CUET GAT Preparation 2026: Best Study Tips to Score Full Marks in General Test Exam

The CUET General Test Paper, now known as General Aptitude Test (GAT), is compulsory for admission to various UG courses. As observed in the CUET UG result statistics from each year, the GAT paper is among the most popular exams taken by lakhs of students. To ensure excellent marks in this paper, candidates should know CUET GAT preparation strategy. In this article, we have provided the expert CUET GAT preparation 2026 tips that will help you score full marks.

CUET GAT Preparation

The CUET General Aptitude Test is a key element of Section III within the CUET UG Exam. It includes multiple topics such as General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, and Logical Reasoning. Over 280 CUET universities mandate that you take the General Aptitude Test to be eligible for admission. For effective CUET GAT preparation, it is essential for candidates to know the important topics, analyze past year trends, and familiarize yourself with the type of questions. 

CUET GAT Preparation 2026

The UET 2026 exam is expected to take place in May-June 2026 for admission to central, state, deemed and private universities like DU, BHU, JNU, JMI, AMU, BBAU, and more. It is essential to recognize that CUET Section III consisting of the GAT paper is not mandatory for every candidate. A student is required to take this test only if it’s necessary for the degree program they wish to take admission to. Considering this, candidates should thoughtfully evaluate their particular needs before moving forward. However, if you are planning to appear in the General Test paper, then you should follow the CUET GAT preparation 2026 strategy provided by experts and toppers.

CUET General Test Preparation Strategy 2026

Aspiring students who want to get into universities or colleges that take part in the CUET process must take the CUET exam first. Only after taking the exam can they move forward with the admission process. The CUET General Aptitude Test checks students’ aptitude, reasoning, and general knowledge. Since the competition is getting tougher every year, it’s important to prepare well and have a good plan. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for the CUET UG 2025 General Test:

1. Know the Syllabus: Before you start preparing, it’s important to understand the structure of the CUET General Test and the topics included in the syllabus. The test covers Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Knowing the syllabus will help you create a study plan that works for you, giving enough time to each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.

• General Knowledge and Current Affairs: This part covers recent events, history, science, and general facts.
• Logical Reasoning: This includes puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, and syllogisms.
• Quantitative Aptitude: This involves basic arithmetic, algebra, percentages, and ratios.

2. Check Latest Exam Pattern: The NTA keeps revising the CUET GAT exam pattern on a regular basis, the most recent modifications introduced last year. The CUET GAT paper consists of 50 MCQs that must be solved in 60 minutes. The exam takes place in online mode. For every correct answer, students get +5 marks while 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.
3. Improve Your General Knowledge and Current Affairs: These areas are important in the CUET General Test. Keeping up with the latest news and having a good understanding of static general knowledge can help you score better. Start by reading from trusted sources every day and make it a habit to learn about important events regularly.

• Read respected newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express for national and international news.
• Use magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan or online platforms that bring together monthly current affairs in one place.
• Cover topics like government policies, awards, sports, and scientific developments.
• Make short notes for quick revision before the exam so you don’t miss any important information.

4. Build Your Logical and Analytical Reasoning Skills: Logical and Analytical Reasoning tests your ability to spot patterns, solve puzzles, and analyze data. Having strong reasoning skills will not only help in the CUET General Aptitude Test but also in other competitive exams.

• Focus on commonly tested topics like syllogisms, seating arrangements, blood relations, and logical puzzles.
• Solve reasoning problems every day. Start with simple ones and move on to harder ones as you get better.
• Use books like A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.
  S. Aggarwal for thorough practice.
• After solving problems, go through your mistakes and work on them to avoid repeating them in the future.

5. Build Numerical Ability and Quantitative Aptitude: This part checks how well you understand basic math and how quickly you can solve problems. Having a good grasp of quantitative topics will help you do well in this section.

• Start by learning the basic ideas like percentages, averages, ratios, and time-distance.
• Use mock tests and exercises to practice and improve your speed and accuracy.
• Learn quick calculation methods like Vedic math to save time.
• Use books like Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R. S. Aggarwal for detailed explanations and practice questions.

6. Develop Time Management Skills: Managing time well is important to finish the CUET General Aptitude Test on time and efficiently. Practicing under a time limit will help you balance speed and accuracy during the exam.

• When practicing, give a set time to each section to feel like exam conditions.
• Start with questions you are sure about to get marks early and leave the harder ones for later.
• If a question is too tough, move on and come back to it later if time allows.
• Regularly doing CUET mock tests will help improve your speed and time management skills.

7. Use High-Quality Study Materials: The right study materials are very important for good preparation. Books and online resources especially made for the CUET exam help you learn effectively.

• Use popular books like Lucent’s General Knowledge for general knowledge and Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma for math.
• Use video tutorials, practice tests, and CUET-specific courses from online platforms.
• Solve previous years’ papers and sample tests to get used to the exam pattern and types of questions. Make sure to review important topics from these materials often to keep the concepts fresh in your mind.

8. Practice Mock Tests and Analyze Performance: Mock tests help you know what to expect during the actual exam. Do mock tests regularly to find areas you need to work on and improve.

• Take full mock tests to understand the level of difficulty.
• After each test, check your score, find the weak areas, and work on them. Keep a record of your performance to track your progress over time.
• Use your test results to adjust your study plan and fix any weak areas.

How to Prepare for CUET General Test (GAT) 2026- Important Topics

Check the important topics from each section for effective CUET GAT preparation 2026 below.

CUET GAT Preparation 2026- Question Distribution

Review the table below to discover the number of questions asked from different topics in the CUET General Aptitude Test exam below:

CUET GAT Preparation- Previous Trends

Following the steps to grasp how to prepare effectively for the CUET general test involves examining key subjects and trends from past years.

In the year 2025,

• The difficulty level of the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section was once more challenging.
• Many students could not complete all 50 questions since the QA section required considerable time and involved calculations.
• Logical Reasoning (LR) posed inquiries regarding Venn diagrams, sequences, familial relationships, timepieces, and calendars.
• Questions covered books and authors in GK, geography, and Indian polity, along with articles and fundamental duties, among other topics.

In the year 2024,

• The GK and current affairs segment included approximately 25 questions, totaling 125 marks in weightage, marking a notable rise from past years.
• The sections on reasoning and quantitative ability were rather complicated and challenging.
• Understanding the weightage of each topic will assist you in structuring and strategizing your study approach to enhance your scores.