Last Updated: April 2026
CUET English Language (Section IA) is compulsory for every CUET UG aspirant — regardless of the course or university they’re applying to. A strong score in CUET English can significantly boost your overall percentile and open doors to top central universities like DU, JNU, BHU, AMU, and JMI.
This guide gives you the complete CUET English syllabus 2027, question type breakdown, section-wise tips, and a preparation strategy that works.
CUET English 2027 — Key Details
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | Section IA — Language Test (English) |
| Paper Code | 101 |
| Total Questions | 50 |
| Questions to Attempt | 40 (out of 50) |
| Correct Answer | +5 marks |
| Wrong Answer | −1 mark |
| Max Marks | 200 |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Compulsory For | All CUET UG aspirants applying to English-medium courses |
CUET English Syllabus 2027 — Topic-wise Breakdown
| Topic | Sub-topics | Expected Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Factual passages, literary passages, discursive passages; inference, tone, main idea, vocabulary in context | 15–20 |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases, word usage in context | 5–8 |
| Grammar | Fill in the blanks, error spotting, sentence correction, active-passive, direct-indirect speech | 5–8 |
| Rearrangement | Sentence rearrangement (jumbled sentences), paragraph ordering | 3–5 |
| Cloze Test | Fill-in-the-blank passage (vocabulary + grammar combined) | 5–8 |
| Verbal Ability | Analogies, completion, coherence questions | 3–5 |
Reading Comprehension — The Most Important Part
Reading comprehension accounts for 40–50% of CUET English. The passages are:
- Factual: Based on information, facts, current affairs — test recall and inference
- Literary: Extracts from literature — test tone, theme, characterisation
- Discursive: Argument-based passages — test understanding of the author’s perspective
Each passage has 5 questions. With 3–4 passages in the paper, mastering RC gives you 15–20 questions “for free” if you read carefully.
RC Answering Strategy:
- Read the questions FIRST before reading the passage
- Skim the passage for structure, then read relevant sections carefully
- Never bring outside knowledge — answer strictly from the passage
- For tone questions: look for emotionally charged words in the passage
- For inference questions: choose the option closest to what the passage implies — not what you believe
Grammar Topics — What CUET Actually Tests
| Grammar Topic | Frequency | Key Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Subject-Verb Agreement | High | Singular subject → singular verb; collective nouns can be singular or plural by context |
| Tenses | High | Consistent tense use; past perfect for earlier of two past events |
| Articles (a, an, the) | High | “The” for specific, “a/an” for non-specific; never before proper nouns generally |
| Prepositions | Medium | Fixed phrases: “interested in,” “different from,” “depends on” |
| Active-Passive Voice | Medium | Object of active becomes subject of passive; tense changes accordingly |
| Direct-Indirect Speech | Medium | Reporting verb changes; tense backshifts; pronouns change |
| Modals | Medium | Can/could, may/might, shall/will, must/should — specific usage rules |
Vocabulary Preparation for CUET English
CUET tests vocabulary “in context” — not isolated memorisation. The best approach:
- Read one editorial daily from The Hindu or Indian Express — note 5 new words with context
- Learn 10 one-word substitutions daily (common lists: person who, place where, etc.)
- Practice 20 idioms per week — focus on those with legal, social, and political themes
- Use word roots (Latin/Greek) to decode unknown words in the exam
3-Month CUET English Preparation Plan
| Month | Focus | Daily Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Grammar + Vocabulary Foundation | 30 min grammar rules + 15 min vocabulary + 1 newspaper article |
| Month 2 | Reading Comprehension Practice | 2 RC passages daily + grammar MCQs + cloze tests |
| Month 3 | Mock Tests + Revision | 1 full CUET English mock per week + targeted revision of weak areas |
Practice Quiz: CUET English Language 2027
Practice Quiz — 10 CUET-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions — CUET English 2027
Is CUET English compulsory for all students?
Yes. CUET English (Section IA — Language Test) is compulsory for all students applying to courses taught in English at central universities. Students applying to Hindi-medium courses may choose Hindi as their Section IA language instead. Most popular courses at DU, BHU, JNU require CUET English.
How to score 180+ in CUET English?
To score 180+ in CUET English: Focus on reading comprehension (it carries 40–50% marks), master 5 key grammar topics (tenses, articles, subject-verb agreement, modals, active-passive), learn 300+ vocabulary words in context, and take at least 5 full mock tests. With 6–8 weeks of focused preparation, 180+ is very achievable.
Practise CUET English on our free NTA CBT Simulator. Explore our complete CUET courses including English Language preparation modules.
