My Personal Guide and Approach for Getting NTA UGC NET & JRF Forensic Science

Disclaimer: The following are the thoughts of Ms. Arsha Praveena, and ForensicMCQ.com didn’t give her any sort of award or promise of money for writing it. All thoughts are personal reflections from Ms. Arsha.

Tell Us About Yourself

My name is Arsha P. I’m currently pursuing a Master in Forensic Science from Amity Institute of Forensic Science, AUUP. I have done my Bachelors in Forensic Science from Amity itself. 

  • Exam Cleared: February 2023 NTA UGC NET and JRF
  • Score: I received an overall score of 202 out of 300. (Stats: The cut-off was 198, and only 11 students from the general category qualified.)
    • Paper 1: I achieved a score of about 68/100.
    • Paper 2: I got around 134/200.

Is it your first attempt?

No, this was my second attempt.

In the first attempt which was in October 2022 (December-2021 & June-2022 merged cycles). I got an overall score of 186 and I was able to qualify for Assistant Professor.

Honestly, I prepared the first time properly but due to some issues in my study pattern, I lost JRF by a few marks.

How long have you been preparing for this Forensic UGC NET/JRF exam?

I prepared for around more than 2 months for my first attempt, and for the second attempt, I only prepared for a month because of my college exams.

But altogether I would say around 3 to 4 months. I believe I secured JRF in my second attempt just because of the preparation I made for the first attempt.

Have you joined any coaching programs? Did you recommend others to join one?

No, I haven’t joined any coaching programs. But I did take a subscription to Forensic MCQ and I also studied Paper 1 from YouTube Channels. 

Can you describe your study routine while preparing for the exam?

I used to study whenever I got time. Preparing while having college was sort of a difficult but manageable task.

Ideally speaking I dedicated around one month for Paper 1 and two months for Paper 2.

So around 4 – 5 hours in working days. 

You’re in the 4th semester of your MSc. How did you manage your time?

Yes, I attempted both exams during my 4th semester and found it challenging to manage time while studying in college.

As a recommendation for other students in similar situations, I highly recommend finding a Study Partner.

For me, my best friend, Manwi Shankar, was an excellent study partner, and am extremely happy that we both secured JRF.

To make the most of our available time we would wake up early around 4 am and study in the morning hours. In college, we also tried to find some time and study. There were internals and college activities but we managed to study and ask doubts to each other.

I didn’t have a rigid timetable but I used to study whenever I got time.

Studying with a friend reduces anxiety and stress and helps to tackle problems easily.

What have you changed when you’re preparing for the JRF?

I changed my approach to studying for my second attempt. During my first attempt, anxiety and stress severely impacted my performance.

However, in my second attempt, I was able to reduce my stress levels by focusing on what to study, what not to study, and how much to study.

I made consistent practice and filling the gaps from my previous attempt my priority.

Practicing the previous year’s questions helps to analyze and understand the concepts.

In Paper 1, there are topics which are very huge eg: People and Environment, Higher Education System.

So I practiced the previous year’s questions and made notes accordingly. I learned that consistent practice and dedication are crucial for any exam.

What motivates you when you feel low while preparing?

My dream of becoming a scientist is what motivates me every day.

Thankfully, I have had the continuous support of my family and friends throughout my journey. Whenever I feel down, I turn to my mother for guidance. She helps me find the strength to continue pursuing my dream.

The struggles and sacrifices that my parents have made on my behalf are a constant source of motivation for me.

Their dedication to helping me achieve my goals inspires me to push myself to new heights and live my life to the fullest.

I am grateful for the unwavering love and encouragement from my family and friends, and I believe it is a significant factor in my journey to becoming a scientist. 

Books your read for preparation of Paper 1 and Paper 2

Paper 1: KVS Madan Previous year question bank.

Paper 2:

  1. Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by Gautam Biswas
  2. Firearms in Criminal Investigation and Trials by Dr. B R Sharma
  3. The Fingerprint sourcebook – NIJ
  4. Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by Anil Aggrawal.

The books for Paper 2 are actually what I studied during my Bachelors and Masters. These books are not just for UGC NET/JRF preparation but for undergraduates and postgraduate students

Online Sources that Help You in Your JRF?

Paper 1:

  • Bharat Kumar Sir Youtube channel
  • Net JRF with Aditi
  • available previous year questions on various sites

Paper 2:

How did using ForensicMCQ.com influence your preparation and success?

I prepared for the exam by solving questions from every topic and creating notes based on my learning.

Making use of ForensicMCQ, I was able to clarify my doubts and gain a deeper understanding of key concepts.

Throughout the preparation process, I uncovered many new and valuable insights that I had not previously known.

Would you recommend ForensicMCQ.com to other students preparing for their exams? Why?

Absolutely! I highly recommend ForensicMCQ.com to anyone preparing for forensic science exams, including UGC NET/JRF exams.

The site offers a wide range of questions that help students prepare more easily. They provide previous year questions with detailed explanations, and each topic has separate questions and answers. 

One of the most valuable features of ForensicMCQ.com is the mock tests available.

Taking these tests provides students with a clear understanding of where they stand, making it easier to pinpoint areas of strength and weakness in their preparation. Additionally, the explanations on the site come with good research backgrounds and are extremely thorough.

To anyone studying forensic science and looking to prepare for exams effectively, I would definitely recommend utilizing ForensicMCQ.com as a valuable resource. 

Solving MCQs different from revising notes and reading books? What makes the difference more?

I practice more MCQs and I also revise my notes which I prepared from MCQs and from other sources on a daily basis.

You have qualified for NET on the first attempt and then JRF on the second attempt. So, comment on how a fresher can do that in their first attempt.

  • Before beginning their preparation for the exam, students are strongly advised to thoroughly review the syllabus.
  • Seek guidance from teachers and seniors, who can provide you with materials and insight.
  • Allow adequate time for both Paper 1 and Paper 2, but never overlook the importance of Paper 1, which plays a crucial role in achieving JRF.
  • Practice more and more previous year questions and make notes accordingly. Since I had Forensics in my Bachelors’s and Master, I also had the advantage of college notes.
  • For students who had different subjects in bachelor’s, do not panic! You can start your preparation early.
  • Ask doubts, make study partners, prepare notes, practice more and enjoy the process of learning! 

How did you prepare for Paper 1? Please give your insight and preparation guidance.

For Paper 1, I prepared from YouTube videos especially, I followed Kumar Bharat Sir and Aditi Mam. 

Understanding the scoring topics and working accordingly is a good strategy.

For me, topics such as Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Mathematical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, ICT, and communication were the scoring topics so I focused more on those.

People and Environment and Higher education were a bit tough so I learned concepts from videos and practiced the previous year’s questions.

Let’s say if you can go back in time, exactly one month before the exam. What One thing you can change that helps you score more?

I think I will practice more since practice is the key for perfection.

What are your weak points and how do you use them in your preparation?

My initial weakness was stressing too much during preparation.

To address this, I started categorizing and prioritizing topics that needed to be completed first.  Additionally, I encountered certain topics which I found difficult to understand.

To overcome this, I made it a point to ask doubts from teachers or peers and conducted thorough research efforts on my own.

By using my weaknesses constructively and managing stress effectively, I was able to channel my energy into productive study sessions and yield better results in my UGC NET/JRF exam preparation.


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One Comment

  1. Bindya maniyamma says:

    Congratulations dear…we all are proud of you and also the way you approach to pursue your dreams….