Is General Aptitude Test Mandatory For CUET UG 2026?

Q: Is the General Aptitude Test (GAT) compulsory for Delhi University admissions through CUET?

No, the GAT is not compulsory for all courses at Delhi University . It is compulsory only for certain courses like BBA and BMS. For courses like B.Com (Hons), the General Aptitude Test is generally optional or not required. Students must check the DU bulletin for detailed course-wise requirements

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Getting ready for CUET UG 2026? One big question students keep asking is about the General Aptitude Test (also called the General Test). Do you really have to take it? When does it matter? Let’s clear the confusion so you can focus on preparing smartly without stress.

Do You Need to Take the General Aptitude Test?

The short answer: It depends.

The General Test (GT) isn’t compulsory for every candidate taking CUET UG 2026. It’s optional unless the university or course you’re applying to specifically requires it.

The CUET UG 2026 exam is divided into three parts:

Section I – Languages
Section II – Domain-Specific Subjects
Section III – General Test

The General Test checks:

General Knowledge & Current Affairs
Mental Ability & Logical Reasoning
Numerical Ability & Quantitative Aptitude

Think of it as a test of your overall aptitude and awareness.

You only need to take it if your target course or college makes it mandatory.

For example:

B.A., B.Voc., and B.Com. in certain universities require the General Test.
In 2026, subjects like Entrepreneurship, Teaching, Fashion Studies, Tourism, Legal Studies, and Engineering Graphics are still not offered in CUET. If you want admission in programs linked to these, your General Test score will be used instead.
If you’re applying to science or engineering programs, most likely you can skip it.

Quick Tip: Always confirm on cuet.nta.ac.in or the university’s official website. Don’t assume—check the official requirement for your course.

Is the General Aptitude Test (GAT) compulsory for Delhi University admissions through CUET?

No, the GAT is not compulsory for all courses at Delhi University. It is compulsory only for certain courses like BBA and BMS. For courses like B.Com (Hons), the General Aptitude Test is generally optional or not required. Students must check the DU bulletin for detailed course-wise requirements

Also See: CUET UG 2026 Eligibility: Age Limit, Educational Qualification & Key Requirements

What should students do if they are confused about whether to prepare for GAT or domain subjects?

If GAT is required for your prospective course, give it priority. Otherwise, focus on your core/domain subjects and language papers. Many students feel overwhelmed with GAT preparation, especially GK and quantitative topics, but practice and past papers can help significantly. Skipping GAT in non-compulsory courses won’t usually hurt admission chances

What is the best approach to finalizing CUET subjects for university admissions under new rules?

1. Wait for the official university admission bulletin (e.g., Delhi University’s bulletin).
2. Cross-check if your desired course has specific subject requirements or if certain CUET subjects are mandatory.
3. Align your CUET subject choices with your 12th standard subjects or acceptable equivalents.
4. Prepare accordingly for both domain subject papers and General Aptitude if required.
5. Don’t rush into choosing subjects based on rumors or unofficial sources like social media or coaching institutes

If a student opts for GAT but can’t prepare well, should they skip it?

If GAT is compulsory for your course, skipping it is not advisable. However, for non-compulsory courses, you can skip GAT and concentrate on domain subjects. But having some preparation for GAT can expand admission options to universities or courses that require it

Can a PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) student choose Commerce subjects like Business Studies and Economics for CUET UG 2026?

Yes, many students with PCM background consider switching to Commerce-related CUET subjects like Business Studies and Economics, especially if Physics and Chemistry feel difficult. However, final confirmation depends on the target university’s official bulletin and course eligibility criteria. It’s important to check if your chosen subjects align with the 12th-grade syllabus recognized by the university

Is it true that the CUET subject choices must be exactly the same as one’s Class 12 subjects?

Mostly yes. Universities like Delhi University may insist that the CUET subjects should match the student's 12th-grade subjects or be very closely related. For example, Business Studies and Commerce syllabus overlap significantly, so substituting one for the other is generally accepted and won't lead to admission cancellation. It’s advisable to verify this with the university’s official guidelines

Also See: CUET UG 2025 Result OUT: Check Now

Who Should Take the General Test?

You should consider taking the General Test if:

It’s Required for Your Course
Around 60% of programs (especially in Arts, Commerce, and vocational streams) may need GT. For example, many B.A. programs at central universities include it.
Your Desired Subject Isn’t Offered
If CUET doesn’t have your subject, the GT can serve as an alternative.
Subjects Dropped from CUET
In 2026, if you’re interested in dropped subjects like Teaching, Tourism, or Legal Studies, admission will be based on your GT score.
Languages Beyond the List
CUET has 13 main languages (English, Hindi, Tamil, etc.). For foreign or other specialized language programs, your GT score will matter.
Keeping Options Open
If you’re unsure about your exact course preference, attempting the GT gives you flexibility to apply to more colleges later.

CUET UG 2026 Quick Links
Notification	Exam Pattern and Syllabus
CUET UG Datesheet PDF Download	Previous Year Questions - PDFs Download
CUET UG List of Univeristies	CUET UG Marks vs. Percentile

Why This Matters

The General Test isn’t overly difficult—it’s about everyday skills like solving puzzles, reasoning, or being updated on current events.

If your course doesn’t need it → you can skip it and focus on your core subjects.
If your course requires it → a strong GT score can give you a competitive edge in admissions.

Courses that Require CUET UG General Aptitude Test

Several undergraduate programs require GT scores. Here’s a non-exhaustive list (always check with your chosen university):

Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc.)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
B.A. (Hons.)
B.A. (Hons.) LL.B.
B.Com. (Hons.) / B.Com.
BBA
BMS
Bachelor of Fine Arts
B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication
Five-Year Integrated Journalism Programs
Certificate/Diploma Courses (like ECCE, Proficiency Certificates)
B.Tech. (IT & MI) in some universities
B.A. (Hons.) Business Economics (BBE)
B.Lib.I.Sc. (Hons. with Research)

Also See: CUET UG 2025 General Aptitude: Important MCQs to Practice

General Aptitude Test Exam Pattern

As per NTA guidelines for CUET UG 2026, the exam pattern for the General Test is:

Feature	Details
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Subjects Covered	General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude
Medium	13 Languages (English, Hindi, Urdu, Assamese, Bengali, Odia, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam)
Number of Questions	50 (all compulsory)
Question Type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Marking Scheme	+5 for correct, -1 for incorrect

Also See: CUET (UG) 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus

If my course says GAT is optional, should I skip it altogether?

It’s a choice. If the universities and courses you target don’t require GAT, you can skip it and focus on your core domain subjects. However, some students prefer taking GAT to keep their admission options open across multiple universities and courses

What subjects do I need to take if I want to apply for B.Com (Hons) or BBA at Delhi University?

For DU B.Com (Hons), the General Aptitude Test is generally not compulsory, but subjects like Mathematics or Accountancy may be required depending on the course variant. For BBA, the GAT is usually compulsory

What if I skip GT and later find out I needed it for my dream college?

That’s the scariest part for many of us 😓. If you’re unsure about courses, it’s safer to give GT. That way, you’ll keep more options open and won’t regret later.

I’m already struggling with boards and domain subjects. Should I add GT preparation on top of that?

Valid worry! But the General Test doesn’t need heavy preparation like Physics or Maths. A little daily practice in reasoning, current affairs, and basic maths is enough. Think of it as a “light but scoring” section.