The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) 2025 is your pathway to top central universities like Delhi University (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and Banaras Hindu University (BHU). If you're targeting highly competitive courses at these institutions, scoring a 99+ percentile in CUET UG 2025 is often essential.
But how many marks do you actually need to secure that percentile?
In this detailed guide, we break down the CUET marks vs percentile relationship, analyze expected cutoffs based on past trends (2023 & 2024), and share expert tips to help you score 900–1100 marks for a 99+ percentile in CUET 2025.
Table of Contents
CUET (UG) 2025: Exam Structure
Before diving into marks and percentiles, let’s recap the CUET (UG) 2025 exam pattern, as outlined in the National Testing Agency (NTA) Information Bulletin:
- Total Subjects: Up to 5 subjects (from 13 languages, 23 domain-specific subjects, and 1 General Aptitude Test).
- Questions per Subject: 50 MCQs per subject.
- Marking Scheme:
- Correct Answer: +5 marks
- Incorrect Answer: -1 mark (negative marking)
- Unanswered: 0 marks
- Maximum Marks: 1250 (5 subjects × 50 questions × 5 marks).
- Duration: 60 minutes per subject test.
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) in 13 Indian languages.
- Normalization: For multi-shift exams, NTA normalizes scores to ensure fairness across shifts, converting raw marks into percentiles.
Note: In 2024, there were discussions on removing normalization due to more single-shift papers (The Hindu, April 22, 2024). However, CUET 2025 will continue normalization for multi-shift subjects.
What is CUET Percentile?
Unlike CUET marks, which are your raw score based on correct answers, the CUET percentile shows how you rank against other test-takers. It indicates the percentage of candidates who scored at or below your mark. For example:
- 90th percentile = You scored better than 90% of all candidates.
Percentiles matter because they reflect relative performance, especially when exam difficulty varies across shifts.
Marks vs. Percentile: What’s the Connection?
1. Marks: Your raw score is calculated as:
Total Marks = (Correct Answers × 5) − (Incorrect Answers × 1)
Example: 45 correct and 3 incorrect = (45×5) - (3×1) = 225 - 3 = 222 marks
2. Percentile: This is a relative score showing the percentage of candidates who scored at or below your mark. The formula is:
NTA uses normalized scores for multi-shift exams to account for difficulty variations, ensuring fair percentile calculations.
3. Why Percentile Matters: Universities like DU and BHU often use NTA Scores (percentile-based) to create merit lists. A 99+ percentile is typically required for top courses, but the exact marks needed depend on exam difficulty, candidate performance, and subject popularity.
How is CUET Percentile Calculated?
The percentile is calculated using normalized scores to ensure fairness across shifts. The formula is:
For instance, if 90,000 candidates score at or below your 222 marks in a subject, and the total number of candidates is 100,000, your percentile is:
(90,000/100,000)×100=90th percentile.
This means you’ve outperformed 90% of test-takers in that subject. Normalization adjusts raw marks for shift difficulty, ensuring percentiles reflect relative performance.
How Many Marks for a 99+ Percentile in CUET 2025?
Based on data from CUET 2023 and CUET 2024, here are rough estimates of how many marks are needed to reach a 99+ percentile.
Per-Subject Estimates (Out of 250 Marks)
| Subject | Estimated Marks for 99+ Percentile |
|---|---|
| English | 190–220 |
| Mathematics | 180–200 |
| Physics/Chemistry | 180–210 |
| Economics | 190–220 |
| General Test | 190–230 |
To achieve a 99+ percentile, aim for 180–230 marks per subject (72–92%), depending on the subject’s competitiveness and difficulty.
Overall Estimate (5 Subjects)
For the full exam (1250 marks), a 99+ percentile typically requires a total score of 900–1100 marks (72–88% overall). This range aligns with:
- CUET 2023: ~900–1150 marks for top percentiles across 5 subjects.
- CUET 2024: ~180–230 marks per subject for 99+ percentile, totaling ~900–1100 for 5 subjects.
Factors That Affect Percentile
- Difficulty Level of paper (Harder papers lower the marks needed for high percentiles).
- Number of Candidates (~13 lakh)
- Subject Popularity (English, Economics = High Cutoffs)
- Normalization across exam shifts
FAQs: CUET Marks vs Percentile 2025
What is the difference between CUET marks and percentile?
Answer: CUET marks are your raw score, calculated as (Correct Answers × 5) - (Incorrect Answers × 1) per subject. The percentile shows the percentage of candidates who scored at or below your mark, indicating your rank. For example, a 90th percentile means you outperformed 90% of test-takers. Percentiles are often used for university admissions due to normalization across shifts.
How many marks are needed for a 99+ percentile in CUET (UG) 2025?
Answer: Based on past trends, you’ll likely need 900–1100 marks out of 1250 (5 subjects × 250 marks) for a 99+ percentile. This translates to roughly 180–230 marks per subject (72–92%), depending on the subject’s difficulty and competition.
Does CUET (UG) 2025 use normalization?
Answer: Yes, normalization applies for multi-shift exams to ensure fairness across different sessions, as per the CUET (UG) 2025 Information Bulletin. This adjusts raw marks based on shift difficulty, affecting percentiles.
Can two students with the same marks have different percentiles?
Answer: Yes, due to normalization and shift variations. If one student’s exam shift is tougher, their normalized score (and percentile) may be higher than another with the same raw marks in an easier shift.
What is the total marks for CUET (UG) 2025?
Answer: The maximum marks are 1250, based on 5 subjects (each with 50 questions × 5 marks), as per the Information Bulletin
Do all universities use percentiles for CUET admissions?
Answer: Most universities use NTA Scores (percentile-based) for merit lists, but some may consider raw marks or subject-specific requirements. Check university websites for exact criteria
Still have questions about CUET 2025? Drop them in the comments, and we will get back to you soon.