CUET Exam Pattern 2026, Total Marks, Duration & Marking Scheme

Overview: Curious about what's the latest CUET Exam Pattern 2026? The NTA-administered CUET exam 2026 has undergone several changes in exam mode, total marks, and question format. Get detailed insights into the latest changes and updates that will benefit you in preparation. 

Familiarising yourself with the CUET exam pattern 2026 significantly influences your preparation. It is important because: 

• It provides insights into the structure and type of questions that appear in the exam.
• Any sectional time limit and marking scheme for each section.

Download Free Study Material for CUET 2026 by cuet.com

CUET Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights

• As the domain subject differs for each course, the CUET syllabus for your selected course must be reviewed carefully to meet the exam's cut-off.
• Moreover, the CUET total marks and exam duration differ according to the number of subject choices.
• According to the latest CUET exam pattern, you can choose a maximum of 5 subjects.

Particulars	Details
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test
CUET question pattern	Only MCQs (Objective)
Medium	13 languages
Test Pattern	Objective type (Multiple Choice Questions)
Maximum No. of Tests	5
Domain subjects	23
Total number of Questions	50 across all subjects

CUET Exam Pattern 2026 [Section Wise]

The CUET exam is a single gateway to the country's many central, state, private and deemed-to-be universities. Over 280 universities will accept CUET scores for admission into their various CUET courses in 2026.

The CUET exam pattern for each section is listed below: 

Section 1: Language Papers 

Aspect	Details
CUET Subjects/ Tests	13 languages
Total Questions	50
Questions to attempt	50
Time Duration	60 minutes
Total Marks	250

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Section 2: CUET Exam Pattern 2026 for Domain-Specific Papers

Aspect	Details
CUET Subjects/ Tests	23 test papers
Total Questions	50
Questions to attempt	50
Time Duration	60 minutes
Total Marks	250

Section 3: CUET Exam Pattern 2026 for General Aptitude Test

Aspect	Details
CUET Subjects/ Tests	1 paper
Total Questions	50
Questions to attempt	50
Time Duration	60 minutes
Total Marks	250

CUET Marking Scheme 2026

Once you know the CUET exam pattern, you may want to know the total marks for the CUET exam or the marking scheme. 

Let's understand the CUET marking scheme below:

Particulars	Details
Correct Answer	5 marks for every correct answer
Incorrect answer	-1 for every wrong answer
Unattempted Answer	0 (no mark)

After going through this, you will know how to calculate your score out of 800 or more. 

Other important aspects related to the marking scheme for the CUET exam pattern are mentioned below: 

• If more than one option is found to be correct, then  (+5) will be given to only those who have marked any of the correct options.
• If all options are found to be correct, then (+5) will be given to all those who have attempted the question.
• If none of the options is found correct, or for a wrong or dropped question, all those who have attempted the dropped question will be given (+5) marks.

Syllabus based on CUET Exam Pattern 2026 

You may wonder whether the CUET UG exam pattern is similar for all CUET participating universities or if it is different, right?

• The answer is that the exam pattern is the same for every college that will accept CUET scores.
• That's why it becomes so important to thoroughly understand the CUET exam pattern to score high marks and qualify for most universities. 

Understanding the CUET exam paper pattern is also important for understanding the type of questions and preparing the CUET syllabus 2026. The syllabus overview is given below: 

Exam Sections	CUET Syllabus
Language Papers	Reading comprehension (Factual, Literary, Narrative)
	Literary aptitude & Grammar
	Vocabulary
Domain-specific papers	As per your 12th class syllabus (NCERT), only
General Test	General knowledge, current affairs & Environment Literacy
	Mental and numerical ability
	Basic mathematical concepts
	Logical & Analytical reasoning

Check: How many questions are there in CUET Exam?

How do you choose a good subject combination in the CUET Exam 2026? 

To choose a good CUET subject combination, you must keep these points in mind: 

• Check for the specific university's eligibility for the course you wish to study. 
• Align your interests with your desired course for the ideal CUET subject selection. 
• You must assess your academic strengths and weak areas to strike a balance during your preparation, i.e. while solving the CUET previous year question paper or latest mock tests. 
• You must also consider your career goals and future plans in your chosen field. 
• Check for the availability of resources such as CUET preparation books or the latest study materials for the subjects you wish to choose. 
• Select subjects from the CUET exam pattern for UG admissions that offer good career prospects and are likely to remain in demand in the job market.
• Seek guidance and support from mentors, teachers and career counsellors. It will help you make informed choices. 

UNLOCK section-wise PYPs for CUET Preparation

CUET Preparation Tips 2026 

Particulars	Action Plan
CUET Exam Pattern & Syllabus	Familiarize yourself & know the weightage of each subject to prioritize your study
Time Management	Practice solving questions within the allocated time to improve your speed.
Preparation Books	Choose good reference books recommended by teachers or experts.
Use NCERTs	Focus more on your NCERT school books for more in-depth knowledge. Identify your weak areas and focus on them.
Study Plan	Plan a realistic and consistent study schedule. Allocate time to each subject based on its importance and your proficiency.
PYPs & Mocks	Practice solving the previous year's question papers and sample papers. Take CUET mock tests regularly to track your progress.
Physical & Mental Health	Take care of your physical and mental health. Ensure proper sleep, eat a balanced diet, and incorporate short breaks during study sessions.

Check: CUET Subjects Lists 2026

Key Takeaways

• Understand the CUET Exam Pattern for thorough preparation of all three sections.
• You can select from 13 languages (UG) as your medium for the exam. 
• Domain-specific Papers assess your subject knowledge till the 12th class syllabus (NCERT-focused) only.
• Prioritise your strengths to approach the question paper confidently. 
• NTA has not published the CUET UG paper pattern in Hindi, so carefully read the English one.
• Seek expert guidance through Supergrads CUET Online Coaching for subject selection and study materials, ensuring on-point preparation.