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 the University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test (UGC–NET) exam is released online at the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates appearing for the 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 prescribes the UGC NET exam pattern. It is important for students to understand the exam pattern comprehensively before appearing for the exam. The 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 will inform students through an official notice. Further, candidates must know that they will not get any break between Paper 1 and Paper 2. Appearing candidates are also advised to check the UGC NET syllabus while preparing for the exam.

UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025

The UGC NET exam pattern 2025 consists of two papers conducted in a single session lasting 3 hours without any break. Paper 1 is common for all subjects and includes 50 multiple-choice questions assessing teaching and research aptitude, general knowledge, reasoning, data interpretation, communication, ICT, environment, and higher education system topics, carrying 100 marks. Paper 2 is subject-specific with 100 multiple-choice questions based on the candidate's chosen postgraduate subject, carrying 200 marks.

Back in 2018, as per the UGC NET exam pattern, the exam for both 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. 

UGC NET Exam Pattern 2025: Highlights

Check the important exam highlights for the UGC NET Exam 2025 in the table below.

UGC NET Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2025

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

As per the official information, 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 unanswered questions. 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 on the official website of the exam conducting body. 

As per the information on the official website, the 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. 

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 unattempted 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 that 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-soled 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.