UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026, Difficulty Level, Good Attempts
UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026 for January 5, 2026, is rated moderate to tough, featuring direct, concept-based questions. Paper 1 proved scoring, while Paper 2 was crucial for JRF qualification. This analysis offers section-wise difficulty levels and preparation advice for candidates.
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UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026 for January 5, 2026, has been released following the successful conclusion of Shift 1. Based on student feedback and expert review, PW Faculty provides a comprehensive exam analysis. This report details section-wise difficulty, good attempts, and question trends, aligning with previous UGC NET patterns. This information is crucial for all candidates, including those awaiting a specific UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026 for their subject paper, as Paper 1 insights are universally applicable.
UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026 Reactions by Students
Student feedback indicates that the overall paper was moderate to tough. Questions were primarily concept-based, testing understanding rather than rote memorization. Assertion-Reason and Match the Following questions appeared frequently throughout the paper.
Key highlights from student feedback include:
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The paper was generally assessed as moderate
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Questions were focused on concepts, requiring analytical understanding.
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Assertion-Reason and matching questions were common.
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Direct and scoring questions were present in several sections.
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Numerical problems were manageable with basic calculation skills.
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Data-based questions were clear and not computation-heavy.
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Logical questions required careful interpretation.
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Many questions showed patterns similar to those from previous years.
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The paper felt balanced across all sections.
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Effective time management allowed for good attempts.
UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026 Overview
UGC NET English exam is a computer-based test of 3 hours covering papers 1 and 2. Candidates get 150 questions of 300 marks, combining papers 1 and 2 to solve in the exam.
| UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026 Overview | |
| Exam Name | UGC NET (University Grants Commission β National Eligibility Test) |
| Cycle | December 2025 Cycle (conducted in Jan 2026) |
| Authority Name | National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of UGC |
| Exam Date | January 3, 2026 (Shift 2) |
| Duration | 3 Hours (180 minutes) β No break between Paper 1 & 2 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 150 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Marking Scheme | +2 Marks for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Official Website | ugcnet.nta.nic.in |
UGC NET English Exam 2026 Pattern
The UGC NET examination is structured into two papers, both conducted within a single session. This computer-based test (CBT) format includes no negative marking, encouraging candidates to attempt all questions.
The exam pattern is as follows:
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Paper 1: General Aptitude, consisting of 50 questions for a total of 100 marks.
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Paper 2: Subject-Specific, comprising 100 questions for a total of 200 marks.
According to analysis and past trends, Paper 1 continues to be a high-scoring section, while performance in Paper 2 is often decisive for JRF qualification.
UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026 Paper 1: Difficulty Level
The UGC NET 2026 Paper 1 exam for Shift 1 was evaluated as moderate in overall difficulty. This assessment comes from both student feedback and expert review, highlighting a balanced paper structure that covered all ten syllabus units. Most questions were direct, based on core concepts, and familiar to candidates who had practiced previous year questions.
| UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026 Paper 1: Difficulty Level | |
|---|---|
| Section | Difficulty Level |
| Teaching Aptitude | Easy |
| Research Aptitude | Moderate |
| Reading Comprehension | Moderate |
| Communication | Easy to Moderate |
| Logical Reasoning | Moderate |
| Data Interpretation | Moderate to Tough |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Easy to Moderate |
| Information & Communication Technology (ICT) | Easy |
| People & Environment | Moderate |
| Higher English System | Moderate |
UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026 Paper 2, 5 January Difficulty Level
The UGC NET 2026 Paper 1 exam for Shift 1 was evaluated as moderate to high in overall difficulty. This assessment comes from both student feedback and expert review, highlighting a balanced paper structure.
| UGC NET English Exam Analysis 2026 Paper 2, 5 January Difficulty Level | |
| Unit | Difficulty Level |
| Drama | Moderate to High |
| II: Poetry | Moderate |
| III: Fiction & Short Story | Easy to Moderate |
| IV: Non-Fictional Prose | Moderate |
| V: Language Concepts | Moderate to Tough |
| VI: English in India | Easy |
| VII: Cultural Studies | Easy to Moderate |
| VIII: Literary Criticism | Moderate to Tough |
| IX: Literary Theory Post 1900 | Tough |
| X: Rhetoric & Prosody | Moderate to Tough |