How to Prepare for CUET Online Strategy, Study Plan and Exam Pattern at Smartkeeda

What is CUET Exam?

The Central Universities Entrance Test (CUET) is an all-India test for admission to various Integrated/Under-Graduate, Post- Graduate, and Research Programs at several Central Universities and State Universities across India.

The Central University of Rajasthan was in charge of the CUET from its commencement in 2010 till the year 2020. These exams were handed over to the National Testing Agency in 2021.

CUET 2024 (UG) notification is soon going to be released by NTA. As per sources, the registration for CUET UG 2024 will likely begin from the first week of February 2024. The CUET examination for undergraduate programs will be conducted between May 21 to 31, 2024. The universities are planning to wrap up the undergraduate admissions by July 2024 and start the new academic session by 1 August 2024.

Background

CUET or Common University Entrance Test was first conducted in 2010 for admission to seven central universities for 1,500 seats in 41 undergraduate, postgraduate and integrated courses. From its inception in 2010 till 2020, the CUCET was conducted by the Central University of Rajasthan. The National Testing Agency took over the conduct of these exams in 2021. In 2024, as a part of National Education Policy 2020, CUET was introduced as a revamped version of CUCET making it compulsory for all 43 central universities to adopt it.

Eligibility

For the CUET 2024 Examination, the following are the eligibility requirements:

Candidates must have passed a 10+2 intermediate examination from a recognised board to be considered for the undergraduate programme.
To be eligible for the PG test, applicants must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university.
To be eligible for CUET 2024, candidates must be Indian citizens.
Appearing candidates can apply for this exam as well, but they must submit documentation of passing the exam before the deadline.

Exam Pattern and Structure

All of the question papers are divided into sections and are based on multiple-choice questions.

For UG and PG courses of Science:

Part A: 25 multiple-choice questions covering language, general awareness, mathematical aptitude and analytical skills.

Part B: Domain Knowledge consists of 75 multiple-choice questions. (Sometimes broken into three/four/five sections, with a candidate having to answer any three of them for a total of 75 questions.)

Note: Integrated Programs and Simple Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Commerce MBA/B.Voc./LLB/MCA and other general Programs require only one paper with 100 multiple-choice questions encompassing English language, Reasoning, Data Interpretation/Numerical Abilities, General Awareness and Analytical skills.

For Research Program Courses :

Part A: Consists of 50 multiple-choice questions covering language, general awareness, mathematical ability, analytical skills and research methodology.

Part B: Consists of 50 multiple-choice questions about domain knowledge.

The part wise pattern of question paper will be as follows:

Part A: English Language, general awareness, mathematical aptitude,and analytical skill (25 Questions)

Part B: Domain Knowledge ( 75 Questions)

Negative Marking

As per the marking scheme of the CUET exam, for every correct answer, you will be awarded with 5 marks. While for every incorrect answer you will lose 1 mark. No marks will be deducted for not attempting any questions. Therefore, it is better to skip the questions you are clueless about instead of making random guesses.

CUET Application Form

The application form will be made available to the public by the NTA
As per sources, the registration for CUET UG 2024 will likely begin from the first week of February 2024.
The CUET examination for undergraduate programs will be conducted between May 21 to 31, 2024.
The universities are planning to wrap up the undergraduate admissions by July 2024 and start the new academic session by 1 August 2024.
Eligible candidates will be able to submit their application forms from the date specified in the notification.
Candidates must fill out the application form completely and accurately, as any changes to the information will result in the application being rejected.
Candidates must follow the instructions on the application form when filling out the form.
You must apply before the deadline, as no applications will be accepted beyond the deadline.
The rectification facility may be included in the application form by the authorities.
For future reference, candidates should preserve a printout of their completed application form and fee receipt.

Application Fees

Only online submission of the application form cost is permitted. For application fee payment, candidates can utilize Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, and UPI. Each candidate will be charged the following application fee:

Fee payable by the candidates CUET(UG)
Centres in India		Centres outside India
Category	Amount (INR)	3000/-
General (Unreserved)	650/-
OBC(NCL)/EWS	600/-
SC/ST/PwBD/Third gender	550/-

CUET Syllabus

The entrance exam syllabus will cover a wide range of topics from the previous academic year's curriculum. The CUET Syllabus for UG courses will include themes from the 11th and 12th academic syllabus, whereas the syllabus for PG programmes would include the academic syllabus of the associated undergraduate syllabus.

CUET UG Syllabus 2024:

Part	Section	Subject
Part A	-	English Numerical Aptitude/Data Interpretation
		Analytical Skills
		Reasoning
		General Aptitude
		General Knowledge
Part	Section I	Measurement, Motion in
B	(Physics)	one dimension, Laws of Motion, Motion in two
		dimensions, Work, Power
		and Energy, Linear
		Momentum & collisions, Rotation of a rigid body
		about a fixed axis,
		Gravitation, Oscillatory motion, Mechanics of

		solids and fluids, heat and
		thermodynamics, Wave, Electrostatics, Current
		Electricity, Magnetic
		Effect of Current, Electromagnetic induction,
		Ray Optics and optical
		instruments, Wave Optics,
		Modern Physics
	Section II	Atomic Structure,
	(Chemistry)	Chemical Bonding, Redox
		Reactions, Equilibrium and Kinetics, Acid-Base
		Concepts, Acid-Base
		Concepts, Catalysis, Electrochemistry,
		Colloids, Colligative
		Properties of Solution,
		Periodic Table, Thermochemistry, General
		Organic Chemistry,
		Reaction intermediates, Isomerism, Polymers,
		Carbohydrates, Solid State,
		Petroleum
	Section III	Algebra, Probability,
	(Mathematics)	Trigonometry, Coordinate
		Geometry, Calculus,
		Vectors, Dynamics, Statics

Section IV (Biology)

Zoology: Origin of Life, Organic Evolution, Mechanism of Organic Evolution, Human Genetics and Eugenics, Applied Biology, Mammalian Anatomy, Animal Physiology
· Botany: Plant Cell, Protoplasm, Ecology, Ecosystem, Genetics, Seeds in angiosperm plants, Fruits, Cell differentiation Plant Tissue, Anatomy of Root, stem and leaf, Important phyla, Soil, Photosynthesis.

List of Universities under CUET

Admission in the following Central Universities is done through CUET.

Mahatma Gandhi Central University
University of Hyderabad
Jamia Millia Islamia
University of Delhi
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University
Visva-Bharati University
University of Allahabad
Rajiv Gandhi University
Tezpur University
Nagaland University
Central University of Odisha
Pondicherry University
English and Foreign Languages University
Maulana Azad National Urdu University
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
Tripura University
Banaras Hindu University
Mizoram University
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya,
Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh
The National Sanskrit University
The Central Sanskrit University
Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University
Sikkim University
Manipur University
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya
Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya
The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University
Central University of Himachal Pradesh
Central University of Kashmir
Central Agricultural University
Central University of Jammu
Central University of Haryana
Central University of South Bihar
Central University of Karnataka
Central University of Rajasthan
Central University of Jharkhand
Central University of Kerala
Central University of Andhra Pradesh
Assam University, Silchar
Central University of Gujarat
Central University of Tamil Nadu
Aligarh Muslim University

CUET Cutoff Pattern

The cut off mark will be the minimum score that is required by the candidate for clearing the exam and securing selection. For each course, the authority issues a category-by-category cut-off list. To be considered for admission, each candidate has to get a score higher than the stipulated cut-off. Candidates are allowed to view the cutoff marks on the NTA website .

CUET Counselling Pattern

The counselling process will be carried out in both an online and offline mode. Each central University will conduct its own counselling process for the various programs offered by it. Every central university's counselling fee and procedure will be different. Candidates will be able to obtain detailed information about the counselling process by visiting the websites of respective participating University.

Candidates will also have to bring the following document along with them at the time of counselling:

10th & 12th passing certificate
10th & 12th mark sheet
Transfer certificate
Caste certificate
CUET 2022 Score card
Admission Form
Passport size photographs

Preparation Strategies:

I. Understand The CUET Exam
Each admission exam is unique. Before you jump on "How to prepare for CUET exam?" the first step is to grasp on how to go about the exam you'll be attempting to crack in the first go. What is the past year pattern? What is the number of questions asked from each section in a subject? These will give more clarity to your preparation timetable. It will also allow you to have a fair idea of difficulty level of the entrance exam for the top most universities in the country. Planning is critical for any candidate who wishes to crack the CUET exam as it is to be completed in a time bound manner.

II. Examine The CUET Syllabus
The next stage is to learn the CUET syllabus. This will assist you in narrowing down the topics you'll need to cover. Examine the priorities and grades assigned to any particular topic in a subject. When you start the preparation for CUET, its syllabus is the first thing you should learn by heart or stick to your study table.

III. Make a Time Table
CUET is a mandatory requirement for admission in any Central University Undergraduate program. It will be held after the Board exams are completed giving the candidates around a month and a half to prepare. Given the stress and hoopla surrounding the Class XII Boards, one's attention will naturally shift to the school curriculum, especially as the exams approach. The first essential principle for any exam is to get started early. Make a schedule for yourself where you can spend 90-120 minutes per day. Have a plan in place even throughout the Board exams to avoid losing momentum. Stick to your schedule and routine, and you'll breeze through the exam with ease.

IV. Practice
Do you know that even if there isn't an event or tournament on the horizon, top level athletes never let their practice dip? They do this to avoid losing focus when the moment of truth approaches. A student studying for entrance examinations such as CUET is in the same boat. It's crucial to practice concepts and give Mock Tests based on the exam format. These can assist you in understanding your strengths and point out your weaknesses which will not be repeated in the exam hall.

V. Keep Your Spirits High
Any obstacle, even an entrance exam, requires motivation to overcome. Whenever you feel tired or depressed, envision how success in the CUET entrance exam will aid you in the shaping of your aspirations and career. Look for help from your teachers and counsellors. If needed, consult with friend who has already cracked the exam. The following are some useful preparation strategies for better exam preparation:-

Make a detailed time schedule and stick to it.
Examine the entire syllabus and exam format.
Solve the question papers and sample papers from the previous year.
Keep your concentration on studies by avoiding any distractions.
Make the necessary notes and modify them as needed.

CUET STRATEGY

The CUET Preparation is divided into 3 parts

1. How to Tackle General Awareness in CUET

Advantage: Extremely scoring

Pitfalls: General Knowledge needs multiple revisions and candidates will have less time.

Preparation of Current Affairs for CUET exam. The time period to be covered for CUET GK preparation is from November 2022 to April 2024 along with daily practice in the form of quizzes which you can access here.

There are roughly 200+ quizzes with 4000 Questions on the Smartkeeda website.

November 2022 current affairs mock drill

December 2022 current affairs mock drill

Janaury 2024 current affairs mock drill

February 2024 current affairs mock drill

March 2024 current affairs mock drill

April 2024 current affairs mock drill

Keep 5 days for revision and for miscellaneous cramming sessions like Static G.K, organization headquarters, full form of abbreviations, names etc.

Preparing of Static GK: This part can be covered by referring to any standard GK book. Manohar Pandey short version GK book is a very good option. The last 50 pages of this book has the names of important parks, games, sport awards etc. These are very important for static GK. You must finish around two pages daily timely finishing the syllabus. The book is concise but full of facts.

We will be providing quizzes from this section for practice soon. Keep checking this corner for updates.

2. Analytical reasoning

Seating Arrangement Quiz	Number n Ranking Test Quiz
Coding Decoding Quiz	Analogy Quiz
Puzzle Test Quiz	Alphabet Test Quiz
Blood Relations Quiz	Classification Quiz
Sequential Output Tracing Quiz	Missing Number Quiz
Directions Sense Test Quiz	Logical Sequence of Words Quiz
Eligibility Test Quiz

Keep twenty odd days for doing analytical reasoning questions based on puzzles/coding etc because they require more practice.

The last section is English which needs both time and patience. Being a language it can be quite a tricky nut to crack at times.

Take a free CUET mock test now!

3. English

Increase vocabulary: The only way to increase your vocabulary and not go crazy doing so is by cultivating a genuine habit of reading. A simple suggestion from Smartkeeda would be to read either the Indian Express or The Hindu. Reading newspapers will also help you with your general awareness questions and come in handy during interviews. This is an ongoing process as reading powers are not developed overnight and an aspirant is recommended to spend around 30-45 minutes reading the paper or any novel of choice.

Attempt Mocks: One of the best ways to understand where you’re going wrong is to keep attempting as many mocks and analyzing them thoroughly. You can access the mocks of Smartkeeda seamlessly at this link.

Attempt minimum 10 quizzes from each of the following sections every day till CUET final date. Do the complete sections of Synonyms, Antonyms & Comprehension Tests for great scores in the CUET Exam.

Topics

Comprehension Test

Rearrangement of Sentences

Idioms and Phrases Quiz

Fill in the blanks Quiz

Word Replacement Quiz

Synonyms and Antonyms

Find the error