CUET UG 2026: Is appearing for the General Aptitude Test (GAT) mandatory in CUET UG? Find out..

CUET UG 2026: The application process for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2026 is underway. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has invited online applications for CUET UG 2026. The last date to apply is January 30th. This means that appearing for CUET UG 2026 is mandatory for admission to undergraduate courses in 48 universities, including DU, JNU, and BHU, and applying for CUET UG 2026 is also mandatory. However, this application process is confusing students. The subject combination is proving to be a challenge for them. Many students are also unsure whether they need to select the General Aptitude Test (GAT) in their subject combination. For instance, students have many questions regarding the mandatory nature of GAT in CUET UG 2026.

Let's try to understand whether GAT is mandatory in CUET UG 2026 or not. We will also discuss which courses require GAT for admission and what is included in the GAT syllabus.

What is GAT in CUET UG?
CUET UG is conducted in a total of 37 subjects. These include three types of subjects: Section 1 (List A) includes language subjects, Section 2 (List B) includes domain or main subjects, and Section 3 includes the General Test. Section 1 includes 13 languages, while Section 2 includes 23 domain subjects. The General Aptitude Test (GAT) is a subject in Section 3 of the CUET UG subject list. A student can only appear for CUET UG in 5 out of these 37 subjects.

Is GAT mandatory in CUET UG?
A student can only appear for CUET UG in 5 subjects. One language subject is mandatory. Now the question is, is GAT (Section 3) mandatory in CUET UG? The answer is quite complex. While it's not mandatory to take the General Aptitude Test (GAT) to appear for CUET UG, the GAT score is mandatory for admission to many courses and universities. In other words, taking the GAT is not compulsory. Admission can be obtained with a CUET UG score even without the GAT, but there are many courses and universities where admission is granted only based on the GAT score. Therefore, students are advised to select their CUET UG 2026 subject combination, keeping in mind their target university and course.

GAT is required for admission to these major courses:
As you may have understood by now, the GAT score is required for admission to some courses, while it is not required for others. Let's find out which major courses require the GAT.

DU Courses requiring GAT score:

B.A. (Program)
B.Tech. Information Technology and Mathematical Innovation
B.Sc. Home Science
Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Investment Analysis (BBA-FIA)
B.A. (Hons) Business Economics (BBE)
Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS)
B.Voc. Banking Operations
B.Voc. Healthcare Management
B.Voc. Retail Management and IT
B.Voc. Software Development
B.A. Vocational Studies
Bachelor of Fine Arts
B.A. (Hons) Hindi Journalism
B.A. (Hons) Journalism
Five-Year Integrated Program in Journalism
B.A. (Hons) Multimedia and Mass Communication
Click on the link to see the courses at DU that require a GAT score.

What type of questions are asked in the GAT?

General Knowledge and Current Affairs
Quantitative Aptitude
Logical and Analytical Reasoning
Numerical Ability
General Science and Environmental Literacy

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