NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY TEST PREPARATION: TIPS AND TRICKS

National Eligibility Test also known as UGC-NET, is an exam conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) to determine the eligibility of a candidate for the post of assistant professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship awards in universities and colleges. It is a national level exam, conducted twice a year (June and December) and over 5,00,000 students appear in the exam per attempt. A total of Eighty-one subjects are offered and applicants choose the subject they have a masters degree in for the exam.

UGC-NET is one of the toughest exams to clear and requires a lot of planning and dedication on the part of the applicant. Not only the applicant is expected to have knowledge of the topics in the syllabus but should also be familiar with related topics.

There are two papers:

Paper-1 General Paper (50 questions for 2 marks each, Time given: 1 hour) : This paper is common to all. The syllabus entails topics such as Teaching aptitude, research aptitude, Information and communication technology, logical reasoning, higher education, etc. Many students have a hard time cramming the concepts. Here are some tips and tricks:

• Students normally take the route of coaching centers which is very helpful given the faculty is reputed.
• For everyone who is preparing through self study needs to have a proper timetable according to their sitting capacity.
• Next, you need to start with the topic that looks the most interesting so as to get you to begin your preparations.
• Once you choose the topic, you must first read the chapter thoroughly from the book you chose to begin your preparation. Mark every important date, the name of an author, etc.
• Next, go to YouTube (you will find a gazillion videos on a singe topic), find a lecture on the topic selected and listen to it carefully while taking notes. Online tutors always have something extra to offer. They have an interesting way of teaching which helps to learn things faster while keeping the learners engaged.
• Now you have all the information related to a particular topic. Revise it at regular intervals to keep it fresh in your mind.
• You can now move on to the next topic. Repeat the cycle and don’t forget to make detailed notes.
• Once all the topics are thoroughly covered, you must attempt a few mock tests to put your knowledge to test.

Paper-2 Specific Subject Paper (100 questions for 2 marks each, Time given: 2 hours) : This subject is chosen on the basis of the subjects a candidate has during their post-graduation. There are total 81 subjects to choose from. Since you have already mastered in the subject, there is not a lot of cramming involved. Some additional tips you could follow are:

• Paper-2 demands you to have vast knowledge of each and every unit involved. There are a hundred questions which can be asked from any topic directly or indirectly.
• You must first study the syllabus properly and since you have already studied those topics in you masters, it would be easier for you to find out the easy and the difficult ones. For this, I would suggest you prepare a schedule that involves studying for the easy unit and the difficult unit on alternate basis. This will ensure that you are not left with only the difficult topics in the end.
• YouTube classes are a must in this case also. There is no book that would fully cover the syllabus for this paper and thus you need you follow a reputed online tutor. Again, their tricks will make the subject easier and will enable you to reach at the depths of each unit.
• Detailed notes will come in handy before the exam, thus make sure that all your notes are up to date and arranged perfectly.
• When all the units are covered make sure you attempt regular mock tests and keep a track of your scores.

An aspirant must start their preparation ideally 3-6 months before the exam since the syllabus is vast and every topic is important and should not be skipped. If you stick to your schedule and revise everyday, nothing can stop you from clearing the exam. However, it is necessary that the applicant takes regular 3 hour mock tests (or solves previous year papers) and diagnose them later to find out the mistakes. The more mock tests you give, the more you will be sure of your success. However it is important to keep in mind that checking the tests is as important as giving it. You must know where you lack and go through that unit again.

Lakhs of students appear in this exam every year and only a handful manage to clear it and with proper time management, planning and scheduling you could be one of those handful aspirants.

ALL THE BEST!