Are you looking to pursue a PhD or become an Assistant Professor in India? Then, cracking the UGC NET exam is the perfect way to achieve your goal. It is considered one of the toughest national-level entrance exams. The UGC NET (University Grants Commission – National Eligibility Test) is important for eligibility in both junior research fellowships (JRF) and teaching roles in any Indian college or university.
If you are thinking about how to prepare for UGC NET, then this blog is perfect for you. It offers practical and proven tips to help you clear both Paper 1 and Paper 2 on your first attempt.
What is UGC NET Exam?
The UGC NET is an important exam for everyone who is looking to build a career in teaching or research in Indian universities and colleges. The exam is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year. The exam contains two papers known as paper 1 and paper 2.
Paper 1 is a general paper which tests your mathematical skills, teaching skills, research skills and logical reasoning, while paper 2 tests your subject knowledge such as English, History, Psychology, and Commerce etc.
The UGC-NET plays an important role in not only making you eligible for the post of Assistant Professor, but it also makes you eligible for the Junior Research Fellowship in short (JRF). Those who passed the cutoff for the JRF got a fellowship for their PhD research.
It allows you to pursue your PhD degree without worrying about funds and other financial aid, because the government will provide you with a fellowship of a handsome amount for the duration of your PhD. Although the exam is highly competitive, knowing how to prepare for UGC NET will help you succeed.
Here are 8 tips to help you ace the UGC NET exam:
Below are the preparation tips for the UGC NET Exam:
1. Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern
The first step is to go through the exam syllabus and exam pattern. Reading the whole syllabus will give you an outline of how you can prepare for your exam. The UGC NET exam is divided into 2 papers, named Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Below is the exam format:
- Paper 1: 50 questions (general teaching and reasoning aptitude)
- Paper 2: 100 questions (subject-specific knowledge)
UGC NET is a 3-hour exam that consists of 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and understanding the weightage of each section will help you divide time for each section.
Download the official UGC NET syllabus from the NTA website
2. Collect Important Resources
Now it’s time to collect important resources for your preparation, including notes, books, and other stuff. Remember, don’t go for too many books, it may take too much time, and for fast preparation, you can also watch YouTube Videos and online lectures available on the internet, which help you to understand complex topics.
3. Make your Personalised Study Plan
Everyone has a different learning pattern, some people like to study in daytime whereas many students prefer to study at night. Make a study plan according to your schedule, and manage time for revision.
For example, if you are a student who is preparing for the exam, then you can revise anytime, but if you are a working professional, then you need to use your evenings and weekends smartly, you can plan your revision sessions on weekends.
4. Use Smart Time Management Techniques
You need to use your time effectively, and for that, you can use some smart time management techniques. You can manage your study time according to different topics.
To increase your focus, you can use the Pomodoro Technique, where you study for 25 minutes and take a 5-minute break. For longer topics, extend the study time to 50 minutes with a 10-minute rest. Also, you can use timers and study apps to stick to your schedule.
5. Do Group Study & Discussion if Possible
You can do group studies for better preparation. Find a small group of classmates or friends who have the same goal of clearing the UGC NET exam.
Meet regularly—either in-person or online—to discuss tough topics, quiz each other, and share memory tricks. Keep the group small (3–5 people) to stay focused and set a clear goal for each meeting. A well-run discussion group can lead you to success.
6. Revise the Syllabus regularly
Revising the topics regularly plays an important role in your preparation. It helps you to retain the syllabus regularly. Review a chapter after one day, then after three days, then a week, and so on.
For quick revision, you can use flashcards and short notes. This consistent cycle of review prevents last-minute panic and ensures you retain information long-term.
7. Practice Mock Tests & Solve Previous Year Papers
Taking mock tests and solving old question papers is one of the best ways to prepare for the UGC NET exam. Treat each mock test like you are appearing for the actual paper. This helps build your focus and shows if you’re answering at the right pace.
After you finish a test, check your answers carefully. See which topics you find hard while taking the mock, then spend extra time on those areas. You will also start to notice the kind of questions that appear often, so you know where to focus.
8. Plan Your Exam Strategy
Having a correct exam strategy can help you save time and gives you confidence in the exam hall. Many students begin their exam with solving paper 2. We advise you to read the whole paper at the start and mark the easy questions first, it can boost your confidence.
Allocate section-wise time, and to solve complex questions, you can use the elimination method, as eliminating options can lead you to the right answer. Remember, there’s no negative marking, so you can attempt every question. And check all the questions at the end of the paper.
Tips to Stay Focused During Preparation
Here are some practical tips to help you stay focused:
- Create a distraction-free zone: Study quietly, switch your phone to silent or do not disturb mode and keep all the necessary study material near you so that you don’t waste time collecting them while studying.
- Set small, realistic goals: Don’t study the full chapter in one go; it will increase your burden. Instead, you can break it into many topics and study one topic at a time. If you study small topics and cover them rapidly, it will keep you focused and motivated during the study.
- Reward yourself: After completing a study session or a topic, give yourself some kind of reward, it can be a break, a snack like chocolate, chips, or you can go for a walk. Doing this will push you to study with more enthusiasm.
- Take care of your body and mind: During your preparation, don’t forget to take care of your health. Get enough sleep, eat healthy food and do exercise or meditation to keep the stress level low.
- Stay positive and avoid comparison: One of the most important tips is to avoid focusing on what others do, how they are preparing. Instead of comparing yourself with others, focus on your preparation and believe in your study plan.
- Use visual aids: To improve your focus and memory retention, you can use charts, mind maps, or colour-coded notes. This can make your revision session more engaging, thus increasing your focus.
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Last Words
The UGC NET exam is one of the hardest exams. If you are preparing for this exam, then you must know how to prepare for UGC NET. Knowing the tips and strategies can help you to ace the exam. You need to know your whole syllabus of your subject and the exam pattern.
We now know that this exam is divided into 2 papers named Paper 1 and Paper 2, however, Paper 1 contains only 50 questions and Paper 2 contains 100 MCQ questions. It doesn’t mean you only focus on paper 2 because of its weightage, but both papers, whether it is paper 1 or 2 equally important if you want to crack this exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 Is UGC NET easy to crack?
Ans: Yes, with a structured study plan and consistent effort, UGC NET can be cracked even in the first attempt.
Q.2 What happens after clearing UGC NET?
Ans:After clearing UGC NET, you can apply for Assistant Professor roles and pursue PhD programs with Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
Q.3 How many hours should I study daily for UGC NET?
Ans: You should dedicate 3–5 hours daily for UGC NET preparation, increasing to 6–8 hours closer to the exam.
Q.4 Can I crack UGC NET without coaching?
Ans:Yes, many aspirants crack UGC NET through self-study by using online lectures, study material, and mock test platforms.