In a candid interview with Shiksha, Vivek Kumar Mishra shares the prep strategy he adopted to crack UGC NET (December) 2018 exam.
Vivek Kumar Mishra cracked UGC NET (December) 2018 Geography paper for Assistant Professor and JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) by obtaining an aggregate score of 204/300 (66%). His paper-wise scores in UGC NET 2018 exam include 66/100 in paper-I and 138/200 in paper-II.
Currently preparing for UPSC Civil Services Exam, Vivek has completed his graduation and post-graduation both in Geography from Allahabad University. His father is a politician and mother is a home-maker. However, his biggest motivation is his uncle who is Superintendent of Police (SP) in UP Police.
Further, Vivek talks about the preparation strategy he adopted to clear UGC NET 2018 exam. Read the complete interview below:
Q. Congratulations for qualifying UGC NET 2018. Did you expect to qualify UGC NET for Assistant Professor and JRF?
The biggest strength for any student is ‘hope’ and same applies for me too. So, yes I hoped to qualify UGC NET for JRF and Assistant Professor. Also, I was confident about my NET preparation.
Q. Could you tell us your preparation strategy that helped you crack UGC NET exam?
Since I am preparing for UPSC Civil Services Exam, I got very little time for UGC NET preparation. However, in the time I prepared for NET, I focused on both the papers equally. I created my own notes from various books that mainly consisted of facts. I focused more on facts as in Geography major number of questions in the exam have been fact-based over the years.
I used to revise whatever I used to study multiple times. I solved many previous years’ UGC NET question papers. Also, I attempted a lot of mock tests since UGC NET was conducted in online mode this year.
Q. Did you take any coaching for the exam?
No, I did not feel the need for any coaching to prepare for NET. I knew my subject well as I have been studying Geography for five years. Paper-I could be cracked by self-study as well.
Q. Which books did you read to prepare for the exam?
For paper-I, I made notes of three sections – teaching, research and communication – mainly from the book, “General Paper-1 UGC NET/ JRF/ SLET” by Arihant.
For paper-II, I made short notes from various books such as “Physical Geography” by Savinder Singh.
Q. How did you deal with your strengths and weaknesses while preparing for the exam?
Self-motivation has been the key for me not only for NTA (National Testing Agency) UGC NET but each and every academic and non-academic exam.
Q. What as per you are the mistakes one should avoid while preparing for the exam?
Avoid reading from too many sources and bulky books. Always make your own notes and keep revising what you study. Try attempting as many UGC NET question papers as possible.
Q. Which as per you was the most difficult part of the UGC NET exam?
In my opinion, UGC NET is an easy exam to crack if you maintain continuity in your studies and study in a systematic manner.
Q. Any things that students should keep in mind to perform well on the day of the exam?
Avoid getting over-excited for the exam and try to keep calm. Always read all the questions asked in the exam very carefully. Manage your time in paper-I of UGC NET exam well.
Q. Was clearing UGC NET always your first preference?
No, my main aim was to clear UPSC Civil Services. However, I also love teaching and that motivated me to crack UGC NET.
Q. Any tips for students who are planning to take the exam next year?
Study less but have continuity in your study. You should know what to study and more importantly what NOT to study. You can figure out the importance of different topics in UGC NET exam by going through previous years’ question papers.
Q. What are your future plans?
I wish to enroll myself in PhD and continue with my preparation for UPSC Civil Services.
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