CEPT MArch 2026 Preparation: Verbal, Reasoning and Maths Tips

Cracking the CEPT MArch Entrance Exam 2026 requires focused preparation across three sections — Mathematical Ability (40 questions), Analytical Reasoning (30 questions), and Verbal Ability (30 questions) — in a 2-hour offline MCQ test with no negative marking.

CEPT University, Ahmedabad conducts its own entrance test for admission to the Master of Architecture (MArch) programme. The exam is scheduled for June 25, 2026, and tests your analytical, descriptive, and visualisation skills alongside core academic knowledge. This guide breaks down section-wise strategies to help you score high in each part of the test.

• Total questions: 100 MCQs | Duration: 2 hours | No negative marking
• Mathematical Ability carries the most weight with 40 questions, based on Class 12 standards.
• Analytical Reasoning and Verbal Ability have 30 questions each; Verbal is Class 10-level English.
• Students who clear Stage I (the written test) proceed to a personal interview — Stage II — held on the CEPT campus.
• Apply at admissions.cept.ac.in; the exam date is June 25, 2026.

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CEPT MArch 2026 Exam Pattern at a Glance

The CEPT MArch entrance test is a 100-question MCQ paper completed in 2 hours. There is no negative marking, so you should attempt every question. Below is the section-wise breakup:

Admission to MArch at CEPT is a two-stage process. Stage I is the written entrance test. Students who clear Stage I are invited to the CEPT campus for Stage II — a face-to-face personal interview where an expert panel assesses motivation, attitude, and your design portfolio.

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Mathematical Ability: Topics and Tips

Mathematical Ability is the highest-weighted section with 40 questions, and your performance here can significantly shape your overall score. Questions follow the Class 12 curriculum, covering topics from your pre-university years.

Key topics to cover:

• Algebra: equations, progressions, permutations and combinations
• Coordinate Geometry: lines, circles, conic sections
• Calculus: differentiation and integration basics
• Trigonometry: ratios, identities, heights and distances
• Statistics and Probability: mean, median, mode, basic probability
• Mensuration: areas and volumes of 2D and 3D figures — directly relevant for architecture students

Preparation tips:

• Prioritise mensuration and geometry — these topics overlap with architectural thinking and appear frequently in CEPT papers.
• Revise NCERT Class 11 and 12 Maths textbooks; questions stay within that scope.
• With 100 questions in 2 hours, you have about 1.2 minutes per question on average — practice timed sets to build speed.
• Since there is no negative marking, never leave a question blank; eliminate wrong options and make your best attempt on every item.
• Solve previous-year CEPT papers to identify frequently repeated question types in this section.

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Analytical Reasoning: Topics and Tips

Analytical Reasoning carries 30 questions and tests your ability to analyse patterns, interpret data, and think logically — skills at the core of architectural design thinking.

Key topics to cover:

• Series completion: number and letter series
• Analogies and odd-one-out
• Logical deduction and statement-conclusion problems
• Data interpretation: bar graphs, pie charts, tables
• Spatial reasoning and figure-based problems
• Coding-decoding and blood relations
• Direction sense and seating arrangement

Preparation tips:

• Spatial reasoning is particularly important for MArch aspirants — practice figure rotation, mirror images, and pattern completion regularly as these mirror design visualization skills.
• For data interpretation questions, practice reading charts quickly and accurately; speed matters under time pressure.
• R.S. Aggarwal’s Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning covers most question types tested in this section.
• Solve full-length mock tests under timed conditions to build accuracy on logical deduction questions.
• In mocks, flag tough Reasoning questions and return to them — do not let one question eat into your time for the rest.

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Verbal Ability: Topics and Tips

Verbal Ability covers 30 questions at a Class 10 English standard, making it the most accessible section if you focus on the right topics.

Key topics to cover:

• Reading comprehension passages
• Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, fill-in-the-blanks
• Grammar: error correction and sentence improvement
• Para-jumbles and sentence rearrangement
• Idioms and phrases
• One-word substitution

Preparation tips:

• Reading comprehension passages often relate to architecture, environment, or urban planning — reading articles and journals in these areas builds vocabulary and domain familiarity at the same time.
• The standard is Class 10, so avoid over-preparing with advanced GRE or CAT-level vocabulary; focus on clarity and accuracy instead.
• Spend 5–10 minutes daily reading English newspapers or architecture-related writing to sharpen comprehension speed.
• Maintain a personal word list of 300–400 commonly tested words and review it every few days in the weeks before the exam.
• If you find reading comprehension passages time-consuming, attempt vocabulary and grammar questions first within this section to secure quick marks.

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General Preparation Strategy for CEPT MArch 2026

A structured overall plan keeps you on track before the June 25, 2026 exam date. Use the phase-wise timeline below as a guide:

• Portfolio preparation runs in parallel with written test prep — Stage II requires you to present design work, so start building and refining your portfolio early.
• Maintain a policy of attempting all 100 questions in every mock test, since there is no negative marking.
• Time your mocks strictly: 2 hours, 100 questions = 1.2 minutes per question on average. Identify which section you finish fastest and adjust your time allocation accordingly.
• Download and solve official CEPT sample papers via the admissions portal for the most accurate picture of question style and difficulty.