How to prepare for CUET and Boards in 9 months (August to April)

Q: Can I crack CUET in 1 month?

Cracking CUET in one month is challenging but achievable. Focus on regular and thorough practice for the topics you study, set realistic goals, and seek guidance for enhanced preparation. Utilize the online resources for PYPs and mock tests, stay focused, and prepare well.

Q: Is NCERT enough for CUET?

NCERT books are the best resource for preparing for CUET and creating a strong foundation. However, using exemplars and other reference books for revision and practice tests can enhance your preparation and help you improve speed and accuracy.

Q: How many months are enough for CUET preparation?

Ideally, starting your preparations around 6-9 months in advance for the CUET exam is preferred. It will give you enough time to cover the entire syllabus, practice from PYPs and mock tests, and regularly revise all the topics.

Q: Can I prepare for CUET at home?

Preparing for the CUET exam at home is possible with the right approach and dedication. However, when you are preparing for CUET and boards together, taking guidance and help from CUET online coaching may help in a more balanced preparation for both exams.

Q: How many hours should I study for CUET?

It is advised to study well for the CUET exam for 4-6 hours per day with breaks. Gradually increasing the duration as your preparation progresses would help.

Q: Is the 12th syllabus enough for CUET?

No, the CUET isn't solely based on the 12th class syllabus for all the sections. While it aligns with the CBSE syllabus for domain subjects, the language test and general test syllabus are completely not from class 12th. So, only the 12th syllabus is not enough for CUET.

Author : Paakhi Jain

October 20, 2025

Overview: Juggling class 12 boards and competing for the CUET exam is like trying to catch two balls simultaneously. It’s hard but worth it! Learn how to prepare for CUET and Boards in 9 months to ace your 2026 attempt in one go!

Did you know that the number of students aiming for top universities has increased dramatically in recent years? With over 12 lakh students vying for fewer seats, it is clear that success requires a balanced approach. In this article, get insights into:

How to prepare for CUET and Boards in 9 months with a sample schedule for mocks.
Tips to create a balanced study plan for both exams.

Note: The video is for 2025, but the content is also relevant for 2026.

How to prepare for CUET and Boards in 9 months?

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency for admission to UG courses in more than 280 universities.

Preparing for CUET and Class 12th board exams is challenging, but you only need the right and balanced preparation strategy to ace both exams. You must first:

Understand the CUET exam pattern & marking scheme
Create an achievable study plan
Seek expert guidance and mentorship support for a balanced preparation

CUET Exam Pattern 2026

The preparation for CUET UG and board exams requires you to understand the exam pattern and marking scheme correctly.

The CUET exam pattern consists of three sections:

Language Test: This section assesses your proficiency in English or another language you chose through reading comprehension, vocabulary, & Grammar.
Domain Test: This section tests your knowledge of the subjects you studied in Class 12.
General Test: This section covers Quantitative Aptitude, Environment Literacy, General Science, Logical Reasoning, General Knowledge, and Current Affairs.

Tips To Create A Study Plan

Once you understand the exam pattern, create a well-structured study plan. Here are some tips for creating a study plan when you learn how to prepare for CUET and Boards in 9 months:

Analyze the CUET previous year question papers (2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025) to understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and high-weightage topics.
Create a chapter-wise list of important topics for each subject based on your analysis.
Allocate specific time slots for each subject and section in your study plan.
Set achievable daily, weekly, and monthly goals to track your progress.
Prioritise high-weightage topics in your CUET study plan.
Adjust your study plan based on your performance and understanding of the topics.

How to prepare for CUET and Boards in 9 months: Month-wise Study Plan

The following study plan will help you prepare for both CUET and class 12 boards:

August to December

Focus on completing the syllabus for the Domain Test while keeping up with your regular school studies.
Keep deleted topics in mind and complete them also.
Practice previous year's papers and take CUET mock tests for domain and general test regularly.
Make short notes for each exam in points and highlight the most important parts.
Start building your vocabulary for the Language Test.
Join study groups or coaching classes to discuss doubts with mentors for CUET.
Develop a strong foundation in Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability for the General Test.

December to January

Revise the entire syllabus for both CUET and Class 12 boards.
Focus on your pre-boards and seek guidance if you face any challenges.
Take mock tests for domain subjects, identify your weak areas and focus on improving them.
Start solving chapter-wise questions.
Give mock tests for Class 12th boards also.

February & March

When you learn how to prepare for CUET and Boards in 9 months, for February and March:

Focus only on your board exams. Revise your short notes regularly.
Focus on time management and accuracy.
Get enough sleep and take breaks to avoid burnout.
If your study schedule allows, keep reading for the language papers and the CUET General test.

April & May

Target at least 30+ full-length mock tests for each section of the CUET exam.
Dedicate this time to the final revision and practice.
Use your short notes and one-shot videos for quick revision.
Don't study anything new, and revise what you have already learned.

How to prepare for CUET and Boards in 9 months: Sample Mock Test Schedule

In the earlier months:

Shorter durations (1-1.5 hours) in the initial months allow focused practice on specific subjects, building a strong foundation.
You will gain confidence and cover more topics, increasing the duration to include a wider range of questions.

In the middle months:

With more difficult topics, longer durations (2-2.5 hours) are required to assess your ability to handle different question types.
Gradually increase the duration to 3 hours for enhanced CUET preparation.

In the final months:

Focus on full-length mock tests to replicate the actual exam experience.
Practice time management rigorously, hence the consistent 3-hour duration for full-length tests.

Month	Frequency	Focus	Duration
August	1 per week	Subject-wise (Domain Test)	1-1.5 hours
September	2 per week	Subject-wise & Mixed topics (Domain Test & General Test)	1.5-2 hours
October	2-3 per week	Mixed topics (Domain Test & General Test) with increasing difficulty	2 hours
November	3-4 per week	Mixed topics with a focus on weak areas	2-2.5 hours
December	2-3 per week	Full-length mock tests (all sections)	3 hours
January	2-3 per week	Mock test for Language & GAT	2-2.5 hours
April & May	4-5 per week	Full-length mock test (all sections) for final revision	3 hours

Key Takeaways

When learning how to prepare for CUET and Boards in 9 months, remember to:

Start with shorter mock tests and gradually increase the duration as you progress.
Analyze your performance after each mock test, identify mistakes, and revise regularly.
Give your undivided attention to board exams in February and March.
Adjust the frequency and duration of each topic based on your needs and comfort level.
Resolve your doubts instantly with CUET online coaching and join marathon sessions for final revision.

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