Cracking UGC NET examination, especially in a subject like Computer Science, is not a piece of cake. But at the same time, it is not an uphill task, which only selected few in the world can do.
Many of the candidates, after failing in 1-2 attempts, start thinking that it is not their cup of tea. I too failed to crack the exam, not just once or twice, but even after 7 attempts. However, my misery lasted only a few days. Every time the notification for UGC NET was out, I always decided to give it a shot. I must admit that every time I missed the sweet success, I felt low on confidence. Still I had a gut feeling that I was doing better than my last attempts and inch by inch, I was getting closer towards my goal.
Now, after qualifying UGC NET exam twice, I have gained more confidence in my teaching abilities. I have also realised that the way I planned and studied for getting success in NET exam was a kind of mixed bag. Means, if I had planned in a better manner and had devoted more time to practice, then it cannot take one more than 2 years to crack the exam!!
Here, I want to share with you my experience and my topsy-turvy journey towards this goal. If you do not want to spend 3-4 years to qualify this exam (like I did) and qualify the exam in less than two years, then, get ready to follow the steps (with determination) I am mentioning here:
Step 1:
Buy/procure the standard text books for different subjects plus one or two good MCQ books on computer Sci. (At the end, I will list names of some of good books). You need not to buy books on all subjects, focus on maximum 9-10 subjects, since you are not supposed to answer every question right and you are never expected to score 90% and above ;-)
Step 2:
Download all previous question papers (of all 3 papers) from the following website links of UGC:
http://ugcnetonline.in/news.php
http://www.cbsenet.nic.in
http://www.ugc.ac.in/net/oldqpyr.aspx?sub=87
http://www.ugc.ac.in/net/oldqpyr.aspx?sub=00
Also download all available answer keys of different exams (from June' 12 to June' 14, you will find ans keys of all 3 papers at UGCNetonline site, for NET exam December 2014 onward, please check CBSENET site).
DO TAKE PRINTOUT of all papers. It is better to use printed paper than reading it on your screen. However, to save your time and energy, better focus on question papers of last 4-5 years only and leave very old papers. For example, patter of question papers of 2004 and 2005 is very old and not many of the questions of the old pattern are asked nowadays.
Step 3:
Study the questions of previous papers thoroughly. Remember, this step is very important to understand where you stand now and how much time and preparation you will need. So, do this religiously and devote next 2-3 days in reading the questions and try to understand what is asked by the examiner. You will surely gain a good understanding about 3 things:
1. What are the subjects I must focus on
2. What are the subjects I can ignore or I can't study
3. What are the important topics of each subject from the point of view of NET exam
There are definitely some subjects of you will have a weak understanding. Rather than wasting your time and energy on these topics, better you focus on strengthening the subjects you have a flair as well as you can prepare. For example, I was not comfortable with Image Processing, Computer Graphics and ANN (Artificial Neural Network), so I left them out. For such topics, one would be tempted to not to miss them. I have a tip for these. For questions beyond your comprehension, just memorise their right answer. Who knows, the same question is asked in next exam :-)
Select one or two subjects (at max) to begin with and start reading their text book. For next 7-10 days, read only the books on the selected 1-2 topics. ALWAYS KEEP A HIGHLIGHTER OR A GOOD PENCIL with you. Any statement or concept which you may find important, then immediately highlight the points in the book itself. (You will be able to do this easily if you did step 3 right)
After finishing the book, go to
step 5. After step 5 is finished, come back to this step and follow the similar exercise for next 1-2 topics in the sequence.
Step 5:
Now, start solving the question papers you downloaded earlier. (Here, you need to solve only questions of the subject you studied in step 4). Eureka!! You will find that you are able to understand the question better now than previously-before reading the text book. (Still, there will be many questions you will not be able to solve). Mark your answers with a pencil then compare your answers with official ans. keys of UGC. For all the questions, you were not able to solve, go to step 6:
Step 6:
Research the tricky questions on Net (Internet dear, not UGC NET ;-) ). Take the help of Google Baba as well as your Facebook group of UGC to find the solution of the question. Stay determined to find the solution till you have not found the satisfactory explanation of the question). Who knows if the same question is asked in the exam itself, then you will be happy for your homework.
Step 7:
The final step is highly important-perseverance. Come what may, stay determined to get through your goal at any cost. Follow all 6 steps, especially step 5 and 6 in a loop, with all your determination. If you fail in one attempt, hold your emotions and bounce back to fight for the next exam.
After taking exam of one session, say June, do not sit idle and wait for the result. Continue with other subjects, solve the questions of your last exam. If you were not able to succeed, you will be left with lesser time to prepare for the exam of the next session. If you are already following your routine, nothing will be unexpected for you.
Stay focused, determined and relaxed also. Enjoy the feeling of putting your best foot forward. Pray to God to keep you on track. Nobody can stop you from achieving your share of success and joys in this world.
ALL THE BEST!!
No comments:
Post a Comment