FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions about LLB, Bar Exam, LLM and other Legal topics

Q : Are the law admissions done through the CLAT exam for only 5 years integrated courses, or are 3 years LLB admissions also conducted by this exam in India?

Ans :

In India, there are three ways to taking up an LLB course . . .

[1] Without any entrance exam (3 year / 5 year) – There are many tier-3 and some tier-2 Law Colleges across India, where admission is done on a first-come-first-admitted basis.

No entrance exam. Just meet the minimum criteria in terms of your previous academics and pay the fees.

These are proper colleges, recognized by the Bar Council and have 3 year & 5 year LLB courses, affiliated to various Universities.

They normally will not have any placement process and the other facilities also are quite basic.

But, you will get a proper LLB degree after completing the course.

[2] With entrance exam (3 year / 5 year) – there are tier 2 colleges that have their own entrance exam and in some states there is a common entrance exam for Law Courses across many participating colleges – tier 2 & 3.

For example, the Andhra Pradesh – AP LAWCET, Telangana – TS LAWCET, Kerala CEE , DU Law entrance exam etc.

Bulk of the seats are filled through the exams, but there will usually be a ‘Management quota’ of seats with higher fees in private colleges that participate in these common entrance process.

[3] Through CLAT (5 year only) – CLAT is the common entrance exam for the National Law Schools / National Law Universities across India.

These tier 1 institutes have placement process, superb facilities and the competition for getting admission is also quite tough.

Note : NLU Delhi and HPNLU Shimla do not participate in the CLAT as they have their own separate entrance exams.

 


Q : How do I prepare for the UGC NET General Aptitude Test?

Ans :

I am re-using & adapting this answer from some of my previous answers . . . Please bear with this long essay 🙂

On a broad level, you can classify exams into ‘memory biased’ and ‘knowledge biased’. This classification mostly depends on the subject of the Exam.

Mathematics is an example of a ‘Knowledge Biased’ exam.

If you take Algebra – you need to know how to solve an equation; just memorizing an answer or set of answers will not help; Practicing 100s of MCQs, without knowing the correct method to solve them, will not be of much help.

You need to have the fundamental knowledge on the subject, else the going gets difficult. So preparing for the exam requires going back to the basics.

However, take most of the UGC NET subjects – such as Law / Management / Commerce etc. They are all Memory biased.

For example, if a question from Constitutional Law asks which Article deals with ‘Equality before law’ – You just need to know it is ‘14’. There is no elaborate explanation required for it.

After you have answered the above question a couple of times, you will automatically remember it wherever you see the same / similar question.

The trick with memory biased subjects is to solve as many MCQs as possible. After each attempt review where you went wrong and remember the correct answer; and keep solving them till you can blindly mark the correct answer.

Considering that the syllabus for the NET exam covers the entire LLB syllabus; which is sought to be tested within 100 questions – there will be a certain predictable pattern in the way most of the questions are set.

Before you start your prep, just read through the past five years question papers. You will notice that a bulk of the questions are repeats / variants / derivatives of previously asked questions.

So find lots of previous question papers and mock tests and keep practicing!

If an online coaching offers all the previous question papers & plenty of mock tests, it can be more effective than a classroom coaching – especially if there is no specific need to study elaborate theory.

Two ~ three months of focused & dedicated preparation is more than enough to crack the NET exam.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the NET exam.

 


Q : Is it true that female candidates get a five-year relaxation in the NET JRF exam?

Ans :

Yes, there is a relaxation (5 years) in terms of upper age limit for women candidates.

The specific details are as below.

I. For Assistant Professor Only :

There is no upper age limit for anyone, so relaxation is not relevant.

II. For Assistant Professor & JRF

The General age limit is “(i) Not more than 30 years (32 years for the CSIR NET) as on a specified date mentioned in the NET notification.”

A relaxation up to 5 years is provided to the candidates belonging to OBC (Non-creamy layer, as per the Central list of OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Transgender categories and to women applicants.

*** The relaxation is for all women applicants ***

So the upper age limit for Women candidates will be 30+5 (UGC NET) or 32+5 (CSIR NET).

Relaxation will also be provided to the candidates having research experience, limited to the period spent on research in the relevant/related subject of post graduation degree, subject to a maximum of 5 years, on production of a certificate from appropriate authority.

For the UGC NTA NET, Three years relaxation in age will be permissible to the candidates possessing L.L.M. Degree.

A relaxation of up to 5 years is provided to the candidates who have served in the armed forces subject to the length of service in the armed forces up to the first day of the month in which the concerned UGC-NET is to be held.

Even if a candidate comes under several categories, total age relaxation on the above ground(s) shall not exceed five years under any circumstances. (e.g. A woman candidate from a reserved category, with LLM degree will still get only a total of 5 years of relaxation.)

 


Q : Is failing one semester a problem in applying for the UGC NET?

Ans :

No – As long as you eventually clear the qualifying exams within the time-limit.

While the excerpt from the official rules is included below in this answer, the TLDR summary is:

[1] Failing any number of times in any number of semesters in your Degree / PG does not disqualify you from taking up the UGC NET.

[2] As long as you meet the minimum marks requirement and complete your PG within the time-limit mentioned in the instructions, you are eligible to be UGC NET qualified.

Looking at the NET rules and the carry-over system allowed by most Universities, it is possible for a student to
– reach final year of PG with many back-log subjects.
– take the NET exam & clear it provisionally even with the PG degree pending.
– and then clear the back-logs within the time-frame allowed and get the NET certificate.

The Official Eligibility rules state :

“(i) Candidates who have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in Master’s Degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognized by UGC in Humanities (including languages) and Social Science, Computer Science and Applications, Electronic Science etc. (list of subjects at Post Graduation level attached as Annexure-IV) are eligible for this Test.

The Other Backward Classes (OBC) belonging to non-creamy layer/Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/persons with disability (PwD) category candidates who have secured at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in Master’s degree or equivalent examination are eligible for this Test.

(ii) Candidates who are pursuing their Master’s degree or equivalent course or candidates who have appeared for their qualifying Master’s degree (final year) examination and whose result is still awaited or candidates whose qualifying examinations have been delayed may also apply for this test.

However, such candidates will be admitted provisionally and shall be considered eligible for award of JRF/eligibility for Assistant Professor only after they have passed their Master’s Degree OR equivalent examination with at least 55% marks (50% marks in case of OBC falling in Non Creamy layer/SC/ ST/PwD category candidates).

Such candidates must complete their Masters degree or equivalent examination within two years from the date of NET result with required percentage of marks, failing which they shall be treated as disqualified.”

 


Q : How many times can we take the NET exam, and what is the age limit?

Ans :

(This info is updated for the Dec exam, based on the rules)

The UGC NET Exam consists of two aspects – eligibility for Asst. Professor & eligibility for JRF + Asst. Professor.

Everyone takes the same exam, but for JRF there is a upper age limit and none for Asst. Professor.

I. For Assistant Professor Only

  • There is no upper age limit for the exam.
  • There is no restriction on the number of attempts.

II. For JRF + Asst. Professor

  • The upper age limit is as detailed below.
  • A candidate can attempt as many times as possible – within the upper age limit eligibility criteria.

Age limits for JRF + Asst. Professor

(i) Not more than 30 years as on 01.12. .

A relaxation up to 5 years is provided to the candidates belonging to OBC (Non-creamy layer, as per the Central list of OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Transgender categories and to women applicants.

*** The relaxation is for all women applicants ***

Relaxation will also be provided to the candidates having research experience, limited to the period spent on research in the relevant/related subject of post graduation degree, subject to a maximum of 5 years, on production of a certificate from appropriate authority.

Three years relaxation in age will be permissible to the candidates possessing L.L.M. Degree.

A relaxation of up to 5 years is provided to the candidates who have served in the armed forces subject to the length of service in the armed forces up to the first day of the month in which the concerned UGC-NET is to be held.

Even if a candidate comes under several categories, total age relaxation on the above ground(s) shall not exceed five years under any circumstances. (e.g. A woman candidate from a reserved category, with LLM degree will still get only a total of 5 years of relaxation.)

 


Q : How can I start doing preparations for the UGC net?

Ans :

Since I have previously answered similar questions, I am re-using my answer(s) and editing them for the context of this question . Please bear with the long essay.

Two ~ three months of focused & dedicated preparation is more than enough to crack the NET exam.

With a decent amount of effort and some smart preparation, it is completely possible to crack the NET in the first attempt – and a number of candidates do that every time.

The NET is not a difficult exam to start with. The challenge is that you have to make it to the top 6% to get qualified.

Break-up your study strategy into two distinct parts – Paper 1 & Paper 2.

For Paper 2 : Extensive theory books are not required . . .

A number of students delve into extensive theory to prepare for the NET – which is not something I recommend. Because the theory part is something that you have already studied in your graduation & PG. Do you really want to dig up all the old text books and study again ?

Instead, focus on solving as many previous papers and mock tests as possible; which will help you focus on the crucial areas and understand your weaknesses.

Also, the approach is to know or guess the correct answers within the limited time available. So practice, practice and practice.

When should you start preparing ?

I always find it easier to focus on the preparation for any exam when I am running against a deadline. If I have too much time, I tend to slack off. So two ~ three months is the ideal time for focused prep.

Selective & focused study is the best approach for the NET.

UGC NET Paper II, it is mostly a memory game. For example, Commerce is a vast topic; However, when the entire exam is for 100 questions; across the entire set of Commerce subjects, most of the questions will be predictable.

You just need to remember the right answer – even if you don’t know the detailed theory behind it.

For Paper 1, apart from memory based questions, you need to know the processes of how to calculate, select or guesstimate the right answers.

For both papers, it is all about practice, practice and more practice; since most of the questions are repeated, adapted or derived from a standard pool of questions.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the NET exam.

Solving as many mock tests as possible helps you clear almost all the ‘Memory Biased’ exams; like the UGC NET Commerce, Law, English etc. In these exams, I just need to know ‘What is the correct answer ?’

For ‘Knowledge Biased’ subjects like Mathematics, you will need to go back to the basics wherever necessary since you will need to know ‘How to arrive at the correct answer ?’

 


Q : Do they ever extend the date for the UGC-NET application form?

Ans :

Not this time.

IIRC the date extension has happened a couple of times in the past, when there were some logistics or technology issues – such as the servers going down close to the deadline or there were some unexpected bank holidays (e.g. strikes) etc.

But this time, everything seems to have worked smoothly with the online registration system and there were no unexpected bank holidays – so the deadline has closed as per the original date.

As of today, the UGC registration servers now say that the date is over.

The floods in Kerala and other places would have caused banks to shut down for a while; but things started to get back to normal over the last couple of weeks and the deadline was not extended.

So, as of now, the deadline for registering for the Dec NTA – UGC NET is over.

But since the exam will be conducted twice every year, just wait for a few months and the June / July 2019 exam will be here even before you realize it. Use the time to prepare for the next edition of the exam.

Another aspect about the June/July 2019 exam will be that NTA would have ironed out any issues that they saw / will see this time, so the next editions of the exam will be much better.

 


Q : What is the probability of selection as a JRF after clearing an MSc with 55%?

Ans :

The UGC NET exam is a great equalizer . . .

There are a few exams where the final ranking is based on the qualifying degree marks + the scores in the actual exam. (Some of the CETs were like that.)

But the UGC NET is a great equalizer of sorts, since a candidate with 95% in her/his Masters Degree has the same chances at qualifying as does a candidate who has 55%.

How is that possible ?

Well, in the Masters Degree exam, you are mainly being tested on the basis of your ability to write short & long essay type answers. And the Masters exam is mostly subjective – because you might have written a great and long answer, but if the examiner does not get your point / understand the story, you don’t get the marks you deserve.

So, the problem with subjective exams is that – the best students in a course are not necessarily the top scorers; and the top scorers are not necessarily the best students.

The highest scorers might have mostly managed to write what the examiner might be looking for, but that doesn’t fully measure their knowledge & understanding of the subject matter.

For example, if I look at my classmates; I might have scored better than some of them because I managed to write long & page filling answers. But some of my classmates who lacked the writing skills to write essay type answers; may actually know the subject much better than me.

If the exam is purely objective – they might score higher than me. If the exam is subjective – I might score better than them.

Since the Masters Degree marks are just used a eligibility criteria in the NET, they don’t influence the JRF rankings directly.

The UGC NET is a completely objective exam & most of the subjects – Law, Commerce, Economics etc. are ‘Memory Biased’.

UGC NET Paper II, it is mostly a memory game. For example, subjects like Law, Commerce etc. are quite vast; However, when the entire exam is for 100 questions; across the entire UG + PG syllabus, most of the questions will be predictable.

You just need to remember the right answer – even if you don’t know the detailed theory or reason behind it.

So, if you can identify the answer from among the four choices, you can score the same marks as someone who can write a 10 page essay about the same answer !

What about Paper 1 ?

For Paper 1, apart from memory based questions, you need to know the processes of how to calculate, select or guesstimate the right answers.

For both papers, it is all about practice, practice and more practice; since most of the questions are repeated, adapted or derived from a standard pool of questions.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the NET exam.

 


Q : How can I crack the UGC NET / JRF exam in Commerce in two months?

Ans :

This is a frequently asked question, so re-using my answer(s) from other similar questions .

To answer your question on the time factor :

Two ~ three months of focused & dedicated preparation is more than enough to crack the NET exam.

With a decent amount of effort and some smart preparation, it is completely possible to crack the NET in the first attempt – and a number of candidates do that every time.

The NET is not a difficult exam to start with. The challenge is that you have to make it to the top 6% to get qualified.

Break-up your study strategy into two distinct parts – Paper 1 & Paper 2.

For Paper 2 : Extensive theory books are not required . . .

A number of students delve into extensive theory to prepare for the NET – which is not something I recommend. Because the theory part is something that you have already studied in your graduation & PG. Do you really want to dig up all the old text books and study again ?

Instead, focus on solving as many previous papers and mock tests as possible; which will help you focus on the crucial areas and understand your weaknesses.

Also, the approach is to know or guess the correct answers within the limited time available. So practice, practice and practice.

Considering that there are a couple of months left, now is the right time to start preparing, if you haven’t started yet.

When should you start preparing ?

I always find it easier to focus on the preparation for any exam when I am running against a deadline. If I have too much time, I tend to slack off. So two ~ three months is the ideal time for focused prep.

Selective & focused study is the best approach for the NET.

UGC NET Paper II, it is mostly a memory game. For example, Commerce is a vast topic; However, when the entire exam is for 100 questions; across the entire set of Commerce subjects, most of the questions will be predictable.

You just need to remember the right answer – even if you don’t know the detailed theory behind it.

For Paper 1, apart from memory based questions, you need to know the processes of how to calculate, select or guesstimate the right answers.

For both papers, it is all about practice, practice and more practice; since most of the questions are repeated, adapted or derived from a standard pool of questions.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the NET exam.

 


Q : How can I crack the UGC NET / JRF exam in Commerce in ? What are some tips?

Ans :

This is a frequently asked question, so re-using my answer(s) from other similar questions . Please bear with the long essay.

Two ~ three months of focused & dedicated preparation is more than enough to crack the NET exam.

With a decent amount of effort and some smart preparation, it is completely possible to crack the NET in the first attempt – and a number of candidates do that every time.

The NET is not a difficult exam to start with. The challenge is that you have to make it to the top 6% to get qualified.

Break-up your study strategy into two distinct parts – Paper 1 & Paper 2.

For Paper 2 : Extensive theory books are not required . . .

A number of students delve into extensive theory to prepare for the NET – which is not something I recommend. Because the theory part is something that you have already studied in your graduation & PG. Do you really want to dig up all the old text books and study again ?

Instead, focus on solving as many previous papers and mock tests as possible; which will help you focus on the crucial areas and understand your weaknesses.

Also, the approach is to know or guess the correct answers within the limited time available. So practice, practice and practice.

When should you start preparing ?

I always find it easier to focus on the preparation for any exam when I am running against a deadline. If I have too much time, I tend to slack off. So two ~ three months is the ideal time for focused prep.

Selective & focused study is the best approach for the NET.

UGC NET Paper II, it is mostly a memory game. For example, Commerce is a vast topic; However, when the entire exam is for 100 questions; across the entire set of Commerce subjects, most of the questions will be predictable.

You just need to remember the right answer – even if you don’t know the detailed theory behind it.

For Paper 1, apart from memory based questions, you need to know the processes of how to calculate, select or guesstimate the right answers.

For both papers, it is all about practice, practice and more practice; since most of the questions are repeated, adapted or derived from a standard pool of questions.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the NET exam.

Solving as many mock tests as possible helps you clear almost all the ‘Memory Biased’ exams; like the UGC NET Commerce, Law, English etc. In these exams, I just need to know ‘What is the correct answer ?’

For ‘Knowledge Biased’ subjects like Mathematics, you will need to go back to the basics wherever necessary since you will need to know ‘How to arrive at the correct answer ?’

 


Q : How can one prepare for the UGC NET commerce?

Ans :

This is a very frequently asked question, so re-using my answer(s) from other similar questions . Please bear with the long essay.

Two ~ three months of focused & dedicated preparation is more than enough to crack the NET exam.

With a decent amount of effort and some smart preparation, it is completely possible to crack the NET in the first attempt – and a number of candidates do that every time.

The NET is not a difficult exam to start with. The challenge is that you have to make it to the top 6% to get qualified.

Break-up your study strategy into two distinct parts – Paper 1 & Paper 2.

For Paper 2 : Extensive theory books are not required . . .

A number of students delve into extensive theory to prepare for the NET – which is not something I recommend. Because the theory part is something that you have already studied in your graduation & PG. Do you really want to dig up all the old text books and study again ?

Instead, focus on solving as many previous papers and mock tests as possible; which will help you focus on the crucial areas and understand your weaknesses.

Also, the approach is to know or guess the correct answers within the limited time available. So practice, practice and practice.

When should you start preparing ?

I always find it easier to focus on the preparation for any exam when I am running against a deadline. If I have too much time, I tend to slack off. So two ~ three months is the ideal time for focused prep.

Selective & focused study is the best approach for the NET.

UGC NET Paper II, it is mostly a memory game. For example, Commerce is a vast topic; However, when the entire exam is for 100 questions; across the entire set of Commerce subjects, most of the questions will be predictable.

You just need to remember the right answer – even if you don’t know the detailed theory behind it.

For Paper 1, apart from memory based questions, you need to know the processes of how to calculate, select or guesstimate the right answers.

For both papers, it is all about practice, practice and more practice; since most of the questions are repeated, adapted or derived from a standard pool of questions.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the NET exam.

Solving as many mock tests as possible helps you clear almost all the ‘Memory Biased’ exams; like the UGC NET Commerce, Law, English etc. In these exams, I just need to know ‘What is the correct answer ?’

For ‘Knowledge Biased’ subjects like Mathematics, you will need to go back to the basics wherever necessary since you will need to know ‘How to arrive at the correct answer ?’

 


Q : Does solving a mock test help increase one’s score in the UGC NET Management?

Ans :

I am re-using & adapting this answer from some of my previous answers . . . Please bear with this long essay 🙂

On a broad level, you can classify exams into ‘memory biased’ and ‘knowledge biased’. This classification mostly depends on the subject of the Exam.

Mathematics is an example of a ‘Knowledge Biased’ exam.

If you take Algebra – you need to know how to solve an equation; just memorizing an answer or set of answers will not help; Practicing 100s of MCQs, without knowing the correct method to solve them, will not be of much help.

You need to have the fundamental knowledge on the subject, else the going gets difficult. So preparing for the exam requires going back to the basics.

However, take most of the UGC NET subjects – such as Law / Management / Commerce etc. They are all Memory biased.

For example, if a question from Constitutional Law asks which Article deals with ‘Equality before law’ – You just need to know it is ‘14’. There is no elaborate explanation required for it.

After you have answered the above question a couple of times, you will automatically remember it wherever you see the same / similar question.

The trick with memory biased subjects is to solve as many MCQs as possible. After each attempt review where you went wrong and remember the correct answer; and keep solving them till you can blindly mark the correct answer.

Considering that the syllabus for the NET exam covers the entire LLB syllabus; which is sought to be tested within 100 questions – there will be a certain predictable pattern in the way most of the questions are set.

Before you start your prep, just read through the past five years question papers. You will notice that a bulk of the questions are repeats / variants / derivatives of previously asked questions.

So find lots of previous question papers and mock tests and keep practicing!

If an online coaching offers all the previous question papers & plenty of mock tests, it can be more effective than a classroom coaching – especially if there is no specific need to study elaborate theory.

Two ~ three months of focused & dedicated preparation is more than enough to crack the NET exam.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the NET exam.

 


Q : Can I clear the JRF NET without coaching?

Ans :

IMHO, you may not need in-person coaching for the UGC NET exam . . .

I am re-using & adapting this answer from some of my previous answers . . . Please bear with this long essay 🙂

On a broad level, you can classify exams into ‘memory biased’ and ‘knowledge biased’. This classification mostly depends on the subject of the Exam.

Mathematics is an example of a ‘Knowledge Biased’ exam.

If you take Algebra – you need to know how to solve an equation; just memorizing an answer or set of answers will not help; Practicing 100s of MCQs, without knowing the correct method to solve them, will not be of much help.

You need to have the fundamental knowledge on the subject, else the going gets difficult. So preparing for the exam requires going back to the basics.

However, take most of the UGC NET subjects – such as Law / Management / Commerce etc. They are all Memory biased.

For example, if a question from Constitutional Law asks which Article deals with ‘Equality before law’ – You just need to know it is ‘14’. There is no elaborate explanation required for it.

After you have answered the above question a couple of times, you will automatically remember it wherever you see the same / similar question.

The trick with memory biased subjects is to solve as many MCQs as possible. After each attempt review where you went wrong and remember the correct answer; and keep solving them till you can blindly mark the correct answer.

Considering that the syllabus for the NET exam covers the entire LLB syllabus; which is sought to be tested within 100 questions – there will be a certain predictable pattern in the way most of the questions are set.

Before you start your prep, just read through the past five years question papers. You will notice that a bulk of the questions are repeats / variants / derivatives of previously asked questions.

So find lots of previous question papers and mock tests and keep practicing!

If an online coaching offers all the previous question papers & plenty of mock tests, it can be more effective than a classroom coaching – especially if there is no specific need to study elaborate theory.

Two ~ three months of focused & dedicated preparation is more than enough to crack the NET exam.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the NET exam.

 


Q : What is the exam pattern of UGC NET in December ?

Ans :

The overall syllabus & pattern for the UGC NET Dec has not changed. It is the same as July .

Read Old Pattern / Paper as ‘Pre-July ’ and New Pattern / Paper as ‘July onward’.

Exam Pattern

The older pattern (2017) had 3 papers – Paper I (General), Papers II & III (Subject).

The new pattern since July has only two Papers – Paper I (General) and Paper II (Subject).

I.e. the old Papers II & III were combined into the new Paper II.

Number of questions

The overall number of questions has dropped. I.e. The old Paper II had 50 questions and Paper III had 75 questions. Now, the new combined Paper II has 100 questions.

So, there is a reduction of 25 questions.

Time per question

The old Paper 1 had 75 minutes for 50 questions – 1.5 mins per question. The new Paper 1 has 60 minutes for 50 questions – 1.2 mins per question.

The old Papers II (75 mins) & III (150 mins) had a total of 225 minutes for 125 questions – 1.8 mins per question. The new Paper II has 120 mins for 100 questions – 1.2 minutes per question.

So, the new Papers 1 and 2 have 1.2 minutes per question – i.e. lesser time per question.

Mode of exam

While the CBSE exam was Hard-copy paper based, the new NTA exams will be Computer Based Tests (CBT). So, I would strongly recommend practicing online to get used to navigating, reading and answering questions on a screen.

What about the syllabus ?

The syllabus has not been changed. The old Papers II & III syllabus are now combined into the new Paper II; and there are no electives. The entire syllabus is now mandatory and covered in the 100 questions of Paper II.

The rest of the answer is adapted from one of my previous posts.

Two ~ three months of focused & dedicated preparation is more than enough to crack the NET exam.

With a decent amount of effort and some smart preparation, it is completely possible to crack the NET in the first attempt – and a number of candidates do that every time.

The NET is not a difficult exam to start with. The challenge is that you have to make it to the top 6% to get qualified.

Break-up your study strategy into two distinct parts – Paper 1 & Paper 2.

For Paper 2 : Extensive theory books are not required . . .

A number of students delve into extensive theory to prepare for the NET – which is not something I recommend. Because the theory part is something that you have already studied in your graduation & PG. Do you really want to dig up all the old text books and study again ?

Instead, focus on solving as many previous papers and mock tests as possible; which will help you focus on the crucial areas and understand your weaknesses.

Also, the approach is to know or guess the correct answers within the limited time available. So practice, practice and practice.

When should you start preparing ?

I always find it easier to focus on the preparation for any exam when I am running against a deadline. If I have too much time, I tend to slack off. So two ~ three months is the ideal time for focused prep.

Selective & focused study is the best approach for the NET.

UGC NET Paper II, it is mostly a memory game. For example, Commerce is a vast topic; However, when the entire exam is for 100 questions; across the entire set of Commerce subjects, most of the questions will be predictable.

You just need to remember the right answer – even if you don’t know the detailed theory behind it.

For Paper 1, apart from memory based questions, you need to know the processes of how to calculate, select or guesstimate the right answers.

For both papers, it is all about practice, practice and more practice; since most of the questions are repeated, adapted or derived from a standard pool of questions.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the NET exam.

 


Q : How can one prepare for the UGC NET commerce?

Ans :

Thanks for the A2A.

This is a frequently asked question, so re-using my answer(s) from other similar questions .

Two ~ three months of focused & dedicated preparation is more than enough to crack the NET exam.

With a decent amount of effort and some smart preparation, it is completely possible to crack the NET in the first attempt – and a number of candidates do that every time.

The NET is not a difficult exam to start with. The challenge is that you have to make it to the top 6% to get qualified.

Break-up your study strategy into two distinct parts – Paper 1 & Paper 2.

For Paper 2 : Extensive theory books are not required . . .

A number of students delve into extensive theory to prepare for the NET – which is not something I recommend. Because the theory part is something that you have already studied in your graduation & PG. Do you really want to dig up all the old text books and study again ?

Instead, focus on solving as many previous papers and mock tests as possible; which will help you focus on the crucial areas and understand your weaknesses.

Also, the approach is to know or guess the correct answers within the limited time available. So practice, practice and practice.

When should you start preparing ?

I always find it easier to focus on the preparation for any exam when I am running against a deadline. If I have too much time, I tend to slack off. So two ~ three months is the ideal time for focused prep.

Selective & focused study is the best approach for the NET.

UGC NET Paper II, it is mostly a memory game. For example, Commerce is a vast topic; However, when the entire exam is for 100 questions; across the entire set of Commerce subjects, most of the questions will be predictable.

You just need to remember the right answer – even if you don’t know the detailed theory behind it.

For Paper 1, apart from memory based questions, you need to know the processes of how to calculate, select or guesstimate the right answers.

For both papers, it is all about practice, practice and more practice; since most of the questions are repeated, adapted or derived from a standard pool of questions.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the NET exam.

 


Q : Can I choose commerce for the UGC NET if I post-graduated from management?

Ans :

This seems to be a frequently asked question. Reusing my answer from similar questions . . .

With an MBA background; typically and as per official ‘advice’ you are expected to take up the NET in ‘Management’; which is the subject of your Masters’ Degree.

However, if you have checked the eligibility criteria for the NET exam and if you are eligible for two or more subjects, you can either :

  1. Follow the intent or purpose behind taking up the exam – i.e. you might be interested in pursuing PhD or teaching in a specific area which interests you. Demand-supply calculation is not applicable here.Or
  2. Follow the money – where you do a quick analysis on which stream has more jobs, higher paying jobs etc. Use a demand-supply mapping approach.

Do a little bit of Google research (& also popular job portals) for Asst. Professor openings, which will give you some overall numbers on the demand.

As far as supply is concerned, look at the NET exam qualification numbers for the recent years. I am looking at the Nov numbers :

Subject\t- Total – Asst Prof only – JRF and Asst Prof – Appeared
(008) Commerce\t- 5425\t- 5005 – 420 – 90417
(017) Management – 1711 – 1613 – 98 – 28517

Do a quick correlation and choose a subject which has the higher & favorable demand-supply ratio. As you can see, there are normally more students who clear NET in commerce than in Management.

Considering that to clear UGC NET you have to be in the top 6% of that stream, the competition in Commerce would be higher than in Management.

Look at it as : Probability of being in the top 5425 of 90000+ candidates vs. Probability of being in the top 1711 among 28500+ candidates.

(Check the latest exam numbers to get a better picture of the competition.)

In most cases, the issue is not with passing the NET. The issue would be to actually capitalize on the qualification – in terms of the NET adding value to your profile; for which it has to be relevant & connect with your prior experience and education.

 


Q : Can I choose commerce in the UGC NET with an MBA background?

Ans :

Reusing my answer from similar questions . . .

With an MBA background; typically and as per official ‘advice’ you are expected to take up the NET in ‘Management’; which is the subject of your Masters’ Degree.

However, if you have checked the eligibility criteria for the NET exam and if you are eligible for two or more subjects, you can either :

  1. Follow the intent or purpose behind taking up the exam – i.e. you might be interested in pursuing PhD or teaching in a specific area which interests you. Demand-supply calculation is not applicable here.Or
  2. Follow the money – where you do a quick analysis on which stream has more jobs, higher paying jobs etc. Use a demand-supply mapping approach.

Do a little bit of Google research for Asst. Professor openings, which will give you some overall numbers on the demand.

As far as supply is concerned, look at the NET exam qualification numbers for the recent years. I am looking at the Nov numbers :

Subject\t- Total – Asst Prof only – JRF and Asst Prof – Appeared
(008) Commerce\t- 5425\t- 5005 – 420 – 90417
(017) Management – 1711 – 1613 – 98 – 28517

As you can see, there are normally more students who clear NET in commerce than in Management. Do a quick correlation and choose a subject which has the higher & favorable demand-supply ratio.

Considering that to clear UGC NET you have to be in the top 6% of that stream, the competition in Commerce would be higher than in Management.

Look at it as : Probability of being in the top 5425 of 90000+ candidates vs. Probability of being in the top 1711 among 28500+ candidates.

In most cases, the issue is not with passing the NET. The issue would be to actually capitalize on the qualification – in terms of the NET adding value to your profile; for which it has to be relevant & connect with your prior experience and education.

 


Q : Can I sit for the UGC NET exam after pursuing an MSc in IT distance learning from Sikkim University?

Ans :

AFAIK, Yes you can.

First of all, the basic eligibility criteria for UGC NET is given as :

(i) Candidates who have secured at least 55% marks (without rounding off) in Master’s Degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognized by UGC in Humanities (including languages) and Social Science, Computer Science and Applications, Electronic Science etc.

Secondly, these is no specific bar against distance education courses. So even a distance Masters from any UGC recognized institution should be eligible to take the UGC NET.

Sikkim University & Sikkim Manipal University are both UGC recognized as per the list.

Now, the Masters in IT is not specifically mentioned in the list of PG Courses in the UGC NET info brochure; so it would fall under code 35, ‘others’.

Since IT would be more aligned with Computer Science, you should be eligible for Code 87 – Computer Science and Applications.

To get a official confirmation, you should also send a mail to the official UGC NET help desk mail ID. (While calling is easier, a written email confirmation is preferable.)

Note: AIU validation may not be required since MSc IT is a fairly mainstream course and as mentioned earlier, the Sikkim / Sikkim Manipal Universities are anyways recognized.

 


Q : How can I prepare for the first paper of the SET exam which will be held in December, ?

Ans :

This is a frequently asked question, so re-using my answer from other similar questions . However, the details are relevant for most SET/ NET subjects.

Two ~ three months of focused & dedicated preparation is more than enough to crack the SET exam.

With a decent amount of effort and some smart preparation, it is possible to crack the SET in the first attempt – and a number of candidates do that every time.

The SET is not a difficult exam to start with. The challenge is that you have to make it to the top 6% to get qualified.

This is the outline of the strategy I would recommend :

Selective & focused study is the best approach for the SET.

Paper II, it is mostly a memory game. The entire syllabus of a subject is sought to be compressed and tested within 100 questions.

You just need to remember the right answer – even if you don’t know the detailed theory behind it.

For Paper 1, apart from memory based questions, you need to know the processes of how to calculate, select or guesstimate the right answers.

For both papers, it is all about practice, practice and more practice; since a most of the questions are repeated, adapted or derived from a standard pool of questions.

What I would suggest for both Paper 1 and 2 is :

[1] Solve at least 5 previous papers even before you start your prep.

[2] Review the papers you have attempted and you will identify your strengths and weaknesses. For example, in paper 1 you may be very good at data interpretation, but need to improve your reading comprehension etc.

[3] Watch good explanation videos of previous question papers which explain how to solve the different types of problems.

[4] Start your second round of practice and again attempt as many previous papers + mock tests as possible.

[5] Review each paper thoroughly before attempting the next paper

Within 15 ~ 20 days, you will see a significant improvement in your scores. Keep practicing till you consistently score above 85% and you are ready to crack the SET exam.

 


Q : Where can I find the past year’s paper of the CLAT LLM?

Ans :

The CLAT LLM papers are available Online & Offline.

If you are buying printed books, do check and reconfirm that you are buying CLAT PG books and not CLAT books.

Some of the links suggested on a website are for CLAT (LLB) entrance books. (Some students order the CLAT books assuming that the PG question papers are included.)

If you prefer to buy online, there are plenty of websites offering CLAT LLM question papers – with and without answer keys.

The approach to the CLAT LLM prep is somewhat different from the approach to CLAT UG :

(1) It is mostly an objective paper (The subjective part is being reintroduced from 2019)

(2) There are no ‘analytical’ / ‘quants’ / ‘reasoning’ based questions

(3) A bulk of the questions emphasize more on memory & recognition skills (e.g. Which article says this . . . Which case is for what . . . What Salmond / Austin / Hart or Holmes said etc.

(4) A significant number of questions (80% to 85%) are repeated / variations / adapted from previous exams or from other similar exams.

Extensive theory is not the best way to prepare for multiple choice based exams like the CLAT PG LLM.

What’s the approach?

The ideal approach would be to solve as many ‘relevant’ MCQs as possible, covering the entire syllabus, with focus on the critical areas and solve all the previous papers you can find.

Complete 2 (or preferably 3 or more) mock tests every day. Review the results carefully and make a note of the questions you got wrong and memorize the correct answers.

Repeat the process every day till you circle back to the first set of mock tests and just keep repeating the cycle.

In around 10 – 15 days, you will have become familiar with a bulk of the ‘important’ questions; and you will know the answer by instinct and your scores will start going up.

What do I mean by ‘relevant’ MCQs ?

The constitution of India has 448 articles; and there can be at least a 1000 MCQs about the Constitution. But that would be a sheer waste of time and effort for the students.

Careful analysis of past papers + papers from similar exams will show that 80% of the questions are about some 45 odd articles i.e. 10% of the constitution accounts for 80% of the questions. Another 10% are around some rarely asked articles, but should be covered.

The remaining 10% are ‘Googly’ questions – which are extremely rare.

So, by identifying the most important aspects of the syllabus, the Question bank can have a limited number of questions – but at least 90% of the questions will come from within the bank.

 


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