Common University Entrance Test (CUET) - UG

Purpose: UG admissions to central, state, private, and deemed universities across India. Syllabus: Based on NCERT Class 12 curriculum for domain subjects; includes language and general aptitude tests. Frequency: Annually. Languages: 13 languages, including Hindi, English, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, and more.

CUET Exam: Comprehensive Overview

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and integrated programs across central, state, and private universities in India. CUET aims to provide a common platform and equal opportunities to students seeking admission to participating universities.

Exam Structure and Marking Scheme

CUET is designed to test candidates' knowledge across various domains, language proficiency, and general aptitude. The exam format differs slightly for UG and PG courses.

UG (CUET-UG) Exam Pattern

Section Description Total Questions Questions to be Attempted Total Marks Time Duration
Section IA: Language Test 13 languages (e.g., Hindi, English, etc.) 50 40 200 45 minutes per test
Section IB: Additional Language 20 additional languages (optional) 50 40 200 45 minutes per test
Section II: Domain Subjects 27 domain-specific subjects (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Business Studies) 50 40 200 45 minutes per subject
Section III: General Test General knowledge, logical reasoning, current affairs 60 50 200 60 minutes

Marking Scheme

  • Correct Answer: +5 marks.
  • Incorrect Answer: -1 mark.
  • Unattempted Questions: No penalty.

PG (CUET-PG) Exam Pattern

Section Description Total Questions Total Marks Time Duration
Part A General Aptitude 25 100 Combined with Part B
Part B Domain-Specific Questions 75 300 2 hours
  • Marking scheme: +4 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect answers.

Exam Mode

  • Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test).
  • Medium: Available in 13 languages, including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and more.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Educational Qualification:
    • UG: Class 12 or equivalent with subject-specific requirements based on the chosen course.
    • PG: Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field.
  2. Age Limit: No upper age limit, but candidates must meet the age and qualification requirements of the respective universities.

Key Participating Universities

  • Central Universities: Delhi University, BHU, JNU, AMU, University of Allahabad, etc.
  • State Universities: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Jadavpur University, etc.
  • Private Universities: Shiv Nadar University, NIIT University, etc.

Reservation Policy

Category Reservation Percentage
General-EWS 10%
OBC-NCL 27%
SC 15%
ST 7.5%
PwD 5%

Cutoff Trends

The CUET cutoff varies significantly depending on:

  1. The university: Central universities like Delhi University have higher cutoffs.
  2. Course demand: Popular courses like BA (Hons.) Economics, B.Sc., and BBA often see high cutoffs.

Cutoff Examples (2023 DU Cutoffs Based on CUET Score)

Program CUET Score (Range)
BA (Hons.) Economics 700–750
B.Com (Hons.) 650–700
B.Sc. Computer Science 680–720
BBA/BBM/BMS 600–650

Ranking System

  1. Normalized Scores:

    • Since CUET is conducted over multiple sessions, a percentile-based normalization method is used.
    • Candidates are ranked based on their normalized scores rather than raw scores.

  2. University-Specific Weightage:

    • Participating universities may have unique admission criteria, including CUET score weightage and additional parameters like interviews.

Key Statistics

  • Registrations (2023): Over 14.9 lakh candidates.
  • Test Slots: Conducted over multiple days in two shifts.
  • Acceptance Ratio: Varies based on course and university demand.

Important Dates (2024 Expected)

  1. Registration Opens: February 2024.
  2. Admit Card Release: May 2024.
  3. Exam Dates: Late May to June 2024.
  4. Result Declaration: July 2024.
  5. Counseling/Admissions: July–August 2024.

Preparation Strategy

  1. Section I (Language):
    • Focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar.
    • Practice essays for descriptive sections (if required).
  2. Section II (Domain Subjects):
    • Refer to NCERT textbooks for foundational understanding.
    • Solve past papers and domain-specific question banks.
  3. Section III (General Test):
    • Practice logical reasoning puzzles, current affairs, and mental math.
    • Focus on speed and accuracy in mock tests.

Recommended Resources:

  • NCERT books for domain subjects.
  • Logical reasoning and quantitative aptitude books like R.S. Aggarwal.
  • Current affairs magazines like Manorama Yearbook.

Highlights

  1. Flexibility: CUET allows students to apply to multiple universities with one exam.
  2. Wide Course Options: Covers UG and PG admissions in a vast array of disciplines.
  3. Normalization Methodology: Ensures fairness across different shifts and sessions.

Sections & Concept