How to Calculate CUET Score out of 800, 1000, or 1250 with Examples
CUET score calculation stands at the core of every aspirant’s admission journey, directly influencing eligibility for top universities. In CUET-UG 2025, understanding the marking scheme, score formula, and subject aggregation helps candidates target accurate cut-offs and avoid costly mistakes. This step-by-step guide demystifies CUET marks vs percentile, normalization, and university-specific requirements—empowering you to convert raw answers into actionable scorecards and maximize your chances for your preferred college.
CUET Score Meaning and Admission Relevance
The CUET score refers to the total of marks obtained as per the Common University Entrance Test marking guidelines. Your raw score, normalized score, and percentile together determine eligibility for central and many leading universities. Most institutes—including Delhi University, BHU, and other CUET-UG colleges—base admission merit on calculated scores across chosen subjects. A high normalized CUET score ranks you better in cut-off lists for 2025 admissions.
CUET Marking Scheme Explained for All Subjects
For CUET-UG 2025, marking follows a standard NTA-approved scheme for most subject sections:
| Response Type | Score Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +5 marks |
| Incorrect/Wrong Answer | –1 mark (negative) |
| Unattempted/Blank | 0 marks |
If you attempt domain subjects, language, and general test sections—each uses the same marking. Candidates must verify from the official information bulletin if any exceptions apply to a specific subject or shift.
Step-by-Step CUET Score Calculation Process
- Count the total number of correct answers you attempted in each section.
- Multiply each correct response by 5 marks.
- Tally the total number of incorrect answers across all attempted questions.
- Multiply each wrong answer by –1 (subtract from your total).
- Add all section scores to get the overall raw marks.
- Confirm the sum matches your selected formula—usually out of 800 (5 subjects × 40 questions × 5 marks) or 1250 (if all 5 subjects + language + general test are included).
For example, with 5 subjects and 40 questions per subject, the calculation for a candidate with 150 correct and 25 incorrect responses would be:
(150 × 5) – (25 × 1) = 750 – 25 = 725 out of 800.
CUET Score Conversion for Different Maximum Marks
Whether you’re targeting a score out of 800 (commonly 5 subjects) or out of 1250 (with additional papers), always stick to the ‘correct × 5 minus incorrect × 1’ formula for each section. Adjust your aggregate as per your subject combination:
- For 4 subjects: Max score = 4 × 40 × 5 = 800
- For 5 subjects: Max score = 5 × 40 × 5 = 1000
- With language/general test, total = subjects + language/general (varies with university eligibility)
Most cut-off calculations by universities and colleges follow these patterns for selecting top scorers.
CUET Normalization and Percentile Calculation Method
Because CUET-UG occurs across multiple days and shifts, the NTA applies a normalization process to ensure fairness. Your normalized CUET score reflects your performance relative to others in your session. Percentile score, often used in merit lists, is calculated by:
This means your percentile shows the percentage of candidates you’ve outperformed. Universities usually rely on normalized scores and percentiles to issue rank lists; a higher percentile increases your admission chances.
Subject Aggregation and University-Specific CUET Calculations
Some institutions, like Delhi University and BHU, specify the exact subjects to be considered for aggregate calculation. For DU, the ‘Best 4+1’ system or core subjects may be combined for the final score out of 800 or 1000 as required by each course.
- Always check the eligible subject combinations before applying averages or totals.
- Top universities may exclude language or general tests unless program-specific.
Your final aggregate should match university guidelines for valid score consideration in cut-offs.
Common Mistakes in CUET Score Calculation
- Forgetting to deduct marks for incorrect responses (negative marking applies).
- Miscalculating maximum scores due to subject count mismatch.
- Mixing up raw marks and percentile—both are different and serve distinct purposes in admissions.
- Ignoring normalization; cut-offs are based on normalized, not raw, scores.
To double-check, always refer to your university’s program page and compare with your calculated score.
CUET Score and Recent Cut-Off Trends
Recent years have witnessed rising cut-offs for popular CUET-UG courses. For many top Delhi University programs, a normalized score of 700+ out of 800 (or a percentile above 98) has become the new bar. Admission to competitive subjects often demands near-perfect responses in selected sections as universities shortlist candidates based on highest aggregate normalized scores.
To compare your performance, always analyze CUET Cut-Off data to set realistic targets for your chosen course and university.
Quick Checklist for CUET Score Calculation Accuracy
| Step | Check |
|---|---|
| Correct answers × 5 | Marks for all correct responses |
| Incorrect answers × –1 | Deduct marks for every wrong answer |
| Sum per subject | Add marks subject-wise first |
| Verify with official answer key | Match responses to CUET Answer Key |
| Aggregate total out of 800/1000/1250 | Use correct number of subjects attempted |
| Calculate percentile if required | Apply official percentile formula |
| Compare with cut-off trends | Analyze latest scores via CUET Result and CUET Cut-Off |
Mastering CUET score calculation arms you with clarity in analyzing your results and setting focused admission targets. Understanding the formula, normalization, and university-specific rules will help you convert your exam attempts into tangible success for CUET 2025. Regular practice with official documents and past data ensures your score calculation is always on point.
FAQs on CUET Score Calculation Made Easy: Marks, Percentile & Normalization Explained
1. How do you calculate CUET score?
To calculate your CUET score, add the marks obtained in each section based on the official marking scheme. Common steps include:
- Assign +5 marks for every correct answer.
- Deduct –1 mark for each incorrect response.
- No marks for unanswered questions.
- Total the scores across all attempted subjects to get your overall CUET score.
2. What is a good score on the CUET?
A good CUET score generally depends on the university, course, and cut-off trends. However, for most competitive universities:
- Scoring above 700 out of 800 is typically considered excellent.
- Scores above 600 are often sufficient for popular courses in many universities.
- Always compare your score with the previous year’s cut-offs and specific course requirements for accurate insights.
3. How to calculate passing score?
The passing score for CUET is set by each participating university and may vary by course. To calculate or estimate it:
- Check official notifications for minimum qualifying marks per subject and total.
- Review last year’s cut-off marks in your chosen university/course.
- Typically, universities set a minimum percentage or percentile criteria, not just a fixed score.
4. How to calculate percentile score?
Your CUET percentile score shows your relative performance compared to all test-takers. To calculate percentile:
- Formula: Percentile = (Number of candidates below your score / Total candidates) × 100
- Find your raw score and check how many candidates scored less than you.
- Apply the formula for each subject or total as needed.
5. How to calculate CUET score out of 800?
To calculate your CUET score out of 800 marks:
- Total all correct answers (each correct = +5 marks).
- Subtract 1 mark for every wrong answer.
- No deduction for unattempted questions.
- Add up the section-wise scores until your total marks reach a maximum of 800.
6. How to calculate CUET score for 5 subjects?
To get your CUET score for 5 subjects:
- Calculate each subject’s raw score (using +5 for correct, –1 for incorrect).
- Add the scores of all five selected subjects.
- The total gives your combined score, for instance out of 800 or 1000, based on the number of questions in each subject.
7. How to calculate CUET score percentage?
To find your CUET score percentage:
- First, sum your total CUET marks from all required subjects.
- Divide the total marks obtained by the maximum possible marks (e.g., 800 or 1000).
- Multiply the result by 100.
This percentage is often required during counselling and admissions.
8. How to calculate CUET score out of 1000?
To calculate your CUET score out of 1000:
- Apply the standard marking scheme for each subject.
- Sum your section-wise marks for all attempted subjects (e.g., 5 subjects with 200 marks each).
- Ensure the total calculation covers the full 1000 marks if required by your university/course.
9. How to calculate CUET score out of 800 for 5 subjects?
For CUET score out of 800 for 5 subjects:
- Each subject typically accounts for 160 marks (5 subjects × 160 = 800).
- Mark +5 for correct and –1 for incorrect answers, per the official pattern.
- Total marks from all 5 subjects give your final score out of 800.
10. CUET percentile calculator: How to find my percentile in CUET?
To calculate your CUET percentile:
- Note your total score and rank.
- Find the count of candidates scoring below your mark.
- Apply: Percentile = (Candidates below you ÷ Total candidates) × 100.
