Are you aspiring to get admission into one of the premier universities through CUET 2026? Then you already know how crucial the General Test section is. This section can make or break your score, as it assesses your reasoning, aptitude, current affairs, and mental ability in one shot!.

But wait, here is the catch: Among a host of books available in the market, students often find difficulty in figuring out which CUET General Test books to prepare from. Don’t panic, our team has researched the same for you! In this handy guide, we list the most trusted and recommended books by the experts and toppers in the field, so you can nail the exam with confidence.

Why is Choosing the Right Books for the CUET UG General Test Important?

Selecting the right study material plays a very big role in CUET preparation. With so many books available in the market, it’s easy to get confused. But the right books can act as your perfect guide and save you from wasting time on irrelevant content. In short, the right set of books makes your preparation organized, efficient, and exam-ready.

  • Builds a Strong Foundation – Good books clearly explain concepts and help you strengthen your basics in reasoning, general knowledge, current affairs, and aptitude.
  • Saves Time and Effort – Instead of reading from multiple random sources, one reliable book gives you all the exam-focused topics in one place.
  • Improves Speed and Accuracy – CUET is a time-bound exam. Books with practice sets and mock tests train you to solve questions quickly and accurately.
  • Keeps You Updated – The best CUET books are revised regularly, so you always get the latest exam pattern, question trends, and updated current affairs.

CUET UG General Test Syllabus

Before you select the right books, it’s very important to know what the CUET General Test syllabus actually includes. This section is designed to test a student’s overall awareness, problem-solving skills, and logical thinking ability. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • General Knowledge & Current Affairs – Covers static GK (history, geography, polity, science, etc.) along with national and international current events. Staying updated with daily news, magazines, and yearly compilations is a must.
  • Quantitative Aptitude – Includes topics like numerical ability, arithmetic, algebra, percentage, profit & loss, and data interpretation. The focus is on accuracy and speed in solving basic to moderate-level maths questions.
  • Logical & Analytical Reasoning – Tests your ability to think logically through puzzles, coding-decoding, seating arrangements, blood relations, and analytical questions. It improves problem-solving and decision-making skills.
  • General Mental Ability – Evaluates mental sharpness and quick thinking through questions on patterns, series, classification, and simple logic.

Best Preparation Books for CUET GT Exam

Selecting the right books will help you get a good selection of useful material from which you'll be able to score high (maybe a top score) on the CUET General Test and secure admission into a university of your choice. The right books will make sure that you are methodical in covering the entire syllabus, and will make it easier for you to solidify your concepts and give you sufficient practice.

This applies to all aspects of preparation: General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude - with a well-structured book and solid syllabus, you can make it easy and effective to prepare for any subject. Students may consider the recommendations of books and authors provided in the list below and choose those that best suit their study system.

Best Books for CUET General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Best Books for CUET General Knowledge and Current Affairs

Book NameAuthor/PublisherBest For
Lucent’s General KnowledgeLucentStatic GK (History, Geography, Polity, Science)
Manorama YearbookMammen MathewAnnual Current Affairs + General Knowledge
Pratiyogita DarpanPD GroupMonthly Current Affairs & Competitive Updates
General KnowledgeArihant ExpertsQuick revision of GK topics in simple language
Current Affairs YearlyArihant PublicationsYearly Current Affairs in a concise format
India 2025Publications DivisionAuthentic Govt. Data on Economy, Politics & Schemes

Best Books for CUET Logical & Analytical Reasoning

  • A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal – Detailed concepts with practice questions.
  • Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey – Best for puzzles, seating arrangements, and analytical skills.
  • Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by S. Chand – Strengthens both basic and advanced reasoning.

Best Books for CUET General Mental Ability

  • General Mental Ability by RPH Editorial Board – Simple and clear explanations.
  • Test of Reasoning by Edgar Thorpe – Practice-oriented approach.

Also Check: Best CUET Preparation Books 2026

How to Choose the Best CUET General Test Books?

  • When selecting books, keep these points in mind:
  • Stick to one main book per subject instead of collecting too many.
  • Check if the book is updated with the latest CUET exam pattern.
  • Go for books with ample practice questions and CUET mock tests.
  • Use NCERTs for basics before moving to advanced-level books.

Toppers' Suggested Preparation Tips for CUET General Test

Below we have shared the most used preparation tips that are mostly used by the toppers to clear the CUET UG GT Exam. These smart tips will not only sharpen your preparation but also help you stay consistent and confident till the exam day.

  1. Begin with NCERT Basics – Always start your preparation with NCERT Class 9 and 10 books, especially for maths and general science. They clear your fundamentals before you move on to advanced books.
  2. Prepare Handy Notes – While studying, make short notes of important formulas, GK facts, reasoning shortcuts, and current affairs highlights. These notes will save a lot of time during last-minute revision.
  3. Practice Mock Tests Regularly – Try to attempt at least 2–3 mock tests every week. This will help you understand the exam pattern, improve time management, and increase accuracy.
  4. Daily Revision is a Must – Keep revising what you study every day. Focus more on your weak areas instead of only re-reading strong topics. This will balance your overall preparation.
  5. Stay Updated with Current Affairs – Dedicate at least 20–30 minutes daily to reading newspapers, watching news analysis, or following reliable monthly magazines for current affairs.
Also Read
CUET Syllabus 2026CUET Cut Off 2026
CUET Exam Pattern 2026CUET Previous Year Question Paper
CUET Colleges CUET UG 2026
CUET Eligibility CriteriaCUET UG Preparation 
Best Books for CUET General Test FAQs

Answer: Not necessarily. A single comprehensive book like Arihant or Oswaal covers most sections. But for extra practice, you can use a Reasoning-specific book (R.S. Aggarwal) or Current Affairs magazines.

Answer: No, NCERTs are only good for building basics in history, geography, polity, and maths. For reasoning, GK, and current affairs, you need dedicated CUET books and practice sets.

Answer: For General Test, practice is more important than theory. Once basics are clear, solve as many MCQs and mock tests as possible.

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