CUET Preparation Guides
Board exam preparation does not transfer to CUET. These guides cover the different strategy you need for MCQ-format, negative marking, and section selection.
Why board exam preparation is not enough for CUET
Format difference
Board exams test long-form answers — you can write 4 pages and get partial marks. CUET is 100% MCQ with -1 for wrong answers. Speed and accuracy on MCQs are separate skills that require separate practice.
Negative marking strategy
You attempt 40 of 50 questions in each section — not all 50. Choosing which 10 questions to skip requires judgment. Students who attempt all 50 and get 15 wrong score worse than students who attempt 40 carefully.
Speed requirement
45 minutes for 50 questions means 54 seconds per question. Board exam preparation does not train this speed. CUET requires reading and answering a comprehension passage in under 10 minutes — a skill that needs deliberate practice.
CUET exam structure — quick reference
| Section | Questions | Attempt | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section IA — Languages (13 options) | 50 | 40 | 45 min |
| Section IB — Languages (20 options) | 50 | 40 | 45 min |
| Section II — Domain Subjects (27 options, choose up to 6) | 50 per subject | 40 | 45 min each |
| Section III — General Test | 75 | 60 | 60 min |
Marking: +5 for correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for not attempted. Not all sections are required for every program — check your target university's specific requirements.
Prepare for CUET with a mentor who has cracked central university admissions
CUET preparation is most effective with someone who knows the exact topics that appear, which sections to prioritise for your target universities, and how to build MCQ speed without sacrificing accuracy.