Cracking the UGC NET 2025 exam requires more than just subject knowledge you need a solid strategy based on its marking scheme, negative marking rules, and score calculation. Whether you’re aiming for JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) or Assistant Professor eligibility, understanding how your answers translate into marks is crucial.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
✔ How UGC NET marks are calculated
✔ Is there negative marking? (Spoiler: No! 😅)
✔ How percentile vs. percentage works
✔ Real-life examples of toppers’ strategies
✔ Expert insights on maximizing scores.
UGC NET 2025 🚀
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Total Papers | 2 (Paper 1 & Paper 2) |
| Total Questions | 150 (50 in Paper 1 + 100 in Paper 2) |
| Total Marks | 300 (100 + 200) |
| Marking Scheme | +2 for correct, 0 for wrong answers |
| Negative Marking | None! 🎉 |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (no breaks) |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.ac.in |
UGC NET Marking Scheme Explained 📊
How Are Marks Calculated?
Each correct answer in Paper 1 and Paper 2 gives you +2 marks, while wrong or skipped answers get 0.
Example:
- If you answer 40/50 in Paper 1 and 75/100 in Paper 2:
- Paper 1: 40 × 2 = 80 marks
- Paper 2: 75 × 2 = 150 marks
- Total = 230/300
No Negative Marking = Attempt All Questions!
Unlike exams like CSIR NET (which deducts marks), UGC NET has no penalties for wrong answers . This means:
✔ Guess smartly if unsure—you lose nothing!
✔ Don’t leave blanks—even random guesses have a 25% chance of being right.
Percentile vs. Percentage 🔢
| Factor | Percentage | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Your raw score out of 300 | Your rank compared to others |
| Calculation | (Marks Obtained / 300) × 100 | (No. of candidates below you / Total candidates) × 100 |
| Example | 200/300 = 66.6% | If 90% scored ≤200, your percentile = 90 |
Why does this matter?
- Cut-offs depend on percentiles, not just percentages.
- A 99 percentile means you outperformed 99% of test-takers—key for JRF!
How to Calculate Your UGC NET Score 🧮
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Count Correct Answers
- Paper 1: __ / 50
- Paper 2: __ / 100
- Multiply by 2
- Paper 1: _ × 2 = _
- Paper 2: _ × 2 = _
- Add Both Papers
- Total = __ (out of 300)
- Check Qualifying Marks
- General: 40% (120/300)
- OBC/SC/ST/PwD: 35% (105/300)
Real-Life Examples🏆
Case 1: JRF Qualifier (99 Percentile)
- Strategy: Focused on high-weightage topics in Paper 2 (e.g., Commerce).
- Attempts: 45/50 in Paper 1, 92/100 in Paper 2.
- Final Score: (45×2) + (92×2) = 274/300 → 99.5 percentile .
Case 2: Assistant Professor Qualifier
- Strategy: Balanced prep for Paper 1 (Teaching Aptitude + Reasoning).
- Attempts: 38/50 in Paper 1, 70/100 in Paper 2.
- Final Score: (38×2) + (70×2) = 216/300 → Cleared cut-off .
Expert Tips to Maximize Your Score 💡
- Paper 1 Focus Areas
- Teaching Aptitude (10 marks)
- Logical Reasoning (10 marks)
- ICT (10 marks)
- Paper 2 Strategy
- Master 70% syllabus thoroughly → Covers 90% of questions.
- Solve past 5 years’ papers → Identifies repeating patterns .
- Time Management
- Paper 1: 1 hour (2 min/question)
- Paper 2: 2 hours (1.2 min/question)
Common Myths Debunked ❌
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “You need 100% accuracy” | Even toppers attempt ~85-90% correctly. |
| “Paper 2 is more important” | Both papers contribute equally to final percentile. |
| “Only subject knowledge matters” | Paper 1 (Aptitude) can make or break your rank! |
Final Checklist Before Exam Day ✅
✔ Revise key formulas/concepts (especially for Maths/Data Interpretation).
✔ Take 2-3 mock tests under timed conditions.
✔ Keep admit card & ID proof ready.
Need more details? Check the official NTA website for updates! 🚀