How to prepare for CUET English Paper 2025? Check Out Step-by-step Guide to Maximize your CUET Score

CUET 2025 exam will be conducted in May/June 2025. Don't know how to prepare for the CUET English paper? Worry not! This guide will provide everything you need — CUET exam pattern, preparation tips, and recommended materials. Master reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary with expert strategies to ace the CUET English test!

CUET English Exam Preparation Tips

Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a common platform for students aiming to secure admissions in central, state, and other CUET-participating universities across India. The exam evaluates a candidate's aptitude in different subjects, such as English. The CUET exam for the academic year 2025-2026 is expected to be conducted in May/June 2025, with the CUET UG Application to be released in February 2025. Students have around four months to begin their preparation. Given the high competition, students must have a solid preparation strategy to achieve success.

The CUET English paper is a critical part of the exam as it tests a student’s proficiency in reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and verbal ability. Excelling in this section can significantly boost your overall CUET score. Students should focus on understanding the exam pattern, strengthening their basics, and practicing with CUET-specific material to perform well.

Check Out: CUET UG Notification 2025

As the CUET 2025 exam approaches, now is the perfect time to start preparing for the exam along with the Boards. CUET includes three sections - Language, CUET Domain Subjects, and General Aptitude; and English falls under Section - I (Language). To attain a good CUET score and secure a seat in the desired CUET participating university/college, students need to understand the CUET exam structure and prepare a focused schedule accordingly. Check out the below space for a detailed roadmap on the preparation strategy for the CUET English Exam.

LATEST UPDATE: CUET UG 2025 Major Changes Announced; Check Deleted Subjects, Duration, Questions, Mode

CUET English Exam Pattern 2025

The National Testing Agency lays down the CUET UG exam pattern for all subjects and sections. Check out the below table for the CUET English Exam Pattern:

Must Read: Stream-wise Best UG courses options through CUET: Engineering, Science, Commerce, Arts

CUET English Syllabus 2025

According to the revised CUET exam pattern, no optional questions will be given in the test paper, and candidates must attempt all the questions. With no choice in the questions, candidates must study more thoroughly to ensure they can answer as many questions as possible within 60 minutes. To prepare well for the exam, start with understanding the CUET 2025 English Syllabus given below:

• Reading Comprehension: There will be three types of passages (maximum 300-350 words):
  • Factual
  • Narrative
  • Literary
• Verbal Ability
• Rearranging the parts
• Choosing the correct word
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• Vocabulary

Also Read:

• CUET UG Syllabus
• CUET UG Question Paper

How to prepare for CUET 2025 English Test?

Preparing for the CUET English exam requires a well-structured approach that covers all aspects of the syllabus, from reading comprehension to grammar and vocabulary. Follow the given below strategies to excel in the CUET 2025 exam:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Ensure a clear understanding of the exam structure and syllabus. The CUET English paper generally includes reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and verbal ability questions

• Reading Comprehension evaluates your ability to understand, interpret, and infer information from passages. Questions might include identifying the main idea, author’s tone, or conclusions.
• Vocabulary focuses on your knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and contextual usage of words.
• Grammar tests your understanding of language rules through sentence correction, error spotting, and rearrangement exercises.
• Verbal Ability demands analytical thinking to complete sentences, arrange paragraphs, or fill gaps logically.

2. Build a Strong Grammar Foundation: Grammar is the most important part of the CUET English Language Paper and being good at grammar is essential to perform well in the exam.

• Start revising grammar basics like parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, tenses, sentence structure, etc. A good grasp of the basics of grammar can ensure a strong foundation.
• To ensure you do not forget the basics, regularly solve grammar-focused exercises such as spotting errors, correcting sentences, active-passive voice, etc,.
• Don't forget to revise topics such as conjunctions, prepositions, and modifiers, as questions from these topics are often asked in the exam. 
• Make sure to practice grammar regulalry to improve accuracy and build confidence.

3. Master Reading Comprehension: Reading comprehension helps evaluate your understanding of the text and your ability to answer questions related to it efficiently.

• Read editorials, newspapers, and online articles regularly to learn about different writing styles and topics. It will enhance your reading speed and comprehension skills.
• To do well in the reading comprehension section, make yourself good at skimming (reading quickly to get the main idea) and scanning (looking for specific details). These techniques will help you attempt questions in less time.
• Start with easy passages to get a hint of the types of questions asked and then move to complex passages. While reading the passage focus on identifying the theme, tone, and structure.

4. Expand Your Vocabulary: Work on your vocabulary as it is important to attempt questions on antonyms, synonyms, fill-in-the-blanks, idioms, etc.

• Make a habit of learning new words daily. Use vocabulary-building apps or dictionaries such as Word Power Made Easy.
• Memorizing the context is not enough. While reading a question, you should be able to understand every word's meaning to attempt the questions correctly. So make sure to work on it.
• Create your vocabulary notes, daily write words with their meanings, and examples, and revise them consistently to ensure you remember them. 

5. Develop Time Management Skills: Time management is crucial for competitive exams like CUET, as you must balance speed with accuracy.

• Solve CUET previous years’ papers and mock tests within the allocated time limit to understand the actual exam environment.
• Start the exam with questions you are confident about to secure marks early, then move to more challenging ones. This prevents getting stuck on a single section.
• Do not give excessive time to one question. If you are unsure about the answer, leave it and move forward to maximize your overall CUET score.

6. Use Quality Study Materials: Along with regular study, the right material is also essential to score well in the exam.

• Refer to well-known books like Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for vocabulary and Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi for grammar.
• Solve previous year's question papers to understand the exam’s question trends and difficulty levels.
• Regularly practice with these resources to sharpen your skills.

7. Take Regular Mock Tests: Mock tests simulate the actual exam environment, helping you evaluate your preparation.

• By taking mock tests under exam-like conditions can help you understand the exam format and boost your confidence.
• Analyze your performance after each test and identify the areas of improvement.
• Focus on the weak sections and simultaneously maintain your hold on the sections in which you are already strong.
• Make sure to consistently practice mock tests so you do not feel anxious on the exam day.

8. Practice with Sample Papers and Previous Year Questions: Sample papers and previous year question papers give you insights into the questions asked in the exam.

• Solve previous years' papers and sample papers to understand the question patterns and improve speed and accuracy.
• Take a look at the challenging questions repeatedly to understand the mistakes you made and avoid repeating them in the future.
• With previous years' question papers, you can also identify the frequently asked questions or topics and prioritize your preparation accordingly.

Check Out: CUET English Question Paper 2024

9. Stay Consistent and Motivated: Consistency is key to mastering any subject.

• Create a daily study timetable and include all topics of the syllabus. Break it into small manageable parts to ensure you do not exert yourself in one go.
• Set achievable targets to stay motivated like learning a certain number of words or completing specific grammar exercises daily.
• Maintain a positive mindset, reminding yourself of your goals and the rewards of your hard work.

10. Revise Regularly: It’s easy to forget what you’ve learned if you do not revise regularly.

• Allocate specific days or hours for revision every week. Go through your notes, vocabulary lists, and solved papers, and look for the topics where you need more study.
• Focus on weak areas, ensuring you address them before the exam.
• Use mock tests and quizzes as tools for active revision, helping you retain concepts better and refine your approach.

Also Read: CUET Preparation Tips 2025

CUET English Preparation for Non-Native Speakers

Preparing for the CUET English exam can be daunting for non-native English speakers but success can be achieved with the right strategies and consistent effort. Non-native English speakers often face challenges like lack of comprehension fluency, unfamiliarity with basic grammar rules, and limited vocabulary. However, a properly structured approach can overcome this shortcoming.

1. Start with the Basics of English: Building a strong foundation is crucial for non-native speakers.

• Learn Basic Grammar: Understand basic grammar concepts such as tenses, parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Study from books like High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin.
• Work on Pronunciation and Phonetics: Listen to English audio materials and podcasts, or watch English news channels to understand the pronunciation. Apps like Duolingo or the British Council’s LearnEnglish can help with spoken language nuances.
• Use Beginner-Friendly Material: Start with simple texts, children’s books, or beginner-level English newspapers to slowly build comprehension skills.

2. Focus on Vocabulary Development: Expanding your vocabulary is vital for both reading comprehension and writing sections.

• Daily Word Learning: Set a target to learn 5–10 new words daily. Focus on their meanings, usage, synonyms, and antonyms.
• Contextual Learning: Instead of just memorizing, learn words through their usage in sentences or stories. It will help you remember the words for a long time.
• Use Flashcards and Apps: Vocabulary apps like Vocabulary.com, Quizlet, or WordUp are excellent for interactive learning.
• Practice Commonly Used Words: Start with high-frequency words often used in exams and everyday English.

3. Enhance Reading Comprehension Skills: Reading comprehension can be challenging for non-native speakers, but regular practice can significantly improve performance.

• Read Daily: Read articles from English newspapers (e.g., The Hindu, Indian Express) and focus on editorials for diverse topics.
• Understand Instead of Memorizing: Try to grasp the meaning and context of passages instead of merely focusing on words you don’t know.
• Practice Skimming and Scanning: Learn skimming and scanning to save time during the exam.
• Summarize What You Read: Read a passage and write its summary in your own words. This improves retention and comprehension.

4. Work on Grammar Through Practice: Grammar is a major component of the CUET English paper, with consistent practice you can turn it into a scoring section.

• Take Grammar Quizzes: Solve online grammar quizzes or exercises daily to reinforce learning.
• Correct Your Mistakes: When practicing, analyze errors in your answers to understand your weak areas.
• Learn Sentence Construction: Practice forming sentences using new grammar rules and vocabulary words to build fluency.

5. Improve Listening and Speaking Skills: Listening and speaking are essential for developing overall English proficiency.

• Engage with English Media: Watch movies, TED Talks, or documentaries in English with subtitles. Gradually move to watching without subtitles to test comprehension.
• Practice Speaking: Converse with friends or join language exchange platforms like HelloTalk to practice speaking English in real-world contexts.
• Record Yourself: Record your reading aloud or speaking practice to identify pronunciation or fluency issues.

6. Solve Previous Year Papers and Mock Tests: Familiarity with the CUET English question format can reduce exam stress and improve confidence.

• Practice Past Papers: Solve CUET English question papers from previous years to understand question types and difficulty levels.
• Simulate the Exam Environment: Take mock tests under timed conditions to build exam stamina and manage anxiety.
• Analyze Performance: Identify strengths and weaknesses from mock tests and work on areas needing improvement.

7. Use Bilingual Resources If Needed: Non-native speakers may benefit from materials that explain concepts in their native language.

• Bilingual Grammar Guides: Use books or online resources that provide grammar explanations in your native language alongside English examples.
• Translate and Learn: Translate challenging English passages into your native language to grasp the meaning, then re-translate them back into English for practice.

8. Stay Consistent and Seek Help When Needed: Consistency is the key to mastering English, especially for non-native speakers.

• Daily Practice Routine: Dedicate specific hours to reading, grammar, and vocabulary practice daily.
• Join a Class or Group: Enroll in an English course or join a study group to learn collaboratively and stay motivated.
• Get Feedback: Ask teachers, friends, or mentors to review your writing or speaking skills and provide constructive feedback.

9. Build Confidence Through Incremental Goals: Learning a new language is a gradual process, and small wins keep you motivated.

• Set Short-Term Goals: Start with easily achievable targets, such as understanding a short article or writing a basic paragraph.
• Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge improvements, no matter how small, to stay motivated.

10. Stay Positive and Patient: Improving English skills takes time, especially for non-native speakers. Maintain a positive mindset and stay patient with yourself as you progress. Remember, consistent effort yields results and every small step brings you closer to success in the CUET English exam.

Recommended Books for CUET 2025 English Exam

The CUET English exam is a crucial component of CUET UG exams, evaluating a candidate's proficiency in reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and verbal ability. To ace this section, choosing the right study material is essential. Well-structured and comprehensive books help strengthen your basics and provide ample practice through exercises and CUET mock tests.

With CUET 2025 approaching, students must focus on books that cater to the exam’s requirements. This guide lists some of the best resources to prepare effectively for the CUET English section, covering all aspects of the syllabus. These books, authored by experts and trusted by aspirants, are tailored to improve your conceptual clarity, accuracy, and speed.

• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
• Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
• High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
• English Language Comprehension Skills by Arihant Experts
• CUET 2025 English Guide by Oswaal Books
• Reading Comprehension for Competitive Exams by Disha Experts
• Idioms, Phrases, and Proverbs with Usage by Oxford

Read More:

• CUET Preparation Books 2025
• CUET 2025 Difficulty Level
• Strategy to Manage CUET exam preparation along with Boards
• Last Minute Preparation Tips for CUET 2025