How to Prepare for UGC NET Using Previous Year Papers

UGC NET 2025 exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is an important test for candidates seeking eligibility for Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) & Assistant Professor in Indian universities. The exam is held twice a year, in June and December, and the official notification, along with the application form, will be available on ugcnet.nta.ac.in. To apply, candidates must have a master’s degree with the required marks. The exam is computer-based and covers two papers—Paper 1 (Teaching & Research Aptitude) and Paper 2 (Subject-Specific Questions).
To prepare effectively, solving UGC NET previous year questions is essential. PYQs help understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and important topics. Many successful candidates use PYQs to identify strong and weak areas, making revision more efficient. Check out the below article to learn How to Prepare for UGC NET Using Previous Year Papers.
UGC NET 2025 Exam
The UGC NET 2025 exam dates are yet to be announced. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the official notification along with the application form on its website ugcnet.nta.ac.in. Meanwhile, check out the basic UGC NET 2025 overview below:
Exam Particulars |
Exam Details |
Exam Name |
UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) |
Conducting Body |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Exam Level |
National |
Exam Frequency |
Twice a year (June & December) |
Mode of Exam |
Online (Computer-Based Test) |
Exam Duration |
180 minutes (3 hours) |
Exam Shifts |
Shift 1: 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM Shift 2: 03:00 PM – 06:00 PM |
Total Papers |
2 (Paper 1 & Paper 2) |
Total Marks |
Paper 1: 100 marks Paper 2: 200 marks |
Total Questions |
Paper 1: 50 MCQs Paper 2: 100 MCQs |
Marking Scheme |
+2 marks for each correct answer No negative marking |
Exam Language |
English and Hindi |
Exam Fees |
General: ₹1,150 OBC: ₹600 SC/ST/PwD: ₹325 |
UGC NET Previous Year Question
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If the monthly income of A and D are ₹80,000 and ₹72,000, respectively, then the amount of money spent by A on Rent is __% more than the amount spent by D on Clothes.
(1) 32.62%
(2) 38.89%
(3) 36.54%
(4) 34.24% -
If the annual income of each of the six persons is ₹3,00,000, then the amount of money spent on Clothes is more than ₹41,800 by exactly __ persons.
(1) 2
(2) 3
(3) 4
(4) 5 -
If the annual incomes of B and C are ₹4,32,000 and ₹5,28,000, respectively, then what is the difference between the amount spent by them on Transport?
(1) ₹18,496
(2) ₹18,828
(3) ₹19,216
(4) ₹19,488 -
If the annual income of each of C and D is ₹8,40,000, then what is the sum of the amount spent by C on Rent and that by D on Miscellaneous items?
(1) ₹2,88,820
(2) ₹2,90,520
(3) ₹2,93,160
(4) ₹2,95,700 -
If the amount of money spent on Food by C and D is ₹1,44,000 and ₹1,72,800, respectively, then the annual income of C is __% of the annual income of D.
(1) 47.5%
(2) 60%
(3) 62.5%
(4) 120% -
Which of the following are arranged in the order of increasing connotation?
(1) Vertebrates, Mammals, Canine, Labradors
(2) Mammals, Vertebrates, Canine, Labradors
(3) Canine, Labradors, Mammals, Vertebrates
(4) Labradors, Canine, Mammals, Vertebrates -
Two researchers obtain similar results while investigating a problem following different methodologies. Their measurements show:
(1) Interrater Validity
(2) Convergent Validity
(3) Construct Validity
(4) Test-Retest Validity -
The amount of destruction caused by an earthquake is measured by:
(1) Richter Scale
(2) Intensity Scale
(3) Magnitude Scale
(4) Mercalli Scale -
The contents of Swayamprabha Channel-15, with the theme of "Capacity Building and Teacher Education," are provided by:
(1) CEC, New Delhi
(2) IIT Delhi
(3) IGNOU, New Delhi
(4) IIT Kanpur -
Which of the following statements are logically equivalent?
(A) Some non-dogs are non-friendly animals.
(B) Some dogs are friendly animals.
(C) Some friendly animals are dogs.
(D) All dogs are friendly animals.
Get the full UGC previous year question paper below
Physics Wallah UGC NET Previous Year Question PDF
How to Prepare for UGC NET Using Previous Year Papers?
The UGC NET exam is one of the most competitive national-level exams, requiring a well-structured preparation strategy. One of the most effective ways to prepare is by using UGC NET PYQs. Check How to Prepare for UGC NET Using Previous Year Papers below:-
1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Before solving UGC previous year question papers, ensure you are well-versed with the latest syllabus and exam pattern. The UGC NET exam consists of:
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Paper 1: General Paper on Teaching & Research Aptitude (50 questions, 100 marks)
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Paper 2: Subject-Specific Paper (100 questions, 200 marks)
2. Download and Organise Previous Year Papers
To effectively use UGC NET previous year paper, download them in PDF format from reliable sources. Searching for UGC NET previous year question paper PDF can help you find authentic resources. Organise these papers based on:
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Year-wise (latest to oldest)
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Subject-wise (Paper 1 and Paper 2)
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Topic-wise (for focused study)
3. Solve Papers in a Timed Environment
To build time management skills, attempt UGC previous year question papers in a timed exam setting. Follow these steps:
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Set a timer and strictly stick to the exam duration.
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Avoid distractions and take the test seriously.
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Attempt all questions and mark the ones you find difficult.
4. Analyse Your Performance and Identify Weak Areas
Once you complete a UGC NET previous year question, review your answers carefully:
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Check the correct answers and understand the explanations.
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Identify the topics where you made mistakes and revisit the concepts.
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Keep a notebook to note down important points and difficult questions.
5. Focus on Repeated Topics and Question Trends
By solving multiple previous year question paper of UGC NET, you will notice that certain topics appear frequently. Prioritise these areas in your preparation. For example:
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Paper 1: Teaching Aptitude, Research Methodology, ICT, Higher Education System
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Paper 2: Subject-specific questions (as per your chosen discipline)
6. Revise Regularly and Track Your Progress
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Keep revising the concepts and formulas you struggle with.
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Maintain a study diary to track improvements.
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Re-attempt UGC NET last year question paper after a few weeks to see if you can solve it faster and more accurately.
7. Use UGC NET Previous Year Papers as a Last-Minute Revision Tool
Before the exam, go through the UGC NET previous year question paper PDF once again. Focus on:
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Important formulas and concepts
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Frequently asked topics
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Quick problem-solving techniques
Check Out: Teaching Exam Books
UGC NET Previous Year Question FAQs
1. Why should I use UGC NET previous year question papers for preparation?
Using previous year question paper of UGC NET helps you understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and important topics. It also improves time management and accuracy.
2. Where can I download UGC NET previous year question paper PDFs?
You can download UGC NET previous year question paper PDFs from the official NTA website, UGC NET preparation platforms, or other reliable educational websites such as Physics Wallah.
3. How many UGC previous year question papers should I solve before the exam?
Solving at least 10-15 years of UGC NET previous year papers will give you a comprehensive understanding of question trends and patterns.
4. How do I analyse my performance after solving a previous year question paper of UGC NET?
After solving a paper:
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Compare your answers with the official answer key.
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Identify weak areas and revise them.
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Keep track of frequently repeated questions and important topics.
5. Are UGC NET previous year question papers enough for exam preparation?
No, while UGC NET previous year papers are highly useful, you should also refer to standard books, study materials, and attempt mock tests for better preparation.