CUET UG 2025 starts: Students find first shift moderately demanding

The Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2025 formally began today, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) holding the first session of the examination at numerous centres in the nation. Early feedback and specialist review of the first session indicate a mix of anticipated trends and unexpected changes across major subjects like English, General Test (GAT), Economics, and Chemistry.

Here's the analysis of CUET UG 2025 Day 1, Shift 1, by Karan Mehta, Co-founder at Toprankers

ENGLISH LANGUAGE: VOCABULARY TAKES CENTRE STAG

The English part this year was more vocabulary-oriented. A lot of questions were synonyms and antonyms, so students who had a good word stock had an advantage. Just three reading passages came up—one factual and two narrative—comprising about 12 questions in total. Grammar-based questions were fewer than before, and the general level of difficulty was said to be between easy and moderate.

GENERAL TESTS: LOGICAL REASONING PREVAILS

General Test, that addressed a spread of aptitude subjects, was slightly more challenging compared to last year, especially in the Quantitative Aptitude section. Logical Reasoning was presented with the maximum number of questions, whereas Current Affairs took a smaller place. Nevertheless, Static General Knowledge questions that are usually related to recent events dominated. Students averaged around 12–13 questions from the GK and Current Affairs category on average. This section was typically assigned a moderate level of difficulty.

ECONOMICS: MICROECONOMICS TAKES CENTER STAGE

Aspirants who were writing the Economics paper reported a clear emphasis on Microeconomics at the expense of Macroeconomics, with some newly introduced topics brought in by the NTA.

The passage had two reading passages and consisted of a few questions based on NCERT books and the Annual Government Budget. The bulk of the paper was easy to moderate in level, but some tricky questions stiffened even well-prepared students.

CHEMISTRY: A BALANCED AND REASONABLE PAPER

The Chemistry paper had a well-balanced set of questions from Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry. The Physical and Organic sections had each about 14 to 16 questions, whereas Inorganic Chemistry consisted of 9 to 11 questions. Numerical problems were largely formula-based and straightforward, with one or two taking more detailed derivations. The general feeling among test-takers was that the Chemistry section was the easiest of the bunch.

The CUET UG 2025 will be held in multiple shifts up to June 3. Candidates are advised to remain current by regularly checking the official NTA website for updates on shift timings, admit cards, and other necessary information.

As the exam continues, further insights are likely to be revealed that would assist future test-takers in fine-tuning their preparation plans for the next few days.