CUET Sample Papers 2026: Download Free PDFs for All Sections
Table of Contents
Introduction
The best way to prepare for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 is through careful planning, ongoing practice, and access to quality study materials. CUET sample papers will be one of the best resources for any student who wants to get admitted to their favourite university. Sample papers give students a good idea of what to expect on the real test by giving students practice on how to approach questions, how difficult the questions are, and how to manage their time.
CuetPlus knows how hard it can be to get ready for the CUET. So, we gathered all of our CUET Sample Papers 2026 for you for free in PDF form. All the different CUET Sample Papers for the different sections of the test (i.e., Section IA – Languages, Section II – Domain Subjects, and Section III – General Test) are included.
This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information that you need to know about CUET Sample Papers, including where to find download links, how to practice effectively, and how to use the expert recommendations to help improve your performance on the exam. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll find inside this CUET Preparation PDF.
Why CUET Sample Papers Are Essential for 2026
Sample papers for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) are not simply resources for practice; they provide you with valuable insight and information about the real test itself. There are several reasons that every person preparing for the CUET 2026 exam should place a high priority on doing sample papers:
1. Become Acquainted with the Exam Structure – CUET Sample Papers follow the same structure as the Actual Exam (i.e., the number of questions, Marking Scheme (i.e., scoring criteria), and the Number of Sections). Repeatedly practicing with sample papers will make you more familiar with this format and, therefore, will help alleviate any post-test-day stress.
2. Assessment of Readiness – Solving sample PDFs for CUET under controlled conditions gives Students the ability to assess their level of readiness for the test. This self-assessment can help to indicate areas of strength as well as areas in need of further study.
3. Time Management Skills – The CUET exam has a limited amount of time allocated to each section. Sample papers teach test takers to make effective use of the time available for responding to questions. By doing this, you have a much greater chance of completing all of the required questions during the time constraint placed on you by the exam.
4. Speed of Problem Solving – By practicing with sample papers regularly, you will develop an increased speed and accuracy when answering questions during the CUET exam. You will also learn to identify the various question types and use the appropriate shortcuts necessary for each question type to complete the exam successfully.
5. Decreased Test Anxiety – Having completed several sample papers, the actual test will seem less intimidating than if you had never seen or practiced a sample paper before taking the exam. This increased familiarity will help increase a Student’s level of confidence and maintain composure when taking the actual exam.
Understanding the CUET 2026 Exam Pattern
Before downloading CUET sample papers, it’s essential to understand the exam structure. The CUET 2026 is divided into the following sections:
| Section | Content | Number of Questions | Duration |
| Section IA | 13 Languages | 40-50 questions per language | 45 minutes per language |
| Section IB | 20 Languages | 40-50 questions per language | 45 minutes per language |
| Section II | 27 Domain Subjects | 45-50 questions per subject | 45 minutes per subject |
| Section III | General Test | 60 questions (attempt 50) | 60 minutes |
The main aspects of this sample paper format are:
- The format of the CUET sample paper will be Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- The negative marks will be -1 for the question if answered incorrectly
- Most sections will have choice-based questions
- The CUET will be in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
With this format, you can prioritize your sections through the sample papers based on the course you choose and the University you select.
Section-Wise CUET Sample Papers Download
CuetPlus offers a complete list of CUET sample papers for each section. You can download from this list the following:
For Sample Papers for Sections IA & IB: Language Papers
You will find:
- Detailed sample papers for the most popular languages: English, Hindi, and all regional languages (Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, etc.).
- Each paper will include: comprehension passages, grammar questions, and vocabulary-based MCQs that will correlate with the level of difficulty of the actual CUET exam.
For Sample Papers for Section II: Domain Specific Subject Papers
You will find comprehensive sample papers for the 27 different domain subjects. A few of the domain subjects include:
- Science Stream: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Computer Science
- Commerce Stream: Accountancy, Business Studies, and Economics
- Humanities: History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology
Each subject paper includes topic-wise questions covering all chapters from the NCERT syllabus.
For Sample Papers for Section III: General Test Papers
We offer comprehensive general knowledge, current affairs, logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude CUET General Test Papers that have been compiled and created for the CUET exam.
To download sample papers:
- Go to the CuetPlus Sample Papers Section
- Select the Section and Subject you wish to download
- Click the “Download Free PDF” button
- Save the PDF on your device.
All sample papers come with detailed solutions to help you understand the correct approach to each question.
How to Use CUET Sample Papers Effectively
Downloading CUET practice papers in PDF format is not sufficient. To maximize the benefits of practice papers, it is important to follow a systematic strategy.
Step 1: Develop a Practice Schedule. Determine which days of the week you will be going to develop your practice schedule, then expand your plans as the date of your test approaches. Start by doing one sample paper a week, then move up to two days for sample papers until you reach one every day before your examination date(s).
Step 2: Create Test Taking Conditions. Study in silence and keep time. Don’t allow anything to distract you. Keep the time limit of each section strictly to the prescribed time for each section of the exam.
Step 3: Review Your Results. Analyze your results after each sample paper to see where you made mistakes. You should identify patterns of errors, whether they are conceptual errors, errors that were made due to your own carelessness, or time management errors.
Step 4: Create a Study Plan That Concentrates on Your Weaknesses. Based on the analysis of your results, you need to concentrate on the areas in which you made errors. Spend additional time studying those areas.
Step 5: Keep A Performance Log. Keep a performance log of your sample paper scores to provide a visual representation of your progress and help motivate you.
Step 6: Review and Retake. After reviewing and improving your study materials, go back and retake the papers you did not do well on. This will reinforce the concepts that you previously learned.
Benefits of Practicing with CUET Practice PDFs
CUET sample paper practice significantly impacts your score, as it provides you with many advantages. Amongst those advantages are:
- Concept Understanding: CUET sample papers incorporate many different question formats; therefore, you will learn and understand the concept of each subject in many different ways.
- Strategic Test Taking: While solving CUET sample papers, you can develop a strategy for taking the test by determining which questions you should answer first and which ones to skip. This will ultimately increase your score.
- Improved Accuracy: As you practice solving sample papers repeatedly, you will be less likely to make careless mistakes, and your accuracy in answering questions will improve over time.
- Stress Control: By practicing with sample papers and becoming familiar with their layout, you will feel less stressed during the actual test.
- Benchmarking Your Performance: You will be able to determine your likelihood of admission by comparing your scores to the minimum cutoff score of each program you are interested in applying to.
- Recognizing Patterns: You will recognize the types of questions and topics that are frequently asked on the CUET.
According to previous CUET 2025 toppers, the majority of the students who solved at least 15–20 complete CUET sample papers scored significantly higher than those students who only prepared using the textbook.
Tips for Maximizing Your Sample Paper Practice
CUET Sample Papers can help you prepare. Follow these steps recommended by the experts to make the greatest possible use of the CUET Sample Papers:
1. Do Not Wait Until The Night Before The Exam To Begin Studying For The Exam: Start Studying With CUET Sample Papers At Least Three To Four Months Before The Exam. This Gives You Sufficient Time For Multiple Revisions Of The Sample Papers.
2. Use Older And Newer Sample Papers: Use Sample Papers From Previous Years With The 2026 Sample Papers. This Will Help You Gain Insight Into Trends In Question Formats Over The Years.
3. Concentrate On Each Subject Separately. At First, Use Subject Sample Papers, Then Try full-length mock Exams. This Will Give You A Better Chance Of Building Your Confidence For Future Exams.
4. Focus On The Quality Of Your Work, Not The Quantity Of Sample Papers Completed. For Example, If You Analyze 10 Sample Papers Thoroughly, It Is Much More Effective Than Speedily Solving 30 Sample Papers & Not Analyzing Them Carefully.
5. Maintain An Error Journal Document Where You Keep Every Mistake You Make (Including The Correct Answer And Explanation Of How You Arrived At That Answer) And Refer To It Frequently.
6. Remember To Practice For Both Speed And Accuracy: At First, Practice For Accuracy, Then Work To Improve Speed Without Sacrificing The Correctness Of Answers.
7. Be Sure To Give Yourself A Break Between Sample Papers. If You Try To Solve Multiple Sample Papers One After Another, You May Become Overwhelmed & Overworked, So Be Sure To Give Yourself Enough Time Between Each Sample Paper To Effectively Retain The Information You Learn.
8. Be Careful To Use Sample Solutions In A Way That Assists You: Only Look At The Sample Solutions After Completing An Entire Test & Try To Understand How To Solve The Tests In Different Ways Than You Did The First Time You Attempted Each Test.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Solving Sample Papers
Even with the best CUET practice PDFs, mistakes occur frequently among students and negatively affect their learning experience.
- Students will check their answers while they are working on questions, which is counterproductive to the goal of learning how to self-assess.
- Students neglect the importance of negative marking. Practicing ways to select questions to minimize negative points is essential.
- Students do not use a timer. Students should always practice with a timer to develop their ability to manage time on test day.
- Students do not return to the questions they find difficult for review. When you miss a question mark it to review later after you have completed all the easier questions.
- Students focus only on the subjects they feel confident in. Practicing evenly across the four sections of CUET is vital for success.
- Students do not take the time to analyze why they missed questions. Understanding why you missed questions is more valuable than the score you received.
- Students do not spend enough time reviewing their syllabus before they begin to complete a large number of sample papers.
CUET Sample Paper Analysis: What to Look For
After practising a complete CUET practice paper, you should conduct a detailed analysis of the following: the Accuracy Rate, Section-Wise Analysis, Time Spent On Each Type Of Question, Topic-Specific Weaknesses, Distribution Of Difficulty of Questions, and How Your Answering Strategy Will Be Impacted By Negative Marks.
The Analysis Process For Each Of These Areas Is:
Accuracy Rate: Determine the Percentage of Correct Answers You Have Achieved Out Of Your Total Attempts To Date. The Aim Is To Achieve At Least 80%+ Correct answers to ensure a Level Of Confidence Before Sitting The Actual Exam.
Section-Wise Performance Analysis: Analyse Which Areas Have The Highest And Lowest Scores And Are Therefore Identified As Areas That Require Further Attention. To Be Fully Prepared For The Exam.
Time Spent Per Question Analysis: This Is An Important Step To Identify Where You Are Spending Your Time (i.e., Are You Taking Too Long To Answer Certain Question types, And Therefore Is It Possible To Develop A Strategy That Allows You To Answer Those Specific Question Types Quicker?
Topic/Wise Weakness Analysis: Create A List Of Specific Topics/Concepts That Have Been Mistakenly Answered Multiple Times By You And Must Be Prioritised In Your Study Plan.
Question Difficulty Distribution Analysis: Establish The Distribution Of Difficulty Levels (Easy/Moderate/Difficult) That You Handle The Best And Which Require Improvement.
Negative Marking Impact: Calculate The Impact Of Negative Marking On Your Overall Score Based On The Total Number Of Questions Answered Correctly And Incorrectly. From Here, You Can Develop An Adjusted Guessing Strategy.
Additional Resources for CUET 2026 Preparation
While Completing A CUET Practice Paper Is Very Important, Supplementing Your Knowledge Using The Following CUETPlus resources Also Provides Additional Preparation Tools And Techniques.
- CUET Previous Year Exam Questions: Review Previous Actual CUET Exam Questions From The Past
- Online Mock Test Hub: Take Computer-Based Mock Tests That Simulate The Exact Environment Of An Actual CUET Exam.
- Full CUET Syllabus Covered: You should systematically cover all CUET topics.
- Subject-Specific Study Materials: Access to video lectures and extensive notes on exam subjects
- Doubt Clarification Sessions: Support in understanding topics that are difficult for you
- Preparation Strategies from Successful Candidates: Learn how to prepare for CUET from previous CUET candidates
With these combined resources, we have created a cohesive ecosystem for your preparation for CUET 2026, covering all elements of CUET.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Many CUET Sample Papers Should I Work on Before the Test Date?
You should aim to complete at least 15-20 full-length CUET sample papers across all sections chosen for the CUET exam. In order to build experience with CUET practice papers, it is recommended that you work on either 1-2 sample papers a week in the early stages of your preparation, to increase to 3-4 sample papers a week during the two months before taking the exam.
Is There a Difference Between CUET Sample Papers and Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs)?
Yes, CUET sample papers are created using the latest proposed CUET exam question format; therefore, the sample papers are best used for current CUET exam practice, whereas PYQs show what has realistically been on the CUET test throughout time (historically). Sample papers and PYQs are complementary resources that help provide your CUET exam preparation; the ability to practice sample papers that reflect the current exam structure and format is important for CUET exam preparation, while PYQs allow you to see what types of questions have commonly been asked as well as trends in questions.
When should I practice with CUET sample papers?
You should begin solving sample papers after you have completed at least 60-70% of your syllabus, usually three or four months before the test. This allows you to have enough conceptual understanding to answer questions meaningfully and gain from using the sample papers as practice tests.
After completing a CUET sample test, how do I determine how well I did?
After completing a sample paper, you should first calculate your accuracy percentage. After that, you need to identify your section-wise strengths and weaknesses, count the number of minutes you spent on each question, look for patterns in the mistakes you made regularly, and create a list of topics that you will need to review further. By doing this, you can keep track of how you perform on each practice paper and how much you have improved over time.
Are the CUET sample papers on CuetPlus adhering to the latest format?
All CUET sample papers (2026) available on CuetPlus have been updated to reflect the current NTA Exam guidelines and examination format. The sample papers are designed around current trends of questions, levels of difficulty, and section-wise distribution per statement made by the examination authority.
Will solving CUET sample papers allow me to achieve a good score?
It is important to note that sample papers should be used as part of a comprehensive study approach, which includes reviewing the syllabus thoroughly, developing a deep understanding of the concepts, and consistently reviewing material. Using sample papers, in conjunction with other tools, will help you to develop effective strategies for taking the test. However, a solid learning foundation is still essential for achieving a high score.
How should I respond if I receive a low score on a CUET sample paper?
Don’t be disheartened! Use each low score that you receive as an opportunity to learn. Review each of your errors, identify the weak areas, and revise these concepts, then attempt a similar paper(s) after you have made improvements. Keep track of your progress. With enough practice and review, you will see steady improvements.
How Do CuetPlus Sample Papers Differ From Other Sources?
CuetPlus sample papers have been created by subject experts who possess extensive knowledge regarding CUET exam styles. Each sample paper has been developed with detailed explanations and at the same difficulty level as that of the actual tests. All of the CUET sample papers cover the entire CUET syllabus in a systematic manner. Additionally, they are kept up to date based on current announcements made by NTA.
What Is the Difference Between Sample Papers and Mock Tests?
The primary differences between Sample Papers and Mock Tests are that sample papers come in the form of downloadable PDFs that you can complete on your own timeline and at your convenience, whilst a mock test(s) is and will be available only through an online, computer-based platform, and it accurately simulates the real exam environment, includes automated scoring and has been timed. CuetPlus provides access to both to maximize your potential for success through comprehensive preparation.
Conclusion
CUET sample papers are a vital resource for any serious aspirant in 2026, providing a crucial link between theory and practice by giving you both the knowledge and the tools to perform well on an actual examination. Free downloadable practice PDFs for the CUET are available from CuetPlus, created using highly qualified professionals, and are designed to closely resemble the level of difficulty and structure of the actual exam.
As you prepare for the exam, it will be helpful to maintain constant practice of sample papers and to use a methodical approach to determine what you excel at, eliminate the items you don’t excel at, and focus your efforts on improving those weaknesses.
As you enter your final stretch of preparation for the CUET, it will benefit you greatly to download a sample paper and take the first step to achieving success in CUET 2026. Don’t wait! Download your sample paper today.
How to Begin Preparing for the CUET More Quickly?
- Download free CUET sample papers
- Get started with an online mock test
- Shop for the complete set of study materials needed.
Join the thousands of successful CUET aspirants who have chosen CUETPlus to prepare for their exams. Obtaining admission to your dream university is within reach.
