Overview: The CUET is a common platform for UG admissions to more than 260 universities across India. While CUET offers equal opportunities, there may be confusion regarding the number of questions one must attempt during the exam. In this article, we will explore whether is it compulsory to answer 40 questions in CUET. 

The Common University Entrance Test is a national-level annual exam that occurs across multiple exam centres in India and abroad. As each section of the exam has a different number of questions, is it compulsory to attempt 40 questions in CUET?

To attempt the paper well, let’s find all the answers to questions regarding the marking scheme, exam pattern and exam analysis. Keep reading! 

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Is It Compulsory to Attempt 40 Questions in CUET? 

CUET-UG is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Ministry of Education. 

It is an autonomous body responsible for conducting the examination, releasing answer keys, declaring results, and issuing scorecards.

Attempting at least 40 questions in each section in CUET is required. 

• The CUET is a computer-based & pen-paper mode test, and each question carries 5 marks.
• There is a negative marking of 1 mark for every wrong answer.
• Therefore, it is important to answer the questions correctly to maximise your score.

How many questions to attend in CUET domain subjects?

• In domain subjects, you must attempt 40 questions out of 50. 
• If you are unsure about answers, it is always better to take caution and attempt questions you are most confident about. This will give you the best chance of scoring well on the exam.
• However, you must remember that the exam has negative markings, which may lead to incorrect answers if you mark impulsively.  
• Go through the CUET exam analysis to check the type of questions & ideal attempts to set your targets and that will help you know, is it compulsory to attempt 40 questions in CUET. 

CUET Marking Scheme & Number of Questions 

The NTA has revised the exam pattern this year with many other changes. You can select up to a maximum of 6 subjects only. So choosing the right one becomes essential to efficiently prepare for the CUET syllabus.

Answering whether is it compulsory to attempt 40 questions in CUET, read the table below: 

Number of Sections	No. Of Questions	How many questions to attempt
Section IA & IB - Language	50 questions	40 should be attempted
Section II- Domain Subjects	50 questions	40 should be attempted
Section III- General Test	60 questions	50 should be attempted

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CUET 2025 Exam Highlights

Here are some of the important details about the exam format at a glimpse: 

Understanding the CUET exam pattern is the first step before knowing if is it compulsory to attempt 40 questions in CUET.

• Computer-Based & Pen-paper Mode Test  
• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 
• 5 marks for each correct answer 
• 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer 
• Three Sections  
• Section IA (13 languages) 
• Section IB (20 languages) 
• Section II (29 domain-specific subjects) 
• Section III (General test) 
• The choice of sections depends on the course/s chosen by the candidate. 

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What if we attempt all questions in CUET exam?

There are questions such as 'Can I attempt more than 40 questions in CUET? or Can we skip questions in CUET?

• Attempting all questions in the exam is not recommended due to time constraints, varying difficulty levels, and the risk of inaccurate answers.
• Prioritizing accuracy, managing time, and focusing on well-prepared answers yield better CUET result.
• There is a choice of 10 questions given in each section. If you attempt all the questions and in case they are not accurate, you may lose more marks compared to correct answers. 
• This means you can skip exam questions to avoid negative markings. 

Key Takeaways

CUET-UG provides a wide range of options regarding subject selection. Thus, after seeing the exam pattern, you may want to is it compulsory to attempt 40 questions in CUET or an ideal number of questions to attempt. 

• Answering at least 40 questions per section is compulsory. For the General Test, you must answer 50 questions out of 60. 
• Moreover, you should carefully select the sections and subjects that align with your chosen course.
• Understanding the exam pattern, cut-off, and selection process will help you decide your ideal target for the exam. 
• Take crash courses and online coaching for CUET to boost your speed and accuracy in attempting the question paper.