revision. You must go through the plan once again for a foolproof strategy. You must also keep a backup plan ready in case your original plan does not seem feasible while taking the test.
Talking about her exam day strategy, Mahalaxmi Swaminathan, another CUET topper of last year who scored full marks of 800, said, “Firstly, I answered all the questions that I was very confident with. For each subject, one is given a buffer of 10 questions which they can skip. Thus one must go through the entire 50 questions. This helped me in analysing how many more questions I needed to solve to answer 40 questions. Plus, going through all questions helps one to evaluate which of the remaining questions is relatively easier to solve within the specified time. The elimination method also helps in answering MCQs, but I would suggest that one should not entirely rely on this technique.”
Minimise frequency of mock tests: You shouldn't take a new mock test or solve the question paper a day before the exam. However, if your exam is scheduled in the next few phases, then you can take a mock test in alternate days and, in between, get it analysed. While at this stage, you would not be able to convert your weak areas to your strength, you can work on minimising the silly mistakes that you have been regularly committing. The only way to do this is by more practice and improving your concentration while taking the test. Also, you should ideally take the mock tests within the time allotted to the test, in a proctored manner. Sharing her strategy, Prisha Khandelwal, a CUET 2022 topper and an SRCC Delhi student, said, “I used to devote at least four hours per day; in those four hours, I used to solve practice papers for every subject. I used to practice sample papers and PYQs in an MCQ format.”
Do not start a new topic or chapter: Starting a new topic is also not ideal at this stage. Instead, you can dedicate the time to brush up on the language sections and the General Knowledge section (if applicable). This would serve a dual purpose of revising for the sections other than your core subjects and keeping your mind unburdened.
Also Read: CUET Topper Tips: Following NCERT by Heart is Key to Score Full Marks, says Jigeesha Bhargavi
Refer to the Internet for Additional Information: While you must have completed the NCERT textbooks and referred to additional sources as well, you can also tap the online resources by being a part of various online study groups and communities, watching YouTube videos by experts and past years’ toppers to know the exam day strategy and other tips and tricks. Talking about the same, Kabya Nayak, top scorer in CUET 2022 and Hindu College student said, “I would like to suggest they value more qualitative studying, wisely exploit the powerful reservoir of knowledge, i.e., the Internet and CUET-related channels on YouTube to access the free material.”
Keep yourself relaxed: At this stage, there is no use in being stressed. Hence, don’t stress and stay relaxed. Ensure that you eat a balanced diet on time and get ample rest so that you feel completely energetic and confident on the day of your exam.
CUET 2026 will be held between May 11 and May 31, 2026 in CBT mode. Last year, 13.9 lakh candidates applied for the exam across India and abroad. Over 250 universities across India will be accepting the CUET result 2026 for admission to undergraduate courses in the academic year 2026-24.
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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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