1. Why the CUET General Test still rules admissions
From 2022 to now, the CUET General Test (Section III) has become the common yard‑stick for entry into 300‑plus universities. The 2026 intake is projected to cross 20 lakh applicants, with more than 300 institutes—central, state, deemed—short‑listing you on one digital scorecard. Learncrew’s coaching team sees the General Test as the equaliser: it rewards clear reasoning, mental math and real‑world awareness rather than board‑specific syllabus quirks. Crack this single paper and every BBA, BCom, Eco (Hons), Liberal Arts and many BSc programmes stay within reach.
Learncrew tip: Our mentors at learncrew.org start General‑Test drills six months out, weaving daily GK capsules into your board‑study routine.
2. CUET UG 2026: Exam snapshot
| Section | Mode | Questions to attempt | Marks | Duration | Marking scheme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Languages (Sect I) | CBT | 50 (all) | 250 | 60 min | +5 / –1 |
| Domain Subjects (Sect II) | CBT | 50 (all) | 250 | 60 min | +5 / –1 |
| General Test (Sect III) | CBT | 50 (all) | 250 | 60 min | +5 / –1 |
NTA maintained the 50‑question, 60‑minute pattern after tweaks in 2025; no additional changes are expected for 2026. Career LauncherProper Noun
3. Tentative CUET UG 2026 timeline
| Event | Expected window | Pro tip |
|---|---|---|
| Application form live | 25 Feb – 30 Mar 2026 | File in Week 1 to avoid server jams. |
| Fee‑payment deadline | 30 Mar 2026 (23:50 IST) | Double‑check chosen subjects. |
| Correction window | 2 – 5 Apr 2026 | Limited fields editable. |
| City‑intimation slip | Mid‑April | Book travel early if needed. |
| Admit card download | 3 days before slot | Print two copies. |
| Exam dates | 10 May – 2 Jun 2026 | Plan revision buffers. |
| Result | Late June 2026 | Keep login creds handy. |
Timeline based on NTA’s published cadence projections for 2026.
Application portal: exams.nta.ac.in/CUET‑UG (opens once registration begins).
Also read: CUET registration
4. CUET General Test 2026 syllabus at a glance
| Area | What turns up | Sample topics |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical Ability & Quantitative Reasoning | Class‑10 math in fast‑calc avatar | Time & Work, Percentages, DI charts, Profit‑Loss, Mensuration, Probability |
| Logical & Analytical Reasoning | Pattern‑spotting, argument tests | Series, Coding‑Decoding, Directions, Syllogisms |
| General Mental Ability | Speed + accuracy | Venn Diagrams, Blood Relations, Ranking |
| GK & Current Affairs | Static + last 18 months news | Capitals, sports winners, govt schemes |
Learncrew classroom hack: Every Saturday session starts with a 12‑minute “News Flash” quiz to keep current‑affairs muscle toned.
5. Six‑step beginner’s game‑plan (Learncrew methodology)
Step 1 – Decode the blueprint
Print the official syllabus, mark your weak zones. Awareness kills surprises.
Step 2 – Diagnostic mock (Week 0)
Attempt the free NTA sample on Learncrew’s mock interface. Tag each error as “concept‑gap” or “silly slip.” This sheet becomes your personalised to‑do list.
Step 3 – Foundation build (Months ‑6 to ‑4)
- Quant: Revisit Class 9‑10 NCERT; log formulas in a flash‑deck.
- Reasoning: Solve two Sudokus plus one seating‑arrangement puzzle daily.
- GK: 15 minutes with Learncrew’s Telegram digest every night.
Step 4 – Sectional drills (Months ‑4 to ‑2)
Quant sprint sets (30 Qs/day), reasoning mini‑mocks, monthly CA PDFs. Maintain a “calculation hacks” diary.
Step 5 – Full mocks & deep analysis (Last 60 days)
Target 16–20 exam‑style mocks. For each:
- Rework every wrong/guessed question untimed.
- Spot recurring traps (units, “except,” rushed reading).
- Adjust section‑order; many Learncrew toppers do GK→LR→Quant.
Step 6 – Exam‑day protocol
Arrive 90 min early; attempt easy‑confidence questions first. Maintain 80 %+ accuracy—negative marks sting.
6. 24‑week study timetable (example)
| Phase | Weeks | Weekly focus | Success metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 1‑6 | Quant basics + 25 LR Qs/day + daily GK | 60 % accuracy in drills |
| Build‑up | 7‑12 | Add DI, puzzles; monthly CA compendium | Syllabus complete once |
| Acceleration | 13‑18 | Tue/Fri sectional mocks; Sun error‑log review | <40 min per section, 70 % accuracy |
| Simulation | 19‑22 | 2 full mocks/week at exam hour | 200/250 score thrice |
| Fine‑tune | 23‑24 | Flash‑revise weak chapters, speed drills | 80 %+ accuracy, calm mindset |
All timed mocks available inside Learncrew’s CUET General Test Master‑Series dashboard.
7. Section‑wise pro tips
| Section | Quick wins | Learncrew insider trick |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical Ability | Memorise squares 1‑30 & cubes 1‑15. | “R‑P‑S” (Read‑Plan‑Solve) sheets: write plan before calculation to cut silly slips. |
| Logical Reasoning | For seating puzzles, sketch circles, not tables. | Use colour‑codes (R/L) on the circle—saves 30‑40 seconds per set. |
| General Mental Ability | Draw Venns for syllogisms; label quickly. | Convert “All A are B” into B ⊆ A arrow on paper—visual clarity. |
| Current Affairs | Follow “7‑7‑7 rule” (7 headlines, 7 names, 7 numbers daily). | Sunday recap quiz inside Learncrew app with leaderboard gamification. |
8. Free & paid resources you can tap
| Need | Resource | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Official mock interface | NTA Abhyas app | Free |
| All‑India mock leaderboard | Learncrew CUET Live Mock Sundays | Free |
| GK capsules | Learncrew Telegram channel | Free |
| Quant video playlist | YouTube “Maths by Arvind Kalia” | Free |
| Full coaching | Learncrew General‑Test Master‑Series 2026 | ₹7,999 (early‑bird) |
9. Five mistakes most first‑timers make
- Blind guessing: 20 wild guesses → –20 marks.
- Over‑focusing on one topic: Spending a month on algebra kills breadth.
- Ignoring error logs: Without logs, you repeat the same trap.
- Mock binge without analysis: Quantity ≠ quality.
- Skipping revision: Memory fades in seven days—schedule spaced repeats.
10. FAQs (2026 edition)
Q: Do I even need the General Test if my dream course is science‑heavy?
A: Many universities still use Section III for tie‑breaks—or mandate it for interdisciplinary programmes. Safer to prepare.
Q: What’s a safe score in 2026?
A: Trend‑line shows 190‑200/250 puts you in the 95th percentile; aim for that band.
Q: Is NCERT alone enough for Quant?
A: NCERT builds basics; add RS Aggarwal + Learncrew’s speed‑math workbook for shortcuts.
11. Pep‑talk before you dive in
Preparing for the CUET General Test isn’t a 12‑hour grind; it’s about stacking 60‑minute habits consistently over 24 weeks. Every Learncrew mock teaches a new hack; every GK capsule adds a mark. Keep the rhythm, celebrate micro‑wins, and remember: tenacity beats talent when talent skips revision.
See you at the top of the 2026 merit list—armed with a CUET General Test score that unlocks the campus of your dreams. And if you need a structured push, the mentors at Learncrew are just a click away: learncrew.org.
