CUET 2025 Decoded: Cutoff vs. Merit List – What’s the Difference?
Formfees
12/04/2025
Confused about CUET 2025 rankings? You’re not alone! Thousands of students struggle to understand the difference between cutoffs and merit lists – two critical terms that decide your admission fate.
Whether you’re targeting DU, BHU, JNU, or other top universities, knowing how these work could save your seat. Let’s demystify them in under 2 minutes!
Contents
CUET Cutoff: The First Hurdle
The cutoff is the minimum score you need to cross to even be considered for admission. Think of it as the “qualifying line” for your dream course.
What Affects Cutoffs?
- Competition: More applicants = Higher cutoffs.
- Difficulty: Tougher exam? Cutoffs may drop.
- Seats: Limited seats = Higher cutoffs.
- Category: General/OBC/SC/ST have different cutoffs.
Myth Buster: Clearing the cutoff doesn’t guarantee admission – it just makes you eligible!
Example: If DU’s cutoff for B.Com (Hons) is 750/800, scoring 740 means you’re out before the race even starts.
CUET Merit List: The Final Leaderboard
The merit list is the ranked list of students who actually get seats after clearing the cutoff. It’s like the “winner’s podium” – only the top scorers make it.
What’s Inside?
- Your rank (based on CUET scores + preferences).
- Course & college allocated.
- Category-wise selections.
Key Point: If your name is here, you’re in! (Unless you reject the seat.)
Example: Even if 1,000 students clear DU’s B.Com cutoff, only the top 200 (or seats available) appear on the merit list.
Cutoff vs. Merit List: Side-by-Side
| Feature | CUET Cutoff | CUET Merit List |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Eliminates lower scorers | Ranks eligible candidates |
| Guarantees? | ❌ No (just eligibility) | ✅ Yes (seat allotment) |
| Released Before admissions begin | After cutoffs are declared | |
| Depends On | Exam difficulty, competition | Your score + seat availability |
Pro Tips for CUET 2025
Aim 10-15% above last year’s cutoffs (they fluctuate!).
Track multiple merit lists – universities often release 2nd/3rd lists if seats remain.
Prep smarter – Focus on high-weightage topics to maximize scores.
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