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CUET UG 2026 began on May 11, 2026, and is being conducted till May 31, 2026. A total of 15,68,866 candidates registered for CUET UG 2026, with around 67 lakh+ test instances across all subjects and shifts, making it one of the largest undergraduate entrance tests in India. The examination is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across 379 cities in India and 26 international centres.
Exam analysis serves two critical purposes: for candidates who have already appeared, it helps estimate expected scores before the official answer key is released. For candidates preparing for CUET UG 2027, shift-by-shift analysis from 2026 and 2025 reveals exactly which topics NTA tests most frequently, what the question style looks like, and what score benchmarks correspond to strong performance in each subject.
This page provides the complete CUET UG 2026 exam analysis from Day 1 (May 11, 2026) with subject-wise difficulty breakdowns, key topics asked, student reactions, good attempts benchmarks, year-wise comparison with 2025 and 2024, and preparation insights for CUET UG 2027 aspirants.
Live Update: This page is being updated after each exam day during the May 11 to May 31, 2026 exam window. Bookmark this page for the latest daily analysis.
Visit the CUET UG complete guide for the full exam overview, dates, eligibility, and all resources.
| Parameter Data | |
| Exam Start Date | May 11, 2026 |
| Exam End Date | May 31, 2026 |
| Total Exam Days | 21 |
| Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Registered | 15,68,866 |
| Total Test Instances | 67 lakh+ |
| Exam Cities (India) | 379 |
| International Cities | 26 |
| Overall Difficulty (Day 1) | Moderate (Easy to Moderate for most subjects) |
| Day 1 Shift 1 Verdict | Moderate overall; BST easiest; Economics toughest |
| Day 1 Shift 2 Verdict | Moderate overall; Political Science and Sociology easy; Economics difficult |
| NCERT Dependency | High across all domain subjects |
Subjects conducted: English, Accountancy/Book Keeping, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics/Business Economics, Geography/Geology, History, Political Science.
Overall Day 1 Shift 1 Verdict: Based on students' reactions, the overall difficulty of the CUET UG 2026 May 11 Shift 1 was easy to moderate. Overall, CUET UG 2026 Day 1 Shift 1 exam was moderate and NCERT-focused, with BST being the easiest and Economics + English requiring more attention.
| Subject Difficulty Key Observation | ||
| English | Easy to Moderate | Direct questions from reading comprehension and vocabulary; RC passages were lengthy |
| Accountancy | Moderate (lengthy) | Concept-based; not difficult but time-consuming |
| Business Studies | Easy (Easiest of the day) | Mostly theory-based; direct NCERT; many students attempted all 50 |
| Chemistry | Slightly Difficult | Few lengthy and conceptual questions; otherwise NCERT-based |
| Economics | Difficult | Application-based; tougher than expected; two passages included |
| History | Moderate to Difficult | Factual recall and conceptual clarity needed; chronology-based questions |
| Political Science | Moderate | NCERT-based; match-the-following and direct questions |
| Geography | Moderate | Map-based and fact-based questions; NCERT-driven |
Subjects: English, Accountancy/Book Keeping, Business Studies, Computer Science/Informatics Practices, Economics/Business Economics, History, Political Science, Sociology.
Overall Day 1 Shift 2 Verdict: The paper was moderate overall. Political Science and Sociology were easy, while Economics turned out difficult and History leaned moderate to difficult.
| Subject Difficulty Key Observation | ||
| English | Moderate | English was tougher with lengthy RCs and difficult vocab |
| Business Studies | Easy | Sequence-based, match-the-following, assertion-reasoning |
| Political Science | Easy | NCERT-based, direct questions |
| Sociology | Easy | Direct NCERT; manageable for prepared candidates |
| History | Moderate to Difficult | Passage from Revolt of 1857; source-based questions; Constitution chapter |
| Economics | Difficult | Most challenging subject of Day 1 Shift 2 |
| Computer Science | Moderate | NCERT Class 12-based; programming concepts |
| Accountancy | Moderate to Difficult (Lengthy) | Partnership, Shares; case-study based; time-consuming |
May 12, 2026 continued with the second day of examinations. The CUET UG 12 May 2026 exam was completed successfully. The paper included a balanced mix of easy to moderate questions from different topics and tested both basic concepts and application skills.
Day 2 overall verdict: Easy to Moderate. The balanced mix of question types continued. Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry) had questions mostly from NCERT concepts and formulas.
Understanding how 2025 patterns compare to 2026 helps candidates preparing for 2027 identify stable question patterns.
| Subject CUET 2025 Difficulty CUET 2026 Difficulty (So Far) Trend | |||
| English | Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Slightly easier in 2026 |
| Accountancy | Easy to Moderate | Moderate (lengthy) | Similar |
| Business Studies | Easy to Moderate | Easy | Slightly easier 2026 |
| Economics | Low to Moderate | Difficult | Tougher in 2026 |
| Mathematics | Easy to Moderate | Moderate | Similar |
| Physics | Moderate | Moderate | Consistent |
| Chemistry | Easy | Slightly Difficult | Slightly harder 2026 |
| Biology | Moderate (70% found balanced) | Moderate | Consistent |
| History | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult | Slightly harder 2026 |
| Political Science | Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Slightly easier 2026 |
| General Test | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult | Slightly harder 2026 |
Based on post-exam analysis from CUET UG 2025 (May 13 to June 2025):
CUET UG 2025 Accountancy: The Accountancy exam was of an easy to moderate difficulty level, some of the questions were from Computerised Accounting, and the questions were from the syllabus.
CUET UG 2025 English: The English exam was of a moderate difficulty level. The vocabulary questions, rearranging questions, and comprehension questions were easy to understand.
CUET UG 2025 Mathematics: The Mathematics exam was of an easy to moderate level, some of the questions were from matrices, and factual questions were also there.
CUET UG 2025 Biology: 70% of students found the balanced questions in biology, whereas 30% of students struggled with time management.
CUET UG 2025 Chemistry: In the Chemistry exam, 60% of students found the paper moderately difficult, and 40% of students faced lengthy questions. Students found the CUET Chemistry paper completely NCERT based and factual. All questions were directly picked from Class 12 Chemistry NCERT. Numerical questions were formula-driven and straightforward. Students with thorough NCERT revision found the paper scoring.
CUET UG 2025 Physics: The CUET Physics paper was balanced with a fair mix of numerical and formula-based problems. All questions were within the NCERT syllabus, focusing on Class 12. Numerical problems were direct applications of standard formulas. Conceptual clarity was crucial for success.
CUET UG 2025 General Test: General Test was moderate overall. Quantitative Aptitude was easy, Logical Reasoning was Moderate to difficult and General Knowledge was Easy and fact-based.
The English paper received mixed reactions but was overall moderate in difficulty.
| Component 2026 Observation | |
| Reading Comprehension | Lengthy passages requiring careful reading; 3 passage types |
| Vocabulary | Difficult in Shift 1; direct in Shift 2 |
| Grammar | Sentence correction and fill-in-the-blanks; moderate |
| Verbal Ability | Rearranging sentences; moderate |
| Good Attempts | 42 to 47 out of 50 for well-prepared candidates |
English achieved more than 80% accuracy among top scorers in all the years since CUET 2022. Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary were the top-scoring sections consistently. Candidates who read regularly and have strong RC foundations find English the most reliable scoring section.
Physics 2026: The CUET Physics paper was balanced with a fair mix of numerical and formula-based problems, all within the NCERT Class 12 syllabus. In 2024, Physics MCQs had greater numerical problems, with approximately 35 to 40% of questions involving direct application of NCERT formulas.
| Component Distribution | |
| Direct formula application | 35 to 40% |
| Conceptual MCQs | 30 to 35% |
| Application and derivation | 20 to 25% |
| Good Attempts | 40 to 46 out of 50 |
Chemistry 2026: Students found the CUET Chemistry paper completely NCERT based and factual. Around 14-16 questions were from Physical Chemistry, 14-16 from Organic Chemistry, and 9-11 from Inorganic Chemistry. Most numerical questions were easy and direct, formula-based. Only 1-2 numericals required lengthy derivations. The overall difficulty level was easy in 2025, slightly harder in 2026.
| Branch Questions (Approx.) | |
| Physical Chemistry | 14 to 16 |
| Organic Chemistry | 14 to 16 |
| Inorganic Chemistry | 9 to 11 |
| Good Attempts | 40 to 46 out of 50 (2025); 38 to 44 (2026) |
Biology 2026: Science domain subjects in 2026 focused mainly on NCERT-based conceptual questions. 70% of students found balanced questions in Biology (2025 data), while 30% struggled with time management.
| Component Distribution | |
| Botany (Plant-based chapters) | 22 to 25 |
| Zoology (Animal/Human chapters) | 25 to 28 |
| Good Attempts | 42 to 48 out of 50 |
Accountancy 2026: The CUET Accounting paper on May 15, 2025 was easy and concept-based. In 2026, it was noted as not difficult but lengthy and time-consuming.
Key topics: Partnership accounts (5 to 8 questions), Share capital (5 to 7 questions), Analysis of financial statements (6 to 8 questions), Case-study from Guarantee of Partner topic, Computerised Accounting (3 questions in some shifts).
| Component 2026 Observation | |
| Partnership | Consistently high weightage; 5-8 questions |
| Share Capital | 5-7 questions |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 6-8 questions; ratio analysis and cash flow |
| Case-Study Based | 5 case-study questions per section (some shifts) |
| Good Attempts | 40 to 46 out of 50 |
Business Studies 2026: Business Studies was the easiest commerce subject across both 2025 and 2026. There were 10 case-study-based questions from Financial Management and Organising. Many students could answer 50 out of 50 questions, with difficulty ranging from easy to moderate.
Key topics: Nature and Significance of Management (4-5 questions), Organising and Staffing (3-4 questions), Financial Management (5-6 questions), Marketing Management (3-4 questions).
Economics 2026: Economics was consistently the most challenging Commerce subject in 2026, described as application-based and requiring conceptual understanding beyond rote NCERT reading. The Economics paper was considered moderate to difficult in 2025; by 2026, it was rated as the toughest Commerce subject.
Key topics: National Income (GDP, NDP calculations), Money and Banking, Government Budget (2-3 questions), Balance of Payments (2-3 questions), Indian Economic Development chapters (Liberalisation, Poverty, Human Capital).
Good attempts: 38 to 43 out of 50 for well-prepared candidates.
History 2026: History required factual recall and conceptual clarity. Key observations: 1 passage based on Revolt of 1857 with 5 linked questions, 5 source-based questions from Making of the Constitution chapter, questions from 5-year plan topic, chronology-based direct questions, match-the-following from travellers' account chapter.
Good attempts: 40 to 46 for well-prepared candidates.
Political Science 2026: Political Science was NCERT-based and easy to moderate in Shift 1. Topics included: Cold War Era, Globalisation, China-India Relations, Unipolar World, 1 paragraph-based question with picture of refugees.
Good attempts: 44 to 49 for well-prepared candidates.
Sociology 2026: Sociology was rated easy in Day 1 Shift 2. Direct NCERT-based questions. Good attempts: 44 to 49.
General Test 2026: The General Test section was considered moderate to difficult in 2026. Current Affairs and General Knowledge questions were asked in higher numbers. Quantitative Aptitude questions involved lengthy calculations. Logical Reasoning questions included analytical and puzzle-based patterns.
General Test 2025: General Test was moderate overall. Quantitative Aptitude was easy, Logical Reasoning was Moderate to difficult and General Knowledge was Easy and fact-based.
| Component 2025 Difficulty 2026 Difficulty | ||
| General Knowledge | Easy | Easy |
| Current Affairs | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Easy | Moderate (some lengthy) |
| Logical Reasoning | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate to Difficult |
| Scientific Aptitude | Easy | Easy to Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 48 to 54 out of 60 | 46 to 52 out of 60 |
| Subject Easy Shift Moderate Shift Tough Shift | |||
| English | 44 to 49 | 40 to 45 | 36 to 42 |
| Physics | 42 to 47 | 38 to 43 | 33 to 39 |
| Chemistry | 40 to 46 | 36 to 42 | 30 to 37 |
| Biology | 44 to 49 | 40 to 46 | 36 to 43 |
| Mathematics | 38 to 44 | 33 to 39 | 27 to 34 |
| Accountancy | 40 to 46 | 36 to 42 | 30 to 37 |
| Business Studies | 46 to 50 | 42 to 47 | 38 to 44 |
| Economics | 38 to 43 | 33 to 38 | 26 to 33 |
| History | 40 to 46 | 36 to 42 | 30 to 37 |
| Political Science | 44 to 49 | 40 to 46 | 36 to 43 |
| General Test | 48 to 54 | 44 to 50 | 38 to 46 |
Based on the CUET UG Paper Analysis since the exam started in 2022:
Pattern 1: NCERT Dominates All Domain Subjects Most of the questions, particularly from Physics, Chemistry, and Political Science, were directly based on NCERT. This pattern has been consistent since 2022. Candidates who master Class 12 NCERT textbooks for their chosen domain subjects consistently outperform those who use reference books as primary resources.
Pattern 2: English RC and Vocabulary Are Critical English achieved more than 80% accuracy among top scorers in all the years. Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary were the top-scoring sections consistently. The Language section is the highest-reliability scoring section for candidates who read regularly.
Pattern 3: Mathematics and Accountancy Are Most Time-Consuming Math and Accountancy were the lowest in mean scores, with students finding it medium to difficult, as it was more calculation-based with conceptual questions. Time management in calculation-heavy subjects is the primary differentiator.
Pattern 4: Business Studies Is Consistently the Easiest Commerce Subject BST has rated as the easiest or joint-easiest Commerce subject in every year from 2022 to 2026. Candidates should target 46 to 50 in BST as a reliable score foundation.
Pattern 5: Case-Study Questions Have Increased Since 2023 Commerce papers included assertion-reason and application-based questions. Case-study and source-based questions now constitute 10 to 15 questions in Commerce and Social Science papers. Pure memorisation without concept application leaves these questions unanswerable.
Pattern 6: Economics Is Consistently the Toughest Commerce Subject Economics was not very easy to moderate in 2025 and became the toughest Commerce subject in 2026. Numerical questions in Economics (National Income calculations, Money Multiplier, Budget formulas) require both conceptual clarity and calculation speed.
From English Analysis: Read 2 to 3 quality passages daily for 3 to 4 months. Practice RC questions for all three passage types (factual, literary, narrative). Build vocabulary through contextual reading rather than memorised word lists.
From Physics/Chemistry Analysis: Since 35 to 40% of Physics questions involve direct formula application, build a formula reference sheet and practice applying each formula in problems. For Chemistry, read every NCERT chapter twice and solve all in-text examples. Note that CUET Chemistry retains chapters removed from CBSE (Polymers, Chemistry in Everyday Life).
From Accountancy Analysis: Practice Partnership and Share Capital thoroughly. Case-study questions from these chapters appeared in multiple shifts. Computerised Accounting appeared in some shifts as well.
From Economics Analysis: Practice numerical problems in National Income, Money Multiplier, Budget, and Balance of Payments. These calculation-based questions differentiate top scorers from average scorers in Economics.
From General Test Analysis: For Current Affairs, maintain a daily newspaper reading habit from 6 months before the exam. For Logical Reasoning, practice puzzle-based problems daily.
Access subject-wise timed practice: CUET UG Complete Test Series 2027
Q1. What was the overall difficulty of CUET UG 2026 Day 1? Based on initial student reactions, the CUET UG 2026 Shift 1 was easy to moderate. Business Studies was the easiest subject while Economics and English vocabulary were the toughest. Shift 2 was similar: Political Science and Sociology were easy; Economics was difficult.
Q2. Which subject is toughest in CUET UG consistently? Economics (for Commerce stream) and Mathematics are consistently the most challenging subjects. The Subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, and Accountancy are considered the most difficult in CUET UG because of their conceptual complexity, number intensity, and time-consuming problem-solving skills.
Q3. Which subject is easiest in CUET UG? Business Studies has been the easiest Commerce subject across all years. Subjects like Accountancy, Economics, and English were considered easy by students as they were mostly theory-based and direct (referring to Accountancy in 2025).
Q4. How many questions should I attempt in CUET domain subjects? Target 42 to 48 correct out of 50 in well-known subjects for a score of 210+ out of 250. Business Studies and Political Science offer the best opportunities for 48 to 50 correct attempts.
Q5. Is CUET UG 2026 harder than 2025? Based on Day 1 analysis, CUET 2026 shows slightly harder Economics and English vocabulary, but comparable difficulty overall. Most subjects remain easy to moderate and NCERT-based.
Stay updated with the latest news and notifications about CUET UG Exam Analysis 2026: Subject-Wise Difficulty, Topics Asked, Good Attempts and Student Reactions and other exams.
ExamUpdateAspirantMitraa
27 May 2026
ExamUpdateAspirantMitraa
24 May 2026
