One of the most popular searches these days is How to Prepare for Ph.D. Entrance Exams. Depending on the intended field, a Ph.D. can be pursued in a variety of fields and specialized sectors.
Whether one belongs to the science, Commerce, or Humanities fields, a Ph.D. is necessary and achievable.
However, students interested in academics sign up for a doctoral program to acquire the knowledge and skills required to excel in their respective areas of study.
These articles would address a wide range of PhD-related issues. beginning with the entrance tests, specialized areas, and how to prepare for your Ph.D. entrance exam.
Ph.D. Brief Explanation
A Ph.D. is a doctoral research degree and is also the highest level of academic qualification you can achieve.
This degree, however, takes between three and four years of full-time work towards a thesis offering an original contribution to your subject.
Ph.D., moreover, stands for Doctor of Philosophy. This is, however, one of the highest-level academic degrees that can be awarded.
Ph.D. is also an abbreviation of the Latin term philosophy doctor.
Traditionally, the term ‘philosophy’ does not refer to the subject but to its original Greek meaning, which also translates to ‘lover of wisdom.
Top Ph.D. Areas of Specialization
Before moving on to the top Ph.D. entrance exams, let’s first take a look at the plethora of specializations that fall under the domain of this degree.
The following table, therefore, elucidates some of the popular Ph.D. courses that are, however, commonly pursued by graduates.
Read also: How long is SAT and how to manage that time
List of Top Ph.D. Entrance Exams
Whether you are opting for a Ph.D. at IIT, IIM, or any other higher education institution in the country, there is generally a specified entrance exam that one needs to qualify for.
To help you understand some of these tests, below we have elaborated on the top Ph.D. entrance exams that you must, therefore, know about:
UGC NET Exam
Many universities ask candidates for their UGC NET scores in order to apply for Ph.D. degrees.
The University Grant Commission (UGC) NET Exam is the national level exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year (in the months of June and December).
It is also one of the major Ph.D. entrance exams and aims to determine the eligibility of aspirants for the posts of Assistant Professor only, Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), or both.
CSIR-UGC NET Exam
Another important mention in our list of Ph.D. entrance exams is the CSIR-UGC NET, i.e., the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test.
Commonly referred to as CSIR NET, it is a national exam conducted by NTA twice a year (in the months of June and December) to choose candidates for awarding JRF and determine their eligibility for appointment as lecturers in universities and colleges.
Further, those wanting to apply for the fellowship need to register for a Ph.D. course at a recognized institution, while one needs to have attained a doctoral degree in order to apply for the lectureship through this exam.
TIFR GS Exam
Located in Mumbai, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) is a deemed university that offers various PhD programs and various integrated programs.
Among the popular Ph.D. entrance exams, the TIFR GS (Graduate School) test is organized for the institute’s offered postgraduate programs in several specializations in Science.
The integrated M.Sc.-Ph.D. course offered by TIFR includes an array of specializations such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and mathematics, as well as research-oriented programs in the fields of Computer science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.
These three are, however, the most necessary or popular exams needed.
Among these three exams, students have the choice of taking only one. Not that Negative Marking is also implemented.
