Kanika Suri shares her success story in clearing UGC NET Commerce for Assistant Professor

Kanika Suri, UGC NET qualified

Kanika Suri qualified UGC NET (November) 2017 exam for Assistant Professor in Commerce subject. She scored a total of 208 marks out of 350. Her paper-wise scores are 58/100 (Paper I), 74/100 (Paper II), and 76/150 (Paper III).

A graduate in BBS (Bachelor of Business Studies) from Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Delhi University and postgraduate in MCom from Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University, Kanika currently works as a digital marketer for a social club. Her (late) father was in Merchant Navy and mother was a Biology teacher. She currently works to support herself and her family.

An extremely ambitious student, Kanika never took any coaching for UGC NET and always focused on cracking the exam with flying colours. Reading and writing are her favourite hobbies, however, she also an avid photographer.

In a candid interview with Shiksha, Kanika shares her prep strategy, study plan, and a lot more. Go through the complete interview below:

During the exam, my first paper did not go well – I could not complete it in time and at that moment I thought there is no way I can get through this exam. But I took a deep breath and concentrated on performing well in the remaining two papers.

I anticipated that I would not get through JRF because of what happened in the first paper but I was hopeful about NET and by god’s grace I did clear it.

I allotted days to each topic and tried to adhere to the schedule. This way I got in the habit of studying during the same hours every day.

As per the strategy, I made sure that I studied those subjects first that I found tough and which required me to clear my concepts. I made a strategy to mix and match easy subjects with the difficult ones. I skipped certain topics which I was confident about. Secondly, I joined certain study groups on Facebook and WhatsApp that helped me to brush my knowledge on every subject. Last but not the least, I practiced as many sample papers and previous years’ exam papers as I could. Apart from that, I also practiced questions that were given at the back of the book.

I did not follow any one particular plan. However, I made sure that whatever subject I picked, I completed it before moving on to the next topic. I focused on the tough subjects first and side by side kept practicing the questions given at the back of a chapter.

I referred my PG books for practical subjects like FM (Financial Management), Economics, and MA (Managerial Accounting). I also referred to guide books by Arihant Publications and Trueman Book Company to study theory and practice questions given at the back of a topic.

I worked on my weak areas first – MA and Tax. I made sure to make notes for those topics and cleared the concepts first. Next, I tried to solve as many questions as possible without checking their solutions.

Candidates usually get demotivated during their preparation for the exam. They get sad and stressed looking at others’ progress. I made sure I did not let anyone else’s success hinder my preparation. Therefore, I recommend that you should just remain focused and get on with your preparation plan.

In my November attempt of the exam, I found Paper 1 little tougher than usual, so much that I could not complete it on time. 

Do not keep things for the last day. In fact, in the morning of the exam day try to keep yourself relaxed and away from books as you may get confused or even forget what you know due to nervousness. 

Yes. I always knew I wanted to teach and never deviated from my goal.

Be confident and stick to your plans. Be regular in studies and never give up. Apart from this, time yourself. If you intend to complete a topic in a set number of days, do not deviate from that. But do not cut down on your entertainment either, otherwise, you will get frustrated. Take short breaks and time yourself while practicing questions.

I hope to find a job as an Assistant Professor in a reputed college. From now on, there is no looking back.