Common University Entrance Test (CUET)

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is an all-India level entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to various undergraduate programs across central, state, and some private universities. CUET was introduced to standardize the admission process for universities under a single exam system, ensuring a fair and transparent selection procedure.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the CUET exam:

1. Eligibility Criteria:

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed or be appearing in the 12th standard or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
• Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in the CUET. However, candidates must meet the age criteria (if any) of the university to which they are applying.
• Minimum Marks: Candidates must secure the minimum percentage required by the participating university. Generally, for most universities, it’s 50% for general category candidates and 45% for SC/ST candidates.

2. Exam Pattern:

The CUET exam pattern varies slightly depending on the course and university requirements, but generally, it consists of:

• Sections:
  

  • Section I (Language Proficiency): English or one of the 12 other Indian languages (like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, etc.).
  • Section II (Domain-Specific Subjects): 27 subjects based on which the candidate seeks admission, such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, etc.
  • Section III (General Test): A general knowledge, reasoning, and numerical ability test.

• Duration: Each section is timed separately, usually ranging between 45-60 minutes per section.
• Number of Questions:
  

  • Language Section: 40 questions out of 50.
  • Domain-Specific: 40 questions out of 50.
  • General Test: 60 questions out of 75.

• Question Type: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Marking Scheme:
  

  • 5 marks for every correct answer.
  • -1 mark for every incorrect answer (negative marking).

3. Syllabus:

The CUET syllabus is typically based on the NCERT Class 12 curriculum, particularly for domain-specific subjects. However, it also covers general knowledge and language comprehension skills.

• Language Proficiency (Section I): Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and language usage.
• Domain-Specific Subjects (Section II): Topics from the subject chosen, based on the Class 12 syllabus.
• General Test (Section III): General awareness, current affairs, quantitative reasoning, logical and analytical reasoning.

4. Application Process:

• Online Application: Candidates must apply for CUET through the official website of NTA, filling in personal details, selecting the universities and courses, and choosing the subjects they wish to appear for.
• Application Fee: A nominal fee is charged based on the number of subjects chosen (approx. ₹600-₹1200 depending on the category and number of subjects).

5. Key Dates:

• Notification Release: Typically around March.
• Application Period: Usually open for a month, starting from March or April.
• Admit Card Release: Two to three weeks before the exam.
• Exam Date: Generally conducted in May-June.
• Result Declaration: Results are usually declared within a month after the exam.

6. Participating Universities:

CUET scores are accepted by Central Universities, including the likes of:

• Delhi University
• Jawaharlal Nehru University
• Banaras Hindu University
• Aligarh Muslim University
• University of Allahabad
• Many other central, state, and private universities.

7. Advantages of CUET:

• Single Examination for Multiple Universities: Students no longer need to appear for separate entrance exams for each university. CUET provides a unified exam for admission to many universities.
• Merit-Based Selection: Ensures a more transparent and merit-based selection process.
• Pan-India Scope: Centralized examination accessible to students across India.

8. Preparation Tips:

• Know the Syllabus: Focus on the NCERT books, especially for domain-specific subjects.
• Practice MCQs: Since CUET is MCQ-based, practicing multiple-choice questions from different sources will help.
• Mock Tests: Attempting mock tests and previous year’s question papers will help familiarize yourself with the exam format and time management.
• Current Affairs: For the General Test section, stay updated with current events and general knowledge.

9. How to Use CUET Scores for Admission:

After receiving your CUET score, you can apply to the participating universities, selecting the desired course based on your marks and the university’s cut-off. Each university releases its merit list, and candidates are called for counseling or further admission processes based on their rank in the merit list.

10. Counseling Process:

• Merit List: Universities will release a merit list based on the CUET scores.
• Counseling/Admission Process: Students will be called for counseling or document verification based on their rank in the merit list.