The CUET 2026 exam pattern, released by NTA, outlines the structure, marking scheme, and subject choices for aspirants. The CBT-based exam features 50 MCQs per paper, offers up to five subject selections, follows a +5/-1 marking scheme, and will be held from May 11 to May 31, 2026.
Structure of CUET 2026: CUET 2026 exam pattern is released by NTA, and dictates how the exam will be conducted. If you are planning to appear in the CUET UG exam, you should be aware of the CUET 2026 exam pattern . Each paper in the CUET UG will feature a total of 50 objective-type questions, each carrying 5 marks. The CUET UG 2026 will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode, with English as the medium of instruction, except for the selected 12 regional languages. As per the marking scheme, candidates will be awarded 5 marks for each correct answer, while 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect response. Students can choose up to five subjects under the revised exam pattern. The CUET UG 2026 exam is scheduled to take place from May 11 to May 31, 2026, for admission to various undergraduate courses.
Also check: List of Documents Required to Fill CUET 2026 Application Form
What is New in the CUET Exam Pattern?
The NTA last revised the CUET UG exam pattern in 2024. You can check the revised CUET exam pattern mentioned below.
Earlier, the CUET exam was conducted in 2 slots, but now NTA conducts the exam in three slots, depending on the number of test takers and subject choices.
From all three sections, aspirants will be able to choose a maximum of ten subjects instead of nine. In the previous year, students were allowed to choose only 9 subjects.
The number of questions to be attempted in sections II and III has also been reduced. The students can choose 35 out of 45 and 40 out of 50, depending on the domain subject. In the General Test Section, the students have to attempt 50 out of 60 questions.
Brief About CUET Exam Structure 2026
In the table below, detailed information about the CUET 2026 exam pattern is mentioned:
Sections | Tests/ Subjects | Total Questions to be Attempted |
|---|---|---|
Section IA: Languages | Any one of 13 different languages can be chosen | 40 questions out of 50 questions in each language (MCQs) |
Section IB: Languages | 20 languages will be there. Any of these has to be chosen. | 40 questions out of 50 questions in each language (MCQs) |
Section II: Domain-Specific | A maximum of two out of 27 domain-specific subjects can be chosen | 35/45 questions have to be attempted out of 45/50, which will be MCQ-based |
Section III: General Test | For any such undergraduate course/ courses being offered by universities, a General Test is being used for UG admission. | 50 questions out of 60 questions (MCQs) |
Detailed CUET Exam Pattern 2026
You must understand the CUET 2026 exam pattern to make the best CUET exam preparation strategy. You can check the detailed structure of CUET 2026 in the section below. We break down the three sections (Languages, Domain Subjects, and General Test) of the CUET exam pattern 2026 in detail below.
CUET Exam Pattern 2026: Section IA & IB
In this section of the structure of CUET 2026, the language of the candidate is tested through various Reading Comprehension (RCs). The RCs will be in MCQ format and will be Literary and narrative-based. Below is the list of languages you need to choose for Section IA & IB for the CUET 2026 exam pattern:
Sections | Languages |
|---|---|
Section IA | Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, Odiya, Bengali, Assamese, Punjabi, Hindi, English, and Urdu |
Section IB | Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Nepali, Persian, Arabic, Italian, Sindhi, Konkani, Kashmiri, Bodo, Dogri, Japanese, Maithili, Santhali, Tibetan, Manipuri, Russian, and Sanskrit |
CUET Exam Pattern 2026: Section II
Section II offers a choice of 27 Subjects, out of which you may choose a maximum of six subjects altogether. You may select a maximum of 2 domain-specific subjects in Slot 1 and a maximum of 4 domain-specific subjects in Slot 2. Captured below is the list of CUET domain subjects candidates can refer to to select their desired subject in the structure of CUET 2026.
Accountancy / Bookkeeping | Biology / Biological |
|---|---|
Sociology | Sanskrit |
Political Science | Anthropology |
Fine Arts/ Visual Arts (Sculpture/Painting)/ Commercial Arts | Chemistry |
Computer Science/ Informatics Practices | Engineering Graphics |
Agriculture | Environmental Studies |
Economics/Business Economics | Studies/ Biotechnology/ Biochemistry |
Business Studies | Entrepreneurship |
Physics | Mathematics |
Performing Arts: (i) Dance (Kathak/ Bharatanatyam/ Kathakali/ Odissi/ Kuchipudi/ Manipuri) (ii) Drama-Theater (iii) Music General (Hindustani)/ (Carnatic)/ (Rabindra Sangeet)/ (Percussion)/ (Non-Percussion) | Physical Education/National Cadet Corps(NCC)/ Yoga |
Home Science | Psychology |
Mass Media/ Mass Communication | Knowledge Tradition-Practices India |
History | Legal Studies |
Geography/ Geology | – |
CUET Exam Pattern 2026: Section III
Section III is a General Test for an undergraduate course (s) being provided by the educational institutes/ colleges where the General Test is used for granting admission. This section, according to the structure of CUET 2026, covers questions from Logical & Analytical Reasoning, General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Numerical Ability, General Mental Ability, and Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts/algebra, geometry/ mensuration/ arithmetic/ stat taught till class 8).
Expert Tip: "The secret to cracking CUET isn’t just knowing the pattern, but understanding the 'Subject Mapping' of your dream college. Many students score high but get disqualified because they chose a domain they didn't study in Class 12. Always cross-verify your domain choice with the University's UG Bulletin.” - Sakunth Kumar (CUET UG exam expert with over 10+ year exeperience and APTET, APSET & CTET qualified expert)
Also Read: CUET B.Pharm Exam Pattern 2026
CUET 2026 Marking Scheme
If you are preparing for the CUET exam, you must be aware of the CUET marking scheme as per the structure of CUET 2026. You can check the marking scheme for each section of the CUET exam pattern 2026 in the table 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 a Negative Marking in the CUET Exam Pattern 2026?
Yes, CUET 2026 brings negative markings as per the structure of CUET 2026. That means for every wrong answer in the MCQ section, you lose 1 mark. So, skip guessing the answers and mark those that you are sure of. Master your chosen subjects and topics, and choose accuracy over speed!
Points to Remember about CUET Exam Structure 2026
Provided below are a few points to remember for the CUET 2026 exam pattern:
1. You are required to choose a medium of instruction for the exam out of the 13 specified CUET languages.
2. You have to select the language option for the CUET question paper according to the CUET exam pattern 2026 while filling out the CUET application form 2026, and the option once selected cannot be changed later.
3. The question paper will be bilingual, i.e., it will be in English and the medium (1 of the 13 languages) opted by you as per the structure of CUET 2026.
4. You should not confuse the exam's medium with the "Language" chosen as a test component. The Language exam will assess your skills/proficiency in the language of your choice, and it will not be bilingual, according to the CUET 2026 exam pattern.
5. Before choosing domain-specific subjects, languages, and general tests, the applicant must check out the requirements of his/her intended College/ University. The choices made by candidates should match the requirements of the College/ University.
6. An applicant can take a maximum of 10 tests in the following manner, as per the structure of CUET 2026:
OR
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CUET 2026 will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT mode as per the structure of CUET 2026. You are required to prepare well for the exam in order to secure admission to the desired university through CUET.
Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more information on the structure of CUET UG 2026!
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