CUET Preparation Tips 2026: Study Plan, Strategy, Time Table & Best Books for CUET UG
Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )
Registration - 1 Mar '26 - 24 Mar '26
CUET preparation is crucial given the competitive nature of the exam, which over 10 lakh candidates take. CUET UG 2026 exam will be held tentatively in May/June. Students must plan their CUET UG 2026 preparation accordingly. Students must prepare well and study to score well on the exam. Read on to learn how to schedule your time to prepare for the exam, major topics to prepare from and more!
CUET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to over 210 universities, including 47 central universities, 27 State Universities, 22 Deemed Universities, 110 Private Universities, and seven others.
- Step Wise CUET UG Preparation Tips
- How to prepare for CUET 2026?
- Books to read for CUET Preparation 2026
- CUET Topper Tips
- FAQs Regarding CUET Preparation
Step Wise CUET UG Preparation Tips
Wondering how to start with the preparation for CUET UG 2026? Follow the easy steps below to start with the UG admission journey:
Step 1: Go through the CUET syllabus 2026 thoroughly.
Step 2: Understand the CUET exam pattern and marking scheme and prepare accordingly.
Step 3: Get all the study material for CUET such as prep books and previous years' question papers to help better understand what to expect in the exam.
Step 4: Create a monthly timetable on how much material to cover daily.
Step 5: Solve question papers, sample papers and mock tests.
Also Read: CUET 2026 Last-Minute Preparation Strategy and Tips
Commonly asked questions
How to prepare for CUET 2026?
CUET is an all-India entrance exam that is highly competitive and candidates appearing for the exam need to have a strategy and aim in order to score well and qualify. Aspirants can go through the following prep strategy methods while preparing for CUET.
Know exam pattern for CUET
CUET exam pattern is such that question papers for almost all the courses contain a total of 160 multiple-choice questions, out of which candidates have to attempt around 130 questions within three hours duration. The total number of questions has changed as compared to last year.
Candidates can refer to the table below for further clarification:
The table below brings the broad structure of the exam in terms of the number of questions in each section along with the duration.
| Section |
Number of Questions |
Question Types |
|---|---|---|
| Section IA |
50 Questions |
Language to be tested through Reading Comprehension based on different types of passages–Factual, Literary and Narrative, (Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary) |
| Section II |
50 Questions |
|
| Section III |
50 Questions |
|
Marking scheme: Candidates will be awarded five marks for each correct answer. There will be a negative marking of -1 mark for each incorrect answer. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unattempted questions.
To perform well in the CUET test, candidates have to thoroughly go through the syllabus. Aspirants need to strategise their plans on a monthly, weekly and daily basis. There is no success without hard work and to qualify for the entrance exam, candidates can prepare better by knowing which topics to cover in-depth and which require superficial knowledge. The candidate can do so as per the below-mentioned pointers:
- Make a list of topics, subject-wise
- Segregate the subjects and topics into easy and difficult as per personal experience.
- Note down topics that will carry maximum weightage (as per previous year’s question papers).
Go through the Preparation books
In order to perform well in the CUET exam, candidates need to make a list of books from which they should study for the entrance exam. Candidates are advised to purchase at least two to three prep books for CUET, depending on the course applied for. The books can help aspirants determine which topics to cover and study along with what to expect for the entrance exam. For the programme applied for, candidates need only buy the books according to the course.
Prepare a TimeTable
Candidates need to make a timetable on what topics to cover when, which subjects require high priority and how much to cover on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Aspirants are advised to create a daily plan and while preparing a timetable, special attention should be given to completing the CUET syllabus. Revise the syllabus and content, attempt as many question papers, mock papers and previous years' question papers to better help prepare. Through this, a candidate can have a fair idea of what to expect in the entrance exam.
Refer to Past Year’s Question Papers
Candidates appearing for the CUET 2026 exam are advised to solve the last five years question papers to help better understand the exam pattern and format of questions that will be asked in the entrance exam. Through the previous questions, candidates can understand which subjects are given high importance and topics which can help the aspirant score better in the exam.
Also Read:
CUET UG Commerce Previous Year Question Papers
CUET UG Science Previous Year Question Papers
Solve sample papers and Mock tests
The best way for a candidate to know their strengths and weaknesses is by solving question papers, sample papers and mock tests. Through this, candidates can also figure out the best approach to be followed when they head out to attempt the actual CUET question paper. From formulating time management to understanding the format of the paper, solving sample papers can help candidates prepare better for the entrance exam.
Commonly asked questions
Books to read for CUET Preparation 2026
Candidates must prepare every topic from prep books as it will students clear doubts as well as understand the subjects thoroughly.
| Books |
Author |
|---|---|
| A Problem Book in Mathematical Analysis |
GN Berman |
| Concepts of Physics |
HC Verma |
| A Textbook of Organic Chemistry |
RK Gupta |
| Higher Algebra |
Hall & Knight |
| Problems in Calculus of One Variable |
IA Maron |
| Objective Biology |
Dinesh |
| International Economics |
Bo Soderstien and Geoffrey Reed |
| Indian Economy: Performance & Policies |
Uma, Kapila |
| ABC Chemistry |
S.P. Jauhar |
| Methodology and Perspectives of Social Science |
Abhijit Kundu |
| Elementary Mathematics |
DoroFeev Patapov |
| International Economics |
Dominick Salvatore |
| A Class-book Botany |
AC Dutta |
| Economics |
Lipsey R. and A Chrytal |
| Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics |
Chiang A.C. and K. Wainwright |
Also Read: CUET UG 2026 Books and Study Materials
Commonly asked questions
CUET Topper Tips
According to last year's toppers, the best methods of CUET UG 2025 preparation include referring to the right books, taking regular mock tests and solving previous years' CUET question papers and following a disciplined and systematic approach. According to the toppers, NCERT is the best source of preparation. Once the syllabus is completed, students must go through revision. After this, they should take regular mock tests to understand their preparation level and also analyse to device a preparation strategy to improve their performance at the exam. Shiksha.com has interviewed the CUET UG 2023 toppers Read the interviews below to know their success mantras.
Read Success Stories below:
- CUET 2023 Topper Sufi Siddharth Kabir, 100%iler, aspires to study Political Science from Delhi University
- CUET 2023 Topper Interview- Prarthana Drolia, 100 percentiler says, “Be consistent in your studies”
- Know how CUET Topper 2023 Parinita Bisht secured 799.86 marks without any coaching
- Know how CUET Topper 2023 Diya Bhargava secure 100 percentile with 4-5 hours of self-study
- CUET Topper 2023 Kartikay Mendiratta with 794 marks says, "NCERT books are no doubt the best books to use"
- CUET Topper 2023 Irijaya Dash wants to join Miranda House; Know her CUET UG prep strategy
- CUET Topper 2023 Sejal Gupta Says, Strong Preparation for Class 12th Exams Leads to CUET Readiness
- CUET 2023 Topper Prabuddh Dubey, 100%iler, aims to study Economics from Delhi University
- CUET Topper 2023 Katyayini Madeti aims for Hindu College with 799.6 marks; Check out her CUET prep strategy
- CUET Topper 2023 Vanshika Gupta targets SRCC; Know her CUET UG prep strategy, tips & more
- CUET 2023 Topper Divija Bansal, 100%iler, wants to pursue BCom (Hons) from SRCC
Commonly asked questions
FAQs Regarding CUET Preparation
Check frequently asked questions on CUET preparation below:
Commonly asked questions
CUET Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week 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 week ago
My fellow junior I am vansh verma from Delhi University ( Central University ) I am also pursuing B.Com (h) from Shri ram College of commerce and I also studied just accountancy business economics and english and you don't need any maths for B.Com (h) in delhi university but for other Central Unive
V
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 2 weeks ago
Admission in JNU's B.A. (Hons.) in foreign languages through CUET depends on cut-off scores, category-wise merit list, and number of seats available. For OBC category, the cut-off is generally lower than General, but it still varies each year depending on applicants. With 247 marks, your chances wil
M
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, with 98 percentile you have a very good chance to enter North Campus.
- Top colleges like SRCC, St. Stephen's, Hindu, Miranda House usually require 99+.
- Other North Campus colleges may accept students with 97–98+.
- Final admission depends on your category (General vs. reserved), course choice, and
N
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 2 weeks 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 3 weeks 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
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, candidatescan take admissions into the Marwadi University BCom courses without appearing for the CUET entrance exam. Candidates who wish togain admissions into the Marwadi University are required to clear their Class 12 board exams and apply for admissions. Candidates can apply for admissions a
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, candidates can get admissions to BA courses at AURO University without CUET UG scores. BA admissions at the university are not entrance based. They are merit-based. Applicants are awarded admissions based on merit obtained by them in the last qualifying examination. Apart from this, they also m
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
No, National Testing Agency does not announce the CUET dates for counselling. The role of NTA ends soon after the declaration of CUET UG results. To know the CUET counselling sates, candidates must visit the official website of university they desire to take admission in. Every CUET participating un
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 weeks ago
Of more than 3,000 full time M.Tech colleges in India you will find more than 2300 private colleges, 500+ government colleges, and the remaining public-private. For M Tech admission, exam scores like GATE, CEETA PG, and CUET PG are widely accepted by top colleges. Talking about CUET PG in particula
V
Contributor-Level 10
302 Institutes accepting CUET
Varanasi • Public
4.4Noida • Private
Hindu College, University of Delhi
North Campus, Delhi • Public
Hansraj College, University of Delhi
Malka Ganj, Delhi • Public
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Is Bapuji Academy of Management & Research (BAMR) under CUET?