CUET PG 2026 Preparation: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Test

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CUET PG Preparation

The Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate (CUET PG 2026), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is the key entrance exam for admission to Master’s programs (M.A., M.Sc., M.Com, M.Tech, MBA, etc.) in over 250+ central, state, deemed, and private universities (e.g., DU, JNU, BHU, JMI, AMU, University of Hyderabad, and others). With the exam scheduled from March 6 to March 27, 2026 (subject-wise shifts over ~3 weeks), preparation time is limited—focus on smart, targeted study now.

The exam is a 90-minute CBT with 75 MCQs worth 300 marks (+4 correct, -1 incorrect, 0 unanswered). No separate General Test—questions are domain-specific (based on UG-level syllabus).

1. Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus First

Pattern Highlights:
- 75 questions (all MCQs).
- Duration: 90 minutes.
- Total Marks: 300.
- Negative Marking: Yes (-1 for wrong answers).
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (practice CBT mocks to avoid surprises).
Syllabus: Subject-specific (UG-level core topics). Download official PDFs from exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/syllabus (released December 2025; covers 157 subjects).
- Examples:
  - M.A. English (LAQP01): British/American/Indian Literature, Literary Theory, Linguistics, Comprehension.
  - M.Sc. Physics (SCQP24): Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Quantum, Thermodynamics.
  - M.Com (COQP08): Accounting, Business Economics, Statistics, Finance, Management.
  - M.A. Economics (COQP10): Micro/Macro, Statistics, Indian Economy.
- No General Aptitude/English section in most papers—focus purely on domain knowledge.
Action Step: Download your subject’s syllabus PDF immediately. Highlight high-weightage topics (repeated in previous years).

2. Realistic Timeline & Study Plan (With Exam Starting March 6)

Since the exam is just weeks away (as of February 19, 2026), adopt a intensive 4–6 week crash plan:

Weeks 1–2 (Now – End Feb): Concept Revision & Weak Area Coverage
- Revise core UG notes/textbooks (focus 70–80% syllabus coverage).
- Daily: 6–8 hours → 4 hours theory + 2 hours MCQs.
- Prioritize high-weightage chapters (use previous year analysis from NTA papers or coaching sites).
Weeks 3–4 (March 1–15): Intensive Practice + Mocks
- Solve 100–150 MCQs daily.
- Take 1 full-length mock every 2 days (simulate 90 mins exactly).
- Analyze errors: Note silly mistakes, conceptual gaps.
Final Week (March 20–27, depending on your date): Light Revision + Confidence Building
- Revise short notes/formulas only.
- 1 mock every alternate day.
- Avoid new topics; focus on accuracy (aim 80–90% attempted with high correctness due to negative marking).

Daily Routine Suggestion:

Morning (fresh mind): Tough/Conceptual topics (2–3 hours).
Afternoon: MCQ practice + previous papers.
Evening: Weak topic revision + error log review.
Sleep 7 hours; take 10-min breaks every hour.

3. Best Books & Resources for CUET PG 2026

Stick to standard UG-level books (latest editions). Avoid too many sources—quality over quantity.

General Recommendations:

Logical Reasoning/Quantitative (if applicable in your paper): R.S. Aggarwal (Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude).
English Comprehension (if in paper): Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi; Wren & Martin for grammar.

Subject-Wise Popular Picks (from toppers/experts):

Commerce/M.Com:
- Accounting: T.S. Grewal or M.C. Shukla.
- Business Economics/Management: Arihant or previous year compilations.
Science (M.Sc.):
- Physics: H.C. Verma (Concepts), Resnick-Halliday (reference).
- Chemistry: O.P. Tandon or NCERT + previous papers.
- Maths: B.S. Grewal or higher UG texts.
Humanities (M.A.):
- History: Bipan Chandra (Modern India), Spectrum.
- English: M.H. Abrams (Glossary), Norton Anthology (selective).
- Economics: Mankiw (Principles), Dutt & Sundaram (Indian Economy).
Psychology/Education: Baron or Ciccarelli for Psych; Arihant guides for Education.
Common for All:
- CUET PG previous year papers (2022–2025) – Solve all.
- Mock Test Series: NTA official mocks (free on site), Adda247, Testbook, or Arihant.

Free/Online Resources:

NTA official website: Practice mocks + previous keys.
YouTube: CUET PG Adda, Power Within Psychology (subject-specific toppers’ strategies).
Apps/Platforms: Testbook, Gradeup, Unacademy (CUET PG courses).

4. Toppers’ Strategies & Smart Tips

From recent toppers’ shares (YouTube/Reddit/Quora):

Accuracy > Attempts: With negative marking, aim 55–65 correct answers for 220–260+ marks (good for top universities).
Error Log: Maintain a notebook for mistakes—revise daily.
Mock Analysis: After each mock, spend equal time analyzing (why wrong? conceptual/silly?).
Short Notes: Create 1–2 page summaries per chapter (formulas, key theories, timelines).
Avoid Common Mistakes:
- Guessing blindly (negative hurts).
- Ignoring weak topics.
- Not practicing CBT (mouse/scroll issues).
- Overloading sources—stick to 2–3 books + PYQs.
Health & Mindset:
- Exercise/walk 20 mins daily.
- Meditate 10 mins to reduce anxiety.
- Revise positively: “I know 80%—focus on that.”

5. Exam Day Tips

Reach center 1 hour early.
Carry admit card + photo ID.
Read questions carefully (MCQs can be tricky).
Attempt sure ones first; mark doubtful for review.
Stay calm—time management is key (aim 1 min per question).

6. Final Motivation

With focused effort in the next 2–6 weeks, scoring 250+ (top percentile) is achievable—many toppers cracked it with consistent mocks + syllabus mastery. Track your progress weekly; adjust plan if needed.

Next Steps: