Scoring 80+ marks in UGC NET Paper 1 is one of the biggest goals for aspirants preparing for the UGC NET December 2026 examination. While many candidates focus primarily on Paper 2, Aditi Sharma Mam emphasizes that Paper 1 has become equally important in today’s competitive environment. In her latest preparation session, she introduced a structured strategy covering target score planning, unit-wise preparation, Previous Year Questions (PYQs), Reading Comprehension (RC), Data Interpretation (DI), and resource selection. She also answered three of the most common questions asked by UGC NET aspirants regarding Paper 1 preparation.
UGC NET Paper 1 Overview
Before starting your preparation, it is important to understand the structure and marking scheme of UGC NET Paper 1. The paper is designed to assess a candidate’s teaching and research aptitude, reasoning ability, comprehension skills, communication, ICT knowledge, and awareness of higher education and environmental issues. Unlike Paper 2, which is subject-specific, Paper 1 is common for all candidates appearing in the UGC NET examination.
As highlighted by Aditi Sharma Mam, understanding the exam pattern helps aspirants create a realistic preparation strategy and set achievable score targets. Since there is no negative marking, candidates should aim to attempt all questions with accuracy while balancing speed and conceptual clarity. The table below provides a quick overview of the UGC NET Paper 1 examination pattern and key details
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| Particular | Details |
| Exam | UGC NET December 2026 |
| Paper | Paper 1 |
| Total Questions | 50 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Marks per Question | 2 |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Target Score | 80+ Marks |
| Mentor | Aditi Sharma Mam |
Three Important Questions Every UGC NET Aspirant Has
At the beginning of the session, Aditi Sharma Mam addresses three common questions that every UGC NET candidate asks before starting Paper 1 preparation:
- Can Paper 1 be prepared completely through YouTube and free resources?
- Where should candidates practice Previous Year Questions?
- Can Paper 1 be left for the last month while focusing mainly on Paper 2?
According to her, once these three questions are answered correctly, aspirants can prepare Paper 1 with much greater clarity and confidence.
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Calculate Your Target Score Before You Start Studying
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is starting preparation without deciding their target score.
Aditi Sharma Mam recommends a simple formula:
- Check the previous three years’ cut-offs.
- Calculate their average (mean).
- Add 10 extra marks (5 questions) to that average.
This becomes your personal target score.
She also advises candidates not to prepare according to their reserved category cut-off. Instead, aspirants targeting JRF should consider the General (UR) category cut-off as their benchmark because exam difficulty and cut-offs can change significantly every year.\
Why Paper 1 Can No Longer Be Ignored
Sharing her own preparation journey, Aditi Sharma Mam explained that when she qualified JRF, she relied heavily on her Computer Science (Paper 2) preparation because several Paper 1 sections, such as ICT, Logical Reasoning, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation, were already her strengths.
However, she clearly states that today’s competition has changed.
Candidates can no longer depend only on Paper 2 because the 100 marks of Paper 1 often determine whether an aspirant qualifies for JRF or not.
She recommends dividing preparation time approximately as follows:
- 60% time for Paper 2
- 40% time for Paper 1
This balance ensures that both papers receive adequate attention throughout the preparation period rather than postponing Paper 1 until the final month.
Understand the Structure of UGC NET Paper 1
Paper 1 consists of 10 units carrying a total of 50 questions (100 marks).
Aditi Sharma Mam points out that candidates should not assume every unit contributes exactly five questions because the weightage varies from one examination to another.
Instead of focusing on fixed question distribution, aspirants should prepare all units while prioritizing the most scoring areas.
Follow the 7+3 Unit Strategy
One of the major strategies shared during the session is the 7+3 preparation model.
According to this approach:
- Build complete confidence in 7 units.
- Prepare the remaining 3 units sufficiently instead of ignoring them completely.
She believes that if candidates master seven units and maintain reasonable preparation in the remaining three, scoring 80+ marks becomes much more achievable.
Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation Should Be Practised Daily
Aditi Sharma Mam identifies Reading Comprehension (RC) and Data Interpretation (DI) as the two most important daily practice areas.
Since both sections together account for nearly 10 questions, aspirants aiming for 80+ marks should begin solving:
- One RC passage every day
- One DI set every day
She advises candidates not to skip these topics even if they come from humanities backgrounds or have weak mathematical skills. Instead, they should improve gradually through regular practice rather than avoiding these sections altogether.
Strengthen Mathematical Basics Before Solving DI
Many aspirants struggle with Data Interpretation because their mathematical foundation is weak.
According to Aditi Sharma Mam, candidates should first build concepts such as:
- Average
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentage Conversion
- Basic Calculations
Once these fundamentals become clear, solving DI questions becomes much easier. She emphasizes understanding concepts rather than memorizing shortcuts.
Choose Your First Unit Based on Paper 2
For candidates studying independently, Aditi Sharma Mam suggests beginning with the unit that overlaps with their Paper 2 subject.
For example:
| Paper 2 Subject | Suggested Paper 1 Unit |
| Computer Science | ICT |
| Commerce | Research Aptitude |
| Sociology | Communication |
| Geography | People, Development and Environment |
| Education | Teaching Aptitude |
Starting with familiar topics helps build confidence and creates momentum for the remaining units.
Analyse Previous Year Questions Instead of Memorising Them
Rather than solving Previous Year Questions only for practice, Aditi Sharma Mam recommends analysing them carefully.
According to her, aspirants should identify:
- Question patterns
- Frequently repeated topics
- Latest examination trends
- Types of questions asked
- Unit-wise weightage
She explains that understanding the pattern behind questions is more valuable than memorising answers.
Three-Step Approach for Previous Year Questions
Aditi Sharma Mam recommends following this sequence while preparing any unit:
Identify the Pattern
Observe what type of questions appear frequently, such as Assertion-Reason, Match the Following, Statement-Based Questions, Fill in the Blanks, or Multiple Correct Options.
Identify Important Topics
Based on Previous Year Questions, shortlist the topics that are repeatedly tested in the examination.
Learn Basics Before Advanced Concepts
Only after understanding the basic concepts should candidates move toward advanced-level preparation and application-based questions.
According to her, most candidates directly jump into question practice without first building conceptual understanding, which affects their accuracy in the examination.
Important Topics to Prioritise
During the session, Aditi Sharma Mam highlighted several high-priority topics from different units.
Research Aptitude
- Types of Research
- Sampling
- Hypothesis
- Statistics
- Measurement Scales
- Validity
- Reliability
Logical Reasoning
- Statement-Based Questions
- Assertion and Reason
- Match the Following
- Conclusions
- Logical Analysis
Teaching Aptitude
- Teaching Methods
- Learning Process
- Evaluation
- Classroom Communication
ICT
- Computer Basics
- Internet
- Networking
- Digital Technologies
Communication
- Communication Models
- Mass Media
- Barriers to Communication
- Types of Communication
She explains that these topics have repeatedly appeared over the past several years and should be prioritised during preparation.
Can You Prepare Paper 1 Only Through YouTube?
According to Aditi Sharma Mam, yes, Paper 1 can be prepared through YouTube if the aspirant remains disciplined.
However, she also explains that structured courses provide additional advantages such as:
- Regular study schedule
- Better discipline
- Doubt-solving support
- Continuous guidance
- Organised revision
She emphasizes that success ultimately depends on consistency rather than the platform being used for preparation.
Daily Strategy for Scoring 80+ Marks
Aditi Sharma Mam concludes the session with a simple preparation roadmap:
- Study Paper 1 for at least 2 hours daily.
- Continue Paper 2 preparation alongside it.
- Solve one RC passage every day.
- Solve one DI set every day.
- Start with the Paper 1 unit related to your Paper 2 subject.
- Analyse Previous Year Questions multiple times.
- Understand concepts before attempting advanced questions.
- Focus on consistency throughout the preparation journey instead of last-minute study.
Conclusion
Scoring 80+ marks in UGC NET Paper 1 requires a structured approach rather than random preparation. Aditi Sharma Mam’s strategy focuses on setting a realistic target score, balancing Paper 1 and Paper 2 preparation, mastering seven core units, practising Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation daily, and analysing Previous Year Questions to understand exam trends. Following these strategies consistently can significantly improve a candidate’s performance in the UGC NET December 2026 examination.
How to Score 80+/100 Marks in UGC NET Paper 1? Get December 2026 Strategy by Aditi Sharma Mam FAQs
Can I prepare UGC NET Paper 1 only through YouTube?
Yes, you can prepare UGC NET Paper 1 through YouTube if you maintain consistency and self-discipline. However, structured courses can provide additional benefits such as doubt-solving, regular assessments, study plans, and guided revision.
How should I calculate my target score for UGC NET Paper 1?
Aditi Sharma Mam recommends checking the previous three years' UGC NET cut-offs, calculating their average, and adding 10 extra marks to set a realistic target score. Aspirants aiming for JRF should use the UR category cut-off as their benchmark.
Can I leave Paper 1 for the last month and focus only on Paper 2?
No. According to Aditi Sharma Mam, Paper 1 should be prepared alongside Paper 2 throughout the preparation period. She suggests allocating approximately 40% of your study time to Paper 1 and 60% to Paper 2 instead of postponing Paper 1 until the final month.
What is the 7+3 Unit Strategy in UGC NET Paper 1?
The 7+3 Unit Strategy involves mastering seven important units while ensuring a basic understanding of the remaining three units. This balanced approach helps aspirants maximize their score without feeling overwhelmed.
Why are Reading Comprehension (RC) and Data Interpretation (DI) important?
RC and DI together contribute around 10 questions in UGC NET Paper 1. Practising one RC passage and one DI set daily improves comprehension, analytical ability, speed, and accuracy, making it easier to achieve a higher score.
