CUET PG 2026 Exam Pattern: Complete Guide to Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

If you are preparing for CUET PG 2026, you need to know the exam pattern before you dive into your books. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official exam pattern, and there are some important changes you should know about.

Last year, NTA made the exam shorter. They cut the time from 105 minutes to 90 minutes and removed Part A (the General Aptitude Test section). The same format will continue for CUET PG 2026. This means you get a focused paper with only domain-based questions.

Around 6 lakh students appeared for CUET PG 2025. That number shows you just how competitive this exam is. Getting into a good postgraduate programme at a central university requires smart preparation and a clear understanding of how the exam works.

What Does the CUET PG 2026 Exam Look Like?

The CUET PG 2026 will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT). You will sit at a computer terminal at a designated test centre and answer multiple-choice questions. The exam is offered in both English and Hindi, so you can choose the language you are comfortable with.

Here are the basic details:

Total Questions: 75
Total Marks: 300
Time Duration: 90 minutes
Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Mode: Computer-Based Test
Medium: English and Hindi (Bilingual)

The exam tests your knowledge in your chosen subject. NTA offers CUET PG for 157 subjects, so whether you are applying for an MA, MSc, or any other postgraduate course, there is likely a paper for you.

Understanding the Marking Scheme

The marking scheme is straightforward. Each correct answer gives you 4 marks. But here is the catch: every wrong answer takes away 1 mark. This negative marking system means you cannot just guess randomly and hope for the best.

Let me break it down for you:

Correct Answer: +4 marks
Wrong Answer: -1 mark
Unattempted Question: 0 marks (no penalty)

So if you are not sure about an answer, you need to weigh your options. Sometimes leaving a question unattempted is better than losing a mark for a wrong guess.

How to Calculate Your Expected Score

Want to know how well you did after the exam? You can estimate your score using a simple formula. Here is how:

Count how many questions you answered correctly
Multiply that number by 4
Count how many questions you got wrong
Multiply that number by 1
Subtract the wrong answers score from your correct answers score

For example, if you answered 60 questions correctly and 10 questions incorrectly, your calculation would look like this:

Correct answers: 60 × 4 = 240 marks
Wrong answers: 10 × 1 = 10 marks
Final Score: 240 - 10 = 230 marks

That leaves 5 questions you did not attempt, which is fine because they do not affect your score.

Why the Exam Pattern Matters

Knowing the exam pattern helps you plan your preparation strategy. When you know you have 90 minutes for 75 questions, you can calculate that you have roughly 72 seconds per question. This time management skill becomes critical during the actual exam.

The negative marking system also changes how you should approach practice tests. You need to develop accuracy, not just speed. Taking mock tests under timed conditions will help you figure out when to take calculated risks and when to skip a question.

What Changed From Previous Years?

The biggest change came last year when NTA removed the General Aptitude Test section. This made the exam more focused on your subject knowledge. The exam duration also dropped from 105 minutes to 90 minutes.

These changes mean your preparation should be laser-focused on your chosen subject. You do not need to worry about general aptitude questions anymore. Just master your domain.

Tips to Handle Negative Marking

Negative marking can be scary, but you can work with it. Here are some practical tips:

Build strong fundamentals: When you know your subject well, you make fewer wild guesses.

Eliminate wrong options: Even if you are not 100% sure, removing obviously wrong answers increases your chances of picking the right one.

Practice mock tests: Regular practice helps you identify question types where you tend to make mistakes.

Know when to skip: If you have no clue about a question, move on. That 1 mark penalty hurts more than a blank answer.

Manage your time: Do not spend 5 minutes on one tough question. Answer the questions you know first, then come back to the tricky ones.

The Computer-Based Test Format

Since CUET PG is a computer-based test, you should get comfortable with on-screen reading and answering. The interface is usually simple, but if you have never taken a CBT before, it can feel different from paper-based exams.

Most test centres provide a demo or tutorial before the actual exam starts. Pay attention to it. Learn how to navigate between questions, how to mark questions for review, and how to change your answers if needed.

Difficulty Level of the Exam

Based on previous years, the CUET PG exam typically has a moderate difficulty level. This means the questions are not meant to trick you, but they do test your understanding of concepts thoroughly.

A moderate difficulty level is actually good news. It means if you prepare consistently and cover your syllabus properly, you have a strong chance of scoring well.

Final Thoughts on Exam Strategy

Your exam pattern knowledge should shape your entire preparation approach. Since you know there are 75 questions in 90 minutes, you can practice solving questions in batches of 15-20 at a time during your study sessions.

The 300-mark total means every question counts. You cannot afford to waste time on questions that stump you completely. Develop a strategy where you complete one full pass through the paper answering all the questions you are confident about, then use remaining time for the harder questions.

Remember, about 6 lakh students compete for limited postgraduate seats. The difference between selection and rejection often comes down to just a few marks. Understanding the exam pattern and marking scheme gives you an edge over candidates who jump into preparation without this knowledge.

The CUET PG 2026 exam is scheduled tentatively for March 2026. That gives you time to not just learn your subject, but also practice with the actual exam format in mind. Use this time wisely, take regular mock tests, and track your accuracy rate along with your speed.