CUET UG 2026 Exam Analysis May 12: Shift 2 More Lengthy, Students Rate Paper Moderate
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CUET UG 2026 May 12 Exam Leaves Students Surprised, Shift 2 Paper Turns Lengthy for Many
The second day of CUET UG 2026 created a buzz among students after candidates walked out of examination centres with mixed reactions about the May 12 paper. While some students described the exam as “comfortable and NCERT-based,” others admitted that the second shift became unexpectedly lengthy, especially in sections involving calculations and reasoning.
With lakhs of aspirants competing for admission into top central universities, every shift of CUET UG is now being closely analysed by students, teachers, and coaching experts across the country.
What Was the Overall Difficulty Level?
Based on feedback collected from candidates who appeared in both shifts, the overall difficulty level remained between easy-to-moderate. However, several students felt the paper tested speed more than difficulty.
The morning shift was considered smoother, while Shift 2 appeared slightly more time-consuming due to lengthy passages and multi-step numerical questions.
Shift 1 Review: Students Found the Paper Balanced
Candidates who appeared in the first shift said the exam followed a familiar pattern. Questions were largely concept-driven and aligned with NCERT textbooks.
Student Feedback From Shift 1
- English section was direct and scoring
- Biology included several NCERT-based questions
- Chemistry focused more on conceptual understanding
- Physics had numerical questions but remained manageable
- General Test required quick decision-making
Many students claimed mock test practice helped them manage time effectively during the first shift.
Shift 2 Analysis: Why Students Called It “Lengthy”
The second shift generated stronger reactions online shortly after the exam ended. Several aspirants said they struggled to complete the paper within the allotted time.
Key Reasons Students Found Shift 2 Tougher
1. Lengthy Reading Passages
English passages in Shift 2 reportedly required more reading time compared to earlier sessions.
2. Time-Consuming Numerical Questions
Physics and General Test sections included calculations that demanded multiple steps.
3. Analytical Reasoning Questions
Candidates noticed that logical reasoning questions were less direct and required deeper analysis.
Despite this, students agreed that the exam was not “out of syllabus.” Most questions were still rooted in standard NCERT concepts.
Subject-Wise Difficulty Level
| Subject | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| English | Easy to Moderate |
| Physics | Moderate |
| Chemistry | Moderate |
| Biology | Easy |
| General Test | Moderate to Lengthy |
Topics That Appeared Frequently in the Exam
Based on memory-based discussions among candidates, these chapters were repeatedly mentioned after the exam:
Physics
- Electrostatics
- Current Electricity
- Ray Optics
- Semiconductor Devices
Chemistry
- Coordination Compounds
- Organic Chemistry Reactions
- Chemical Bonding
- Electrochemistry
Biology
- Genetics
- Human Physiology
- Ecology
- Biotechnology
English
- Vocabulary
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Synonyms and Antonyms
Real Student Reactions After CUET UG 2026 Exam
Students from different cities shared varying experiences after the exam.
A candidate from Delhi said the paper felt “easier than expected initially,” but time pressure increased during the final section.
Another aspirant mentioned that students who revised NCERT thoroughly would likely perform well, especially in Biology and Chemistry.
Several candidates also posted online that mock tests played a major role in handling the paper pattern confidently.
What This Means for Upcoming CUET UG 2026 Shifts
Experts believe upcoming CUET papers may continue following the same moderate trend with stronger focus on conceptual clarity and speed management.
Students appearing in the next shifts should now focus on:
- Revising NCERT line-by-line
- Practising mock tests daily
- Improving calculation speed
- Managing sectional timing carefully
- Avoiding panic due to social media reactions
Expected Cut-Off Trend
Although official cut-offs depend on normalization and overall performance, students and educators predict that high-demand courses in top universities may still see competitive scores this year.
If upcoming shifts remain moderate, cut-offs for popular programs could remain stable or slightly increase.
What Happens Next?
After completion of all exam shifts, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release:
- Provisional answer key
- Response sheet
- Objection window
- Final answer key
- CUET UG 2026 result
Candidates should regularly check official announcements for updates regarding scorecards and counselling schedules.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Most students rated the paper as moderate, though Shift 2 felt more lengthy and time-pressured.
Experts believe the overall pattern may remain similar, but students should prepare for speed-based questions and conceptual application.
Physics and the General Test were considered comparatively more challenging by many students.
I’m Aditi Sharma, a passionate content writer currently pursuing my MA in English from Magadh University. With a strong command of language and a flair for storytelling, I specialize in crafting engaging articles, blogs, and creative content. My academic background enhances my ability to write well-researched, compelling, and grammatically refined pieces. I aim to create content that informs, inspires, and resonates with diverse audiences.
