Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2025 is a significant entrance for all such students who are keen to get admission in different undergraduate courses in central, state, and private universities of India. Organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA), CUET turns into a standard and merit based selection process in which students can secure admission on the basis of a single entrance test rather than individual university entrance tests. The CUET 2025 pattern has been changed and this article is an elaborate guide to the pattern, sections, eligibility, and prep strategy of CUET.
Overview of CUET 2025
CUET is keen to offer a level and equal platform to students of different education backgrounds to compete with each other for gaining admissions in universities. With the introduction of various central and state universities, CUET has become India’s most popular entrance test.
Key Features of CUET 2025:
Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Duration: Varying as per the number of sections chosen
Total Sections: Three (Language Section, Domain Specific Subjects, and General Test)
Nature of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Marking Scheme: +5 marks for the correct answer, 1 mark for the wrong answer
Official Website: cuet.samarth.ac.in
New Exam Pattern of CUET 2025
The CUET pattern has been revised to make the test more comprehensive. The test now consists of three major sections:
- Language Section (Section 1)
This section tests the language skill of a candidate. It has two subsections:
Section 1A: It contains 13 languages like Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Odia, Punjabi, Assamese, and Urdu.
Section 1B: It has 19 other languages like Sanskrit, German, French, Spanish, Arabic, Persian, etc.
Total Questions: 50 (candidates have to attempt 40)
Time Duration: 45 minutes each paper per language
Question Type: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and passage based questions.
- Domain Specific Subjects (Section 2)
This section is used to test the knowledge in particular subjects related to the student’s selected undergraduate course of study.
Available Subjects: 27 subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Economics, Business Studies, Political Science, History, Accountancy, Psychology, etc.
Number of Questions: 50 (out of which candidates have to attempt 40)
Time Limit: 45 minutes per subject
Type of Question: Conceptual and application type questions like in NCERT books.
- General Test (Section 3)
This test is not mandatory for some courses where the general aptitude test is mandatory.
Subject Matter Covered: General awareness, current affairs, numerical ability, logical reasoning, and analytical reasoning.
Total Number of Questions: 60 (of which the candidate needs to answer 50)
Time Limitation: 60 minutes
Type of Questions: Mixed type of questions involving numerical, logical, and general awareness based questions.
Marking Scheme
Right Answer: +5 marks
Wrong Answer: 1 mark (negative marking)
Unattempted Questions: No deduction
Eligibility Criteria for CUET 2025
To appear in CUET 2025, the candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Educational Qualification: The candidate should have passed Class 12th (or equivalent) from a recognized board.
Minimum Percentage Requirement: NTA has not mentioned any minimum percentage, but the admission requirements may differ with universities.
Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for CUET 2025.
Universities accepting CUET Scores
CUET scores are accepted by over 250 universities, i.e., central universities, state universities, deemed universities, and private universities. Some of the known universities are mentioned below:
Central Universities: Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University.
State Universities: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, etc.
Deemed & Private Universities: Jamia Hamdard University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Amity University, etc.
CUET 2025 Exam Dates
Release of Notification: January 2025
Application Period: February – March 2025
Release of Admit Card: April 2025
Exam Date: May 2025
Declaration of Result: June 2025
Counseling & Admission Process: July – August 2025
Tips to Prepare for CUET 2025
Since there are varying sections of CUET, a proper chalked out preparation strategy is needed. Some valuable tips for cracking CUET 2025 are mentioned below:
- Study the Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Study the officially published syllabus by NTA.
Identify your weak and strong subjects.
- Focus on NCERT Books
The majority of the questions, particularly in domain based subjects, are based on NCERT Class 11 & 12 books.
- Enhance Language Skills
Practice language understanding passages, words, and grammar for the language section.
Practice editorials and daily newspapers for enhanced understanding and general knowledge.
- Cultivate Logical Reasoning & General Awareness
Practice reasoning questions daily. Stay up to date on affairs, business news, and government policies.
- Attempt Mock Tests & Previous Year Papers
Practice managing time by doing mock tests.
Solving previous papers gives us an idea about the level of difficulty.
- Practice Daily
Prepare revision notes of major formulas and concepts.
Don’t revise at the end moment; stick to a regular revision schedule.
CUET 2025 Common Mistakes to Be Avoided
Not Reading Questions Properly: Misreading can lead to incorrect answers and negative marking.
Poor Time Management: The candidates need to make proper use of their time to different sections.
General Test Forgetfulness: Most of the students concentrate on domain subjects and languages and forget that the General Test can increase their overall score.
Conclusion
CUET 2025 is a highly competitive exam that provides a single entry point for admission to Indian universities. With the shift in the test pattern, candidates need to prepare for general aptitude, subject knowledge, and language. Knowledge of the new pattern, practice from sample papers, and knowledge of current affairs will make your chance to get admission into a higher level university stronger. Plan well ahead in advance, keep a proper planned study schedule, and try to get high marks at CUET 2025!
Log on to the official CUET website (cuet.samarth.ac.in) frequently for the latest notifications and the registration process.