How Many Attempts for Cuet

How Many Times CUET Exam Held in a Year? Everything You Need to Know

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) has rapidly become one of the most important entrance exams for undergraduate admissions in India. Managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA), CUET opens the doors to prestigious central, state, and private universities across the country. Among the many questions students and parents ask during preparation, a common one is — how many times CUET exam held in a year?

The straightforward answer is: CUET is conducted once a year. This annual examination is typically scheduled between May and July, depending on the academic calendar and other national entrance exams. The schedule is announced by NTA well in advance to give students ample time to register, prepare, and make informed decisions about their preferred courses and universities.

Introduced in 2022, CUET was created to bring uniformity and fairness to the undergraduate admission process. Instead of relying solely on Class 12 marks, universities now admit students based on their CUET scores. With this change, CUET has seen massive participation, with over 14.9 lakh students registering in its first year. In 2023, the number of applicants crossed 16.8 lakh. This shows the growing importance of the exam and why it is closely watched by students and institutions alike.

Now, while CUET is officially held only once each year, it is conducted over multiple days, shifts, and phases. This is necessary due to the large number of candidates, a wide range of subject combinations, and logistical requirements. For example, in 2023, CUET was conducted over a span of nearly one month with students appearing on different dates according to their selected subjects. However, for each student, CUET is a single attempt per year — meaning you can only appear once annually and cannot reappear in a different phase during the same cycle.

Each year, NTA issues an official notification around February or March, announcing the exam dates, application start and end dates, subject options, and test format. The admit cards are released a few weeks before the test, and the actual CUET exam usually takes place from mid-May to mid-June. Results are generally declared within 3 to 4 weeks, giving students time to apply for counselling or centralized admission processes.

Many students often ask whether CUET will be held twice a year in the future — similar to exams like JEE Main, which are conducted biannually. As of now, there is no official announcement or plan by NTA to conduct CUET more than once a year. Any changes to this format would be announced through official NTA bulletins or press releases. Until then, students must plan their preparation carefully, keeping in mind that they get one opportunity each year.

This annual structure also means that time management and early preparation are critical. Students currently in Class 11 or the early part of Class 12 are encouraged to begin understanding the syllabus, university requirements, and CUET structure as early as possible. Waiting until the last few months can lead to rushed preparation and missed opportunities.

To summarize, when it comes to how many times CUET exam held in a year, the answer is:

• Once a year, typically between May and July
• Conducted over multiple days and sessions due to the large candidate pool
• Each student is eligible for one attempt per cycle
• There is currently no provision for multiple CUET exams in the same year

If you’re planning to take CUET, it’s important to stay updated with official NTA notifications and begin preparation with a solid strategy. Practice through mock tests, understand the syllabus, and make sure your subject choices align with your preferred university courses. CUET is a single-shot opportunity each year — make it count by preparing smartly and well in advance.