PAU CET 2026 Exam Pattern - Check Marking Scheme, Total Marks, Chapter Wise Weightage, Duration

Updated By srishti chatterjee on 19 Aug, 2025 13:20

Your Ultimate Exam Preparation Guide Awaits!

PAU CET 2026 Exam Pattern

The PAU CET exam pattern 2026 will be released by Punjab Agricultural University on its official website. Students who are preparing for the PAU CET 2026 exam must be well-versed with the exam pattern. As per the exam pattern of PAU CET 2026, the exam will be conducted for a total time duration of 3 hours, and the question paper will be in English only. As per the PAU CET 2026 marking scheme, each correct answer will carry one mark, whereas a 1/4 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer. The weightage for correct and incorrect answers will be doubled in the case of the Mathematics subject. The question paper will have three sections, with Physics and Chemistry being the compulsory sections, consisting of 66 questions of one mark each. However, for the last section, 68 questions of one mark each for Biology or Agriculture or Home Science will be there, or candidates can also appear for Mathematics, having 34 questions of two marks each. 

Also Read:

PAU CET 2026 SyllabusPAU CET Sample Papers
PAU CET Best BooksPAU CET Previous Year Question Paper

Upcoming Agriculture Exams :

Highlights of PAU CET Exam Pattern 2026

The candidates are requested to go through the highlights of the PAU CET 2026 exam pattern from the table mentioned below -

Particulars

Details

Medium of Exam

English

Mode of Exam

Offline

Format of Questions

MCQ

Duration of Exam

03 Hours

Total Marks

200

Courses for Which Exam is Conducted

  • BSc (Hons) Agriculture
  • BSc (Hons) Horticulture
  • BSc (Hons) Agribusiness Management
  • BSc (Hons) Nutrition & Dietetics
  • BTech Biotechnology
  • BTech Food Technology
  • BTech Agricultural Engineering
  • 5 Year Integrated MSc (Hons) Programmes

Negative Marking

1/4 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer

Detailed Exam Pattern of PAU CET 2026

The detailed exam pattern can be checked below. 

Exam Pattern Without Mathematics

ParticularsDetails
Subjects for ExamPhysics, Chemistry, Biology / Agriculture / Home Science
No of Questions from Physics 66
No of Questions from Chemistry 66
No of Questions from  Biology / Agriculture / Home Science68
Marks per Question for all Subjects1

Exam Pattern With Mathematics

ParticularsDetails
Subjects for ExamPhysics, Chemistry, Mathematics
No of Questions from Physics 66
No of Questions from Chemistry 66
No of Questions from  Mathematics34
Marks per Question for Physics and Chemistry1
Marks per Question for Mathematics

2

Also Read:How to Prepare for PAU CET?

PAU CET 2026 Marking Scheme

The detailed marking scheme can be checked from the below table.

SubjectsNo of QuestionsMarks per question
Physics661
Chemistry661
Mathematics342
Agriculture / Biology / Home Science681

Want to know more about PAU CET

FAQs about PAU CET Exam Pattern

Are calculators allowed during the PAU CET exam?

No, calculators are not permitted during the PAU CET exam. Also,  electronic devices, books, and notebooks are not allowed.

What is the total number of questions in the PAU CET exam?

The PAU CET exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), divided into four sections: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology, and Agriculture Aptitude, with each section containing 50 questions.

What subjects are covered in the PAU CET exam?

The PAU CET exam has questions from Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics, and Agriculture, with a total of 200 multiple-choice questions.

What is the duration of the PAU CET exam?

The PAU CET exam has a duration of 3 hours and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 1 mark.

What is the mode of examination for PAU CET?

The Punjab Agricultural University Common Entrance Test (PAU CET) is conducted in offline mode with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on an OMR sheet.

How to prepare for the PAU CET exam?

Prepare for the PAU CET exam by making a solid study plan. Create a realistic study schedule, concentrate on key topics, practice with mock tests, and revise often. Make sure to manage your time well during the exam.

What are the subject combinations in PAU CET exam?

Students need to choose a suitable combination of subjects based on the course(s) they are interested in and the subjects they studied in their 10+2 or equivalent examination. The available combinations are PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), or M (Mathematics only).

What is the PAU CET exam pattern?

The PAU CET exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and features a total of 200 questions. Students will have two and a half hours, or 150 minutes, to complete the exam. Each question in the exam is worth 4 marks. The exam is divided into four sections: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology, and Agriculture Aptitude, with each section containing 50 questions.

How many questions will be there in the third section of PAU CET 2024 exam?

The third section will either have 68 questions of one mark each (Home Science/Agriculture/Biology) or 34 questions of two marks each (Mathematics).

View More

Still have questions about PAU CET Exam Pattern ? Ask us.

  • Typical response between 24-48 hours

  • Get personalized response

  • Free of Cost

  • Access to community

Top