UGC NET preparation tips 2020 from previous year toppers

Exam On - 31 Dec '25 - 7 Jan '26

Updated on Sep 10, 2020 13:44 IST

All set to appear for UGC NET 2020 exam? Check out some important UGC NET preparation tips from past years’ toppers to ace the exam.

UGC NET 2020 exam is just around the corner. Currently, candidates must be in their last leg of UGC NET preparation. With about a week to go for UGC NET exam, it is important for candidates to keep themselves calm and stay focused on the end result.

With a view to help candidates crack UGC NET 2020 exam with flying colours, Shiksha has compiled exam preparation tips from past years’ UGC NET toppers. Candidates are recommended to go through UGC NET topper tips mentioned below to gain more clarity on what they should do to ace their exam preparation.

UGC NET preparation tips by Vivek Sharma: UGC NET 2019 qualified for JRF & Assistant Professor

Analysing the UGC NET syllabus is extremely important
Solve previous years’ UGC NET question papers to gain idea of the pattern of questions asked in the past few years
Focus on each unit of the syllabus topic-wise
Read topics and collect facts. To clear the exam, you need more fact-based knowledge rather than conceptual knowledge.
Do not hunt for study material but focus on each topic. Too much deep study is not needed, focus more on facts.
Do not ignore current affairs related to UGC NET syllabus
Try to remain calm on the day of the exam. Avoid tension and over-excitement.
Facts play an important role but clear your concepts as well
Maintain consistency in studies

Read complete UGC NET topper interview of Vivek Sharma here.

UGC NET preparation tips by Rajat Sen: UGC NET 2019 qualified for Assistant Professor

Clearing the UGC NET exam while pursuing master’s is the best approach
Revision, practice and persistence is the key to success
Study of at least a couple of hours every day is must
Start the paper with most easy sections, that is, the ones you are most comfortable with
Do not panic under any circumstances and if you are appearing for such kind of CBT (computer-based test) for the first time, go to the official website of National Testing Agency (NTA) to make yourself familiar with the whole exam process
Try not to learn new things, concepts just before or on the previous night of the exam

Read complete UGC NET topper interview of Rajat Sen here.

UGC NET preparation tips by Abhinav Pandey: UGC NET 2019 qualified for Assistant Professor

Refer books such as A Textbook of Historiography by E Sreedharan, Research Methodology by CR Kothari and Trueman's UGC NET/SET General Paper-I to solve UGC NET previous years’ question papers
Reading bibliography is an important part of UGC NET preparation as it provides in-depth information about the research sources
Keep yourself motivated. Exercise and yoga are good to maintain tranquility.
Avoid reading too much and getting overboard
Be calm and relaxed. There will be questions in the exam, which you may not understand at first, but you figure them out once you apply your logical thinking.

Read complete UGC NET topper interview of Abhinav Pandey here.

UGC NET preparation tips by Jeetu Singh: UGC NET 2019 qualified for Assistant Professor

Go through UGC NET past year question papers to know the type of questions asked in the exam
Paper-I is scoring and must be exploited to gain maximum marks
Study extensively rather than intensively. Study more topics rather than completing selected topics in unnecessary detail.
Devote at least five to six hours a day in preparation
Solve as many previous year’s UGC NET question papers as possible

Read complete UGC NET topper interview of Jeetu Singh here.

UGC NET preparation tips by Puja Sen: UGC NET 2019 qualified for Assistant Professor

Read the entire UGC NET syllabus
Keep yourself abreast with general awareness and current affairs
Start preparing for UGC NET the day you take admission in post-graduation
Prepare for the exam unit-wise
Divide your time during the exam carefully

Read complete UGC NET topper interview of Puja Sen here.

UGC NET preparation tips by Vivek Mishra: UGC NET 2018 qualified for JRF & Assistant Professor

Focus on both papers equally
Create your own notes from different books that consist of facts
Revise whatever you study multiple times
Solve many UGC NET question papers of past years
Attempt a lot of UGC NET mock tests as the exam is held in online mode
Keep yourself motivated
Avoid reading from too many sources and bulky books
Make sure that you maintain continuity in your studies in a systematic manner
Avoid getting over-excited for the exam and try to keep calm
Read all the questions asked in the exam very carefully

Read complete UGC NET topper interview of Vivek Mishra here.

UGC NET preparation tips by Deepak Kumar: UGC NET 2018 qualified for JRF & Assistant Professor

Study a book thoroughly while noting all important facts so that you can memorize them easily
Do not mug up facts but try to understand them
Study all the basic books to clear concepts. Thereafter, study all important facts. Lastly, solve past 10 years; UGC NET question papers.
In case of difficulty I understanding a concept, have discussions with friends and clear your doubts
Be careful on the books you are referring to for UGC NET preparation
Study regularly and maintain a positive mindset
Do not panic, keep calm and read each question carefully

Read complete UGC NET topper interview of Deepak Kumar here.

UGC NET preparation tips by Chiranjit Gorai: UGC NET 2018 qualified for JRF & Assistant Professor

Start studying at least four to five hours a day at least three months before the UGC NET exam
Solve previous year question papers for both the UGC NET papers
Be consistent with studies
First complete reading all standard books and then jump to solving previous year question papers
Make notes along with study to remember topics for a larger duration of time
Be confident about your preparation

Read complete UGC NET topper interview of Chiranjit Gorai here.