PhD Research Methodology exam pattern
Under the UGC PhD Regulations 2022, a PhD entrance test is 50% research methodology and 50% subject-specific, and each university sets its own paper. One published example has research-methodology questions of 1 mark each with no negative marking. Our free practice copies that half: 50 questions, 1 mark each, and a 60-minute clock of our choice.
What the rules say, and one example
| The rule | UGC PhD Regulations 2022: the entrance test syllabus is 50% research methodology and 50% subject-specific |
|---|---|
| Who sets the test | Each university or institution conducts its own entrance test within that rule |
| One example (read 25 Oct 2026) | SNDT Women's University, PET-2025: research methodology 50 marks and the subject 50 marks, 100 questions of 1 mark each, no negative marking |
| Other universities | Differ: the number of questions, the marks per question and the time are their own. Check your university's notification |
| Duration and medium | Not stated here: we have not checked them for any university |
| UGC NET instead | A NET result in categories 2 and 3 can be used for PhD admission in place of the entrance tests universities conduct (UGC-NET December 2026 bulletin) |
What our practice papers copy
Our 3 practice papers are the research-methodology half only. Each has 50 questions with 4 options and one correct answer, 1 mark each, 50 marks in all, with no negative marking, 5 questions from each of our 10 topic groups: the 1-mark model of the example above.
The clock is 60 minutes, our choice: durations differ between universities, and we have not checked any university's timing. The test submits itself when the time is up.
What each paper says it follows, in its own words: "UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022: the entrance test syllabus is 50% research methodology and 50% subject-specific. This paper is the research-methodology half only, 50 single-correct questions of 1 mark each with no negative marking, following the 1-mark pattern of a published university test read on 25 Oct 2026. The 60-minute timer is our choice; durations differ between universities."
What they do not copy
The subject part. A real entrance test also has a subject-specific half, worth the other 50%; this practice covers research methodology only.
The syllabus. The 10 topic groups are our own grouping of research-methodology topics. We have not yet matched them to a published university syllabus, so we make no claim that they match yours: check your university's syllabus.
The questions and the result. Every question is our own; no university's question is reproduced. Our practice papers are in English and Hindi; you can switch between them at any time during the test. Your score is our marking of our own questions; it says nothing about a real entrance test result.
UGC NET and PhD admission
The UGC-NET December 2026 bulletin says a NET result in categories 2 and 3 can be used as an entrance test for PhD admission in place of the entrance tests of universities and institutions.
UGC NET Paper 1 has a Research Aptitude unit; our UGC NET Paper 1 practice papers are on this site too.
Start a free PhD Research Methodology practice paper
Questions people ask
What is the pattern of a PhD entrance test?
Under the UGC PhD Regulations 2022, the entrance test syllabus is 50% research methodology and 50% subject-specific. Each university sets its own paper within that rule, so the number of questions, the marks and the time differ; check your university's notification.
How many marks is each research methodology question worth?
It depends on the university. In the example we read, SNDT Women's University's PET-2025, each question carries 1 mark with no negative marking. Our practice papers use that 1-mark model: 50 questions, 50 marks.
How long is the research methodology paper?
We have not checked the duration for any university, and they differ. Our practice papers give 60 minutes, our choice.
Is there negative marking?
Not in the example we read (SNDT PET-2025). Other universities may differ, so check your notification. Our practice papers have no negative marking.
Can UGC NET replace the PhD entrance test?
The UGC-NET December 2026 bulletin says a NET result in categories 2 and 3 can be used as an entrance test for PhD admission in place of the entrance tests of universities and institutions. For such admissions it gives NET marks a weight of 70% and the interview 30%.
In which languages are your practice papers?
Our practice papers are in English and Hindi; you can switch between them at any time during the test.
Are these official papers?
No. Every question is our own, written for research-methodology practice; no university's question is reproduced, and this site is not affiliated with UGC or any university.
Sources
- UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022, read 25 Oct 2026.
- SNDT Women's University, notification for the PhD Entrance Test (PET) 2025, dated 9 June 2025 (PDF), read 25 Oct 2026.
- NTA, UGC-NET December 2026 Information Bulletin (PDF), read 25 Oct 2026.
More
Practice in the research-methodology part of PhD entrance tests as described in the UGC 2022 regulations. Not affiliated with UGC or any university.