NTA Plans to Revise CUET UG Pattern; Number of Questions May Decrease

Starting in 2027, the duration and number of questions for the CUET UG exam could be reduced. Students might get the option to take exams for all their subjects on a single day. Here are the details.

The coming year could be crucial for students preparing for the CUET UG exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is preparing to modify the current exam pattern with the aim of making the process simpler and less time-consuming. The proposed system could spare students the hassle of making multiple trips to the exam center.

Plans are being considered to conduct a student’s entire examination in a single day under the new pattern. Additionally, the number of questions and the time allotted for each paper might be reduced. However, a final decision and official guidelines regarding these changes are yet to be released. Let us take a closer look at the situation.

Plan to Conduct the Entire Exam in One Day

Under the current system, students take exams for their chosen subjects on different days. Students opting for up to five subjects often have to visit the exam center two or three times. This increases travel costs, consumes more time, and creates logistical difficulties. The proposed changes aim to have a student complete all their exams in a single day. While the overall CUET exam window spans about 12 to 15 days, each student could be assigned a specific slot to take their exams on just one of those days. This would alleviate the inconvenience of repeated visits to the exam center or traveling on multiple dates.

40–45 Minute Papers Instead of 60 Minutes

In the current CUET UG pattern, 60 minutes are allotted for each subject paper. The new proposal considers reducing this duration to approximately 40–45 minutes. The reduction in time will directly impact the number of questions as well. Currently, a subject paper consists of 50 questions. Under the proposed pattern, this number could drop to approximately 35 to 40 questions. In other words, while the exam will be shorter, students will need to solve questions more accurately within the limited timeframe.

Option of Four Subjects Instead of Five

Currently, students can select up to five subjects for the CUET UG. However, the number of subjects is also being reviewed alongside the new pattern. According to reports, the UGC and NTA are considering whether to reduce the maximum number of subjects from five to four. If the five-subject option remains and each paper lasts 40 minutes, a student would complete the entire exam in about 200 minutes—that is, 3 hours and 20 minutes. With four subjects, the exam could conclude in approximately 160 minutes.

Impact on PG Courses with Low Application Numbers

The changes may not be limited to CUET UG alone. Plans are also being considered to exclude subjects with low application numbers from the CUET PG exam. For courses where the number of applications is lower than the available seats, admission could be granted based on merit rather than through an entrance exam. Reports indicate that there are several subjects which have received fewer applications in recent years compared to others.