How To Calculate CUET Cutoff: Understanding Score Normalization, Percentile & Admission Process
With top universities like Delhi University expecting 98-99 percentile for competitive courses in 2025, how to calculate CUET cutoff is a critical step for admissions, which involves understanding raw scores, normalization, and percentile calculation. This cutoff is the minimum score or percentile candidates need to achieve for eligibility, influenced by factors such as the number of applicants and exam difficulty. The 2026 cutoff will be updated post-release.
CUET 2026: Notification, Application & Exam Date Schedule
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 schedule outlines key dates for applicants.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | January 3, 2026 |
| Application Start | January 3, 2026 |
| Application Close | February 4, 2026 |
| Correction Window | February 9-11, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | May 5, 2026 |
| Exam Date | May 11-31, 2026 |
| Result Announcement | First week of July 2026 (Expected) |
CUET 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited) Expected Category-wise Cutoff Percentiles
Expected CUET cutoff percentiles for various categories for 2025 admissions are presented below.
| Category | Expected Cutoff Percentile Range |
|---|---|
| General | 98-99+ |
| OBC | 65-80 |
| SC/ST | 50-70 |
| EWS | 97-99 |
CUET 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited) Expected Program-wise Cutoff Scores for Top Universities
The table below details expected program-wise cutoff scores for prominent universities based on 2025 trends.
| University | Program | Expected Cutoff Score (Out of 800) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Delhi (DU) | B.Com (Hons) (SRCC) | 710+ |
| University of Delhi (DU) | BA (Hons) Political Science (Hindu College) | 705+ |
| University of Delhi (DU) | BA (Hons) Psychology (Miranda House) | 700+ |
| University of Delhi (DU) | B.Sc (Hons) Physics (Hansraj College) | 695+ |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | General (Overall) | 480-610 |
| Allahabad University | BA | 725-740 |
| Allahabad University | BCA | 400-420 |
CUET Cutoff Trends: Closing Ranks 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 by Program
Analyzing year-on-year trends provides insight into the fluctuating competition for popular CUET programs.
| Program (University) | 2023 General Percentile | 2024 General Percentile | 2025 Expected General Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) English (DU) | 97 | 96.5 | 96.5–98 |
| B.Com (Hons) (SRCC, DU) | 99.2 | 99 | 98.5–99.3 |
FAQs
Q: When will CUET 2026 cutoff be released?
A: The CUET 2026 cutoff is expected to be released by individual participating universities in the last week of July 2026, following the declaration of results in the first week of July 2026.
Q: How is CUET cutoff calculated?
A: CUET cutoff is determined by individual participating universities based on factors like the total number of candidates, available seats, candidate category, and the difficulty level of the exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) provides normalized scores and percentiles, which universities then use to create their merit lists.
Q: What is considered a good score in CUET 2026?
A: For admission to top central universities like DU, BHU, and JNU, a score above 700-750 out of 800 or 1000 is generally considered very good, often translating to a 98-99+ percentile for competitive courses.
Q: Do universities release individual CUET cutoffs?
A: Yes, each participating university releases its own CUET cutoff lists or merit lists for various courses and categories. There is no centralized CUET cutoff released by the NTA.
Q: What factors affect CUET cutoff?
A: Several factors influence the CUET cutoff, including the total number of candidates who appeared for the exam, the number of seats available in a particular course and university, the difficulty level of the CUET exam, and the reservation policies for different categories (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS).
Q: Is there negative marking in CUET?
A: Yes, for every incorrect answer in the CUET exam, 1 mark is deducted from the total score. For correct answers, 5 marks are awarded, and unattempted questions receive 0 marks.
How is the CUET Cutoff announced and where can I check it?
The CUET cut-offs are published course-wise and can be found on the official website of CUET. They are often presented in tables, sometimes showing expected cut-offs based on previous years.
Why is understanding the CUET cutoff important for admission planning?
The CUET cutoff represents the minimum marks or percentile required for admission to a particular university and its undergraduate courses. Understanding these cutoffs helps aspirants set realistic target scores and plan their admission strategy effectively.
Is there any relaxation in CUET cutoff for reserved categories?
Yes, there is relaxation in the CUET cutoff for reserved category candidates, with details available on the official website of CUET. For instance, SC reservation can significantly help in securing admissions, especially in lower-cutoff state counseling options.
How are CUET scores and percentiles related to the cutoff?
The CUET cutoff indicates the minimum percentile required for admission to undergraduate courses, with a higher percentile signifying better relative performance. The percentile is calculated based on the number of candidates with a raw score equal to or less than a candidate, divided by the total number of candidates.
Which universities typically have higher CUET cutoffs?
Central universities such as Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and Delhi University (DU) generally establish higher cutoff standards. In contrast, cut-offs at state and private colleges are often lower and easier to reach.
