CUET Exam Pattern 2025: Section-Wise Pattern, Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Duration

Updated By Himani Daryani on 08 Oct, 2024 16:50

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About CUET Exam Pattern 2025

CUET Exam Pattern 2025 is set by the exam conducting body, i.e. National Testing Agency (NTA). The CUET 2025 exam will take place in the third week of May 2025. Thus, it is a must for candidates to check the CUET UG 2025 Exam pattern thoroughly for better preparation. The CUET UG 2025 exam will be administered in CBT format. The CUET UG 2025 exam will be divided into three parts, each with objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The CUET 2025 question paper will be in English, and candidates will be able to choose from 12 regional languages. Each question will carry five marks and for each wrong answer, there will be a negative marking of one mark. 

Candidates must choose six subjects, including at least three domain-specific subjects, two languages, and two general tests. Candidates must know that the CUET UG exam will include Section 1A, Section 1B, a General Test, and domain-specific subjects. Section 1A, which will be mandatory, will be conducted in 13 languages, with candidates having the option of choosing their preferred language. Therefore, mainly, the CUET UG 2025 question paper will be segregated into sections including Section A, Section IB, Section II, and Section III. Section II will comprise the domain subject that the candidate must select during the application process. Besides the domain subject, there will be questions about general ability and languages.

Furthermore, according to NTA’s latest updates, the CUET UG exam pattern had undergone a major amendment. Per the revised pattern, candidates can now select 6 domain subjects out of 27 options; earlier test takers were allowed to choose up to 10 subjects. 

Also Read:Advantages and Disadvantages of taking CUET 2025 Exam

Candidates prepping for CUET UG 2025 can expect the exam to be held in May 2025. For deeper insight into the exam pattern, marking scheme, and list of domain subjects, keep browsing.

CUET Exam Pattern 2025 Highlights

Few of the highlights regarding the CUET 2025 exam pattern are mentioned below.

Name of The Exam

CUET 2025

Exam Level

UG Exam

Mode of the Exam

Hybrid Mode (Both Pen & Pen and Computer Based Test)

Medium of the Paper

13 languages (Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu) 

Type of Questions

MCQs

Total Sections

4

Marking Scheme

  • 5 Marks for every right answer

  • -1 Mark for every incorrect answer

Total Marks

  • Section- IA: 200

  • Section- IB: 200

  • Section- II: 200

  • Section- III: 300

CUET Exam Pattern 2025 for UG (New)

This year NTA has made some changes in the CUET UG 2025 exam pattern. We have given a table below to understand the CUET 2025 exam pattern easily for candidates:

Parameters

CUET UG Exam Pattern 2025

Total number of subjects

61 (33 languages, 27 domain-specific, and 1 General Test)

Choice of Test Paper

A maximum 6 papers can be chosen from three sections (4 or 5 domain subjects including the General Test and 1 or 2 languages. Candidates are advised to choose at least one language paper.

Medium of the test

13 languages (Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu) 

Mode of the exam

Hybrid Mode (Both Pen & Pen and Computer Based Test). The mode of exam will depend on the final registration done by the candidates.

Total Questions

40 out of 50 questions for all the test papers and 50 out of 60 for the General Test

Time duration

The duration of the test is 45 minutes (except for Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, Accountancy, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Computer Science/Informatics Practices, and General Tests, which will be conducted in 60 minutes) 

Pattern of questions

MCQs

Detailed CUET Exam Pattern 2025

CUET exam pattern 2025 for UG is divided into four sections. Each section has a set of questions based on the domain selected by the candidates. Detailed information on the CUET 2025 exam pattern in different sections is provided below.

Section IA of CUET UG Exam Pattern 2025

  • Section IA consists of the Language Test. There are 13 different languages in CUET 2025 exam pattern.

  • Test takers can select any one of these languages to appear for Section IA.

  • Each language in Section IA of CUET exam pattern 2025 comprises 50 questions, out of which 40 should be answered.

  • In the language test of CUET 2025, linguistic skills are tested through Reading Comprehension.

  • Different kinds of Reading comprehension may be asked in CUET 2025 IA Section, for instance, RC on passages, Factual RCs, Literary and Narrative RCs, or Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary as per CUET 2025 exam pattern.

  • The duration of the IA Section of CUET UG exam pattern 2025 is 45 Minutes per language.

Section IB of CUET UG 2025 Exam Pattern

  • According to CUET exam pattern 2025, Special Languages Tests are conducted in Section IB of CUET 2025. (The languages that exclude from Section IA of CUET 2025)

  • In Section IB there will be 50 questions out of which 40 should be attempted depending upon CUET exam pattern 2025.

  • In the Special Languages` Tests of CUET 2025, language is tested through Reading Comprehension of various types.

  • Some of the Factual RCs, Literary, and Narrative RCs, or Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary RCs could be asked in CUET 2025 IB Section.

  • Test takers are given 45 Minutes to complete Section IB of CUET 2025 exam pattern.

Section II of CUET Exam Pattern 2025

  • Domain-Specific Subjects tests are dealt in Section II of CUET 2025 exam pattern.

  • There are 27 Domain-Specific Subjects in Section II of CUET 2025.

  • Candidates have the liberty of taking any of the six domains.

  • There will be 50 questions in Section II of CUET 2025 exam pattern and the exam-taker must answer 40 questions.

  • Questions are of an objective type in Section II of CUET exam pattern 2025.

  • Questions are based on the NCERT Class XII syllabus.

  • Input text can be used for MCQ Based Questions.

  • The Duration of Section II of CUET is 45 minutes for each domain.

Section III of CUET UG 2025 Exam Pattern

  • Section III of CUET exam pattern 2025 is a General Test and it is optional for the candidates.

  • This section consists of 75 questions out of which the candidates should answer 60.

  • Questions from General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, and Stat taught until Class 8 Logical and Analytical Reasoning are asked in this Section III of CUET exam pattern 2025.

  • The duration for this Section III CUET 2025 exam pattern is one hour.

CUET Exam Pattern 2025: Domain-Specific Subjects & Languages

CUET exam pattern 2025 for UG includes the Domain-specific subjects and languages. Candidates can check about domain-specific CUET UG 2025 exam pattern below:  

Language Paper (1A and 1B): 

This section is compulsory for all candidates as per CUET UG exam pattern 2025. Candidates can choose their preferred language from a list of 13 Indian languages in Section 1A and 20 languages in Section 1B (a mix of regional Indian languages and foreign languages). 40 questions are to be attempted out of 50 in each language.

Domain Paper

This section is also compulsory for all candidates as per CUET 2025 exam pattern. Candidates can choose any number of subjects from a list of 27 subjects. 35/40 questions are to be attempted out of 45/50 in each subject. The list of Domain Papers as per CUET exam pattern 2025 is as follows:

  • Accountancy
  • Biology
  • Business Studies
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Economics
  • Engineering Graphics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Geography
  • History
  • Home Science
  • Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India
  • Legal Studies
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Teaching Aptitude
  • Agriculture
  • Mass Media
  • Anthropology
  • Fine Arts
  • Environmental Science
  • Information Practices
  • Statistics
  • Sanskrit
  • Vocational Studies

General Test

This section is compulsory for all candidates as per CUET 2025 exam pattern. The General Test covers topics in general knowledge, quantitative reasoning, logical reasoning, and analytical skills. 50 questions are to be attempted out of 60.

Additional Subject

This section is optional as per CUET exam pattern 2025. Candidates can choose one subject from a list of 6 subjects. 40 questions are to be attempted out of 50 in each subject. The list of Additional Subjects is as follows:

  • Hindi Literature
  • English Literature
  • Mathematics
  • Business Studies
  • Economics
  • Computer Science

Tips for Choosing Domain Papers

Here are some tips for choosing Domain Papers:

  • Choose the subjects that you are interested in and that you have studied in Class 11 and Class 12.
  • Consider your future career goals when choosing Domain Papers as per CUET exam pattern 2025.
  • Do some research on the different Domain Papers and their syllabus to get a better understanding of what will be covered in the exam.

CUET UG Exam Structure 2025

Candidates who want to know the CUET 2025 exam structure must check the table below:

Sections

Subjects/ Tests

No. of Questions

To be Attempted

Duration

Section IA

13 Languages

50

40 in each language

45 minutes for each language

Section IB

20 Languages

Section II

27 Domain-specific Subjects

45/50

35/40

45 minutes for each subject

Section III

General Test

60

50

60 minutes

CUET Exam Pattern 2025: Marking Scheme

CUET exam marking scheme is divided into three sections. Candidates who are preparing for the CUET exam must know the marking scheme first. We have provided the detailed marking scheme for all 3 sections of CUET UG 2025 exam pattern below:

1. Language Paper (1A and 1B): In this section, you will be tested on your knowledge of 13 Indian languages in Section 1A and 20 languages in Section 1B (a mix of regional Indian languages and foreign languages). You must answer 40 questions out of 50 in each language. For every correct answer, you will get 5 marks as per CUET exam pattern 2025. 

2. Domain Paper: This section tests your knowledge of the subjects you studied in Class 11 and Class 12. There are 27 subjects included in this section of CUET 2025 exam pattern. You must choose and answer 35/40 questions out of 45/50. For every correct answer, you will get 5 marks. 

3. General Test: This section is similar to other aptitude tests, such as the IPMAT, NPAT, and JEE Main B.Arch., but the level of difficulty is easier. You must answer 50 questions out of 60. For every correct answer, you will get 5 marks in CUET 2025 exam pattern. 

Candidates can check out the marking scheme for CUET UG exam pattern 2025 that is mentioned below:

Section

Correct Answer

Wrong Answer

Unanswered Question

Section -IA

5 Marks

-1 Mark

 Zero Marks

Section -IIA

5 Marks

-1 Mark

Zero Marks

Section -III

5 Marks

-1 Mark

Zero Marks

Section -IV

5 Marks

-1 Mark

Zero Marks

Is there Negative Marking in CUET 2025 Exam Pattern?

Candidates aspiring to appear for teh upcoming CUET UG exam must be pondering over” Is there any negative marking in CUET UG?” Yes, negative markings are prevalent in the Common University Entrance Test which often reduces the chances of selection. 

If you want to avoid negative markings, follow the below-mentioned hacks and enhance your chances of selection.

  • Read the question carefully and understand what is being asked.
  • Eliminate the wrong answer choices first.
  • If you are not sure of the answer, mark the question for review and come back to it later.
  • Do not guess if you have no idea of the answer.
  • It is important to remember that negative marking can have a significant impact on your overall score in the CUET. Therefore, it is important to be careful and to answer only the questions that you are confident about.

Total Marks in CUET Exam 2025 Paper-wise

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is an important exam for students who are seeking admission to Undergraduate programs in Central Universities and other participating institutions. The CUET UG exam pattern 2025 is divided into three sections:

  • Language Paper (1A and 1B): 40 questions to be attempted out of 50 in each language
  • Domain Paper: 35/40 questions to be attempted out of 45/50
  • General Test: 50 questions to be attempted out of 60 as per CUET exam pattern 2025

The total marks for the CUET UG exam pattern 2025 paper-wise are as follows:  

  • Language Paper (1A and 1B): 200 marks
  • Domain Paper: 200 marks
  • General Test: 300 marks

Important Points for CUET Exam Pattern 2025 for UG

The CUET entrance exam is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission into undergraduate programs of colleges in India. Check important points for CUET 2025 exam pattern.

  • Language Paper(1A and 1B): This section is compulsory for all candidates. Candidates can choose their preferred language from a list of 13 Indian languages in Section 1A and 20 languages in Section 1B (a mix of regional Indian languages and foreign languages). 40 questions are to be attempted out of 50 in each language as per CUET 2025 exam pattern.
  • Domain Paper: This section is also compulsory for all candidates as per CUET exam pattern 2025. Candidates can choose any number of subjects from a list of 27 subjects. 35/40 questions are to be attempted out of 45/50 in each subject.
  • General Test: This section is compulsory for all candidates. The General Test covers topics in general knowledge, quantitative reasoning, logical reasoning, and analytical skills. 50 questions are to be attempted out of 60 as per CUET 2025 exam pattern.
  • Additional Subject: This section is optional according to CUET exam pattern 2025. Candidates can choose one subject from a list of 6 subjects. 40 questions are to be attempted out of 50 in each subject.
  • The CUET exam will be conducted in a computer-based test (CBT) format.
  • The total duration of the exam is 3 hours according to CUET exam pattern 2025.
  • The exam will be conducted in three time slots: 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM, 3:00 PM to 6:45 PM, and 7:00 PM to 10:45 PM.
  • Candidates will be assigned a time slot and exam centre at the time of registration.
  • Candidates must arrive at the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the start of their time slot.
  • Candidates will not be allowed to leave the exam centre before the completion of their time slot.
  • Candidates must carry their admit card and a valid photo ID to the exam centre.
  • There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer according to CUET 2025 exam pattern.

Want to know more about CUET

FAQs about CUET Exam Pattern

Is a CUET score of 400 considered good?

The exam has a total score of 800. To understand what factors contribute to a good CUET result, you must first understand the exam's average and highest scores. A CUET score of 400-550 is considered satisfactory.

Is it important to score well in Class 12 for the CUET?

The importance of these marks varies according to the university and course to which you are applying. Some universities use Class 12 results to make final admission decisions, focusing on a comprehensive assessment of a student's academic journey. However, for many others, the CUET scores continue to be the primary focus.

What is a good CUET score?

Candidates who score 700 or higher on the CUET exam are considered to have achieved the highest possible score. Candidates with this score will be eligible for admission to universities such as Banaras Hindu University, the University of Delhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru University, among others. A score of 650 or higher is considered good in the CUET exam.

Is the CUET syllabus reduced for 2025?

Students preparing for the CUET 2025 exam will need to review the syllabus. It is expected that NTA will not make any changes to the CUET 2025 syllabus. The domain-specific subjects syllabus will be identical to the NCERT syllabus. Students are advised to study NCERT books.

Is there a negative marking for a wrong answer in CUET 2025?

Yes, there is a negative marking in CUET 2025 for wrong answers. According to the CUET 2025 examination pattern, one mark will be deducted for every wrong answer. 

 

What is the medium of the CUET 2025 examination?

CUET UG 2025 will be conducted in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.  

 

How many sections are there in CUET UG 2025?

There are 3 sections in CUET UG 2025. They are Section IA – 13 Languages, Section IB – 20 Languages, Section II – 27 Domain-specific subjects, Section III – General Test 

 

How many subjects can a candidate select from all the sections?

A candidate can select any 10 subjects from all three sections.

 

What is the latest CUET exam pattern?

The CUET exam pattern offers details about the exam, including the total number of questions, sections, question types, scoring system, and other information. The CUET exam pattern provides students with essential knowledge of the format of the question paper. Understanding the exam format is vital since it enables candidates to properly prepare for the test.

Check the table given below to know the CUET UG exam pattern 2025. 

CUET Sections

Subjects/Tests

Total No of Questions

Total No of Questions to be Attempted

Duration

Section IA

13 Languages

50

40

45 Minutes for every language

Section IB

20 Languages

50

40

45 Minutes for each linguistic test

Section II

27-Domain-specific Subjects

45

50

35

40

45 Minutes for every subject

Section III

General Test

60

50

60 Minutes

View More
View All Questions

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