CUET

Central University Common Entrance Test

  • CUET standardizes undergraduate and postgraduate admissions to prestigious Indian universities.
  • It reduces opportunity disparity across various educational boards.
  • The test is computer-based, multilingual, and assesses academic subjects, languages, and logical reasoning.
  • CUET includes language, domain-specific, and general test sections, with compulsory language papers.
  • Each correct answer is worth five marks; incorrect answers deduct one mark.

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CUET

The CUET exam full form is Common University Entrance Test, which in itself is a premier entrance test for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions to some of the most prestigious central universities such as Delhi University, BHU, Allahabad University, and JNU. Instead of creating merit lists based entirely on 12th board results, participating universities release lists on the basis of scores secured in CUET

CUET was introduced with the aim of reducing the opportunity disparity between students from different parts of India who have studied under various education boards and academic structures. With uniformity across all testing parameters, students from across India can apply to several universities with a standard exam instead of writing multiple tests for each one.

The CUET is computer-based and conducted in Hybrid Mode, (Computer based test /Pen & Paper) multiple languages, testing students’ proficiency in academic subjects, languages, and logical reasoning. Let’s take a look at the CUET exam pattern.

What is the CUET exam pattern?

Getting acquainted with the CUET exam pattern will let you prepare for the exam better. It’ll help form your exam strategy while allowing you to focus on your stronger subjects and shore up your weaker ones.

The exam is divided into languages, domain subjects, and the general test. The languages in Section 1 are further broken down into 1A and 1B. Choosing at least one language paper for your CUE exam is compulsory. With 27 domain subjects, you can select the subjects you want to write based on the specific subject combination required for admission to your preferred program. The general test’s last section is based on verbal ability and logical reasoning.

SECTIONSSUBJECTSNO. OF QUESTIONS TO BE ATTEMPTEDDURATION
List A- Section 1A- Languages13 different languages40 out of 50 questions45 minutes
List A- Section 1B- Languages20 different languages40 out of 50 questions45 minutes
List B1 & List B2Domain specific subjects - 2940 out of 5060 minutes
Section - IIIGeneral test50 out of 60 questions60 minutes

Each correct question that you attempt is worth five marks, while each incorrect answer attracts a negative marking of 1 mark. Unattempted questions are awarded no marks.

CUET Eligibility Criteria Overview:

To apply for CUET, candidates must meet both the general eligibility guidelines and the specific requirements of the program and university they are interested in. Here are the key criteria for eligibility:

1. Academic Qualifications:

- General candidates need at least 50% marks in their 12th board examinations.

- SC/ST candidates require a minimum of 45% marks.

2. Subject Requirements:

- The subjects studied in high school must align with the subject prerequisites of the chosen course and college.

3. Age and Educational Requirements:

- There is no age restriction for CUET. However, specific educational prerequisites set by institutions must be met.

4. Application Details:

- Candidates must apply to three participating universities and select a combination of three programs when filling out their CUET forms.

5. Board Examination and Documentation:

- Candidates can register for CUET before taking their 12th board exams, but they must provide their mark sheet during the counseling process.

6. Nationality and Residency:

- Eligible candidates include Indian nationals, subjects of Nepal and Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, and individuals from the following countries who have permanently settled in India:

  • Pakistan
  • Myanmar
  • Sri Lanka
  • Kenya
  • Uganda
  • Tanzania
  • Zambia
  • Malawi
  • Zaire
  • Ethiopia
  • Vietnam
7. Re-application:

- There is no restriction on the number of times a candidate can apply for CUET, provided they meet the educational criteria of the colleges.

8. Reservation Quotas:

- Scheduled Castes (SC) – 15%

- Scheduled Castes (SC) – 15%

- Other Backward Classes (OBC, Non-creamy layer) – 27%

- Persons with Disabilities (PwD) – 5%

Importance of CUET

TThe Common University Entrance Test (CUET) was introduced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in partnership with the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2020. It has quickly become a preferred entrance exam for students seeking admission to top central and private universities in India. Here are some key reasons why CUET is considered crucial by academic experts:

1. Reduced Weightage of 12th Board Marks:

Prior to CUET, admissions to undergraduate programs, especially non-STEM courses, were heavily dependent on 12th board marks, leading to exceedingly high cutoffs. This created disparities among students from different educational boards and regions. CUET levels the playing field by giving every student an equal opportunity to gain admission to prestigious colleges, regardless of their board exam scores.

2. Streamlined Admission Process:

Previously, students had to go through the cumbersome process of filling out multiple application forms, submitting various documents, and meeting the specific admission requirements of different colleges. Each institution had its own unique process, consuming a significant amount of time and effort. CUET has simplified this by consolidating admissions for 249 universities and thousands of programs into one exam and one central platform.

3. Clarity of Rank:

CUET provides a clear ranking and percentile system, which helps students gauge their performance relative to their peers. This transparency was often missing in previous admission processes, where students had little understanding of their standing. The straightforward ranking system of CUET adds transparency to the admissions process, ensuring that students have clear visibility of their marks and percentile.

These improvements brought by CUET have revolutionized the university admissions process, making it fairer, more transparent, and less burdensome for students across India.

Frequently Asked Questions

CUET stands for the Common University Entrance Test, introduced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in collaboration with the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2020. It is designed to streamline the admission process for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs across central, state, and private universities in India.

CUET was introduced to create a unified and fair admission process, reducing the dependency on 12th board marks, which previously led to extremely high cutoffs. It also aims to simplify the application process for students by consolidating admissions to multiple universities into a single exam.

  • Equal Opportunity: It levels the playing field by giving all students an equal chance at admission, regardless of their board exam scores.
  • Simplified Process: Students only need to take one exam and apply through one platform for multiple universities.
  • Transparency: CUET provides clear ranking and percentile information, ensuring students have visibility into their performance and standing.

  • General candidates need a minimum of 50% marks in their 12th board exams, while SC/ST candidates need at least 45%.
  • The subjects studied in high school must align with the requirements of the chosen course and university.
  • Candidates can apply to three participating universities and select three programs when filling out their CUET forms.
  • There is no age limit for CUET, but specific educational requirements set by institutions must be met.

Yes, students can register for CUET before taking their 12th board exams. However, they must provide their mark sheet during the counseling process.

Indian nationals, subjects of Nepal and Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, and individuals from countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam who have permanently settled in India are eligible to apply.