Free Resources for Entrance Exam Preparation

A Smart Guide for Class 12 Students Preparing for UG Admissions

For Class 12 students preparing for undergraduate entrance exams in India, balancing board exams with competitive tests like CUET, JEE, NEET, CLAT, and IPMAT can feel overwhelming. While coaching institutes promise results, the truth is that free online resources for entrance exam preparation can be equally effective, if students know where to find them.

This guide lists some of the best free study resources, mock tests, and online learning platforms to help students work smart while preparing for their UG entrance exams.

1. SATHEE Portal – Government-Backed Academic Support

The SATHEE Portal, launched by the Government of India, offers free entrance exam preparation materials for CUET, NEET, and JEE aspirants.

Students can access video lectures from top faculty, topic-wise notes aligned with NCERT, and mock tests for practice. Since it’s a government-backed endeavour, the content is authentic, updated, and syllabus-oriented; a great choice for those seeking free online coaching alternatives.

Link: https://sathee.iitk.ac.in/ 

2. SelfStudys – Practice-Oriented Learning Platform

SelfStudys is one of the most popular free websites for JEE, NEET, and CUET preparation. It provides:

●     Chapter-wise MCQs and sample papers

●     NCERT solutions and mock tests

●     Free CUET preparation material

It’s ideal for students who prefer self-paced learning and want to practice papers regularly without paid subscriptions.

Link: https://www.selfstudys.com/ 

3. NTA Abhyas App – Real Exam Experience

Developed by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the NTA Abhyas App helps students get familiar with real exam patterns.

It offers daily mock tests, AI-based performance analysis, and topic-wise reports. This tool is perfect for those preparing for competitive exams like JEE Main, NEET UG, and CUET who want to improve their speed, accuracy, and time management.

Link: https://www.nta.ac.in/abhyas 

4. Khan Academy – Strengthen Core Concepts

Although Khan Academy isn’t India-specific, it’s one of the best free online learning platforms to help build strong foundations in mathematics, logical reasoning, and analytical skills.

Its concept-based video lessons help students master fundamentals, an essential for success in quantitative and reasoning-based entrance exams.

Link: https://www.khanacademy.org/ 

5. NCERT Books – The Foundation for All Exams

A majority of entrance exam questions stem from NCERT textbooks, especially for CUET, JEE, and NEET.

Students must focus on:

●     NCERT textbook PDFs (available online for free)

●        Exemplar problems

●        In-text and back exercises

Strong command over NCERT coursebooks ensures higher accuracy and concept clarity during the actual exam.

Link: https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php 

6. YouTube – Learn from Top Educators

When used wisely, YouTube can be a goldmine for free entrance exam preparation videos.

Top recommended channels:

●     Unacademy Free Classes (subject-wise playlists)

●     Vedantu Class 11–12 (concept clarity sessions)

●     Physics Wallah Foundation Playlists

●     CUET preparation channels for strategy and paper analysis

Students should focus on conceptual and problem-solving videos, not random content, to avoid distractions.

Links: https://youtu.be/gNaDWmf33Ak?si=mbMRRqz7muKKl3LQ 

7. Previous Year Question Papers – Practice That Pays

Solving previous year question papers is a non-negotiable part of preparation.

Free PYQs are available on:

●        SelfStudys

●        Official NTA websites

●        University portals

Practicing them regularly helps understand exam trends, topic weightage, and time management, crucial for competitive exams like JEE Main, NEET UG, and CUET UG.

Links: https://www.selfstudys.com/books/cuet-previous-year-paper 

Using Free Resources Effectively

To make the most of free resources: 1. Follow a daily study plan and syllabus roadmap 2. Combine concept learning with regular mock tests 3. Review mistakes and track progress consistently

Free preparation platforms reduce financial stress but demand discipline and consistency to be truly effective.

Conclusion

Preparing for UG entrance exams in India doesn’t have to be expensive. With free study portals like SATHEE, SelfStudys, NTA Abhyas, Khan Academy, and NCERT, students can build a solid foundation and excel in exams like CUET, JEE, and NEET without relying on costly coaching institutes.

Remember: Success depends on smart strategy, not spending.