Richa Chaudhary shares her success story of clearing UGC NET 2018 Psychology for Assistant Professor

University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test 2025 ( UGC NET )

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

Updated on Aug 8, 2018 15:54 IST

Richa Chaudhary

A final year BEd student of DDU Gorakhpur University, Richa Chaudhary has cleared UGC NET (July) 2018 Psychology paper for Assistant Professor. She has scored 58/100 marks in paper-I and 112/200 marks in paper-II, which has taken her total score to 170/300 marks.
 
Richa has completed her graduation in English and Psychology from St Joseph's College for Women and post-graduation in Psychology from DDU Gorakhpur University. Currently, along with pursuing Bachelors in Education (BEd), she is also doing a diploma course in Health and Nutrients Education from IGNOU.

 A dedicated student, Richa has always topped during her graduation and post-graduation days. She scored 65% (first position in college) during her BA, 79.6% during her MA (second position in the university), and 80% (first position in university) in her BEd first year. The girl was also the General Secretary of DDU Gorakhpur University’s student union.

Clearing UGC NET was always Richa’s first preference. The only daughter in her home, Richa’s parents always motivated her to do the best. In her free time, Richa likes cooking, dancing, and listening to music.

In a candid interview with Shiksha, Richa shares her exam prep strategy, future plans and more. Read the complete interview below:

Q. Did you expect to qualify UGC NET for Assistant Professor?

A.

Yes, of course. Clearing UGC NET was my target on which I focused completely and gave away my sleep and peace.

Q. Could you tell us your preparation strategy that helped you crack UGC NET exam?

A.

I believe in doing smart work rather than hard work. I used to follow a day-wise schedule instead of studying for 10 hours or more. I focused on clearing my basics for each topic and thereafter, attempted a series of practice sets.

Q. Did you take any coaching for this exam?

A.

Yes, I did. But I used to skip that coaching a lot and focused more on self-study, which eventually helped me in cracking the exam.

Q. Which books did you read to prepare for the exam?

A.

I cleared my basics on Psychology from NCERT books. Some of the books that I chose to prepare for UGC NET 2018 apart from NCERT are:

Book

Author/ Publisher

Psychology: From Science to Practice

Robert A Baron

Social Psychology

Arun Kumar Singh

Upkar’s UGC NET/ JRF/ SET Psychology

-

Psychology

 Saundra K Ciccarelli

UGC NET/ SET (JRF & LS): Psychology Paper II & III

Arihant Publications

Q. How did you deal with your strengths and your weaknesses while preparing for the exam?

A.

Feeling de-motivated is the most frequent problem that arises with students while preparing for such competitive exams. In my case, I always tried to remain positive and confident. I just focused on my goal and converted my weaknesses into strengths. 

Q. What as per you are the mistakes one should avoid while preparing for the exam?

A.

Do not panic if you are unable to solve questions and never get affected by external stimulus as there will be times when people will be judgmental and will try to decrease your motivational level. So avoid getting affected by these things. 

Q. Any things that students should keep in mind to perform well on the day of the exam?

A.

Always remind yourself that there is nothing to lose or gain in the exam. You should just focus on giving your best during the exam.

Q. Any tips for students who are planning to take the exam next year?

A.

Be focused, be positive, manage your time well, know UGC NET paper pattern well, and always do justice with your studies.

Remember that last 20 days before the exam are always crucial because at that time you have lots of things in mind. You have to manage the pressure of the exam and at the same time read and revise lots of stuff. So never get panic. Instead always maintain your calm and be mentally prepared for the exam.

Q. What are your future plans?

A.

My aim is to pursue research in the field of Positive Psychology. With the “UGC NET qualified” status that I have recently attained, I have finally got the wings to pursue my dreams. 

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Answered 3 weeks ago

The NTA opens the UGC NET 2025 Application correction window from November 10 to 12, 2025 at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The Registration process was closed on November 7.

N

Nitesh Pruthi

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

No. The authority has not released the UGC NET certificate for the December session 2025. The exam is scheduled to be conducted from December 31 to January 7, 2026. 

I

Ishita Kaur

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The authority will release the UGC NET certificate on the official website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in and also on the e-certificate portal at ecertificate.nta.ac.in. Candidates can download it by using their login credentials including the application number and password or date of birth.

S

Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Visit at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.  Click on the link available for the answer key. Use application number and password or the application number and date of birth to open the link. Enter the application number, password/date of birth, and security pin (as shown on the screen). Click on Sign In and submit

...Read more

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Virajita Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The UGC NET answer key challenge fee per question is INR 200. It is non refundable whether the challenge is accepted or rejected. It can be paid online via debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI. Challenges made by the candidates will be verified by the panel of subject experts.

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Gunjan Majumder

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

It is released by the National Testing Agency NTA a few days after the exam is conducted. The answer key helps candidates in calculating their probable scores and checking the accuracy of their responsesThe details provided on the UGC NET answer key are mentioned below: Exam, date, Exam shift, Exam

...Read more

N

Nitesh Pruthi

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Candiates can check below the steps to download the UGC NET question papers: Visit at ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Click on the answer key & question paper link. Login using the required details. Download the question paper PDF

V

Virajita Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

To give mock test is important. It helps them to find out strengths and weaknesses. regular practice also improves speed, gain confidence, reduce the exam pressure, helps to understand the exam pattern, improves speed, etc.

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Gunjan Majumder

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Analysis is important for candidate in NTA NET exam. It helps in preparation, understand paper structure, difficulty level, topics asked or high weightage areas, expected cutoff. By analyzing mock tests and previous years papers students can prepare well.

K

Kritika Sharma

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

No. Candidate must possess a Master's degree with  a minimum of 55% grade score average from a UGC recognised university to apply for the NTA UGC NET exam. Also, if she or he is in the final year of their Master's programme or hold a four year bachelor's degree in specific subjects. 

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Nitesh Pruthi

Contributor-Level 6