CUET UG 2023 Question Paper with Answer Key: Download PDF

CUET 2023 was conducted by NTA from 21 May to 05 July 2023 in computer based mode. The exam was held in three slots per day of three hours each, had four sections including two language sections, and candidates could take up to nine papers. Download the CUET 2023 question paper and answer key from the table below.

CUET 2023 Key Exam Details

CUET 2023 was held entirely in CBT mode across multiple cities over eleven days. Three slots were held each day, with each slot lasting three hours. Candidates could sit up to nine papers in total across all slots. The table below covers the main details.

CUET 2023 Four Section Structure

CUET 2023 had four sections, which is different from 2024 onward when Section IB was removed and the structure moved to three sections. The two separate language sections, IA and IB, together offered 33 language options. This four section layout also shaped how candidates planned their nine paper limit across the slots.

Note: Candidates could take 3 languages and 5 domain subjects, or 2 languages and 6 domain subjects, plus the General Test if the course needed it, all within the 9 paper limit.

CUET 2023 Optional Questions

Every paper in CUET 2023 had 50 questions, but candidates attempted only 40. This applied to language, domain and General Test papers equally. Choosing the right 40 questions was important because a wrong answer cost 1 mark and a skipped question scored zero, so it was better to leave a question blank than guess on an unsure one. From 2025 onward, all 50 questions became compulsory and this choice was removed.

• Each paper had 50 questions and candidates attempted 40.
• Candidates could skip up to 10 questions per paper with no penalty.
• A wrong answer cost 1 mark, so picking the safer 40 questions mattered.
• From 2025, all 50 questions are compulsory and the skip option no longer exists.

CUET 2023 Marking Scheme

CUET 2023 used the same marking for every section and every paper. Each correct answer gave 5 marks, each wrong answer lost 1 mark, and a blank scored zero. Since candidates had 10 questions to skip per paper, the right approach was to attempt only the questions they were confident about. Each paper was out of 200 marks.

Maximum marks per paper: 200 (40 questions x 5 marks). With up to 9 papers, the theoretical maximum total was 1800, though most candidates took fewer subjects.

CUET 2023 Three Slot Daily Format

CUET 2023 was held in three slots each day, and candidates appeared in one slot per day. Each slot was three hours long and covered the papers assigned to that slot. The three slot format spread the exam over eleven days, so different subjects were conducted on different days and candidates planned their timetable around the slot schedule. From 2024, the exam moved to two daily slots instead of three.

• Three slots were held daily, each three hours long.
• Each slot covered one or more subject papers as assigned by NTA.
• Candidates could sit a maximum of four papers in one slot.
• From 2024, the slot count moved to two per day.

CUET 2023 Section II Domain Subjects

Section II of CUET 2023 had 27 domain subjects, all based on the Class 12 NCERT syllabus. Candidates could take up to 6 of these, depending on their course requirements and the nine paper limit. Each domain paper had 50 questions with 40 to be attempted in 45 minutes. The table below groups the subjects by stream.

How to Use CUET 2023 Paper for Practice

CUET 2023 question paper is useful for NCERT based domain practice, since the syllabus and question style are close to the current format. The structure has changed since 2023, so candidates should adjust while practising the 2023 paper.

• Attempt all 50 questions instead of 40 to match the current compulsory format from 2025.
• Set a 60 minute timer instead of 45 minutes to practise at the current pace.
• The NCERT based question style and difficulty in domain papers are still a close match.
• Use a 2025 or 2026 paper alongside to get used to the bilingual medium and uniform 60 minute duration.

CUET Previous Year Question Papers show how the question type and section structure have changed over the years. Solving the 2023 paper alongside a recent one helps candidates see the difference and prepare for the current format. Use the year pages below.

CUET UG 2023 Question Paper FAQs

Ques: Why was there a difference between my raw marks and the final NTA score in 2023?

Ques: How many universities in total accepted CUET UG 2023 scores?

Ques: What were the registration trends for CUET 2023 compared to the previous year?

Ques: Could candidates see questions in multiple languages during the 2023 CBT exam?

Ques: What happened to the 411 questions that NTA dropped in the final 2023 answer key?