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CUET PATTERN AND MARKING SCHEME
What is CUET?
CUET stands for Common University Entrance Test and it is organized and administered by National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions into participating central, state and private universities. CUET 2022 has already made a lot of buzz with more than 14 lakh candidates appearing for the exam. CUET 2022 received a tremendous amount of attention. It is anticipated that CUET 2023  will considerably outpace the current iteration. Furthermore, the CUET will be held twice a year starting in 2023, so one can only imagine the buzz that will grow around it. It becomes essential that all applicants are familiar with the CUET 2023 Exam Pattern in to carve a successful exam strategy and ace the CUET. ​ Understanding CUET 2023 is a critical step in achieving your goals of being accepted into the institution or university of your choice and being able to choose the subject you want to enrol in.
Pattern of CUET
The CUET is held in online in two shifts as an administered computer-based test (CBT). Depending on the topic pairings selected by the students, the exam will last 3 hours 15 minutes in Slot 1 and for 3 hours 45 minutes in Slot 2. Every candidate must take one or more tests in each of the slots and the choice of subjects is dependent on the undergraduate course/program the candidate wants to enrol for. ​ The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) will be administered by National Testing Agency throughout the country for UG Admissions to more than 45 Universities, including all the Central Universities in India such as University of Delhi, Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Aligarh Muslim University among others. CUET 2023 scores of candidates will be used to determine admissions to Universities, including DU, JNU, Hyderabad University, and Allahabad University.
CUET is conducted on multiple days in two slots/shifts, depending on the number of candidates and languages/tests taken by candidates.
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Slot 1: 3 Hours 15 Minutes
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Up to 4 Tests/Subjects can be chosen in Slot 1
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Section 1A: One Language
Section 2: Two Domain-Specific Subjects
Section 3: General Test
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Slot 2: 3 Hours 45 Minutes
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Up to 5 Tests/Subjects can be chosen in Slot 2 in either of the following combinations:
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Section 1A & 1B: One Language
Section 2: Maximum of Four Domain-Specific Subjects
​
OR
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Section 1A & 1B : Two Languages
Section 2 : Maximum of 2 domain specific subjects
CUET is conducted on multiple days in two slots/shifts, depending on the number of candidates and languages/tests taken by candidates.
​
​
-
Slot 1: 3 Hours 15 Minutes
​
Up to 4 Tests/Subjects can be chosen in Slot 1
​
Section 1A: One Language
Section 2: Two Domain-Specific Subjects
Section 3: General Test
-
Slot 2: 3 Hours 45 Minutes
​
Up to 5 Tests/Subjects can be chosen in Slot 2 in either of the following combinations:
​
Section 1A & 1B: One Language
Section 2: Maximum of Four Domain-Specific Subjects
​
OR
​
Section 1A & 1B : Two Languages
Section 2 : Maximum of 2 domain specific subjects
5 Marks
For Correct Answer
1 Marks
For Incorrect Answer
No Penalty
For Unanswered questions


Structure of Exam
Candidates should choose their subjects from the sections below according to the requirements of their desired courses in specific universities.
Maximum Tests Allowed: 9
A candidate can write a maximum of 9 tests in the following combination:
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2 Languages, 6 Domain Specific Subjects, 1 General Test
OR
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3 Languages, 5 Domain Specific Subjects, 1 General Test
​
Section 1A - Languages
This section checks the language efficiency of the candidate through reading comprehension-based questions. The questions also test vocabulary and literary aptitude.
Candidates can choose a maximum of any 3 languages from Section 1A and Section 1B taken together.
However, the third language chosen needs to be in place of the 6th domain-specific subject chosen by the candidate.
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Subjects: 13 Languages
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English
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Hindi
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Gujarati
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Bengali
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Assamese
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Kannada
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Tamil
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Telugu
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Malayalam
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Marathi
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Odia
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Urdu.
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Punjabi
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Number of Questions per language: 40 Questions to be marked out of 50 Questions
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​Time Allotted: 45 Minutes for each language
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Section 1B - Languages
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This is an optional section and candidates wishing to appear in the CUET exam for more than one language must choose the other(s) from the list below:
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Subjects: 20 Languages apart from Section 1A
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French
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Spanish
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German
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Nepali
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Persian
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Italian
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Arabic
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Sindhi
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Sanskrit
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Kashmiri
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Konkani
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Bodo
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Dogri
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Maithili
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Manipuri
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Santhali
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Tibetan
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Japanese
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Russian
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Chinese.
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Number of Questions per language: 40 Questions to be marked out of 50 Questions
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Time Allotted: 45 Minutes for each language
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Section 2 - Domain Specific Subjects
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This section contains 27 domain-specific subjects and candidates can choose a maximum of 6 domain-specific subjects in combinations as required for their desired course.
For example:
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Subjects: 27 Domain-Specific
List B1
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Accountancy/BookKeeping
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Biology/ Biological Studies/ Biotechnology/Biochemistry
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Business Studies
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Chemistry
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Computer Science/ Informatics Practices
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Economics/ Business Economics
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Engineering Graphics
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Entrepreneurship
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Geography/Geology
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History
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Home Science
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Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India
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Legal Studies
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Environmental Science
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Mathematics
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Physical Education/ NCC /Yoga
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Physics
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Political Science
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Psychology
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Sociology
List B2
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Teaching Aptitude
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Agriculture
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Mass Media/ Mass Communication
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Anthropology
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Fine Arts/ Visual Arts (Sculpture/ Painting)/Commercial Arts
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Performing Arts – (i) Dance (Kathak/ Bharatnatyam/ Odissi/ Kathakali/Kuchipudi/ Manipuri (ii) Drama- Theater (iii) Music General (Hindustani/ Carnatic/ Rabindra Sangeet/ Percussion/ Non-Percussion)
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Sanskrit
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Number of Questions Per Subject/Domain: 40 Questions to be marked out of 50 Questions
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Time Allotted: 45 Minutes for each subject
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Section 3 - General Test
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This section consists of a general test and it is required in professional courses/programs such as BBA(FIA)/BMS/B.Com etc. The section may be mandatory or could be taken as an alternative combination for certain courses.
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Subjects: General Test
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General Knowledge and Current Affairs
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General Mental Ability
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Numerical Ability
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Quantitative Reasoning
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Logical and Analytical Reasoning
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Number of Questions: 60 Questions to be marked out of 75 Questions
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Time Allotted: 60 Minutes