How to Prepare for UGC NET Library and Information Science 2023 – Check Strategy, Books, Tips

Before you start the preparation for this exam, a proper understanding of the syllabus, patterns from previous year questions, and a smart study plan by using limited resources could make your UGC NET preparation holistic and make it clear with JRF too. 

Points to Remember While Preparing for UGC NET in Library and Information Science

• The important thing to do to crack JRF in Library and Information science is to keep the updated UGC NET syllabus. Read it carefully.
• Identification of the areas/topics that keep coming in the examination and are scoring questions being asked by NTA most of the time.
• Know your strong and weak areas/topics in Library and Information Science, this can be identified by attempting mock tests and their analysis.
• Practice and study more for your weak areas and solve more questions on your strong areas.
• Avoid reading precooked guide/help books available in the market, a holistic approach is the only key.
• Start with the basic books that you read in your BLIS/MLIS to recap your learning as a quick recap of these books will help you in saving a lot of time.
• The golden rule is to attempt mock tests and UGC NET previous year questions.
• Do not take paper-2 lightly. Most candidates put their sole focus on Paper-I but forget that Paper II is of 200 marks and make your result come out as NET with JRF.

Preparation strategy: UGC NET in Library and Information science

1. Analysis from Previous Year Paper:

• Key analysis drawn from the previous year papers for NET in Library and Information Science is that NTA is testing candidates objective knowledge and practical approach skills
• Appeared/Appearing students in the postgraduate degree in the field of Library and Information Sciences are expected to develop fair critical reasoning skills and sound knowledge to answer the questions
• Only objective questions are being asked in the paper and thorough subjective knowledge is a must
• A thorough understanding of Exams topics is an advantage to answer practical-based questions.
• Mostly all options seem to be correct, so a thorough subjective knowledge will make you level up in it.

2. Key areas for your exam:

These are ten units as the latest syllabus out of which, questions are asked in your paper 2 :

1. Information and its role
2. Library Legislation, Extension Services, and Education & Profession
3. Sources of Information
4. Information services
5. Information and Knowledge management
6. Library Management
7. Computer and Information Technology
8. Information System and Organization
9. Research Methodology
10. Type of Libraries and their uses.

Important topics from the above units which are most important and scoring:

MOST IMPORTANT TOPICS	PAPER 2: Library and Information Science( 2021)
Data and Information	1-2
Intellectual property rights and library information science policy at the national level	3-4
Laws of library science	5-7
Library legislation and LIS education in India	5-7
Library Associations in India and at the international level	4-5
Sources and types of information	3-4
Library classification and cataloguing schemes	4-5
Library management and administration	2-3
Use of ICT in Libraries	5-6
Library automation	2-3
National and international information systems	4-6
Emerging Trends in Libraries	3-4
Networking and Internet protocols	2-3
Knowledge Management	2-3
Concept, Principle, and Scope of Inclusive Education	3-4
Barriers and Facilitators in Inclusive Education	2-3
Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library foundation	1-2
Research methods in LIS	2-3
Type of libraries and use	3-4
Reference sources and services	2-4

Takeaways from the ongoing trend of question papers:

• Most scoring areas: Laws of libraries, Types of Libraries, sources of Information, LIS Policies, commission, Library management, and administration
• Library classification, cataloguing principles, Management principles, and school of thought are the scoring and important area.
• Practical based question from your subjective knowledge owns good weightage
• The role of ICT in libraries is very important.
• Aim to cover above highlighted areas with proper revision
• Attempt practical based questions with a critical reasoning and analytical approach
• Eliminating options technique can also make you reach the right options, which can be only developed through subjective knowledge and practice

3. Strategy for UGC NET Library and Information Science: Paper 2

• Make yourself aware of the examination pattern
• Talk Less Act More strategy with at least one mock test/topic test daily
• Keep your sources limited and practice more
• Start your revision by scanning your college books
• At least 3-4 hours daily devotion for a minimum of 3 months
• Read the textbooks prescribed below for Library and Information Science
• Make yourself familiar with all the important points given in the syllabus.
• Make a habit of writing notes for your revision on the last days before the examination
• Talk Less Act More strategy with at least one mock test/topic test daily.
• Time management and routine based study for each topic
• Revision is the key to your success and retention will make par the exam
• Focus on the quality study and prepare with smart strategies to attempt questions. The elimination method works well in attempting a lot of questions where multiple options are there as the correct answer
• In the exam preparation strategy, allocate proper time to practice Paper 1.

4. Important Books for UGC NET Library and Information Science Paper 2 :

Library and Information Science is a subject which includes topics which are not only about subjective knowledge but also your keen observation in the libraries establishment, and to cover the designated syllabus by NTA, following are some available books be studied with prior matching relevant topics as recommended by various universities :

• KRISHAN KUMAR: Theory of classification
• MITTAL (R). Library administration: theory and practice
• RANGANATHAN (SSR. Reference service
• KUMAR (G) and KUMAR (K). Theory of cataloguing
• SAYERS (W C B). Introduction to library classification
• HARAVU (L J). Library automation design, principles, and practice
• KHANNA (J K). Library and society
• RANGANATHAN (SR). Five laws of library science
• KRISHAN KUMAR. Research methods in library and information science
• CHOWDHURY (G G). Introduction to modern information retrieval

There are a lot of books for UGC NET in LIS available, but an aspiring candidate must choose the right books which cover your syllabus.

Note- NTA picks questions based on theoretical as well as practical knowledge.
Therefore, It is a must for a candidate to practice more with subjective knowledge.

Increase your chances to crack JRF

Also, Check:
UGC NET Commerce Preparation Stretagy	UGC NET Education Preparation Tips
UGC NET Sociology Preparation Strategy	UGC NET Hindi Literature Preparation Stretagy
UGC NET English Preparation Tips	UGC NET History Preparation Tips

All the best for your exams.

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