Aliah University Admission Test Exam Pattern 2026
Aliah University Admission Test Exam Pattern
AUAT 2026 Exam Pattern Overview
AUAT (Aliah University Admission Test) 2026 is an offline, pen-and-paper test conducted by Aliah University, Kolkata. It is held for admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, B.Ed, and B.Sc Nursing programmes.
The exam lasts 120 minutes and carries 100 marks. It has two parts — general awareness and programme-specific subject knowledge. The question paper is bilingual, available in Bengali and English.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Aliah University, Kolkata |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen-and-Paper / OMR-based) |
| Medium | Bengali and English (Bilingual) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Total Questions | 100 (most programmes); 86–88 (select Arts programmes) |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Negative Marking | -0.25 per wrong MCQ answer |
| Question Types | MCQ (all programmes); Descriptive (select Arts programmes) |
| Sections | Part A (General Awareness) + Part B (Subject-Specific) |
AUAT 2026 Important Dates
The exam runs in two sittings. UG programmes were held in May 2026. PG, B.Ed, and B.Sc Nursing sittings are scheduled for June 2026.
Results are expected in August 2026.
AUAT 2026 Detailed Exam Pattern
The paper has two parts. Part A covers General Knowledge, General English, and Islamic History/Culture with 20 questions for 20 marks. Part B covers core subject-specific topics with 80 questions for 80 marks.
- AUAT 2026 is a 120-minute pen-and-paper test carrying 100 marks for all programmes.
- Part B carries the highest weightage — 80 questions for 80 marks in all MCQ-only programmes.
- The question paper is available in Bengali and English; candidates may answer in either language.
AUAT Marking Scheme 2026
Every correct MCQ answer earns +1 mark. Every wrong MCQ answer deducts 0.25 marks.
Select Arts programmes include descriptive questions with no negative marking.
- Correct MCQ answer: +1 mark
- Wrong MCQ answer: -0.25 marks
- Descriptive questions (select Arts programmes): no negative marking
AUAT Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2026
A uniform 100-question, 100-mark structure applies to Science, Technology, Management, Law, Education, and Nursing programmes. Select Arts programmes differ slightly by including two descriptive questions in place of some MCQs, while keeping the total at 100 marks.
| Programme Category | Total Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Most programmes (Science, Technology, Management, Law, Education, Nursing) | 100 | 100 |
| Select Arts programmes (B.A/M.A in English, Arabic, Bengali, M.A Journalism) | 86–88 | 100 |
AUAT Question Types 2026
All programmes use MCQ questions. Select Arts programmes also include descriptive questions.
B.A/M.A in English, Arabic, Bengali, and M.A Journalism include 2 descriptive questions worth 14–16 marks with no negative marking.
AUAT Programme Coverage
AUAT covers the following programmes:
- B.Tech
- BCA
- B.A
- B.Sc Nursing
- BBA+MBA
- M.Tech
- MCA
- M.Sc
- MBA
- M.A
- LL.M
- B.Ed
AUAT Official Website
The official website for AUAT 2026 is aliah.ac.in. The direct link to the AUAT 2026 page is aliah.ac.in/aliah-university-admission-test-2026.
AUAT 2026 Exam Dates
AUAT 2026 is held in two exam windows. The UG exam was held in late May 2026 and is now over.
If you are appearing for PG, B.Ed, or B.Sc Nursing, your exam is in June 2026. Check your admit card for the exact date and centre. Results for all sittings are expected in August 2026, followed by counselling and seat allotment.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Form Released | April 17, 2026 (Over) |
| Application Deadline | May 25, 2026 (Over) |
| Admit Card — UG Programmes | Mid-May 2026 (Over) |
| UG Exam | Late May 2026 (Over) |
| Admit Card — PG / B.Ed / B.Sc Nursing | Early June 2026 (Over) |
| PG / B.Ed / B.Sc Nursing Exam | June 2026 |
| Result Declaration | August 2026 |
| Counselling & Seat Allotment | August–September 2026 |
Note: Verify the exact PG/B.Ed/B.Sc Nursing exam date from your admit card or the official website at aliah.ac.in.
AUAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The AUAT 2026 paper has two parts. Part A covers general awareness and is common to all. Part B covers programme-specific subject knowledge.
For Science, Technology, Management, Law, Education, and Nursing programmes, both parts are entirely MCQ-based. Arts and Humanities programmes follow a hybrid structure. Part B includes 2 descriptive questions in place of some MCQs. The total is 100 marks across all formats.
Pattern for Science, Technology, Management, Law, Education & Nursing Programmes
This pattern applies to B.Tech, BCA, BBA+MBA, M.Tech, MCA, M.Sc, MBA, LL.M, B.Ed, and B.Sc Nursing.
| Section / Part | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Knowledge, General English & Islamic History/Culture | 20 | 1 | 20 | — |
| Part B | Core Subject-Specific (programme-dependent) | 80 | 1 | 80 | — |
| Total | — | 100 | — | 100 marks | 120 minutes |
Pattern for B.A / M.A in Arabic or Bengali & M.A in Journalism and Mass Communication
| Section / Part | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (MCQ) | General Studies | 30 | 1 | 30 | — |
| Part B (MCQ) | Core Subject (Arabic / Bengali / Journalism) | 56 | 1 | 56 | — |
| Part B (Descriptive) | Core Subject (Arabic / Bengali / Journalism) | 2 | 7 | 14 | — |
| Total | — | 88 | — | 100 marks | 120 minutes |
Pattern for B.A / M.A in English
| Section / Part | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (MCQ) | General Studies | 30 | 1 | 30 | — |
| Part B (MCQ) | Core Subject (English Literature & Language) | 54 | 1 | 54 | — |
| Part B (Descriptive) | Core Subject (English Literature & Language) | 2 | 8 | 16 | — |
| Total | — | 86 | — | 100 marks | 120 minutes |
Note: Students must attempt both descriptive questions in Part B. They are compulsory, not optional.
AUAT Marking Scheme 2026
AUAT 2026 applies negative marking of -0.25 for every wrong MCQ answer. Unattempted questions carry zero marks and do not reduce your score.
Descriptive questions (Arts programmes only) carry positive marks only. Writing a partial answer is always better than leaving it blank.
AUAT Marking Scheme 2026
AUAT 2026 uses different marking rules for MCQ and descriptive questions. The table below shows the marks for each question type.
| Question Type | Marks for Correct Answer | Marks for Wrong Answer | Marks for Unattempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (Single Correct) — All Programmes | +1 | -0.25 | 0 |
| Descriptive — B.A/M.A Arabic, Bengali & M.A Journalism (2 questions) | +7 per question (14 marks total) | No negative marking | 0 |
| Descriptive — B.A/M.A English (2 questions) | +8 per question (16 marks total) | No negative marking | 0 |
Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies to every wrong MCQ answer. Avoid random guessing, especially in Part B where 80 marks are at stake.
Marking multiple bubbles for a single MCQ on the OMR sheet counts as a wrong answer. This attracts the -0.25 deduction. There is no partial credit for MCQ questions.
AUAT Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2026
Part A is common to all programmes and tests General Knowledge, General English, and Islamic History/Culture. Part B is programme-specific and tests core subject knowledge.
The tables below show the distribution for each major programme group. Your subject focus in Part B depends entirely on what you are applying for.
B.Tech (Engineering) and BCA
| Part | Subjects / Topics | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Knowledge, General English, Islamic History & Culture | 20 | 20 |
| Part B | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (Class XI–XII level) | 80 | 80 |
| Total | — | 100 | 100 |
B.Sc Nursing
| Part | Subjects / Topics | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Knowledge, General English, Islamic History & Culture | 20 | 20 |
| Part B | Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Class XI–XII level) | 80 | 80 |
| Total | — | 100 | 100 |
B.Ed
| Part | Subjects / Topics | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Knowledge, General English, Islamic History & Culture | 20 | 20 |
| Part B | Teaching Aptitude, Subject Knowledge, Educational Psychology | 80 | 80 |
| Total | — | 100 | 100 |
M.Tech / MCA / M.Sc (PG Science & Technology Programmes)
| Part | Subjects / Topics | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Knowledge, General English, Islamic History & Culture | 20 | 20 |
| Part B | Core subject at UG level (Engineering / Computer Science / Science — programme-specific) | 80 | 80 |
| Total | — | 100 | 100 |
MBA and BBA+MBA (Management Programmes)
| Part | Subjects / Topics | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Knowledge, General English, Islamic History & Culture | 20 | 20 |
| Part B | Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Business & Management Awareness | 80 | 80 |
| Total | — | 100 | 100 |
Arts Programmes — B.A / M.A (English, Arabic, Bengali) and M.A Journalism & Mass Communication
| Part | Subjects / Topics | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (MCQ) | General Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Part B (MCQ) | Core Language / Journalism Subject | 54–56 | 54–56 |
| Part B (Descriptive) | Core Language / Journalism Subject | 2 | 14–16 |
| Total | — | 86–88 | 100 |
Note: The descriptive mark split differs by programme. B.A/M.A English carries 8 marks per descriptive question (16 total). B.A/M.A Arabic, Bengali, and M.A Journalism carry 7 marks per question (14 total).
AUAT Question Types 2026
AUAT 2026 primarily uses MCQs with a single correct answer across all four options. For select Arts and Humanities programmes, short descriptive questions appear in Part B.
Knowing the format for your specific programme prevents surprises on exam day.
AUAT 2026 Question Types and Marking Scheme
AUAT 2026 uses two question types: MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) and descriptive short-answer questions. The marking scheme differs between the two types.
| Question Type | Description | Applicable Programmes | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (Single Correct) | Four options; one correct answer; marked on OMR sheet | All programmes | +1 correct; -0.25 wrong |
| Descriptive (Short Answer) | Written response in the answer booklet; approximately 100–150 words per answer | B.A/M.A (English, Arabic, Bengali); M.A Journalism & Mass Communication | +7 or +8 per question; no negative marking |
MCQs make up over 85% of the AUAT 2026 paper even in Arts programmes. Strong MCQ strategy matters across all programme types.
- All MCQs follow a single-correct-answer format. There are no multiple-correct or assertion-reason type questions.
- Mark OMR bubbles with a black or blue ballpoint pen. Do not use pencil or gel pen.
- Arts students write their descriptive answers in a separate answer booklet provided during the exam.
- Shading more than one bubble for a single MCQ is treated as a wrong answer. It attracts the -0.25 deduction.
- There is no calculator or any digital tool provided. The exam is fully offline.
AUAT Exam Pattern: Changes in 2026 vs Previous Year
AUAT 2026 introduced a significant structural change for UG programmes. The UG paper now has 100 questions in 120 minutes, up from 50 questions in 90 minutes in 2025.
The marks per question dropped from 2 to 1 to keep the total at 100 marks. This brings UG and PG patterns to a uniform structure for the first time. PG and Arts programme patterns remain unchanged from 2025.
| Parameter | AUAT 2025 | AUAT 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Duration — UG programmes | 90 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Total Questions — UG programmes | 50 MCQs | 100 MCQs |
| Marks per MCQ — UG programmes | +2 marks | +1 mark |
| Duration — PG programmes | 120 minutes | 120 minutes (unchanged) |
| Total Questions — PG programmes | 100 MCQs | 100 MCQs (unchanged) |
| Total Marks — All Programmes | 100 marks | 100 marks (unchanged) |
| Negative Marking | -0.25 per wrong MCQ | -0.25 per wrong MCQ (unchanged) |
| Pattern Standardisation | Separate structures for UG and PG | Unified 100-question, 120-minute structure across UG and PG |
The AUAT exam pattern changed in 2026. UG programmes now have 100 questions in 120 minutes at 1 mark each. Plan your speed and negative-marking strategy around this higher question count.
How to Prepare Based on AUAT Exam Pattern
The AUAT 2026 pattern gives you a clear road map. Part B carries 80% of the marks, the negative marking is mild at -0.25, and the time per question works out to 72 seconds. Use the structure of the exam to guide your preparation, not just the syllabus.
- Put 70% of your time into Part B. With 80 questions for 80 marks in most programmes, Part B is the largest single lever in the exam. Focus on Class XI–XII textbooks for UG programmes and UG-level subject material for PG programmes.
- Do not underestimate Part A. The 20-question Part A covers General Knowledge, English, and Islamic History/Culture. These topics are predictable and straightforward if you prepare them. This section can be the difference between merit and near-merit.
- Apply the 72-second rule in practice tests. With 100 questions in 120 minutes, you have 1 minute 12 seconds per question on average. Run timed mocks to build this pace before your exam date.
- Control guessing using the -0.25 rule. If you can eliminate two of the four options, attempting the question gives a positive expected return. If you cannot eliminate any, skip it. An unanswered question scores zero, not negative.
- Arts students: treat descriptive questions as guaranteed marks. The two descriptive questions carry 14–16 marks with no negative marking. Study the typical question types from previous years and practise structured, concise written answers.
- Focus Islamic History/Culture for Part A. This sub-topic in Part A is unique to AUAT and not covered in most general GK books. Spend dedicated time on basic Islamic history, major dynasties, and contributions. This gives you an edge other general GK preparation misses.
- Solve AUAT previous years’ papers. The question distribution across Part A and Part B topics has been consistent. Previous papers show you which sub-topics in Part B appear repeatedly and how descriptive questions have been framed historically.
AUAT Exam Pattern FAQs
Is AUAT 2026 conducted online or offline?
AUAT 2026 is conducted in offline mode. It is a pen-and-paper and OMR-based test. Students fill in their answers on an OMR sheet using a black or blue ballpoint pen. There is no computer-based test (CBT) option for AUAT.
AUAT 2026 Question Count
Most programmes in AUAT 2026 have 100 MCQs for 100 marks. Arts programmes have a different structure.
- B.A/M.A in English, Arabic, Bengali, and M.A Journalism: 86–88 questions
- Arts programmes: 84–86 MCQs plus 2 descriptive questions
- Total marks for all programmes: 100
Negative Marking in AUAT 2026
Yes, AUAT 2026 has negative marking. The exam deducts 0.25 marks for every wrong MCQ answer.
- Wrong MCQ answer: -0.25 marks
- Unattempted question: 0 marks (no penalty)
- Descriptive questions in Arts programmes: no negative marking
AUAT 2026 Exam Duration
AUAT 2026 is a 120-minute (2-hour) exam for all programmes, both UG and PG. This is a change from 2025, when the UG paper was only 90 minutes.
The 30-minute increase accompanies the doubling of UG questions from 50 to 100.
Part A in AUAT 2026
Part A is a 20-question section covering General Knowledge, General English, and Islamic History and Culture. It carries 20 marks.
This section is common to Science, Technology, Management, Law, Education, and Nursing programmes. Arts programmes have a different Part A — a 30-question General Studies section for 30 marks.
Descriptive Questions in AUAT 2026
Descriptive questions appear only in select Arts programmes. Students appearing for B.A/M.A in English, Arabic, Bengali, and M.A in Journalism and Mass Communication answer 2 descriptive questions in Part B.
All other programmes — Science, Technology, Management, Law, Education, and Nursing — are 100% MCQ-based.
Part B Subjects in AUAT 2026
Part B is programme-specific. The subjects are always tied to the programme you apply for.
| Programme | Part B Subjects |
|---|---|
| B.Tech | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| B.Sc Nursing | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| MBA | Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Business Awareness |
| B.Ed | Teaching Aptitude, Educational Psychology |
| Arts | Core language or journalism subject |
Total Marks in AUAT 2026
The total marks in AUAT 2026 are 100 for every programme. Whether your paper has 86, 88, or 100 questions, the aggregate is always 100.
The higher per-question marks for descriptive answers compensate for the lower MCQ count in Arts programmes.
AUAT 2026 PG, B.Ed, and B.Sc Nursing Exam Date
The AUAT 2026 PG, B.Ed, and B.Sc Nursing exam is scheduled for June 2026. The exact date and exam centre details appear on your admit card.
The admit card is available on the official Aliah University website at aliah.ac.in. The UG sitting was held in late May 2026.
AUAT Exam Pattern Changes from 2025 to 2026
Yes, the UG pattern changed significantly. AUAT 2026 UG now has 100 questions in 120 minutes at 1 mark each.
| Year | Questions | Duration | Marks per Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 UG | 50 | 90 minutes | 2 |
| 2026 UG | 100 | 120 minutes | 1 |
The PG and Arts programme patterns remain the same as 2025. The net result is a unified structure where UG and PG papers share the same question count, duration, and marking rate.
Language of AUAT 2026
AUAT 2026 is a bilingual exam. The question paper is set in both Bengali and English.
You can choose to answer in either language. Students from Bengali-medium and English-medium backgrounds can both appear without a language disadvantage.
Marking Scheme for Descriptive Questions in AUAT 2026
Descriptive questions carry either 7 or 8 marks each depending on your programme. There is no negative marking for descriptive answers.
| Programme | Marks per Descriptive Question | Total Marks (2 Questions) |
|---|---|---|
| B.A/M.A English | 8 | 16 |
| B.A/M.A Arabic, Bengali, M.A Journalism | 7 | 14 |
AUAT 2026 Exam Mode
AUAT 2026 is conducted in offline mode. It is a pen-and-paper test where students mark their answers on an OMR sheet using a black or blue ballpoint pen. There is no computer-based test (CBT) option for AUAT.
AUAT 2026 Total Marks and Question Count
The total marks in AUAT 2026 are 100 for every programme. Most programmes have 100 MCQs for 100 marks.
- Science, Technology, Management, Law, Education, and Nursing programmes: 100 MCQs.
- Arts programmes (B.A/M.A in English, Arabic, Bengali, and M.A Journalism): 84-86 MCQs plus 2 descriptive questions, for a total of 86-88 questions.
For Arts programmes, the higher per-question marks for descriptive answers compensate for the lower MCQ count, keeping the aggregate at 100.
AUAT 2026 Marking Scheme
AUAT 2026 deducts 0.25 marks for every wrong MCQ answer. Unattempted questions score zero, with no penalty for skipping.
Descriptive questions carry either 7 or 8 marks each, depending on the programme.
- B.A/M.A English students: 8 marks per descriptive question (16 marks total for 2 questions).
- B.A/M.A Arabic, Bengali, and M.A Journalism students: 7 marks per descriptive question (14 marks total).
- Descriptive questions have no negative marking.
AUAT 2026 Exam Duration
AUAT 2026 is a 120-minute (2-hour) exam for all programmes, both UG and PG. This is a change from 2025, when the UG paper was only 90 minutes. The 30-minute increase accompanies the doubling of UG questions from 50 to 100.
AUAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The AUAT 2026 paper is divided into two parts: Part A and Part B.
Part A
Part A is a common section for most programmes. It covers General Knowledge, General English, and Islamic History and Culture.
- Science, Technology, Management, Law, Education, and Nursing programmes: 20 questions for 20 marks.
- Arts programmes: 30-question General Studies section for 30 marks.
Part B
Part B is programme-specific. The subjects are always tied to the programme you apply for.
- B.Tech: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- B.Sc Nursing: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- MBA: Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and Business Awareness.
- B.Ed: Teaching Aptitude and Educational Psychology.
- Arts: Core language or journalism subject.
Only select Arts programmes have descriptive questions in Part B. Students appearing for B.A/M.A in English, Arabic, Bengali, and M.A in Journalism and Mass Communication answer 2 descriptive questions. All other programmes are 100% MCQ-based.
AUAT 2026 Exam Language
AUAT 2026 is a bilingual exam. The question paper is set in both Bengali and English, and you can choose to answer in either language. Students from both Bengali-medium and English-medium backgrounds can appear without a language disadvantage.
AUAT 2026 Pattern Changes from 2025
The UG pattern changed significantly from 2025 to 2026. AUAT 2026 UG now has 100 questions in 120 minutes at 1 mark each, compared to 50 questions in 90 minutes at 2 marks each in 2025.
| Detail | AUAT 2025 (UG) | AUAT 2026 (UG) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 50 | 100 |
| Duration | 90 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Marks per Question | 2 | 1 |
The PG and Arts programme patterns remain the same as 2025. The net result is a unified structure where UG and PG papers share the same question count, duration, and marking rate.
AUAT 2026 Exam Dates
The AUAT 2026 PG, B.Ed, and B.Sc Nursing exam is scheduled for June 2026. The UG sitting was held in late May 2026.
The exact date and exam centre details appear on your admit card. The admit card is available on the official Aliah University website at aliah.ac.in.