BA Entrance Exams: Important Dates, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, How to Prepare?

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Waqar Niyazi

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BA General Latest Updates

03 Jan, 2026 SET registration and payment last date has been extended to April 15, 2026. Check Here 

31 Dec, 2025 Test structure for SET/SITEEE 2026 has been released. Check Here 

BA Entrance Exams that students can sit for are CUET, SET, IPU CET, NPAT. CUET is the only All India Entrance exam students can sit for. More than 200 Universities have accepted CUET.

All the BA Entrance Exams take place between the month of May-June every year. The application process for BA Entrance Exam takes place between March - May every year.

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Students completing class 12 with 50% from a recognized university are eligible to sit for BA Entrance Exams. The entrance exam syllabus consists of 2 section which are language tests and generat tests.

Check: BA Course Details

BA Entrance Exam Dates 2025

There are several entrance exams for admission to a Bachelor of Arts course. Some of these exams are CUET, SET, IPU CET, NPAT, BHU UET, CUEE, DSAT, and DU JAT. The dates of these entrance exams are provided below.

Name of the Exams Registration Dates (Tentative) Exam Dates (Tentative)
CUET March 1 – 22, 2025

May 08 – June 01, 2025

IPU CET March – April 2025 April 2025
NPAT December, 2024 – May, 2025 January, 2025 – May, 2025

BA Entrance Exam in Top Colleges

There are many reputed colleges in the country conducting entrance exams for admission to BA courses. Some of these top colleges are listed below.

BA Entrance Exam Eligibility

There are numerous universities and colleges that conduct entrance exams for admission into their Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs. Eligibility criteria can vary between institutions, however, some general criteria are listed below.

  • Candidates must have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized board or institution with at least 50%.
  • Some colleges give 5% relaxation to candidates belonging to reserved categories.
  • Candidates should be 18 years and above.
  • English as a mandatory subject in class 10 and class 12.

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BA Entrance Exam Syllabus

The syllabus for BA Entrance Exam is given below.

  • Languages: The syllabus for this section covers Reading Comprehension (based on different types of passages- Factual, Literary, or Narrative), Literary Aptitude, and Vocabulary.
  • General Test: The syllabus of this section covers General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts arithmetic/algebra geometry/mensuration/statistics), Logical, and Analytical Reasoning.

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BA Entrance Exam Pattern

The general pattern of BA entrance exam is given below.

Topic Marks Duration
Section 1A: 13 languages (choose any one) 200 45 minutes
Section 1B: 20 languages (choose any one) 200 45 minutes
Section 2: 27 domain-specific (choose any one) 200 45 minutes
Section 3: General Test 250 60 minutes

Top BA Entrance Exams

Admission to BA courses in many colleges in India is based on entrance exams. Some top entrance exams for various BA programs are CUET, SET, IPU CET, and NPAT.

CUET

Common University Entrance Test is an all-India test for admission to various Undergraduate, Post-Graduate, and Diploma courses. CUET is applicable in 45 central universities of the country and is conducted by National Testing Agency.

Subject No. of Questions Marks
Language Test 40 200
Domain Specific Subject 40 200
General Test 50 250

Marking Scheme: The marking scheme for the CUET exam is listed below.

  • 5 marks for every correct answer.
  • For each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted.
  • No marks for unattempted questions.

Duration: 150 marks

Application Fee: The application fee for the unreserved category is Rs 650, for OBC is Rs 600, for SC/ ST, is Rs 550, and for international applicants is Rs 3000.

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SET

Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) is the entrance exam conducted by Symbiosis International which is a deemed university. Every year Symbiosis conducts SET for admission to several undergraduate courses.

Subject No. of Questions Marks
General English 16 16
Quantitative 16 16
General Awareness 16 16
Analytical and Logical Reasoning 12 12

Marking Scheme: The marking scheme for SET is listed below.

  • 1 mark for each correct answer
  • No negative marking
  • No marks for unattempted questions

Duration: 60 minutes

Application Fee: INR 1950 for everyone

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IPU CET

Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test is the entrance exam conducted by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University for admissions into various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Check: IPU CET

Subject No. of Questions Marks
Mathematics 30 120
English Language 15 60
GK 25 100

Marking Scheme: The marking scheme of IPU CET is listed below.

  • 4 marks for each correct answer.
  • For every incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted.
  • No marks for unattempted questions.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Application Fee: INR 1200 for everyone.

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NPAT

National Test for Programs After Twelfth or NPAT is a university-level entrance exam for admission to Undergraduate Degree and Integrated Degree Programs.

Subject No. of Questions Total Marks
Quantitative & Numerical ability 40 40
Reasoning & General Intelligence 40 40
Proficiency in the English Language 40 20

Marking Scheme: The marking scheme for NPAT is listed below.

  • For Quant and Reasoning section 1 mark for each question.
  • For the Language Proficiency section 0.5 marks for each question.

Duration: 1 hr 30 minutes

Application Fee: The application fee structure is listed below.

  • For one course, the fee is INR 1800.
  • For two courses, the fee is INR 3000.
  • For three courses, the fee is INR 4000.
  • For four courses, the fee is INR 5000.
  • For five courses, the fee is INR 6000.

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How to prepare for the BA Entrance Exam?

Preparing for a BA entrance exam requires a systematic approach and dedication. Here are some useful ways of preparing for BA Entrance Exam.

  • Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus.
  • Create a Study Plan and religiously follow it.
  • Gather Study Materials and prepare thoroughly.
  • Take regular breaks during study sessions
  • Stay organized and keep track of important dates, deadlines, and updates related to the exam.

BA Entrance Exam: FAQs

Ques: Can I do BA without entrance exam?

Ans: Yes, there are many colleges and institutes in the country that offer merit-based admissions to their BA programs.

Ques: How to prepare for BA entrance exam?

Ans: The steps to prepare for the BA entrance exam are listed below.

  • Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus.
  • Create a Study Plan and religiously follow it.
  • Gather Study Materials and prepare thoroughly.
  • Take regular breaks during study sessions
  • Stay organized and keep track of important dates, deadlines, and updates related to the exam.

Ques: Which entrance exam is best for BA?

Ans: CUET is accepted by 45 central universities in the country, hence it can be considered the best entrance exam for BA programs.

Ques: What happens if you fail in CUET?

Ans: If you fail in CUET then you can appear for it next year or can sit for some other entrance exam.

Ques: What is the passing marks in BA?

Ans: The passing mark in BA is 35% or above it.

Ques: How can I pass any entrance exam?

Ans: The only sure short formula for passing any entrance exam by preparing thoroughly for it and practicing the model test papers.

Ques: Are entrance exams difficult?

Ans: It depends on the candidates appearing for the exam. If the candidate is well-prepared, the exam becomes easy, whereas, if the candidate has not at all prepared then he cannot pass the exam.

Ques: How is entrance exam taken?

Ans: Every entrance exam is taken by registering for it, filling out its form, then paying the application fee, downloading the admit card, and finally appearing on the exam day at the exam center.

Ques: What is the qualifying marks for CUET?

Ans: The qualifying mark for CUET is 40, however, you must always be in the safer side and should try to score more.

Ques: Is 65 percent good in BA?

Ans: 65 percent is a first-class mark in BA, however, it is always to strive for better marks that are above 75%.

Bachelor of Arts [BA] : 33 answered questions

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Ques. How many students of 3 yr LLB were there in 2024 batch?

● Top Answer By Vinima Bhola on 21 Jun 25

Ans. There were 60 spots available for Techno India University's three-year LLB programme in Kolkata, according to the information currently available. It has not yet been formally announced how many students were admitted in the 2024 batch, specifically for the three-year LLB programme. The number of eligible applicants and other factors may affect actual admissions. Admission in LLB programme Step Details Eligibility Graduation in any discipline (60% sometimes required; check latest notice) Application Online via official website Entrance Exam TNJEE Selection Based on entrance exam performance Counselling Document verification and fee payment Duration 3 years, full-timeRead more
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Ques. How can I fill form online in cu for BA as undergraduate?

● Top Answer By Vinima Bhola on 17 Jun 25

Ans. To fill out the online application form for a BA (Bachelor of Arts) undergraduate program at Chandigarh University (CU), follow these steps: Step Action 1 Visit cucet. cuchd.in 2 Register and create a profile 3 Pay 1,000 registration fee 4 Fill the application form and select BA 5 Upload the required documents 6 Submit application 7 Appear for CUCET (if required) 8 Check the result and follow the next steps If you are applying for the online BA program (not the regular campus BA), you can apply directly at and follow a similar process without the entrance test.Read more
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Ques. Can an art student study BA in nutrition and dietetics?

● Top Answer By Ayushi Mishra on 05 Apr 24

Ans. As an Arts student, you’ll have to first pursue a certificate program in nutrition or dietetics. These courses are anywhere between 6 months to 2 years long. The minimum eligibility requirement to get admission into these courses is that you clear your 10+2 from a recognized board. After completing a diploma course, you’ll be eligible to pursue both a BSc. and an MSc. in Nutrition and Dietetics.Read more
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Ques. How is life at JNU for MA students? Is it only hectic or do students have fun too?

● Top Answer By Akriti Banerjee on 04 Jul 23

Ans. My friend pursued his M.A. from JNU and according to him, he spent the best years of his life at JNU. He went to many well-renowned colleges and universities in the USA, however, JNU is unparalleled. At JNU, you will learn even when you are having fun. Female students feel safe on campus. Male students are respectful towards their female counterparts. There are no whistles or cat-calling incidents on campus. Females can walk fearlessly from one end of the campus to the other, even at midnight.  Life for M.A. students is very hectic at JNU. It is more challenging than one can expect. If you do not maintain a healthy work-life balance, you will end up spending all your time sitting in a corner with your laptop and books. Even your group discussions will end up being solely about studies. If you feel that it will be difficult for you to create a healthy balance between studies and enjoyment, you can join JNU as a Ph.D. student rather than as an M.A. student, you will then get more time to enjoy and experience life at JNU.Read more
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Ques. How was your SCMHRD BA interview experience?

● Top Answer By Bharath Harish on 18 May 23

Ans. My interview process started with registration and submission of the SNAP C form, followed by the written ability test (WAT). The technical WAT had questions related to probability, statistics, histogram, coefficient correlation ratio, and pseudo code. The WAT section had two topics, one related to 'business acumen dependent on data analytics,' and the other involving the creation of a story by connecting two given images. After the WAT section, the interview process moved on to group discussion (GD) and group exercise (GE). The GD topic was whether technology would replace teachers in the future, and the GE task involved forming a political party with given Bollywood stars. The personal interview (PI) consisted of questions related to my academic and professional background, technical skills in Java programming and SQL queries, conflict management skills, and problem-solving abilities. The interviewers also presented a hypothetical scenario where I had to suggest arguments to the CEO for hiring a Business Analyst despite the cost-cutting measures. Additionally, I was asked to draw a graph that compares revenue and vs financial success.Read more
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Ques. I have 84% in the 12th exam. Can I get admission in MSU Baroda for a BA honors?

● Top Answer By Srijam Pal Singh on 24 Jan 23

Ans. Yes, you can easily get admission to MSU Baroda for a BA Honors. The eligibility criteria for the same is Qualification  Entry Criteria 12th 45%  Mandatory Subjects: English  Candidate must have secured the required percentage in the mandatory subject. Age Minimum: 16 years International Students Eligibility  Candidate must have passed the Thalassemia test along with the above-mentioned eligibility. Other Eligibility Criteria  For Gap case/Readmission case/Private/external students/ITI or Diploma students: Candidates who have passed HSC or its equivalent Or ITI/Diploma Examination after 2014 with English as one of the subjects are eligible for the course. Candidates who are born before December 15, 2001 are eligible to applyRead more
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Ques. What is the minimum passing marks for BA in IGNOU?

● Top Answer By Shivani Bhat on 21 Nov 22

Ans. The passing marks at IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) are Theory - 30 out of 100 / 18 out of 50 Assignments - More than 50% If you fail to score 50% in assignments, you will have to resubmit them. If you score above 30 out of 100 or 18 out of 500 in theory, then you will pass without having submitted assignments. Percentage Calculation - Assignments- 30% weightage and Term End Examination- 70% weightage for FST (Foundation Course in Science & Technology) and FHS (Foundation Course in Humanities and Social Sciences).Read more
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Ques. What are average placements of BHU in LLB?

● Top Answer By Mayank Verma on 18 Nov 22

Ans. Almost 30 - 40 % of the students got placed. The highest salary package offered is 10 LPA , and the lowest salary package offered is 2 LPA. Top recruiting companies of our college are TCS, etc. Almost 50-60% of the students got an internship in firms, Sai & Associations, etc.Read more
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Ques. How do I prepare for the BHU (BA) honors entrance exam?

● Top Answer By Jagriti Singh on 16 Nov 22

Ans. The BA (Hons.) entrance exam at BHU is quite easy. You can crack the exam by following these simple tips: Update yourself on the latest GK Solve all previous year's questions  Lucent’s GK is the best to prepare for this exam Go through the pattern of the paper and know your weaknesses and strengths. Get the BHU UET Social science guide (Arihant publication) and study it thoroughly. Keeping these tips in mind, score above 170 and you will get a decent rank.Read more
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Ques. Which subjects come under a BA social science (Hons.) in BHU, Varanasi?

● Top Answer By Akanksha Rai on 16 Nov 22

Ans. There are two ways for a BA degree from BHU. One through the faculty of Arts and another one through the faculty of Social Sciences. The following subjects sone under a BA Social Science (Hons.) in BHU: Faculty of Arts- Economics History Political Science Sociology  Psychology  Mathematics Statistics Geography  Tourism and Travel Management  Faculty of Social Sciences- Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology  Arabic Archaeology and Museology  Applied Statistics Bengali Chinese Dance Education  English French Geography  German Hindi Home Science  History of Art Japanese Linguistics Marathi  Music Instrumental Music Vocal Nepali Office Management and secretarial practice  Pali Persian Philosophy  Physical Education  Painting  Psychology  Russian Sanskrit  Statistics  Telugu Tamil Travel and Tourism Management  UrduRead more
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