CUET (Common University Entrance Test):

The Central Universities Entrance Test (CUET) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to various undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs offered by central universities across India. The exam is designed to assess the academic abilities of students in subjects like languages, general knowledge, and subject-specific areas. CUET is held annually, and it offers a common platform for admission to multiple central universities, reducing the need for separate entrance exams for each institution. The exam is usually conducted in an online mode and consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Eligibility for CUET depends on the specific program, but candidates must have completed the required educational qualifications. The exam offers a wide range of courses and is aimed at providing a transparent and merit-based selection.
Here are some extra points about the CUET (Common University Entrance Test) exam:
- Purpose of CUET: The CUET is a national-level entrance exam designed to offer admission to undergraduate programs in various central universities in India. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). CUET replaces multiple university-specific entrance exams, bringing uniformity and transparency to the admission process.
- Introduction of CUET: CUET was introduced in 2022 by the Ministry of Education to bring a more standardized and centralized admission process for undergraduate courses across central universities, making it easier for students to apply to multiple universities without having to appear for several entrance exams.
- Participating Universities:
- CUET is used by central universities such as Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), University of Hyderabad, and others.
- Over 40 central universities and many other universities, including private ones, have started using CUET scores for admission into their undergraduate programs.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Age: No specific age limit.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed their Class 12 from a recognized board, or be appearing for the Class 12 exams in the year of application.
- CUET Exam Pattern:
- The CUET exam is divided into 4 sections:
- Section I-A: Language (includes 13 languages, such as English, Hindi, and regional languages).
- Section I-B: Language (another set of 19 languages).
- Section II: Domain-Specific Subjects (includes subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Political Science, History, etc.).
- Section III: General Test (optional, focusing on general knowledge, current affairs, and logical reasoning).
- The exam is computer-based and consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- Duration: The exam may be conducted in multiple slots and can vary in duration depending on the number of sections chosen by the candidate.
- The CUET exam is divided into 4 sections:
- Subject Options:
- Candidates can choose a combination of languages and domain-specific subjects based on the courses they are applying for.
- The subjects are grouped into domain-specific and language sections, giving candidates flexibility to apply for programs based on their stream in school.
- Mode of Exam: CUET is conducted in online mode (Computer-Based Test or CBT).
- Scoring System:
- Each correct answer earns 5 marks, while an incorrect answer incurs a negative marking of 1 mark.
- There is no penalty for unanswered questions.
- CUET Admit Card: The admit card for CUET is issued by NTA, and it can be downloaded from the official NTA CUET website. The admit card is mandatory for attending the exam.
- CUET Result:
- After the exam, the results are declared by NTA. The result will display the candidate’s CUET score and rank.
- This score is used by universities to determine eligibility for different undergraduate programs.
- Counseling and Admission:
- CUET results are used by participating universities to offer admission. Each university has its own counseling process based on CUET scores.
- Candidates can choose courses and universities based on their CUET score during the counseling phase.
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- The exam is entirely based on MCQs. Candidates must choose the most appropriate answer for each question.
- Each subject will have its own set of questions aligned with the Class 12 syllabus.
- Choice of Exam Slots:
- CUET is usually held in multiple phases/slots depending on the number of candidates and subjects. Candidates can opt for their preferred time slot as per the available options during the application process.
- Languages Offered:
- Section I-A includes languages like English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Sanskrit, and regional languages. It allows candidates to choose a language of their choice.
- Candidates can choose up to 2 languages (from Sections I-A and I-B) depending on the university’s requirements for the course they wish to apply for.
- Availability of CUET for Various Streams:
- The CUET exam offers options for candidates from various streams like Science, Commerce, and Humanities to take domain-specific subjects.
- Popular domain-specific subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Political Science, Economics, Geography, etc.
- CUET and Admission to Various Courses:
- CUET is primarily used for undergraduate admissions to courses like BA, BSc, BCom, and other integrated programs in the participating universities.
- However, some universities also use CUET scores for admission to specialized courses like BBA, BCA, etc.
- No Upper Age Limit:
- Unlike some other entrance exams, CUET does not have an upper age limit for candidates, making it more accessible to students of all ages.
- CUET vs JEE/NEET:
- CUET is specific to undergraduate admissions in central universities, while JEE is for engineering courses, and NEET is for medical admissions.
- CUET is focused on assessing the general academic knowledge of students for undergraduate admissions, while JEE and NEET are specialized exams for specific streams (Engineering and Medical, respectively).
- Syllabus:
- The syllabus for CUET is based on the Class 12 curriculum, including subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and other domain-specific subjects as per the course applied for.
- The General Test includes topics like General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
- Preparation Tips:
- Focus on NCERT textbooks, as CUET is aligned with the Class 12
- Take mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and improve time management.
- Stay updated with general knowledge and current affairs for the General Test