I know you’re all waiting for those UGC results, and I bet your stomachs are doing somersaults right about now. I have been there. Let me tell you a story.
When I was in your shoes, I didn’t just miss the cut-off by a small margin. In my first attempt, I scored 42% when the cut-off was 52% for unresearved catergory. That’s a whole 10% below!
I wasn’t always a literature person. I started as a B.Tech graduate. Why I changed to literature? Because I love books. I knew in my heart that literature was my true calling, and I was determined to make it work.
I was below average, no sugar-coating it.
You know, like everyone I worked hard, really hard, and not only did I eventually crack the exam, but I’ve since helped over 500 students qualify for competitive exams, both directly and indirectly (many of them are Assistant Professors today).
I mean it: It doesn’t matter where you start; it matters where you’re determined to go.
A big mistake (don’t do this!)
Alright, let’s talk about something I’m seeing a lot these days. Many of you are panicking and signing up for multiple courses from different teachers.
You’re enrolling in Arpita Karwa’s class, then jumping to Nakul Grover’s course (yes, it’s me :P), while also trying to keep up with Vineet Pandey and Kalyani Vallath’s lectures. Sound familiar?
I get it. You think, “I’ll just learn from all of them!”
But here’s the thing: This is a big mistake.
When you subscribe to all these different courses, you end up overwhelmed. Before you know it, your brain is a jumble of different teaching styles and conflicting advice.
What happens then? You can’t focus on anything properly. It’s not effective, and it’s definitely not the best use of your time or money.
So, here’s what I wish someone had told me, and what I’m telling you now: Choose one teacher or course and stick with it.
Quality over quantity, always. The focus and depth you gain from committing to one course might just be the key to acing that UGC exam.
Let’s talk about UGC-NET results: If you miss by 1-2%
If you missed the cut-off by just 1-2%, you’re incredibly close to success.
Start by carefully analyzing your question paper and the answer key to pinpoint your weak areas.
- Focus on these specific topics or subjects you struggled with, using your existing notes which have already proven effective.
- There’s no need for external coaching at this point – you have the tools you need.
- Instead, concentrate on any subjects you might have missed in your previous attempt.
- Practice extensively with mock tests and previous years’ papers. Pay special attention to the types of questions that challenged you before.
- Maybe Paper 1 is not strong. Aim for 30/50 questions in paper 1 UGC-NET
To supercharge your preparation, check out 4000+ Topic-Wise Questions (From 2008-2023) or our comprehensive mock test series designed to simulate the actual UGC-NET exam. Download Limitless Literature mobile application for on-the-go learning and practice!
If you miss UGC-NET by 7-10%
If you miss by 7-10% this means you’ve got some work to do.
It’s crucial to figure out what went wrong.
You may need to change your strategy entirely. Let’s break down some possible reasons:
- Incomplete subject coverage: You might not have covered all the subjects or topics in the syllabus.
- Lack of revision: Perhaps you covered the subjects but didn’t revise them enough to retain the information.
- Inconsistent study habits: Your study schedule might have been irregular, affecting your overall preparation.
- Need for guidance: You might be missing some key insights or strategies that a mentor could provide. (Check Limitless Literature Personal Guidance Program)
- Misunderstanding of exam pattern: The structure or types of questions might have caught you off guard.
If you’re facing any of these issues, it’s quite normal. Many students encounter these challenges, and that’s okay. It’s just about creating a roadmap for improvement.
The big picture
The UGC exam is important, but it’s not everything. Your journey with literature – it’s yours. Maybe you’ll crack the UGC next time.
Maybe you’ll find a different way to make literature your life. Either way, what matters is that you keep reading, keep thinking, keep growing.
Wrapping up
Take a deep breath.
Pull out your favorite book. Read a paragraph. Remember why you love literature. Then, when you’re ready, start planning for your next step.
Now, show the literary world what you’re made of!
