Cast your NET wide

Updated on: Monday, June 14, 2010

Here’s some help in acing the UGC’s National Eligibility Test

The selection
In the past, the general perception was that flexible entry schemes made the entry channels porous enough for anybody who took a shot at the exam, to become a teacher. This had a serious impact on this vocation. As a result, falling standards in higher education were inevitable. Hence, the selection test was updated to make it even more rigorous than before. The purpose: to attract the best talent to the profession of teaching. The UGC has been conducting this exam since 1984 — a mandatory qualification for the recruitment of all teachers in universities and colleges across India.

The subjects
The qualifying percentage required to appear for the NET is 55 per cent in one’s Masters degree (50 per cent for reserved categories). Shatarupa Sinha, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Gargi College, University of Delhi, cautions, “Do not indulge in random guess work. One should attempt to answer only if he/she is completely sure, otherwise move to the next question. Also there is not much time to deliberate — keep track of time and be fast. This is a test of knowledge, skill and speed.”

The papers
Paper I (100 marks objective) assesses the teaching/research aptitude of the candidate by testing his or her reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking and general awareness. There is an option of answering any 50 questions out of the given 60 in 75 minutes. Paper-II (100 marks objective) includes short questions based on the subject selected by the candidate. Paper III will be evaluated only if you are able to secure the minimum qualifying marks in Paper I and II. In the bid to upgrade its examination system, the UGC is introducing changes almost every six months. Negative marking came into effect last year and this time, it’s the last paper which has been overhauled. Instead of just descriptive questions, the paper will now be an amalgamation of analytical/ evaluative, definite/short answer and text-based questions. There will be two essay-based questions of 500 words each as well. Total marks remain 200.

Cast your NET wide

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