Rekha Kakkar
Updated on: October 8, 2024 12:58 pm GMT
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the provisional answer keys for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) scheduled on August 21, 22, and 23, 2024. Candidates can access the answer keys through the NTA’s website at ugcnet.nta.ac.in. This announcement follows the recent re-examination of the UGC-NET June 2024 exam, aimed at addressing issues arising from the cancellation of the previous exam on June 18.
UGC-NET June 2024 Examination Details
The UGC-NET exam in June 2024 was conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format across various cities in India, covering 83 subjects. This re-examination took place from August 21 through September 4, 2024, allowing candidates another opportunity to qualify for the UGC-NET. The decision to re-examine was made to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the examination process.
Exam Format and Difficulty Level
candidates found the difficulty of the re-examination to be moderate, aligning closely with prior exams administered by the NTA. Toshiba Shukla, a leading educator at Unacademy specializing in NET exams, provided an analysis indicating that the exam maintained an expected level of challenge while being manageable for well-prepared students. Paper 1, in particular, was seen as accessible for those who had thoroughly reviewed the basic and advanced concepts outlined in the syllabus.
Key Topics Covered in the Exam
The syllabus for the UGC-NET exam comprises ten units, with topics including Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Environment, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Higher Education. Specific highlights from the exam included:
- Environment: Questions centered on contemporary issues, including air pollution, climate change, and water treatment.
- Higher Education: Candidates faced questions about the chronological order of universities’ establishment and their contributions to past educational policies, particularly emphasizing the New Education Policy 2020.
- Contemporary Technologies: The exam incorporated questions regarding recent technological trends, such as ChatGPT, encouraging candidates to stay updated on current advancements.
- Interconnected Subjects: There was a notable focus on the application of ICT in research, including software tools frequently used in teaching and research practices.
Maths and Reasoning Section Insights
The Maths and Reasoning portion of the examination followed familiar trends, with data interpretation perceived as relatively easier than during the June 18 exam. Core subjects assessing teaching methods and research skills included inquiries about fundamental concepts, such as forming hypotheses and outlining research methodologies.
Teaching Aptitude and Research Skills Assessment
In the Teaching Aptitude segment, learners encountered methods that promote student engagement, such as those outlined in the Swayam and Swayam Prabha initiatives. These topics necessitated comprehensive preparation, as candidates were required to demonstrate a thorough understanding of various educational strategies.
Answer Key and Further Steps
The release of the provisional answer keys marks a crucial step for candidates, providing them with the opportunity to evaluate their performance against the official answers. Candidates may raise objections to the answer keys through the official NTA portal if they believe there are discrepancies. This process ensures that candidates can address any concerns pertaining to their exam results.
Preparing for Future Exams
As with previous iterations of the UGC-NET exam, it is recommended that those preparing for future assessments focus on core concepts and previous years’ question papers to enhance their understanding and performance. The return to a CBT format may present challenges, such as the length and complexity of questions, emphasizing the importance of practice in time management and strategic answering techniques.
To do well on the UGC-NET exams, it’s important for students to use good study habits. They should find helpful learning materials and talk to teachers who know a lot about the subjects. This way, they can prepare better for the tests in the future.
