Planning to crack the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) 2026 for admission to various undergraduate programs? After all, the most sensible and intelligent way to crack CUET 2026 is to know the English syllabus inside out! While there are a lot of things to think about for the CUET, English is the subject that almost 75 per cent of students are going to appear for while studying for CUET 2025, so right off the bat, make sure your English is perfect, especially because it is required in most UG courses.
If you want to come close to a perfect score of 250/250, you must be incredibly confident in what you are going to get. This article is going to take you through the CUET syllabus 2026 for English in a straightforward and student-friendly fashion with all the essential topics and cool study prep tips. So, whichever stage you are at in your English prep, starting or reviewing, this is a plain sailing piece of guidance to give you a head start!
CUET English Syllabus 2026
A well-planned starting point for CUET UG English preparation can lead to opportunities in the top-most central, state, and deemed universities across the country. It is always essential to begin in the right way. First, you must go through the CUET UG English syllabus in detail as released by the competent exam authority. Doing this gives you a clear idea of what you will have to work on - whether it is reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, or verbal ability.
Once you are aware of what there is to study, the prep is easier, and you can target the right types of questions to practice. You also need to do things like working on sample papers, cultivating your reading habits, and learning time management from the beginning. With the correct approach and consistent practice, and hard work, it is not difficult to accomplish the required CUET English score you want.
Section-wise CUET English Syllabus
The English section is an important component of Section I of the CUET UG Exam. The CUET English Syllabus 2026 is designed to assess your language skills in a way similar to top English honors programs, covering the same expectations: reading comprehension, vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms, sentence rearrangement/restructuring, correct word choice, and verbal ability. To maximize your performance in the English section, it is critical to read the entire syllabus and to prepare for the section with a plan. The CUET English syllabus consists of the following sections:
- Reading Comprehension (200-350 Words)
- Verbal Ability
- Choosing the correct word
- Rearranging the parts
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Vocabulary
CUET UG Detailed Topic-Wise English Syllabus 2026
Every year, the NTA publishes the newly updated CUET UG 2026 syllabus along with the changes made in the exam pattern for all subjects, including English. This year, the test will be held in a computer-based format again. Students can now choose any subject, even if they didn’t study it in Class 12. The English section of CUET will focus on key areas like reading comprehension, verbal ability, rearranging sentences, word choice, synonyms and antonyms, vocabulary, and more. Here are the important topics you should focus on for the Language Section to boost your preparation and score well.
CUET English Syllabus 2026 | |
Sections | Topics |
Reading Comprehension (200-350 Words) | This section consists of three different types of Passages: Factual, Narrative, and Literary & Poetry Extracts |
Vocabulary | Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms, Phrases, One-Word Substitution, Confusing Words & Error Spotting, Foreign Words |
Grammar | Tense, Parts Of Speech, Narration, Figure Speech, Active Voice and Passive Voice, Clause |
Verbal Ability | Rearrange Sentences/Parajumble, Choosing the Correct Word |
CUET UG English Exam Pattern 2026 [Revised]
The CUET UG English exam tests your language skills in a fun and student-friendly way. It includes reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and understanding literary texts. You’ll answer multiple-choice questions based on unseen passages, synonyms and antonyms, and sentence correction. The paper checks how well you understand and use English in everyday and academic settings. Students can check the overview of the latest CUET UG Exam Pattern in the Table below:
CUET UG English Exam Pattern 2026 [Revised] | |
Name of the exam | CUET UG English exam |
Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test Mode (CBT) |
Total Number of Questions | 50 |
To be Attempted | 50 |
Type of question asked | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Marking Scheme | +5 for each correct answer -1 for each incorrect answer |
Exam Duration | 60 Minutes |
CUET English Mapping for Course | Bachelor of Arts - English (Honours) |
Best Books for CUET UG 2026 English Preparation
Looking for the best books to crack CUET UG English? The right study material can make your preparation smooth and effective. With clear explanations, practice questions, and smart strategies, these books help build a strong foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. Boost your confidence and score higher with the right resources! Students can check the list of books in the table below.
Best Books for CUET UG English Exam Preparation | ||
Name of the books | Author | Description |
Objective General English | by S.P. Bakshi | This book covers grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension |
The Official Guide to the GRE General Test | By ETS | This includes sections on verbal reasoning that can be useful for the CUET exam. |
Word Power Made Easy | by Norman Lewis | A great resource for building vocabulary in a fun way |
English Grammar and Composition | by Wren and Martin | A classic book that explains grammar rules clearly. |
A Practical English Grammar | by A.J. Thomson and A.V. Martinet | Good for understanding grammar concepts and practice. |
Toppers' Suggested Prep Tips for CUET English Exam
All the students willing to take the CUET UG English exam must be looking for the best toppers' suggested preparation tips that are actually useful. No need to worry, we've got you covered. Here we have discussed the CUET preparation strategy that is followed by most of the top students.
Understand the CUET UG English Exam Pattern
The CUET UG English exam consists of the following Sections:
- Reading Comprehension (based on Factual, Literary, Narrative passages)
- Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, One Word Substitution)
- Grammar Usage (Tenses, Voice, Direct-Indirect Speech, Modals)
- Literary Devices (Figures of Speech)
- Verbal Ability (Para-jumbles, Sentence Correction)
Daily Practice Plan (Topper Style)
Reading Comprehension Practice – Daily (30 mins)
- Practice 2 RC passages daily from CUET previous paper Question Papers or mock tests.
- Improve reading speed and understanding of tone, theme, and inference.
- Topper Tip: Highlight keywords in questions and passages for quicker reference.
Vocabulary Building – Daily (20 mins)
- Learn 10 new words daily (meaning + usage in a sentence).
- Use flashcards or apps like Anki or notebooks.
- Focus on:
- Idioms & Phrases
- Synonyms/Antonyms
- One Word Substitutions
Grammar Revision – Alternate Days (30 mins)
- NCERT Grammar Books (Class 9–10 level) or Wren & Martin.
- Focus areas:
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Tenses
- Active-Passive
- Reported Speech
- Prepositions & Articles
Verbal Ability – 2–3 times a week (20–30 mins)
- Para jumbles, sentence correction, and fill in the blanks.
- Practice from Arihant, MTG CUET Guide, or Edugorilla mocks.
Mock Tests & PYQs – Non-Negotiable
- Solve 1 full-length mock every 3 days.
- Practice Previous Year Questions (PYQs) from the past few years.
- Analyze mistakes: grammar rules, vocabulary errors, comprehension gaps.
Books and Resources Toppers Recommend
- NCERT Class 10 English - Comprehension & grammar base
- Wren & Martin - Grammar rules + practice
- Arihant CUET English - Full syllabus + mock tests
- MTG CUET English Book - Practice & strategies
- Edugorilla CUET UG English - Topic-wise questions
Weekly Study Planner for CUET UG English Prep (Topper-style):
A smart weekly study plan can make your CUET UG English preparation easy and stress-free. With the right balance of reading, grammar, vocabulary, and practice tests, you can improve step by step every day. Staying consistent with a simple routine will boost your confidence and help you score better. Start your journey the right way! Students can check the complete weekly study plan in the table below.
Weekly Study Planner for CUET UG English Prep | |
Day | Task |
Monday | RC x2, Vocab x10, Grammar (Tenses) |
Tuesday | RC x2, Vocab x10, Para-jumbles |
Wednesday | RC x2, Vocab x10, Grammar (Voice) |
Thursday | Mock Test, Analysis |
Friday | RC x2, Vocab x10, Sentence Correction |
Saturday | RC x2, PYQs, Grammar (Narration) |
Sunday | Full Revision, Flashcards, Light RC |