Are you preparing for the CUET 2025 General Test? This guide covers everything you need to ace the exam, from preparation tips to the latest syllabus and exam pattern. Unlock strategies to excel in logical reasoning, general knowledge, and numerical ability for UG admissions 2025-26.
CUET General Test Preparation Tips
How to Prepare for CUET General Test: The CUET exam (Common University Entrance Test), conducted by the National Testing Agency is a crucial examination for students planning to get admission at central, state, government, and other CUET-participating universities across India. The CUET exam serves as a common gateway for admission to a wide range of undergraduate programmes. The CUET UG 2025 is expected to be held in May/June 2025, offering students the opportunity to showcase their aptitude, knowledge, and reasoning skills. With the number of exam takers increasing every year, the CUET UG exam is becoming quite competitive, making it crucial for students to study hard and thoroughly to attain a good CUET score for admission to top-tier institutions.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.Among the three sections of CUET UG, the General Test comes under Section III. This test evaluates a candidate's logical reasoning, numerical aptitude, general awareness, and analytical abilities. Excelling in the General Test not only boosts the CUET score of a candidate but also strengthens their profile for securing admission to their desired undergraduate course and university.
Check Out: CUET Preparation Tips
With the CUET UG Exam 2025 being around the corner, it has become mandatory for candidates to start preparing for the exam along with their Boards. This article provides a detailed guide to help you excel in the CUET UG 2025 General Test. Get to know about the CUET UG General Test Exam Pattern and Syllabus here. Also, find an overall preparation strategy and subject-wise study tips to understand how to master logical reasoning, keep up with current affairs, and tackle difficult quantitative problems with confidence to improve your performance.
CUET UG General Test Exam Pattern 2025
According to NTA, there are 13 languages, 29 CUET domain subjects, and a general test in the CUET UG exam. The CUET exam pattern is almost common for all subjects, with a slight difference in the number of questions asked in the exam. Check out the CUET UG 2025 General Test Exam Pattern in the table given below:
| Features |
Details |
|---|---|
| Status of General Test Syllabus |
Available |
| CUET conducting body |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Mode of examination |
Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| CUET medium of question paper |
13 languages - English, Hindi, Urdu, Assamese, Bengali, Odia, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam |
| Number of question in General test question paper |
60 questions (50 questions to be attempted) |
| Nature of Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| CUET Marking Scheme |
+5 for correct answer -1 for wrong answer |
| CUET General Test mapping for courses |
B.A (All specialisations), BFA, Vocational subjects, B.Com., B.Des, etc |
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Q: What is the difficulty level of the CUET exam?
The difficulty level of the CUET exam ranges from moderate to tough. Since the CUET UG exam is held for multiple subjects and slots, the difficulty level of the exam varies from subject to subject. Sometimes, the difficulty level may also vary for different slots. The difficulty level of exam is also relative and the same exam's level of difficulty may vary for different candidates. While for the well prepared candidates, the difficulty level will be low, for the underprepared students, the level of difficulty will be on the higher side.
Q: What is a good score in CUET UG?
On analysing the CUET UG cut off for the academic year 2024-25, scoring above 700 marks can be considered a good score in CUET UG. Candidates scoring above 700 may fall in the category of 95+ percentile. Candidates can get admission to top universities like University of Delhi, Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and other top central universities in the desired course. Given below is the range that is considered good for admission to top universities:
- Very Good Score: 700 and above
- Good Score: 650 and above
Score range between 400-649 is considered an average score. Admission on the basis of the average score can et into any decent college in India accepting CUET scores.
Q: How do I prepare for CUET UG and Board examinations?
The syllabus for CUET UG domain subjects will be based on class 12th to reduce the stress of preparing for both the exams. To prepare for CUET UG and Board examination, here are few important tips:
- Start early preparation for CUET UG and board exams. This will give you enough time to cover the syllabus, practice the questions, and get familiar with the exam pattern.
- Create a study plan: Once you are familiar with the syllabus for both exams, create a study plan that will help you cover all the topics in a systematic manner. Make sure to allocate enough time for each subject and topic.
- Focus on the subjects that you are struggling with. Consider taking a few practice CUET UG tests to see where you stand.
- Manage your time effectively. Practice answering questions under timed conditions so that you can get used to the pressure of the exam.
- Use the right resources. There are many resources available to help you prepare for the CUET UG and board exams. These include NCERT textbooks, practice questions, and mock tests. Use the resources that work best for you and that will help you improve your knowledge and skills.
CUET General Test Syllabus 2025
The CUET General Test Question Paper 2025 will include questions from the given below topics:
- General Knowledge
- Current Affairs
- General Mental Ability
- Numerical ability
- Reasoning (simple application of basic mathematical concepts, quantitative arithmetic/ algebra geometry/ mensuration/ statistics)
- Logical and analytical reasoning
Also Read: CUET UG Question Paper
How to Prepare for CUET General Test 2025?
Aspiring candidates seeking admission in CUET Participating Universities/Colleges must appear for the CUET exam, only then they can participate in the CUET admission process. The CUET General Test is designed to assess students' aptitude, reasoning skills, and general awareness. With competition increasing every year, a focused and well-structured preparation strategy is essential. Follow the given roadmap to ace the CUET UG 2025 General Test:
1. Understand the Syllabus and Focus Areas: Before diving into preparation, it is essential to understand the CUET General Test structure and topics covered in the syllabus. The CUET General Test Syllabus includes Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. With a clear understanding of the syllabus, you can create an effective study plan and give appropriate time to each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
- Familiarize yourself with the core sections
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs: Covers recent events, history, science, and static GK.
- Logical Reasoning: Involves puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, and syllogisms.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Focuses on basic arithmetic, algebra, percentages, and ratios.
- Break the syllabus into smaller, manageable topics and set weekly goals to cover them systematically.
2. Master General Knowledge and Current Affairs: General Knowledge and Current Affairs holds a significant weightage in the CUET General Test. Keeping yourself updated with recent events and having a solid knowledge of static GK will give you an edge. Start with reliable sources for daily news and build a habit of learning about key events regularly.
- Refer to reputed newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express for national and international news.
- Magazines such as Pratiyogita Darpan and many online platforms provide monthly current affairs in one place.
- Cover areas like government policies, awards, sports, and science advancements.
- Maintain short notes for quick revision when the exam is near, ensuring you don’t miss critical information.
3. Enhance Logical and Analytical Reasoning Skills: Logical and Analytical Reasoning tests your ability to interpret patterns, solve puzzles, and analyze data. Building strong logical and analytical reasoning skills will not only help attain a good score in the CUET General Test but will also help in other competitive exams.
- Focus on frequently tested topics like syllogisms, seating arrangements, blood relations, and logical puzzles.
- Dedicate time daily to solve reasoning problems. Start with easy problems and then gradually increase the difficulty level.
- Use books like A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal for comprehensive practice.
- After solving problems, review your errors, and work on them to avoid repeating them in the future.
4. Build Numerical Ability and Quantitative Aptitude: Numerical Ability assesses your understanding of basic mathematics and problem-solving efficiency. Having a strong hold on quantitative topics will ensure you perform well in this section.
- Start with foundational concepts like percentages, averages, ratios, and time-distance.
- Apply the learned concepts through mock tests and exercises to build speed and accuracy.
- Learn time-saving techniques like Vedic math for quicker calculations.
- Refer to resources like Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal for detailed explanations and practice questions.
5. Develop Time Management Skills: Time management is essential for completing the CUET General Test efficiently and on time. Regularly practicing under timed conditions will help you balance speed with accuracy during the exam.
- During practice, allocate specific time to each section to simulate real exam conditions.
- Start with questions you can answer confidently to secure marks early and leave difficult questions for later.
- Move on from challenging questions and return to them later if time permits.
- Regular practice of CUET mock tests will improve your speed and time management.
6. Use High-Quality Study Materials: The right study resources make a significant difference in preparation. Well-structured books and online platforms made specially for the CUET exam are essential for effective learning.
- Use popular books such as Lucent’s General Knowledge for GK and Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma for math.
- Access video tutorials, practice tests, and CUET-specific courses available on online platforms.
- Solve CUET Previous years’ papers and sample tests to familiarize you with the exam format and question trends.
- Ensure you revisit key topics from these materials regularly to ensure you don't forget the concepts.
7. Practice Mock Tests and Analyze Performance: Mock Tests give you an idea of how things will be during the exam. Practice mock tests regularly to identify areas that need more focus and improvement.
- Practice complete mock tests to understand the CUET difficulty level.
- After each test, review your score, identify weak sections, and focus on improving them.
- Maintain a record of your performance to see consistent improvement over time. Adjust your preparation strategy based on test outcomes to address shortcomings effectively.
8. Revise Consistently and Stay Motivated: Regularly revise your notes to ensure that you remember what you have studied. Additionally, staying motivated throughout your preparation journey is essential for success.
- Dedicate a few hours every week to revising previously covered topics.
- Use concise notes, charts, or flashcards for quick revisions of key facts and formulas from time to time.
- Break your preparation into smaller tasks to maintain a sense of progress.
- Keep reminding yourself of your goals and the rewards of your hard work to maintain focus and enthusiasm.
Section-Wise Preparation Strategy for CUET UG General Test 2025
The CUET UG General Test is an important part of the exam for students aiming at admission to undergraduate courses at prestigious universities. Every section of the General Test requires different kinds of preparation. To ace the test, students must form a preparation strategy based on each section's requirements. Find a detailed roadmap for each section to do well in the exam:
1. General Knowledge and Current Affairs: This section tests your awareness of current events and general knowledge. A solid preparation strategy can help you score well here.
- Read newspapers like The Hindu, Times of India, and so on daily to stay updated on the current events happening in India and abroad related to science, sports, technology, entertainment industry, and economy.
- There are several platforms like GKToday, Vision IAS, etc., that will give you a compilation of monthly current affairs. Refer to those PDFs so you don't miss any news.
- Besides current affairs, Static GK is also important. Cover topics like geography, Indian history, polity, and basic science.
- Make concise notes on important events and revise them regularly so you don't forget at the time of the exam.
- Try quizzes available on different educational apps to test your knowledge
2. Logical and Analytical Reasoning: This section evaluates your ability to interpret data, solve puzzles, and draw logical conclusions.
- Start your preparation for this section with topics like blood relations, coding-decoding, syllogisms, and seating arrangements. Refer to A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal if you are a beginner.
- Solve different types of reasoning questions daily to build familiarity and increase your speed.
- Solving logical reasoning questions can take time; therefore, in the beginning, prioritize on solving the questions correctly before working on your speed.
- Solve Sudoku, crosswords, or other logic-based games to sharpen your analytical thinking.
- Practice section-wise mock tests to improve your speed and work on weak areas
3. Numerical Ability and Quantitative Aptitude: This section tests your knowledge of mathematical concepts and problem-solving efficiency.
- Revise basic concepts studied in primary school like percentages, averages, ratios, time and distance, and profit and loss.
- Refer to books like Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal for better practice.
- Accuracy and speed are of utmost importance in this exam; so, regularly dedicate time to solve math problems.
- Learn time-saving techniques like Vedic Mathematics to tackle questions efficiently.
- Simulate the exam environment and then practice quantitative questions to improve speed.
4. General Mental Ability: This section assesses problem-solving skills and a basic understanding of patterns or relationships.
- Understand basic concepts like series completion, analogy, odd-one-out, and pattern recognition as questions from these topics are mostly asked.
- Practice sample papers and previous years' question papers to understand the repetitive trends and identify the types of questions asked.
- Enhance your practice by trying mental ability quizzes available on various websites and apps.
Q: How to prepare for CUET?
Candidates are advised to strongly go through the syllabus and should understand the exam pattern and marking scheme carefully. Candidates should also solve various sample papers, mock tests and previous years' question papers. Accor to a CUET Topper, here are some simple way to prepare for the exam. According to last year's toppers, the best methods of CUET UG 2025 preparation include referring to the right books, taking regular mock tests and solving previous years' CUET question papers and following a disciplined and systematic approach. According to the toppers, NCERT is the best source of preparation. Once the syllabus is completed, students must go through revision. After this, they should take regular mock tests to understand their preparation level and also analyse to device a preparation strategy to improve their performance at the exam.
Q: Is the CUET exam conducted in online mode?
From the year 2021 onwards, CUET is conducted in computer-based mode. Till 2020, the exam was conducted in paper-pencil based (PBT) mode. The exam will continue to be conducted in the computer-based mode or online mode. As per the CUET exam pattern, the exam was conducted in two to three slots, depending on the number of applications received in a subject. There were three sections on Language, Domain Subject and General Test (optional). The number of questions and marks will vary from paper to paper.
Q: Can open students give CUET exam?
Q: How can I prepare for CUET properly in last few days?
Q: How to develop general knowledge and crack the general test paper for CUET?
Recommended Books for CUET General Test 2025
To excel in the CUET General Test section, choosing the right books that align with the CUET UG Syllabus is crucial. Below is a list of recommended books to help you prepare effectively for each topic of the General Test:
1. General Knowledge and Current Affairs
- Lucent’s General Knowledge: A comprehensive guide covering static GK topics like history, geography, polity, science, and economy.
- Manorama Yearbook: Ideal for updating general knowledge and covering important national and international events.
- Pratiyogita Darpan (Monthly Magazine): Focuses on current affairs, government policies, awards, and sports, with exam-oriented content.
- Objective General Knowledge by Arihant Experts: Offers topic-wise coverage of GK and MCQs for practice.
2. Logical and Analytical Reasoning
- A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal: A comprehensive book for puzzles, coding-decoding, syllogisms, and logical reasoning concepts.
- Logical Reasoning by Arun Sharma: Focuses on analytical puzzles, data interpretation, and reasoning problems for competitive exams.
- Test of Reasoning by Edgar Thorpe: Known for its logical reasoning content, this book provides practice questions and explanations.
3. Numerical Ability and Quantitative Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal: Covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation with detailed explanations.
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma: Offers shortcuts and techniques for solving quantitative problems quickly.
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K. Verma: Advanced-level book for students looking to strengthen numerical reasoning skills.
4. General Mental Ability
- Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey: A great resource for developing analytical thinking and solving reasoning-based problems.
- Mental Ability by B.S. Sijwali & Indu Sijwali: Covers topics like series, patterns, and problem-solving with ample practice questions.
5. Current Affairs and News Updates
- The Hindu/Indian Express (Daily Newspaper): Essential for staying updated on current affairs and improving comprehension of GK-related questions.
- Vision IAS Monthly Current Affairs: Perfect for concise and exam-focused coverage of current events.
Additional Resources
- CUET General Test Guide by Oswaal Books: Includes theory, solved examples, and practice tests aligned with the exam pattern.
- Disha CUET General Test Preparation Book: Provides comprehensive coverage of all General Test topics, including solved papers and mock tests.
- Online Resources: Platforms offering CUET-specific courses, mock tests, and live classes.
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FAQs on CUET General Test Preparation
Q. How can I start preparing for the CUET General Test 2025?
Ans. Begin by understanding the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. Create a study plan that covers all sections, including General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Use recommended books and online platforms, and focus on solving previous years' papers. Start early and gradually increase the intensity of your preparation as the exam approaches.
Q. How should I approach Logical Reasoning questions in CUET 2025 General Paper?
Ans. To excel in Logical Reasoning in the CUET 2025 exam, a structured and focused approach is essential. Logical reasoning questions are designed to assess your problem-solving skills and your ability to think analytically under time constraints. By understanding the key concepts and practicing regularly, you can enhance your logical thinking abilities and tackle even the most challenging problems with confidence. Here's how you can approach Logical Reasoning questions effectively:
- Understand the fundamental concepts of puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogisms, and blood relations.
- Practice with diverse question sets from reasoning-focused books like R.S. Aggarwal's.
- Develop a step-by-step approach to solving problems, focusing on accuracy and clarity.
- Regularly analyze your mistakes to avoid similar errors in future attempts.
Q. Can I prepare for CUET General Test 2025 alongside board exams?
Ans. Yes, it is entirely possible to prepare for the CUET General Test 2025 while studying for your board exams. However, balancing both requires proper planning and a disciplined approach:
- Design a daily or weekly plan that allocates specific time for board exam preparation and CUET General Test topics. Focus on CUET topics during the morning or evening hours and dedicate afternoons to your board subjects, or vice versa, depending on your peak productivity times.
- Subjects like mathematics, English, or general studies often overlap between board exams and CUET. Utilize this to streamline your effort by preparing for both simultaneously.
- Utilize small breaks during board exam preparation to revise high-weightage CUET topics such as logical reasoning or current affairs. This ensures consistent engagement without overwhelming yourself.
- Closer to your board exams, reduce CUET preparation intensity and focus more on board studies. Once board exams are over, shift your focus entirely to CUET preparation.
Q. What are the most scoring topics in the CUET General Test?
Ans. Certain topics in the CUET General Test are consistently scoring and can significantly boost your performance:
- Logical Reasoning: Puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, and syllogisms are usually straightforward once you understand the basics. Regular practice can help you master these high-yield topics.
- General Knowledge: Awards, government policies, and historical events are among the most commonly tested areas. Static GK topics, like capitals, important dates, and science facts, are often scoring if revised well.
- Numerical Ability: Questions on percentages, ratios, averages, and basic algebra are relatively simple with consistent practice. Focus on learning shortcuts and tricks for quicker calculations.
Prioritize these topics during your preparation as they are high-yield and typically require less time to prepare compared to broader or more complex sections.
Q. What are the common mistakes to avoid during CUET 2025 preparation?
Ans. To ensure a smooth preparation journey, avoid these common pitfalls:
- Ignoring Weak Areas: Many students focus only on their strengths and neglect weaker sections. This can lead to significant score loss. Identify your weak areas early and dedicate focused time to improve them.
- Over-Reliance on a Single Resource: Using only one book or resource limits your understanding and practice. Diversify your preparation by referring to multiple trusted sources, including mock tests and online platforms.
- Skipping Mock Tests: Mock tests are critical to understanding the exam pattern and managing time effectively. Students who skip these often struggle with pacing and question prioritization during the actual exam.
- Not Analyzing Performance: Taking tests without reviewing mistakes or understanding weak points is a missed opportunity for growth. Analyze each test thoroughly to adapt and improve your strategies.
- Procrastinating Revision: Leaving revision for the last minute leads to panic and incomplete retention. Regularly revise throughout your preparation to keep concepts fresh.
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Student Forum
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Do I need to appear in CUET for admission to Diploma in Costume Design and Garment Technology at AMU?