What to Expect in CUET UG 2026? Ideal Score, Marks vs Percentile, Important Topics, Expected Questions

Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )

DeskCalelnderExam On - 11 May '26 - 31 May '26

Nupur
Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial
Updated on Mar 17, 2026 11:51 IST
Students who have applied for CUET UG 2026 must be wondering what to expect in this exam. Shiksha has answered your question in this article. Read below to know the difficulty level of CUET 2026, expected questions, expected CUET marks vs percentile, ideal CUET score, and more.

Students who are applying for CUET UG 2026 must be wondering what to expect in this exam. Shiksha has answered your question in this article. Read below to know the difficulty level of CUET 2026, expected questions, expected CUET marks vs percentile, ideal CUET score, and more.

What to Expect in CUET UG 2026?

What to Expect in CUET UG 2026?

National Testing Agency will conduct CUET UG 2026 between May 11 and May 31, 2026, in CBT mode. Candidates who applied for the entrance exam must know what to expect in CUET UG 2026 to get an idea of the competition level and difficulty level they will be facing this year. Common University Entrance Test (UG) or CUET UG is a national level entrance exam conducted by NTA for admission to undergraduate courses to more than 280 central, state, private, government and deemed CUET universities across India. The competition level of CUET UG exam is increasing every year, making it difficult for candidates to secure a seat at their dream university.

Scroll down to know the expected difficulty level, questions, scores and more for 2026-27 admission cycle. NTA will release official subject-wise CUET UG 2026 datesheet on its official website - cuet.nta.nic.in. The CUET UG exam will be conducted across multiple exam centres in India and abroad.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is CUET UG cut off for top courses?
A: 

CUET UG cut off will vary from course to course and universities. To know the cut off for CUET UG courses, candidates must stay updated with the notification released by the universities for admissions. As per the previous year analysis, candidates can expect the CUET UG cut off for various top courses under Arts, Commerce and Science as mentioned below:

UniversityCUET cutoff link
Delhi UniversityCUET DU Cutoff
Allahabad UniversityCUET AU cutoff
Banaras Hindu UniversityCUET BHU cutoff
Q:   When will NTA release CUET UG cutoff?
A: 

National Testing Agency (NTA) does not release the CUET UG cutoff. Once the CUET results are declared, the socres are shared with the participating universities and role of NTA ends with the declaration of results. CUET UG 2025 cutoff has been released by the CUET participtaing universities seperatley. Candidates will be able to check the course wise and category wise cutoff. CUET UG cutoff 2026 has been released by accepting universities after declaration of CUET UG results. 

Q:   How is CUET UG cut off calculated?
A: 

The CUET UG cut off is determined by CUET participating universities seperately. Parameters on the basis of which CUET UG cut off is released are:

  • Total number of candidates that appeared for the CUET UG exam
  • The number of seats offered by the participating universities through CUET UG
  • The difficulty level of the CUET exam
  • Overall performance of the test takers (pass percentage/ score range, etc.)

CUET cut off is based on the percentile of the candidate. To calculate the CUET percentile following formula is applied:

100*Number of candidates appeared in the session with a raw score is equal to or less than a candidate/ total number of candidates appeared for CUET UG.

Table of contents
  • CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern
  • CUET UG 2026 Difficulty Level (Expected)
  • CUET Stream-wise Important Topics
  • CUET UG 2026 Expected Questions
  • CUET 2026 Marks vs Percentile
  • Ideal CUET Score 2026
  • CUET Total Score
View More

CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern

Before finding out about the expected difficulty level and other details about CUET UG 2026, check below to know the structure of exam paper.

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 (13)

Section 2 - Domain Subject (23)

Section 3 - General Aptitude Test

Total number of Questions

50 across all subjects

Marking Scheme

+5 for each correct answer

-1 for each incorrect answer

0 for unattempted question

Medium of CUET exam

13 languages - English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu

CUET UG 2026 Difficulty Level (Expected)

After considering previous year’s CUET exam analysis, it can be said that this year the CUET difficulty level will be moderate to high. Check below to find out stream-wise difficulty level.

CUET Commerce Difficulty Level

Commerce students usually opt for CUET UG subjects like English, Economics, Business Studies, Accountancy, Mathematics, or General Aptitude Test. Among these subjects, students find Accountancy and Mathematics difficult to solve as they often have time-consuming and application-based questions. Business studies and Microeconomics section of Economic paper are generally easy to solve if a candidate has prepared thoroughly. Additionally, this year, Indian Economic Development has also been included in CUET economics syllabusSo, canddiates are advised to learn all important dates, reforms, Acts, etc., to get a competitive score in exam.

CUET Science Difficulty Level

Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics and Computer Science are the most chosen subjects by science students. The difficulty level of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics question papers is moderate to high. These subjects include more application based and analytical thinking questions, which consumes time, mind and energy of a student during exam.

CUET Arts Difficulty Level

The difficulty level of arts subjects is mostly easy to moderate. However, students may find it difficult to complete or answer the questions in History and Political Science exam. As per previous analysis, sometimes students can’t remember an important event, law, date, battle, etc., which makes it hard for them to select the right answer. Besides, students also try to be safe from negative marking to avoid low score.

Note - Learning and understanding the formulas, basic concepts, rules, principles, etc., is the key to score well in exam.

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CUET Stream-wise Important Topics

To know about important topics from which most of the questions are repeated in CUET paper every year, students must download and practice CUET previous year question papers. Candidates who are preparing for Common University Entrance Test can check below to know important topics for top CUET subjects.

CUET English Important Topics

CUET English Important Topics Sub-Topics
Vocabulary

Synonyms, Antonyms, Word Analogy, Figures of Speech, Idioms & Phrases, Match the Column, Phrasal Verbs, Spelling Errors, One-Word Substitution

Grammar

Verbs, Tenses, Prepositions, Error Spotting, Para Jumbles, Active & Passive Voice

Reading Comprehension

Inference-based Questions, Poetry Extract, Questions on Literary Devices

Synonyms and antonyms

Phrases and meaning

CUET Commerce Important Topics

CUET Commerce Subjects Important Topics
Accountancy Reconstitution of Partnership, Analysis of financial statements, Accounting for Shares & Debenture Capital, Accounting-Not for Profit, Computerized Accounting System
Mathematics

Core Mathematics - Linear Programming, Differentiation, Area Under Curves, Probability, Integration, Differential Equations, Application of Derivatives, Matrices, Determinants

Applied Mathematics - Probability Distribution, Allegation and Mixture, Financial Maths, Inferential Stats, Boats & Streams, Pipes & Cisters, Algebra of Matrices, Derivatives 

Business Studies Business Environment (Case study), Planning, Staffing, Organizing, Directing, Controlling, Business Finance, Financial Markets, Marketing, Sequence Wise questions
Economics Consumer Behavior and Demand, Balance of Payment, Government Budget and the Economy, Determination of Income & Employment, National Income, Money & Banking, Rural Development, Indian Economy 1950-1990, Infrastructure, Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence, Economic Reforms since 1991

CUET Science Important Topics

CUET Science Subjects Important Topics
Physics Electric Charges and Electric Fields, Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance, Current Electricity, Moving Charges and Magnetism, Magnetism and Matter, Electromagnetic Induction, Alternating Currents, Electromagnetic Waves, Ray Optics and Optical Instrument, Wave Optics, Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation, Atoms, Nuclei, Electronic Devices, Communication Systems
Chemistry

Organic Chemistry -  Haloalkane and Haloarene, Aldehyde, Ketone and Carboxylic Acid, Alcohol, Phenol and Ether, Biomolecules, Amine, Polymer

Inorganic Chemistry - Metallurgy, D-Block, P-Block, Coordination Compounds

Physical Chemistry - Solid State, Electrochemistry, Surface Chemistry, Chemical Kinetics

Biology

Reproduction in Organism, Sexual Reproduction in flowering plants, Reproduction in Humans, Reproductive Health, Heredity and variations, Molecular Basis of Inheritance, Sex-linked Inheritance, Gene Expression and regulation, Mechanism of Evolution, Health and Disease, Microbes in Human Welfare, Improvement in Food Production, Applications of Biotechnology in health and agriculture, Principle and process of Biotechnology, Organism and environment, Biodiversity and its conservation, Ecosystems, Environmental issues

Computer Science Networking, SQL, Bubble Sorting, Assertion Reasoning, Code Completion

CUET Arts Important Topics

CUET Arts Subjects Important Topics
History An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara, Kings and Chronicles, The Mughal Courts, Framing the Constitution, Bhakti-Sufi Traditions, Thinkers, Beliefs, and Buildings Cultural Developments
Political Science Recent Developments in Indian Politics, Challenges of the Congress System, The End of Bipolarity, Cold War Era, US Hegemony in World Politics, Contemporary South Asia, International Organizations, Security in Contemporary World, Globalisation, Environment and Natural Resources
Psychology Psychological Disorders, Therapeutic Approaches, Variations in Psychological Attributes, Attitude and Social Cognition, Social Influence and Group Processes, Developing Psychological Skills, Psychology & Life
Geography Human Activities, Transport, Communication & Trade, Human Settlements, Resources and Development, Transport, Communication and International Trade, Geographical Perspective on selected issues & problems, Map Work

CUET General Aptitude Test Important Topics

  • Numerical Ability
  • Calendar and Direction
  • General Awareness
  • History and Science
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • Discovery and Invention
  • Sports
  • Books and Authors
  • Static GK
  • Logical Reasoning
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How can I check CUET BHU cutoff?
A: 

Candidates can check CUET BHU cutoff 2026 at bhu.ac.in. Banaras Hindu University will release the CUET cutoff 2026 after declaration of result and counselling registration process is over. BHU will release the CUET cutoff 2026 in four rounds. To download the BHU cutoff 2026, candidate must visiut the official BHU website and click on tab 'Round 1 cutoff list for UG admission' when released.

Q:   How can I check the Delhi University CUET UG cutoff?
A: 

Candidates can check CUET DU cutoff 2026 soon after the declaration of CUET 2026 results. Delhi University will release the CUET DU cutoff 2026 at admissions.du.ac.in. The list is expected to be released in third week of August 2026. Candidates can follow the steps below to download DU cut off 2026 for CUET

  • Go to Delhi University official website- admissions.du.ac.in
  • Click on tab 'UG first cutoff list'
  • Check course wise CUET cutoff
Q:   When and where to download CUET cutoff?
A: 

CUET UG 2026 cutoff will be released by the accepting universities. Candidates can check the CUET cutoff on the official website of accepting universities soon after the declaration of results.

CUET UG 2026 Expected Questions

Check table below to get subject-wise expected questions in CUET 2026 question paper.

Subjects

CUET Question Paper PDFs

English CUET English Question Paper
Biology CUET Biology Question Paper
Accountancy/ Book Keeping CUET Accountancy Question Paper
Business Studies CUET Business Studies Question Paper
Chemistry CUET Chemistry Question Paper
Computer Science/ Informatics Practices CUET Computer Science Question Paper
Economics/ Business Economics CUET Economics Question Paper
Geography/Geology CUET Geography Question Paper 
Home Science CUET Home Science Question Paper 
Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India CUET Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India Question Paper
Environmental Science CUET Environmental Science Question Paper
Mathematics CUET Mathematics Question Paper
Physical Education/ NCC /Yoga CUET Physical Education Paper
Physics CUET Physics Question Paper
Political Science CUET Political Science Question Paper
Psychology CUET Psychology Question Paper 
Sociology CUET Sociology Question Paper 
Agriculture CUET Agriculture Question Paper 
Mass Media/ Mass Communication CUET Mass Media/ Mass Communication Question Paper
Anthropology CUET Anthropology Question Paper
Fine Arts/ Visual Arts (Sculpture/ Painting)/Commercial Arts CUET Fine Arts Question Paper 
Performing Arts CUET Performing Arts Question Paper 
Sanskrit CUET Sanskrit Question Paper 
History CUET History Question Paper
General Test

CUET General Test Question Paper

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CUET 2026 Marks vs Percentile

Based on past years’ trends, below is the CUET marks vs percentile for 2026.

CUET Marks Range  Expected Percentile
250 - 235 100
234 - 213 99
212 - 188 98 - 97
187 - 163 96 - 95
162 - 138 94 - 93
137 - 113 92 - 90
112 - 100 89 - 84
99 - 88 83 - 80
87 - 75 79 - 75
74 - 63 74 - 70
62 - 50 69 - 55
49 - 25 54 - 30

Ideal CUET Score 2026

There is no ideal score for Common University Entrance Test. A good CUET score for every candidate can vary depending on their target course and university. NTA only conducts CUET UG exam and releases CUET result. The cut off marks of each course is announced by universities, separately. Therefore, a candidate must check their dream university’s expected CUET cut off to know what score range they should target to get admission. However, students can check below ranges to get an idea:

  • Very Good Score: 900 and above (98-99 percentile)
  • Good Score: 700-850 (90+ percentile)
  • Average Score: 600-700 (80+ percentile)
  • Low Score: 400-650 (<80 percentile)

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CUET Total Score

National Testing Agency has prescribed the marking scheme to calculate CUET total marks and raw scores of a candidate in each subject. As per the marking scheme, candidates will get 5 marks for every correct answer and -1 marks for every incorrect answer. There are 50 questions in each CUET subject, which means that the total score for one subject is 250 marks. Now, a candidate can select up to 5 subjects in CUET UG exam, which means that a candidate can either choose three, four or five subjects to get admission to their target university, based on their cut off marks, eligibility requirements and subject combination. In such cases, the total marks for each candidate will be different. Check below to know total marks in each of these cases:

  • 3 subjects: 750 marks
  • 4 subjects: 1000 marks
  • 5 subjects: 1250 marks

It shows that the maximum total marks for a candidate can be 1250 marks.

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About the Author
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Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial

Nupur Jain started with a passion for educational content writing, which soon grew into a meaningful journey of helping students through reliable guidance. A commerce graduate from Delhi University, she has spent ov

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Answered 2 days ago

CUET stands for Common University Entrance Test. It is a national level entrance test conducted by National Testing Agency for UG and PG programs. It is a single window examination for admission to universities in India. It is a single window examination for students to apply to multiple universitie

...Read more

N

Nishtha Singh

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 days ago

Yes, the top 2 BBA colleges in Indore, PIMR and IPS Academy, do not require CUET or any other entrance exam for admissions. Class 12 marks between 45 to 55% are required only. 

Note: All info. is from official sites and can change. 

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

Nanavati Hospital does not mention whether it accepts the scores of CUET-UG for BSc admissions. Generally, candidates are required to appear for the institute's own entrance exam in order to apply for BSc admissions.

Candidates are advised to raise this query with the admission desk of Nanavati Hospi

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 days ago

CUET UG 2026 English exam will be scheduled between May 11 and May 31, 2026. The exam will be held for a duration of 60 minutes. The CUET English 2026 slot timings will be mentioned on the CUET intimation slip and admit card. Candidates will be alloted different slots for CUET UG English 2206 exam.

N

Nishtha Pandey

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 days ago

CUET UG exam centre 2026 preference could be selected while filling the CUET application form. Candidates could select the preferred exam cities based on their present and permanent address. Once the CUET exam centre is alloted, candidates cannot request for change in exam city or centre.

N

Nishtha Bhandari

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 days ago

To appear for CUET UG exam, candidates can appear for maximum five CUET subjects. NTA conducts the CUET exam for each selected subject at different slots. Yes, the syllabus is different for every for domain subject or language chosen.

N

Nishtha Arora

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 days ago

No, candidates cannot appear for CUET UG 2026 exam if they have not filled the CUET application form. NTA closed the CUET registrations 2026 on February 26, 2026. Candidates who are willing to appear for CUET UG exam must now stay updated with CUET 2027 schedule and notification.

D

Dhanya Dhyani

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 days ago

Candidates can select the preferred CUET college and courses once the CUET counselling registration 2026 begins. CUET accepting colleges will commence the CUET counselling 2026 registration soon after the CUET exam concludes. Candidates must visit the official website of preferred university and fil

...Read more

N

Nishtha Kumar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 days ago

It is unlikely that NTA will reopen the CUET UG registration 2026 again. Earlier, NTA reopened CUET application 2026 window from February 23 to February 26. Candidates were given one more chance to apply for CUET 2026 exam.

S

Satyendra Kaur

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 days ago

National Testing Agency is expected to release the CUET UG datesheet 2026 by mid April 2026. The CUET datesheet 2026 PDF will be available at cuet.nta.nic.in. Last year, NTA did not release the official CUET UG datesheet, however this year it is expected to release the detailed CUET schedule 2026.

K

Kritika Malhotra

Contributor-Level 6