Top 10 Mistakes CUET Aspirants Make — And How to Avoid Them

CUET TIPS | APRIL 2026

After analysing thousands of CUET mock test performances and speaking with students who scored 200+ marks per subject, we’ve identified the 10 most common mistakes that cost aspirants marks. Avoiding these mistakes alone can improve your score by 30–50 marks.

Mistake #1: Using Non-NCERT Reference Books

This is the single biggest mistake CUET aspirants make. Students buy expensive reference books, coaching material, and online courses — then run out of time to finish NCERT itself.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Mock Test Analysis

Taking mock tests without analysing them is like practising cricket without watching your replays. Many students take 20+ mocks but never improve because they skip the analysis step.

• The mistake: Taking a mock → checking score → moving to next mock
• The fix: After every mock, spend 30 minutes reviewing every wrong answer. Go back to the exact NCERT paragraph where the concept is explained.
• Track patterns: Are you consistently making errors in the same topics? That’s your revision priority.

Mistake #3: Attempting Every Question (Random Guessing)

With +5/−1 marking, random guessing is mathematically neutral at best and harmful at worst. Here’s the math:

Mistake #4: Underestimating Language & GAT Papers

Students obsess over domain subjects and treat Language and GAT as “easy” papers that don’t need preparation. Then they lose 40–60 marks in these sections.

• English: Reading Comprehension passages can be tricky — unfamiliar topics, inference-based questions. Practice daily.
• GAT: Current Affairs changes every month. Without regular reading, you’ll face unknown questions.
• Fix: Allocate 1 hour daily to Language (passages + vocabulary) and GAT (current affairs + reasoning)

Mistake #5: Frequent Strategy Changes

Watching YouTube videos from different mentors leads to “strategy hopping” — changing your approach every week. This wastes time and creates confusion.

• The pattern: Week 1 follows Mentor A’s plan → Week 2 switches to Mentor B’s method → Week 3 panics and tries Mentor C’s crash course
• The fix: Choose ONE strategy (like the CUET 30-Day Plan), commit to it, and execute consistently

Mistake #6: Studying Deleted Chapters

Several subjects have officially deleted chapters for CUET 2026. Studying these wastes precious hours.

Mistake #7: Not Practising Under Timed Conditions

50 MCQs in 60 minutes means just 72 seconds per question. Students who only practise untimed lose 10–15 minutes finding their pace during the actual exam.

• Fix: From Week 3 onwards, every practice session should be timed
• Target: 50 MCQs in 50 minutes (keep 10-minute buffer for review)
• Tool: Use the CUET Gurukul CBT Simulator — it replicates the exact NTA interface with a countdown timer

Mistake #8: Skipping Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

PYQs are the most underrated resource. Students who solve 2022–2025 PYQs consistently score 20–30 marks higher than those who don’t.

• Why PYQs matter: 60–70% of concepts repeat across years in similar question formats
• How to use: Solve each year’s paper under timed conditions → analyse → note repeating topics
• Access: Free PYQ papers available on our CUET PYQ page

Mistake #9: Comparing Preparation with Others

Social media and peer groups create constant comparison anxiety. “My friend has finished 3 subjects, I’ve only done 1” — this thinking is counterproductive.

• Reality: Everyone has different starting points, subject choices, and learning speeds
• Fix: Track your OWN progress against your plan. Are you completing daily targets? That’s all that matters.
• Limit social media consumption about CUET preparation during the final month

Mistake #10: Starting GAT/Current Affairs Too Late

The General Aptitude Test requires 6 months of current affairs coverage. Starting in the last week means losing easy marks in a section that doesn’t require deep subject knowledge.

Source: CUET Gurukul Research Team — April 2026

Practice Quiz

Test your awareness of common CUET mistakes with these 10 MCQs: