Is section 1 compulsory for CUET: Syllabus & Marking Scheme

Overview: If you're preparing for CUET, it's essential to understand whether Section 1 is mandatory. This article breaks down the requirements for CUET Section 1, its structure, and how it impacts your overall performance. 

Many students are often confused about whether Section 1 is compulsory for all applicants! 

• Section 1, also known as the language paper, consists of 2 parts (1A and 1B).
• This section focuses on assessing your language proficiency, a vital aspect of undergraduate studies. 

This article aims to clarify the necessity of Section 1, its structure, and its importance in the CUET exam. 

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Is Section 1 Compulsory for CUET? 

Yes! Section 1A is compulsory for CUET UG admissions across 280+ universities in India. 

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CUET Exam Pattern for Section 1 Language 

The language paper is offered in both CBT and pen-and-paper formats.

This section consists of two parts: 

• Section 1A (Compulsory): Focuses on languages that are widely used and studied across India. 
• Section 1B: Focuses on foreign languages and classical languages, offering a broader selection for candidates. 

You will be asked questions based on 13 Indian languages in Section 1A and 20 Languages in Section 1B (a mixed bag of regional Indian languages and foreign languages). 

Section 1A list of languages

It is compulsory to choose any 1 language from the table below:

Assamese	Kannada
Bengali	Malayalam
English	Marathi
Gujarati	Odia
Hindi	Tamil
Telugu	Urdu
Punjabi	-

Check: How many questions are there in CUET Exam?

Section 1B list of languages

The language papers listed below are optional or required as per the course/ college you choose. 

Arabic	Maithili
Bodo	Manipuri
Chinese	Nepali
Dogri	Persian
French	Russian
German	Santhali
Italian	Sindhi
Japanese	Spanish
Kashmiri	Tibetan
Konkani	Sanskrit

Everyone applying to CUET participating universities must take the language proficiency test.

While it's not mandatory to attempt section 1B, section 1A is compulsory, as it is essential for assessing your language skills, which are important for academic success. 

Section 1 (Language Paper) Syllabus and Particulars 

There are 13 languages in Section 1A and 20 languages in Section 1B to choose from. 

• Your proficiency will be tested through Reading Comprehension based on different types of passages–Factual, Literary and Narrative, [Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary] MCQ Based Questions.
• The Question Paper of the Language Test will not be bi-lingual.

There will be three types of passages (maximum 300-350 words) testing the following -

1. Factual 
2. Narrative 
3. Literary 

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You'll be evaluated based on your ability to understand a passage's central theme and the meanings of words used in the text. You must also thoroughly prepare for:

1. Verbal Ability
2. Rearranging the sentences 
3. Choosing the correct word 
4. Synonyms and Antonyms 
5. Vocabulary 

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Marking Scheme for Section 1 

Check the overview of the CUET UG Exam in the table below. 

Particulars	Details
Total Questions to be Attempted	40 out of 50
Duration of Language Test	45 minutes
Test Pattern	Objective type (Multiple Choice Questions)
Marking Scheme	5 marks for the correct answer
Negative Marks	-1 mark for the incorrect answer
Language (Section 1A & 1B) total marks	200

As a mandatory section, Section 1A evaluates your language proficiency.

Mastery of language skills can significantly enhance your CUET preparations, so preparing for it can provide a competitive edge. 

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Key Takeaways 

• Section 1A is Mandatory for CUET: Section 1A of the CUET, which focuses on Indian languages, is compulsory for admissions across 280+ universities in India, making it an essential part of the exam. 
• Language Proficiency Assessment: Section 1 evaluates language skills through reading comprehension, verbal ability, and vocabulary, which are critical for academic success. 
• Structure of Section 1: The section is divided into two parts: Section 1A (compulsory) covers 13 Indian languages, while Section 1B (optional) includes 20 languages, offering a mix of regional and foreign languages. 
• Marking Scheme: The language test consists of 40 out of 50 questions, with a duration of 45 minutes. Each correct answer earns 5 marks, while incorrect answers incur a penalty of 1 mark. 
• Importance of Language Skills: Mastery of the language section can significantly boost your overall CUET performance, providing a competitive edge in securing university admission.