CUET Maths Syllabus | Paper Pattern, Preparation Tips… and More

Maths syllabus for CUET: According to the exam conducting body (NTA), the Maths syllabus for CUET will comprise the complete NCERT class 12 Maths syllabus. Various Boards (CBSE, ICSE, or state Boards) might omit a few chapters, but CUET questions can be asked anywhere in the NCERT syllabus. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) is a centralised entrance exam. It gives all aspiring students nationwide an equal opportunity to get seats with their desired UG course at the country's most prestigious universities/colleges.

Students aspiring to pursue Maths as their UG subject should thoroughly review the CUET Maths syllabus and prepare well for the test. All the UG admission to Maths courses in the participating universities (280+) will be based on the candidate’s CUET scores. It is paramount that one prepares well and scores high marks in CUET. Go through the CUET 2025 syllabus for Maths and check the paper pattern to prepare a suitable strategy to ensure CUET success.

This article will help students with a brief overview of the CUET Maths syllabus and the paper pattern. Students will also be provided a few preparation tips and a detailed strategy for CUET Maths preparation. Follow the article till the end to get all the necessary details that students are required to know about the exam and start comprehensive CUET Maths preparation.

Maths Syllabus for CUET

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the detailed CUET maths syllabus on its official website. The same has been discussed in detail here. The mathematics syllabus for CUET (UG) is vast and is divided into two brief sections. Both sections are equally important and should be covered with utmost diligence. Find the detailed section and unit-wise Maths syllabus for CUET 2025 in the table below and explore how to prepare Mathematics for CUET.

The Detailed CUET Mathematics Syllabus

The entire CUET Maths syllabus is standard for Applied Maths and Core Maths and is divided into 3 broad sections. The sections are namely -

The sections-wise detailed Mathematics syllabus for CUET (UG) has been tabulated below.

CUET Maths syllabus: Section A - Compulsory section

Unit

Chapter

Sub-Unit

1.

Algebra

(i) Matrices and types of matrices

(ii) Equality of matrices, transpose of a matrix, symmetric and skew-symmetric matrix

(iii) Algebra of matrices

(iv) Determinants

(v) Inverse of a matrix

(vi) Solving of simultaneous equations using the matrix method

2.

Calculus

(i) Higher-order derivatives

(ii) Tangents and normals

(iii) Increasing and decreasing functions

(iv) Maxima and minima

3.

Integration and its applications

(i) Indefinite integrals of simple functions

(ii) Evaluation of indefinite integrals

(iii) Definite integrals

(iv) Application of integration as the area under the curve

4.

Differential

equations

(i) Order and degree of differential equations

(ii) Formulating and solving differential equations with

variable separable

5.

Probability

distributions

(i) Random variables and their probability distribution

(ii) Expected value of a random variable

(iii) Variance and standard deviation of a random variable

(iv) Binomial distribution

6.

Linear programming

(i) Mathematical formulation of linear programming problem

(ii) Graphical method of solution for problems in two variables

(iii) Feasible and infeasible regions

(iv) Optimal feasible solution

Maths syllabus for CUET: Section B1 - Mathematics Core

Unit

Chapter

Sub-Unit

Relations and Functions

Relations and

functions

Types of relations: Reflexive, symmetric, transitive and equivalence relations. One-to-one and onto functions, composite functions, the inverse of a function. Binary operations.

Inverse

trigonometric

functions

Definition, range, domain, principal value branches.

Graphs of inverse trigonometric functions. Elementary properties of inverse trigonometric functions.

Algebra

Matrices

Concept, notation, order, equality, types of matrices, zero matrices, transpose of a matrix, symmetric and skew-symmetric matrices. Addition, multiplication, and scalar multiplication of matrices, simple properties of addition, multiplication, and scalar multiplication. Non-commutativity of multiplication of matrices and existence of non-zero matrices whose product is the zero matrix (restricted to square matrices of order 2). Concept of elementary row and column operations.

Invertible matrices and proof of the uniqueness of inverse, if it exists; (Here, all matrices will have real entries).

Determinants

Determinants of a square matrix (up to 3×3 matrices), properties of determinants, minors, co-factors, and applications of determinants in finding the area of a triangle. Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix.

Consistency, inconsistency, and a number of solutions of a system of linear equations by examples, solving systems of linear equations in two or three variables (having a unique solution) using the inverse of a matrix.

Calculus

Continuity and differentiability

Continuity and differentiability, a derivative of composite functions, chain rules, derivatives of inverse Trigonometric functions and derivatives of implicit functions. Concepts of exponential, logarithmic functions. Derivatives of log x and ex. Logarithmic differentiation. Derivative of functions expressed in parametric forms. Second-order derivatives.Rolle’s and Lagrange’s Mean Value theorems (without proof) and their geometric interpretations.

Applications of derivatives

Applications of derivatives: Rate of change, increasing/decreasing functions, tangents and normals, approximation, maxima, and minima (first derivative test motivated geometrically and second derivative test given as a provable tool). Simple problems (that illustrate basic principles and understanding of the subject and real-life situations). Tangent and normal.

Integrals

Integration is an inverse process of differentiation. Integration of a variety of functions by substitution, partial fractions, and parts, only simple integrals of the type – is to be evaluated.

Definite integrals as a limit of a sum. Fundamental Theorem of calculus(without proof). Basic properties of definite integrals and evaluation of definite integrals.

Applications of the integrals

Applications in finding the area under simple curves, especially lines, arcs of circles/parabolas/ellipses (in standard form only), the area between the two above said curves (the region should be clearly identifiable).

Differential

equations

Definition, order, degree, general and particular differential equation solutions. Formation of differential equations whose general solution is given.Solution of differential equations by the method of separation of variables, homogeneous differential equations of first order, and first degree.

Vectors & Three-Dimensional Geometry

Vectors

Vectors and scalars, magnitude and direction of a vector. Direction cosines/ratios of vectors.Types of vectors(equal, unit, zero, parallel and collinear vectors), position vector of a point, negative of a vector, components of a vector, the addition of vectors, multiplication of a vector by a scalar, position vector of a point dividing a line segment in a given ratio. Scalar(dot) product of vectors, projection of a vector on a line. Vector(cross) product of vectors, scalar triple product.

Three-dimensional Geometry

Direction cosines/ratios of a line joining two points.

Cartesian and vector equation of a line, coplanar and skew lines, the shortest distance between two lines. Cartesian and vector equation of a plane.The angle between (i)two lines,(ii)two planes, and (iii) a line and a plane. Distance of a point from a plane.

Linear Programming

Introduction, related terminology such as constraints, objective function, optimization, different types of linear programming(L.P.) problems, mathematical formulation of L.P problems, graphical method of solution for problems in two variables, feasible and infeasible regions, viable and infeasible solutions, optimal feasible solutions (up to three non-trivial constraints).

Probability

Multiplications theorem on probability. Conditional probability, independent events, total probability, Baye’s theorem. Random variable and its probability distribution, mean, and variance of haphazard variable. Repeated independent(Bernoulli) trials and binomial distribution.

CUET Mathematics Syllabus: Section B2 - Applied Mathematics

Unit

Chapter

Sub-Unit

Numbers, Quantification,

& Numerical

Applications

Modulo arithmetic

  • Define the modulus of an integer
  • Apply arithmetic operations using modular arithmetic rules

Congruence modulo

  • Define congruence modulo
  • Apply the definition to various problems

Allegation and mixture

  • Understand the rule of allegation to produce a mixture at a given price
  • Determine the mean price of a mixture
  • Apply the rule of allegation

Numerical problems

  • Solve real-life problems mathematically

Boats and streams

  • Distinguish between upstream and downstream
  • Express the problem in the form of an equation

Pipes and cisterns

  • Determine the time taken by two or more pipes to fill

Races and games

  • Compare the performance of two players w.r.t. time,
  • distance taken/distance covered/ Work done from the given data

Partnership

  • Differentiate between active partner and sleeping partner
  • Determine the gain or loss to be divided among the partners in the ratio of their investment with due consideration of the time volume/surface area for a solid formed using two or more shapes

Numerical inequalities

  • Describe the basic concepts of numerical inequalities
  • Understand and write numerical inequalities

Algebra

Matrices and types of matrices

  • Define matrix
  • Identify different kinds of matrices

Equality of matrices, Transpose of matrix, Symmetric and Skew symmetric matrix

  • Determine the equality of two matrices
  • Write transpose of the given matrix
  • Define symmetric and skew-symmetric matrix

Calculus

Higher order derivatives

  • Determine second and higher-order derivatives
  • Understand the differentiation of parametric functions and implicit functions Identify dependent and independent variables

Marginal cost and

marginal revenue using derivatives

  • Define marginal cost and marginal revenue
  • Find marginal cost and marginal revenue

Maxima and minima

  • Determine critical points of the function
  • Find the point(s) of local maxima and local minima and corresponding local maximum and local minimum values
  • Find the absolute maximum and absolute minimum value of a function

Probability Distribution

Probability distribution

  • Understand the concept of Random Variables and its Probability Distributions
  • Find the probability distribution of a discrete random variable

Mathematical expectation

  • Apply arithmetic mean of frequency distribution to find the expected value of a random variable

Variance

  • Calculate the Variance and S.D.of a random variable

Index Numbers & Time-Based Data

Index numbers

  • Define Index numbers as a special type of average

Construction of index numbers

  • Construct different type of index numbers

Test of adequacy of index numbers

  • Apply time reversal test

Index Numbers & Time-Based Data

Population and sample

  • Define Population and Sample
  • Differentiate between population and sample
  • Define a representative sample from a population

Parameter and statistics

and statistical

interferences

  • Define parameter with reference to population
  • Define statistics with reference to the sample
  • Explain the relation of parameter & statistic
  • Explain the limitation of statistics to generalize the estimation of population
  • Interpret the concept of statistical significance and statistical inferences
  • State central limit theorem
  • Explain the relation between population-sampling distribution-sample

Index Numbers & Time-Based Data

Time series

  • Identify time series chronological data

Components of time

series

  • Distinguish between different components of time series

Time Series analysis for univariate data

  • Solve practical problems based on statistical data and Interpret

Financial Mathematics

Perpetuity, sinking

funds

  • Explain the concept of perpetuity and sinking fund
  • Calculate perpetuity
  • Differentiate between sinking fund and saving account

Valuation of bonds

  • Define the concept of valuation of bond and related terms
  • Calculate value of the bond using the present value approach

Calculation of EMI

  • Explain the concept of EMI
  • Calculate EMI using various methods

Linear method of

depreciation

  • Define the concept of the linear method of Depreciation
  • Interpret cost, residual value, and useful life of an asset from the given information
  • Calculate depreciation

Linear Programming

Introduction and related terminology

  • Familiarize with terms related to the linear programming problem

Mathematical formulation of linear programming problem

  • Formulate linear programming problem

Different types of linear programming problems

  • Identify and formulate different types of LPP

Graphical method of solution for problems in two variables

  • Draw the graph for a system of linear inequalities involving two variables and to find its solution graphically

Feasible and infeasible regions

  • Identify feasible, infeasible unbounded regions

Feasible and infeasible solutions, optimal feasible solution

  • Understand feasible and infeasible solutions
  • Find the optimal feasible solution

From a preparational perspective, students must gain awareness of the detailed CUET exam pattern for Mathematics along with the CUET maths syllabus. This all-around knowledge about the syllabus and paper pattern always comes in handy and makes preparing mathematics for CUET easier at every step.


CUET Maths Exam Pattern

The detailed CUET Mathematics question pattern is discussed below:

  • There will be one question paper containing two sections, i.e., A and B [B1 and B2].
  • Section A will have 15 questions covering both, i.e. Mathematics/Applied Mathematics which will be compulsory for all candidates.
  • Section B1 will have 35 questions from mathematics, of which 25 must be marked.
  • Section B2 will have 35 questions from applied mathematics, of which 25 must be marked.
  • The maximum time allotted for the CUET Maths paper will be 60 minutes.
  • The exam will be conducted in an online ( CBT mode).

Now that students are fully aware of the detailed CUET maths syllabus and exam pattern, they must prepare a suitable plan to prepare Mathematics for CUET.

But how can mathematics be prepared for CUET best and most effectively? The article will suggest a tailor-made strategic plan for CUET Maths preparation.


Suggested Readings

CUET 2025 Registration

CUET Eligibility Criteria

CUET University List

CUET Online Coaching


How to Prepare Mathematics for CUET

While preparing, it is crucial that students spend their time judiciously and smartly. This judicious and intelligent investment of time is driven by a proper plan and timetable. This article will now assist students by suggesting tried and tested methods to help prepare Mathematics for CUET.

A Suitable Timetable

A disciplined and routine approach is very vital for any kind of preparation. This can only be achieved by charting out a suitable timetable, considering the length of the CUET Maths syllabus and the time students have. The timetable must ensure that one covers the whole syllabus in time and that there is enough time to practice and revise. Once the timeline is ready, students must follow it with discipline and punctuality.

The Thorough Grip of the Syllabus

Knowing the CUET syllabus is insufficient to know how to prepare mathematics for CUET. A thorough grip means students must also identify and prioritise the chapters based on their importance. One has to understand their strengths and weaknesses and work on them. This will give students better clarity and smoothen their approach. At all costs, students need to ensure that their preparation remains syllabus-specific and goal-oriented.

Consistency & Time Management

While planning, how to prepare Mathematics for CUET? It is crucial that students take care of these two things. Most chances of succeeding depend on how well students manage their time and their consistency with the routine. Managing available time and consistency in the effort is most desired in any aspirant. If one can ensure these two, the chances of succeeding are automatically higher.

Practice and Revision

This is the final and most crucial step that no one should skip. This will sharpen exam preparedness in every aspect. Once students finish the syllabus, they should revise judiciously and repeatedly review the critical sections. Aspirants are advised to solve as many practice sets as possible and to appear for mock tests. By doing this, candidates will get an opportunity to manage their time well in exams and familiarize themselves with the exam atmosphere.

For CUET 2024, NTA received 14 lakh (approx) applications. Going by the hype around it, CUET 2025 will easily beat the numbers. Students from all corners of the country apply for the test, and the expected competition will be tough. It is going to be a very difficult journey for the students. The students should review the brief CUET maths syllabus to understand it properly and ramp up their CUET preparation as soon as possible.

This article discussed the CUET maths syllabus, paper pattern, and how to prepare mathematics for CUET in detail. Now, it’s the individual responsibility of the students to go through it attentively and adhere to the methodical approach.

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