UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025: Marking Scheme for Paper 1 and Paper 2, Exam Day Guidelines

UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025: The exam pattern for UGC NET exam is released online at the official website of National Testing Agency. Candidates appearing in UGC NET exam can download the exam notification by visiting ugcnet.nta.ac.in. The UGC NET notification consists of the exam pattern and marking scheme followed by NTA. 

The National Testing Agency is responsible for setting the UGC NET exam pattern. It is important for students to understand the exam pattern comprehensively before appearing for the exam. The pattern for UGC NET exam comprises two papers - Paper 1 and Paper 2. Both papers have multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and students are given a cumulative exam time of three hours for both papers.

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Usually, the UGC NET exam pattern remains the same for each year. However, if the NTA makes any changes in the exam pattern, then they inform students through an official notice. Further, candidates must know that they will not get any break between both paper 1 and paper 2. Appearing candidates are also advised to check UGC NET syllabus while preparing for the exam.

UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025

Back in 2018, as per the UGC NET exam pattern, the exam for both the papers (papers 1 and 2) was conducted in two different sessions as students were allowed to finish their exam of both papers in a duration of one and two hours, respectively. However, 2019 onwards, candidates are required to give both paper 1 and paper 2  in a single three-hour session. Apart from checking the UGC NET exam pattern, candidates should also check the UGC NET syllabus. Candidates can find the syllabus on the official website. 

UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025: Highlights

Candidates wishing to appear in the UGC NET exam 2025 may check the important exam highlights provided in the table below:

UGC NET Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2025

According to the exam pattern issued by the NTA,  paper 1 and 2 will be objective-type questions. Students should note that for each correct answer in both paper 1 and 2, they will get 2 marks, and there is no negative marking for any incorrect answer in the exam. 

As per the official website of the NTA, "The questions in paper 1 will be generic in nature, intending to assess the teaching/research aptitude of the candidate. It will primarily be designed to test reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness of the candidate."

The exam conducting body will not give any marks for questions that have been unanswered. Students are required to attend to all the questions. 

UGC NET Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2025

In order to appear for UGC NET paper 2, students first need to select the subject from the 82 subjects while filling out the application form. Candidates are always advised to prepare for the exam with the help of the exam syllabus given by the UGC. Recently, the NTA has added a new subject in UGC NET paper 2 which is 'Hindu Studies. Students can check the entire list of 82 subjects from the official website of the education body. 

As per the information on the official website, UGC NET Paper 2 exam, will be based on the subject selected by the candidate. All the questions of Paper 2 will be compulsory. Further, candidates are only required to appear in the subject of their Post-Graduation only. 

UGC NET Marking Scheme 2025

The marking scheme for the UGC NET exam helps the students to attempt the questions in the exam accordingly. As per the information shared by the exam conducting body, candidates will get two marks for each correct answer, whereas no negative marking in the exam is given for incorrect or un-attempted questions. 

UGC NET Paper 1 and 2 Exam Day Guidelines 

The National Testing Agency annually conducts the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET). Before conducting the exam, candidates are given a set of instructions and guidelines which they are required to follow. Candidates are advised to abide by all the guidelines and instructions to avoid facing any kind of disqualification during the examination.

Firstly, students should go through the hall ticket issued by the NTA as it also contains several guidelines for students to follow. Further, some of the other instructions and guidelines students are advised to follow are given below. 

•  Candidates are always advised to reach the examination centre at least one hour before the commencement of the exam. 
•  The second important guideline that candidates are advised to follow is that they should carry their UGC NET hall ticket on the day of the exam. If a student is found without the document will not be allowed to enter the examination hall.
• If a candidate shows symptoms of Covid-19, then he or she will not be allowed to sit in the exam. 
• While appearing for the exam, candidates are advised not to wear thick sole shoes or any other footwear. Further, candidates are also not advised to wear clothes consisting of large buttons. 
•  Candidates are not allowed to carry any electronic gadgets such as calculators, mobile phones, bluetooth, etc while appearing for the exam.  
•  Along with the UGC NET admit card, students are also required to carry a valid Photo Identity proof for verification purposes.
•  Keeping the pandemic in mind, students are strictly advised to follow social distancing at the exam centre. They will be given entry only if they follow the Covid-19 protocol properly including wearing a mask and keeping sanitizers handy. 
•  The body temperature of the candidate will be checked before entering the examination hall using thermal guns.