Syllabus
What you study- Language comprehension skills
- Class 12 chapters per domain
- General Test topics
- Changes rarely
CUET Syllabus 2027 & Exam Pattern – Complete Subject-Wise Guide
The three CUET test groups, what each syllabus covers, the latest exam pattern and marking scheme, and how to prioritise chapters for your chosen tests.
37 testsoffered (2026)
Up to 5per candidate
+5 / −1marking
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Talk to a CUET counsellor about your level, timeline and the right course.
Overview
CUET Exam Pattern at a Glance
Based on the CUET UG 2026 information bulletin. Updated when NTA publishes the 2027 bulletin.
| Parameter | CUET UG (latest cycle: 2026) |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Mode | Computer-based test (CBT) |
| Tests offered | 37 — 13 languages, 23 domain subjects, 1 General Aptitude Test |
| Maximum tests per candidate | Up to 5 |
| Questions per test | 50, all compulsory |
| Duration per test | 60 minutes |
| Marking | +5 correct, −1 incorrect, 0 unattempted |
| Question type | Multiple-choice questions |
We don't publish a previous year's pattern as final for 2027. This table is updated with source links as soon as NTA releases the 2027 bulletin.
Know your tests
The Three CUET Test Groups
You choose from these groups according to what your target programmes require.
Languages
13 offered- What it testsReading comprehension & verbal ability
- Most commonEnglish
- Questions50 in 60 minutes
- Needed forMost programmes
Domain subjects
23 offered- What it testsClass 12 syllabus of the subject
- ExamplesAccountancy, Economics, Maths, History
- Questions50 in 60 minutes
- Needed forProgramme-specific
Section 1
CUET Language Test Syllabus
The language test measures how well you read and use the language.
Reading comprehension
Factual passagesLiterary passagesNarrative passagesMain ideaInferenceTone
Verbal ability
VocabularySynonyms & AntonymsGrammarSentence rearrangementChoosing the right wordIdioms
Section 2
CUET Domain Subjects
Domain papers follow the Class 12 syllabus of each subject. Grouped here by stream for readability — universities accept subjects across streams.
Commerce subjects
Accountancy / Book KeepingBusiness StudiesEconomics / Business EconomicsMathematics / Applied Mathematics
Focus areas
- Partnership & company accounts
- Management principles & functions
- Micro, macro & Indian economy
- Calculus, matrices, probability
Science subjects
PhysicsChemistryBiology / Biotechnology / BiochemistryMathematics / Applied MathematicsComputer Science / Informatics PracticesEnvironmental ScienceAgriculture
Focus areas
- NCERT concepts and formulae
- Numericals under time pressure
- Diagram and data-based questions
- Assertion–reason items
Humanities subjects
HistoryPolitical ScienceGeography / GeologySociologyPsychologyAnthropologyFine Arts / Visual ArtsHome ScienceKnowledge Tradition – Practices in IndiaMass Media / Mass CommunicationPerforming ArtsPhysical EducationSanskrit
Focus areas
- NCERT facts and chronology
- Maps and sources
- Matching and case-based items
- Assertion–reason items
Confirm the exact 2027 subject list and each subject's syllabus in the NTA bulletin.
Section 3
CUET General Aptitude Test Syllabus
Required only by programmes that ask for it.
General knowledge
Current affairs
General mental ability
Numerical ability
Quantitative reasoning (up to Class 8 maths)
Logical & analytical reasoning
Scoring
CUET Marking Scheme
How each response is scored in the latest cycle.
| Response | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct answer | +5 |
| Incorrect answer | −1 |
| Unanswered / marked for review | 0 |
PRATHAM Insight
A wrong answer costs a fifth of a right one. Attempt when you can eliminate at least two options; skip pure guesses. Track your guessing accuracy in CUET mocks.
Clarity
CUET Exam Pattern vs Syllabus
Two different things — you need both.
Exam pattern
How you are tested- Number of tests and questions
- Duration per test
- Marking and negative marking
- Set each year in the bulletin
Plan it
How to Prioritise Chapters
Use a priority matrix built from chapter importance and your own diagnostic results.
High-importance chapters where you're weak deserve the most time. Strong chapters only need maintenance practice.
1Subject mapping→2NCERT concepts→3MCQ practice→4Subject tests→5Mocks→6Analysis→7Revision
Topic importance →
Fix firstHigh importance, weak area — most time here.
MaintainHigh importance, strong area — regular timed practice.
Build steadilyLower importance, weak area — cover the basics.
Light revisionLower importance, strong area — occasional review.
Your current strength →
By class
Using the Syllabus in Class 11 and Class 12
Same syllabus, different pace.
Class 11
Prepare the ground.
- Strengthen concepts that Class 12 builds on
- Start daily reading for English
- Learn General Test reasoning basics
Class 12
Cover the syllabus for real.
- Finish domain chapters with boards
- Add MCQs after every chapter
- Full mocks after boards
Self-check
CUET Syllabus Preparation Checklist
Make sure your plan covers everything your tests need.
My CUET syllabus checklist
0 / 7You're set. Now turn the syllabus into a plan — see the CUET preparation guide.
FAQs
CUET Syllabus & Pattern FAQs
Direct answers to the questions students and parents ask us most.
Still have a question?
Speak to a CUET counsellor about your level, timeline and course options.
Talk to a CounsellorUp to five tests in total across languages, domain subjects and the General Test in recent cycles. Confirm the 2027 limit in the official bulletin.
50 compulsory questions per test in CUET UG 2026, to be answered in 60 minutes.
With 50 questions at +5 each, the maximum is 250 per test.
CUET UG is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted by NTA.
Recent cycles offered 23 domain subjects across commerce, science and humanities, including Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology and Sociology.
For each chosen domain subject, yes — CUET domain papers follow the Class 12 syllabus. Prioritise chapters using past papers and your mock results.
No. Take it only if your target programmes require it. See colleges accepting CUET.
Where a test runs across multiple shifts, NTA publishes normalised (percentile-based) scores so candidates in different shifts can be compared fairly.
Verify first
Official Sources & Last Updated
Information that changes every year should always be confirmed on the official page of the conducting body.
Next step
Know the Syllabus. Understand the Pattern. Prepare with a Plan.
Map your chosen tests to the syllabus, then build speed with CBT-style practice.