What is the CUET full form?

The CUET exam full form is Common University Entrance Test, which in itself is a premier entrance test for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions to some of the most prestigious central universities such as Delhi University, BHU, Allahabad University, and JNU. Instead of creating merit lists based entirely on 12th board results, participating universities release lists on the basis of scores secured in CUET. 

CUET was introduced with the aim of reducing the opportunity disparity between students from different parts of India who have studied under various education boards and academic structures. With uniformity across all testing parameters, students from across India can apply to several universities with a standard exam instead of writing multiple tests for each one.

The CUET is computer-based and conducted in multiple languages, testing students’ proficiency in academic subjects, languages, and logical reasoning. Let’s take a look at the CUET exam pattern.

What is the CUET exam pattern?

Getting acquainted with the CUET exam pattern will let you prepare for the exam better. It’ll help form your exam strategy while allowing you to focus on your stronger subjects and shore up your weaker ones.

The exam is divided into languages, domain subjects, and the general test. The languages in Section 1 are further broken down into 1A and 1B. Choosing at least one language paper for your CUE exam is compulsory. With 27 domain subjects, you can select the subjects you want to write based on the specific subject combination required for admission to your preferred program. The general test’s last section is based on verbal ability and logical reasoning.

Sections	Subjects	No. of questions to be attempted	Duration
List A – Section 1A – Languages	13 different languages	40 out of 50 questions	45 minutes
List A – Section 1B – Languages	20 different languages	40 out of 50 questions	45 minutes
List B1	18 domain-specific subjects	40 out of 50 questions	60 minutes
List B2	9 domain-specific subjects
Section – III	General test	50 out of 60 questions	60 minutes

Each correct question that you attempt is worth five marks, while each incorrect answer attracts a negative marking of 1 mark. Unattempted questions are awarded no marks.

What is the CUET eligibility criteria?

Each program in each university has different eligibility requirements that students must fulfil, failing which they will stand disqualified. Apart from those, there are also specific CUET eligibility criteria that students must adhere to. 

Here is a rundown of the eligibility guidelines for CUET:

• You need a minimum of 50% marks in your 12th boards as a general candidate and 45% as an SC/ST candidate. 
• Your high school subjects should match the subject requirements of the course and college you’re opting for. 
• While there is no age limit, many institutions have specific educational requirements that must be fulfilled. 
• You need to apply to three participating universities and have a combination of three chosen programs while filling out your CUET forms. 
• Even though you can register for the CUET exam without giving your 12th boards, you’ll be asked to furnish the mark sheet during counselling. 
• You must be either of Indian nationality or a subject of Nepal and Bhutan. Tibetan refugees and people from the following countries who have permanently moved to India can also apply.

1. Pakistan
2. Myanmar
3. Sri Lanka
4. Kenya
5. Uganda
6. Tanzania
7. Zambia
8. Malawi
9. Zaire
10. Ethiopia 
11. Vietnam

• There are no limitations in this category. As long as you meet the educational requirements of the colleges, you’re free to re-apply as many times as you want. 
• Apart from the above criteria, the following reservation quotas must also be met. 

1. SC – 15%
2. ST – 7.5%
3. OBC (Non-creamy layer) – 27%
4. PwD – 5%

Always make sure that you go through the official website and check out the qualification paramme

Why is CUET Important?

The CUET full form is Common University Entrance Test. Introduced in its new form by the NTA, in partnership with the UGC, in 2020, CUET has quickly become the most preferred entrance exam for Indian students seeking admission to the top central and private universities.

CUET has helped overhaul the entire admissions process for UG and PG admission to central, state, and private universities. Here are some of the reasons why CUET is considered so crucial by academic experts:

• Reduced weightage of 12th board marks – Before the advent of CUET, 12th board marks reigned supreme. UG admissions across all top universities depended entirely on them, especially for non-STEM programs. This pushed the cutoffs to astronomic heights and created a divide between students from different regions. With CUET, each student can have the same opportunity to get admission to the best colleges. 
• Streamlined admission process – Before CUET, students had to run around filling out forms, submitting documents, and fulfilling admission requirements for different colleges. Each college had a separate process, meaning students had to invest much time. CUET has streamlined the process with just one exam and one website for admissions to 249 universities and thousands of programs.
• Clarity of rank – While ranks and percentiles alone don’t hold much value beyond college admissions, they help students compare themselves to each other and better understand their standing. This also helps add more transparency to the admission process. Previously, the admission process was opaque, and students lacked clarity. With CUET, the marks and percentile are shown upfront, giving students visibility.