UGC NET PAPER 1 · UNIT 05 · MODULE 7: EXAM STRATEGY AND REVISION · TOPIC 17

Master Formula Sheet, Revision Plan and Last-Minute Checklist

One-page formula sheet, the ten mistakes that cost the most marks and a seven-day revision plan.

  • 5 sub-topics
  • 5 min read
  • Topic 17 of 17

What this topic covers

5 sub-topics, in the order to study them. Tap one to jump to it.

  1. 17.1One-page formula sheetTopic Key formulas and facts Reasoning Deductive: general to particular, certain. Inductive: particular to general, probable. Abductive: best explanation. Valid/invalid for…
  2. 17.2Ten mistakes that cost the most marksReading the question too fast and answering a different quantity (CI instead of amount, loss instead of loss percentage). Not converting units (minutes and hours, km/h and…
  3. 17.3Seven-day revision planEach day: about 45 minutes learning from the notes, 45 minutes of topic-wise previous-year questions from official papers, and 15 minutes to log every mistake and its cause.
  4. 17.4Last-minute checklistRecite squares to 30, cubes to 15, the fraction-percent chart and the divisibility rules. Re-read the distractor map in sub-topic 16.6 and the ten mistakes above. Revise the…
  5. 17.5Sources and notesUGC NET Exam Pattern 2026 (JRFAdda) : paper structure, marks, duration, no negative marking, per-unit question table. Checked 23 October 2026. UGC NET Paper 1 Previous Year…

Revision mode hides the full explanations and keeps each section's key terms, lists and tables. Use it from your second read onward.

17.1One-page formula sheet#

In brief

Topic Key formulas and facts Reasoning Deductive: general to particular, certain. Inductive: particular to general, probable. Abductive: best explanation. Valid/invalid for…

Topic Key formulas and facts
Reasoning Deductive: general to particular, certain. Inductive: particular to general, probable. Abductive: best explanation. Valid/invalid for deduction; strong/weak for induction
Series sums n(n+1)/2; n squared for odd numbers; n(n+1) for even numbers; sum of squares n(n+1)(2n+1)/6; sum of cubes [n(n+1)/2] squared
AP and GP AP: a + (n-1)d; sum = n/2 [2a + (n-1)d]. GP: a r^(n-1); sum = a(r^n - 1)/(r - 1)
Alphabet A=1 ... Z=26; opposite letters sum to 27; EJOTY = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
Divisibility 3 and 9 by digit sum; 11 by alternating sums; 4 by last two digits; 8 by last three digits
HCF and LCM HCF x LCM = product (two numbers only); same remainder r: HCF of (a - r), (b - r); smallest number leaving r: LCM + r
Factors N = p^a q^b ..., number of factors = (a+1)(b+1)...
Unit digits Last-digit cycles: 2 gives 2, 4, 8, 6; 3 gives 3, 9, 7, 1; 7 gives 7, 9, 3, 1; 8 gives 8, 4, 2, 6; 4 gives 4, 6; 9 gives 9, 1
Ratio Share = N x a/(a+b+c); fourth proportional bc/a; mean proportional square root of (ab)
Alligation Cheaper : dearer = (d - m) : (m - c)
Percentage Change % = (new - old)/old x 100; successive: a + b + ab/100; A x% more than B, B is x/(100+x) x 100 % less than A
Profit and loss Profit % = profit/CP x 100; SP = CP(100 + P)/100; discount on MP; successive discount d1 + d2 - d1 d2/100; same-SP gain and loss x%: loss x squared/100 %
Simple interest PRT/100; A = P(1 + RT/100)
Compound interest A = P(1 + R/100)^n; half-yearly: R/2 and 2n; CI - SI (2 years) = P(R/100) squared
Discounting PW = FV x 100/(100 + RT); TD = SI on PW; BD = SI on FV; BG = TD squared/PW
Average Sum = average x n; combined = (n1 a1 + n2 a2)/(n1 + n2); new item = old average + (n+1) x change
Time and work Rate = 1/x; together xy/(x + y); wages in the ratio of work done; pipes: inlet +, outlet -
Speed km/h x 5/18 = m/s; average speed (equal distances) 2ab/(a + b); relative speed: opposite add, same subtract
Trains Pole: L/S; platform: (L + P)/S; two trains: (L1 + L2)/relative speed
Boats Down = u + v; up = u - v; u = (D + U)/2; v = (D - U)/2
Mensuration Circle pi r squared and 2 pi r; cylinder pi r squared h; cone 1/3 pi r squared h; sphere 4/3 pi r cubed
PnC and probability nPr = n!/(n-r)!; nCr = n!/[r!(n-r)!]; P(E) = favourable/total; P(not E) = 1 - P(E)

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17.2Ten mistakes that cost the most marks#

In brief

Reading the question too fast and answering a different quantity (CI instead of amount, loss instead of loss percentage). Not converting units (minutes and hours, km/h and…

  1. Reading the question too fast and answering a different quantity (CI instead of amount, loss instead of loss percentage).

  2. Not converting units (minutes and hours, km/h and m/s, months and years).

  3. Using the wrong base in percentage, profit and discount questions.

  4. Adding successive percentages and discounts.

  5. Taking the arithmetic mean of speeds for the average speed.

  6. Skipping the compounding period (half-yearly, quarterly).

  7. Mistaking validity for truth in reasoning questions.

  8. Forgetting wrap-around (Z to A) in letter shifts.

  9. Treating a relationship as certain when the person's gender is not given.

  10. Not checking the answer against the options for reasonableness.

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17.3Seven-day revision plan#

In brief

Each day: about 45 minutes learning from the notes, 45 minutes of topic-wise previous-year questions from official papers, and 15 minutes to log every mistake and its cause.

Each day: about 45 minutes learning from the notes, 45 minutes of topic-wise previous-year questions from official papers, and 15 minutes to log every mistake and its cause.

Day Focus Sections
1 Types of reasoning, number series, letter series 2, 3, 4
2 Coding-decoding, relationships, number system 5, 6, 7
3 Fractions, simplification and percentage 8, 10
4 Ratio, proportion, alligation, averages and ages 9, 13
5 Profit, loss, discount, simple and compound interest 11, 12
6 Time and work, time-speed-distance 14, 15
7 Mensuration, P and C, probability basics; full revision of the formula sheet; one timed set of 5 questions per topic 16, 17, 18

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17.4Last-minute checklist#

In brief

Recite squares to 30, cubes to 15, the fraction-percent chart and the divisibility rules. Re-read the distractor map in sub-topic 16.6 and the ten mistakes above. Revise the…

  • Recite squares to 30, cubes to 15, the fraction-percent chart and the divisibility rules.

  • Re-read the distractor map in sub-topic 16.6 and the ten mistakes above.

  • Revise the one-page formula sheet once, then stop learning new things.

  • In the exam: read the question fully, circle the units, estimate, calculate, then check the options.

  • Attempt Unit 5 in one block of 8 to 10 minutes, and mark any question that needs more than about 2 minutes for a second pass.

  • Answer every question, because there is no negative marking.

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17.5Sources and notes#

In brief

UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026 (JRFAdda) : paper structure, marks, duration, no negative marking, per-unit question table. Checked 23 October 2026. UGC NET Paper 1 Previous Year…

  • UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026 (JRFAdda): paper structure, marks, duration, no negative marking, per-unit question table. Checked 23 October 2026.

  • UGC NET Paper 1 Previous Year Question analysis (iPleaders): how questions are spread across units and what Mathematical Reasoning covers. Checked 23 October 2026.

  • Both pages are coaching and publishing sites, not NTA. Confirm the final pattern and syllabus in the Information Bulletin on the official NTA UGC-NET site (ugcnet.nta.nic.in) for your exam cycle.

  • The formulas and shortcuts are standard textbook results, and every worked example was re-computed before inclusion. The topic-priority ranking in sub-topic 16.2 is an editorial study judgement, not an official weightage.

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Test yourself on Master Formula Sheet, Revision Plan and Last-Minute Checklist

Practise with free MCQs and answer keys, then return here to fix what you got wrong.

↑ Module 7: Exam Strategy and Revision · All 18 topics in Mathematical Reasoning · Unit overview and sample MCQs

Last updated: . Notes are a revision aid; check official UGC sources for any rule or scheme that changes over time. Spotted a mistake? Write to netlawverse@gmail.com.