05, January 2024
Key takeaways:
CUET stands for the Common University Entrance Test. This test is managed and conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the form of a computer-based test (CBT) for various doctorate, post-graduate, graduate, and diploma courses offered by different colleges and universities (including deemed to be university) across India in multiple languages. The entire paper is designed in the MCQ format, and there is no age limit to apply for the CUET UG paper. Since it came into existence, CUET has become a blessing for UG and PG students who earlier used to run from pillar to post across different institutions to seek admission in their dream program. With the arrival of CUET, things became simple and easy to manage. Now clearing a single exam opens up the doorways of 250 universities (expected to rise further) for students, and the complete burden of seeking admission through a class XII score is reduced by the CUET. Thus, CUET offers students a second chance to perform and deliver the desired results required for admission into the course of their choice.
There is common disbelief that a class XII score is no longer valid in front of CUET and has now become redundant, which is not true. The entire curriculum of CUET UG is based on the syllabus of Class XII. Also, universities like Delhi University use the class XII result in the tie-breaker situation (students with equal CUET scores choosing the same college and course). Since the class XII score is considered a personal accomplishment, the CUET score is entirely merit-based and does not depend on the checking and marking system of individuals. The entire paper is MCQ based with clear instructions on the minimum number of questions to be attempted under each section along with negative marking. The scope of any form of bias is reduced to a great extent. Now student’s aspirations are put forward, and all universities are diverted to make the selection process based on a single exam rather than chasing after examination results (from the central or state board) of their choice. Now, each university can set its own cut-off scores for different programs based on CUET scores.
Understanding the CUET UG Paper Structure
The entire CUET UG paper is categorized into four parts – language (Section IA), language (Section IB), domain specific, and general awareness. The complete syllabus can be viewed or downloaded by clicking here. The entire structure of the CUET UG paper is broken into the following table:
| Section Name | Offered | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Language IA | Tamil Telugu Kannada Malayalam Marathi Gujarati Odiya Bengali Assamese Punjabi English Hindi Urdu |
Mandatory to choose any 1 language. Act as medium of paper and checks reading comprehension (based on different factual, literary, vocabulary, and narrative) |
| Language IB | French Spanish German Nepali Persian Italian Arabic Sindhi Kashmiri Konkani Bodo Dogri Maithili Manipuri Santhali Tibetan Japanese Russian Chinese Sanskrit |
Optional but selecting any one language can boost your overall score |
| Domain Specific | Accountancy Biology/Biological Studies/Biotechnology/Biochemistry Business Studies Chemistry Computer Science Economics Engineering Graphics Entrepreneurship Geography/Geology History Home Science Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India Legal Studies Environmental Science Mathematics Physical Education/NCC/Yoga Physics Political Science Psychology Sociology Teaching Aptitude Agriculture Mass Media/Mass Communication Anthropology Fine Arts/Visual Arts (Sculpture/Painting)/Commercial Arts Performing Arts Sanskrit |
Select a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 subjects of your choice and download the syllabus for preparation |
| General Awareness | General Awareness Current Affairs Reasoning Abilities Quantitative Aptitude Logical Reasoning |
CUET Exam Pattern
| Section | Number of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Section IA | Total Questions: 50 Need to Attempt: 40 |
45 minutes for each language |
| Section IB | ||
| Section II (Domain Specific) | Total Questions: 45-50 Need to Attempt: 35-40 |
45 minutes and 60 minutes for Accountancy, Mathematics, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science |
| Section III (General Awareness) | Total Questions: 60 Need to Attempt: 50 |
60 minutes |
Note: +5 marks for each correct answer and -1 for each incorrect answer
Important CUET Dates
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Release of Application form | 1st week of February 2024 |
| Last date to submit the application form | 3rd week of March 2024 |
| Application correction date | 1st week of April 2024 |
| Announcement of city of CUET exam | 2nd week of April 2024 |
| Release of Admit card | 1st week of May 2024 |
| CUET (UG) Exam | 15 May 2024 to 31 May 2024 |
| Release of Answer Key | 4th week of June 2024 |
| Result Date | 3rd week of July 2024 |
| Counselling session | Last week of July 2024 onwards |
CUET Exam Fees
| Number of Subjects | Candidate Category | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Upto 3 subjects | General (UR) | 750/= |
| OBC-NCL (EWS) | 700/= | |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender | 650/= | |
| Centres Outside India | 3,750/= | |
| Upto 7 subjects | General (UR) | 1,500/= |
| OBC-NCL (EWS) | 1,400/= | |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender | 1,300/= | |
| Centres Outside India | 7,500/= | |
| Upto 10 subjects | General (UR) | 1,750/= |
| OBC-NCL (EWS) | 1,650/= | |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender | 1,550/= | |
| Centres Outside India | 11,000/= |
How to fill the CUET 2024 Application Form?
The steps to fill the CUET application form are listed as follows:
- 1. Open the http://cuet.samarth.ac.in website in the web browser
- 2. Click the Sign in link
- 3. Click the New Registration link
- 4. Enter the personal details such as name, address, mobile number, email, etc. in the prescribed format. You will receive the credentials on your email and mobile phone.
- 5. Fill up application form by using the login credentials provided to you by NTA.
- 6. Upload the required documents in the prescribed format and size.
- 7. Pay the fees online.
- 8. Take the printouts of the filled application form for future reference.
- Test Practice Centre (TPC)
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has mandated the National Testing Agency (NTA) to set up a network of test practice centres for students to attempt mock computer-based tests in order to familiarize students with the look and feel of online exams, especially in rural areas. To ease you into the test, TPC offers practice sessions that mimic the real experience. This includes logging in, reviewing instructions, using the interface, and managing your answers.
Any school, college, or government agency can become TPC after signing the agreement with NTA and fulfilling the minimum infrastructure requirements, such as computers with internet, a lab, power backup, furniture, etc. Register for Test Practice Centre (TPC) on the NTA website (www.nta.ac.in) or via the "NTA STUDENT APP" downloadable from the Play Store. Both offer identical registration features. The mock test facility for all the candidates is completely free, and there is no limit to the number of attempts. Students can choose the next date of the mock test.
The TPCs shall be operative on all Saturday afternoon slots from 14:30 to 17:30 Hrs and on Sunday, two slots are from 11:00 to 14:00 Hrs and 14:30 to 17:30 Hrs. The candidates will receive the date and slot for practice at TPC through SMS/registered e-mail Id 24-48 hours before the scheduled slot at TPC. The same SMS will be used for entry at the Centre.