The Delhi University conducts the common Aptitude Test for English (CATE). This is an entrance test which is conducted by the Department of English in the Delhi University for the selection of the candidates for the graduation level programs (BA) (Hons) in the subject area of English. This entrance exam is mainly conducted for 12 main affiliated colleges in the University. There is relaxation in the case of the candidates belonging to the SC/ST categories and also in case of the foreign students. These students are exempted from the entrance test. The other candidates are mainly selected on the basis of the merit score secured in the entrance exam.

Structure of Delhi University Common Aptitude Test in English

The Delhi University Common Aptitude Test in English will manly include two sections or papers. The first section will generally include the objective type questions. The candidates have to mark the correct option as the answer from the given set of options. The second section will mainly involve both subjective as well as descriptive type of questions. An important criterion being that only those candidates who pass in the first section of the entrance test will only be able to attend the second section of the examination. There will be no negative marking in this examination.

Syllabus of Delhi University Common Aptitude Test in English

One of the important objectives of conducting this entrance exam is to analyze the aptitude of the candidates towards English language and Literature. As per the University rules, there is no prescribed syllabus for this exam. The candidates should be well versed with the portions which were covered in the 12th class level. The focus should be mainly on grammar and literature. The candidates should focus on the following areas –

• Synonyms
• Antonyms
• Fill in the blanks
• Jumbled paragraph
• Sentence correction
• Comprehension
• Syllogism
• Grammar

Eligibility Criteria?

Only those candidates who have completed the 12th class from a recognized university are eligible to apply. The candidates should have scored at least 60% of marks in the 12th class mainly in the subject of English. The candidates should also score 60% of marks in the best four subjects. Those candidates who are in the final year of 12th class can also apply for this exam.

How to Apply?

The candidates can obtain the application form for the CATE exam from the following colleges –

• Zakir Husain College
• Vivekananda College
• Swami Shradhanand College
• Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College
• Shyam Lal College
• Shivaji College
• Shaheed Bhagat Singh College
• Satyawati College (Evening)
• Rajdhani College
• Miranda House
• Maharaja Agrasen College
• Lady Shri Ram College
• Kirori Mal College
• Kamla Nehru College
• Janki Devi Mahavidayalaya
• Indraprastha College for Women
• Hindu College
• Deshbandhu College
• Delhi College of Arts & Commerce
• Bharti College

The application brochure and the forms can be obtained from any of the above institutions by paying Rs 300 as DD which should be drawn in favor of the Registrar, University of Delhi from banks such as SBI, PNB, HDFC, ICICI etc. The candidates cannot pay the DD at any of the subsidiary state banks. The candidates should make sure that the draft can be payable at Delhi.

How to fill the Form?

The important information which is needed for filling up the application forms is available in the official website of the Delhi University. The information’s can also be obtained from the application brochure. The candidates should fill in the form very carefully. The candidates should make sure that that they do not leave any columns with out filling.

Important Dates (Tentative)

[Please note that we only provide tentative dates based on previous years dates. For exact dates related information it is always best to check official websites only.]

Date of receiving the Application forms – Second to third Week of May, 2012

Date Of CATE exam – First week of June, 2012

Declaration of CATE score in the official website – Second week of June, 2012

Declaration of First List – Third Week of June, 2012

List of Delhi University Common Aptitude Test Centers

• Zakir Husain College
• Vivekananda College
• Swami Shradhanand College
• Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College
• Shyam Lal College
• Shivaji College
• Shaheed Bhagat Singh College
• Satyawati College (Evening)
• Rajdhani College
• Miranda House
• Maharaja Agrasen College
• Lady Shri Ram College
• Kirori Mal College
• Kamla Nehru College
• Janki Devi Mahavidayalaya
• Indraprastha College for Women
• Hindu College
• Deshbandhu College
• Delhi College of Arts & Commerce
• Bharti College
• Arts Faculty (South Campus)
• Arts Faculty (North Campus)

Contact Address of Delhi University Common Aptitude Test English

• Address- Delhi University, Delhi – 110 007
• Phone: 27667011, 27667190
• Fax: 27667049
• Website: www.du.ac.in

Colleges accepting the score of Delhi University Common Aptitude Test English Score

• Zakir Husain College (Evening)
• Zakir Husain College
• Vivekanand College
• Swami Shraddhanand College
• Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College
• Shyam Lal College
• Shivaji College
• Shaheed Bhagat Singh College
• Satyawati College (Evening)
• Rajdhani College
• Miranda House College
• Maharaja Agrasen College
• Lady Shri Ram College for Women
• Kirori Mal College
• Kamla Nehru College
• Janki Devi Memorial College
• Indraprastha College for Women
• Hindu College
• Deshbandhu College
• Delhi College of Arts & Commerce
• Bharati College

Reference Books for Delhi University Common Aptitude Test English

• Piegeon English by Stephen Selman
• Little Oxford English Dictionary by Oxford dictionary
• Key To High School English  Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
• Indian Literature in English: Critical Assessments by A. N Prasad, A K Srivastava
• Indian Literature in English- New Perspectives by Surendran Kv
• High School English and Grammar by Wren
• Glimpse of Indian Literature in English Translation by Basavaraj Naikar
• Essential English Grammar by Murphy
• English Vocabulary Today by Rupa
• English grammar for Everyone by Gratian Vas
• English Assasin by Daniel Silwa
• Cassells Dictionary of English Grammar by Roselin Fregusan

Coaching Centers Delhi University Common Aptitude Test English

• Vision IAS IPS Academy
• Veta coaching centre
• TIME
• Brilliance coaching centre
• Binus International English Language Academy
• Avigna Learning
• Avenue- Venue for Global English and Maths
• Aureole Education Academy
• Attitude: The Grooming School
• Attitude School
• Arpitas Classes for English
• Aries Education
• Apex Academy
• Anurag Tyagi Classes (A.T.C.)
• Anthoni English Academy
• Anthem Academy
• Analytics Training Institute
• Analog IAS Institute
• Ambedkar Study Circle
• Advance Academy
• Adhyan coaching centre
• Achievers Point Knowledge Systems Pvt. Ltd
• Academy for Creative Training

Study Plan?

This is an entrance exam which is mainly conducted for the students who have completed their graduation or who are in their final year hence the amount of hard work that the candidates need to put in is high. The candidates should be very thorough about the basic concepts in English concerning the Literature and the grammar part which are being taught in the school level. Also important is that the candidates should have the interest towards the language. Since the candidates are opting for the Literature subjects, the candidates should cultivate the habit of the extra reading. The candidates should have the basic understanding towards the concepts relating to the English Language.

How and Where to get the Results?

The candidates can obtain the results which will be published in the official website of the Delhi University www.du.ac.in.

Score validity?

The score of the Delhi University Common Aptitude Test for English will be valid for a period of 1 year.