Books for Bihar SET Exam 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the Bihar SET Exam
The Bihar State Eligibility Test (SET) is a crucial exam for aspiring Assistant Professors in universities and colleges across Bihar. It assesses candidates’ knowledge and understanding of their chosen subject, along with their teaching aptitude and research potential. The exam is conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) and is typically held twice a year.
Key Subjects and Paper Structure
The Bihar SET exam is conducted for various subjects, including:
- Arts: History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Education, Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu, etc.
- Science: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Geology, etc.
- Commerce: Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, Economics, etc.
The exam typically consists of three papers:
- Paper I: General Paper (Common for all subjects)
- Paper II: Subject-Specific Paper
- Paper III: Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology
Best Books for General Paper (Paper I)
1. General Knowledge and Current Affairs:
- Lucent’s General Knowledge: This comprehensive book covers a wide range of topics, including history, geography, polity, economics, science, and current affairs.
- Manorama Yearbook: An annual publication that provides detailed information on current events, national and international affairs, and important developments in various fields.
- India Yearbook: Published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, this book offers a comprehensive overview of India’s socio-economic and political landscape.
- Current Affairs Magazines: Regularly reading magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Success Review, and Yojana can keep you updated on current affairs.
2. Reasoning and Logical Ability:
- R.S. Aggarwal’s Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning: A popular choice for practicing reasoning skills, this book covers a wide range of topics, including analogies, classification, series, coding-decoding, and logical puzzles.
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal: Another excellent book that provides a comprehensive approach to reasoning skills, with numerous practice questions and solved examples.
- Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey: This book focuses on analytical reasoning skills, including data interpretation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
3. Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology:
- Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology by Dr. A.K. Singh: This book covers the essential aspects of teaching aptitude, including teaching skills, classroom management, and educational psychology. It also provides a detailed explanation of research methodology, including research methods, data analysis, and report writing.
- Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology by Dr. S.K. Mangal: Another comprehensive book that covers both teaching aptitude and research methodology, with a focus on practical applications and real-world examples.
4. General English:
- Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar and Composition: A classic textbook that provides a comprehensive understanding of English grammar and composition.
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi: This book focuses on the English language skills required for competitive exams, including vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and writing.
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis: This book helps improve vocabulary and enhance reading comprehension skills.
Best Books for Subject-Specific Paper (Paper II)
The best books for Paper II will vary depending on your chosen subject. However, some general recommendations include:
- NCERT Textbooks: NCERT textbooks are considered the foundation for understanding various subjects and are highly recommended for the Bihar SET exam.
- Standard Textbooks: Refer to standard textbooks recommended by universities and colleges for your chosen subject.
- Previous Year Papers: Analyzing previous year papers can help you understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and important topics.
- Subject-Specific Guides: Several publishers offer subject-specific guides for the Bihar SET exam, which provide a comprehensive overview of the syllabus and practice questions.
Best Books for Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology (Paper III)
- Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology by Dr. A.K. Singh: This book covers the essential aspects of teaching aptitude, including teaching skills, classroom management, and educational psychology. It also provides a detailed explanation of research methodology, including research methods, data analysis, and report writing.
- Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology by Dr. S.K. Mangal: Another comprehensive book that covers both teaching aptitude and research methodology, with a focus on practical applications and real-world examples.
- Research Methodology by C.R. Kothari: This book provides a detailed explanation of research methodology, including research methods, data analysis, and report writing.
Table 1: Recommended Books for General Paper (Paper I)
| Topic | Book Title | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | Lucent’s General Knowledge | Lucent Publications | Lucent Publications |
| Manorama Yearbook | Manorama Publications | Manorama Publications | |
| India Yearbook | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting | Government of India | |
| Reasoning & Logical Ability | R.S. Aggarwal’s Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | S. Chand |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal | R.S. Aggarwal | S. Chand | |
| Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey | M.K. Pandey | Arihant Publications | |
| Teaching Aptitude & Research Methodology | Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology by Dr. A.K. Singh | Dr. A.K. Singh | S. Chand |
| Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology by Dr. S.K. Mangal | Dr. S.K. Mangal | PHI Learning | |
| General English | Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar and Composition | Wren & Martin | S. Chand |
| Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi | S.P. Bakshi | Arihant Publications | |
| Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis | Norman Lewis | Penguin Random House |
Table 2: Recommended Books for Subject-Specific Paper (Paper II)
| Subject | Book Title | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| History | India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra | Bipan Chandra | Penguin Random House |
| A History of Modern India by Sumit Sarkar | Sumit Sarkar | Pearson Education | |
| Geography | Fundamentals of Physical Geography by Savindra Singh | Savindra Singh | Tata McGraw-Hill |
| India: A Comprehensive Geography by D.R. Khullar | D.R. Khullar | Vikas Publishing House | |
| Political Science | Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth | M. Laxmikanth | McGraw-Hill Education |
| Introduction to Political Theory by Andrew Heywood | Andrew Heywood | Palgrave Macmillan | |
| Economics | Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh | Ramesh Singh | McGraw-Hill Education |
| Principles of Economics by N. Gregory Mankiw | N. Gregory Mankiw | Cengage Learning | |
| Sociology | Sociology by Anthony Giddens | Anthony Giddens | Polity Press |
| Indian Society by M.N. Srinivas | M.N. Srinivas | Oxford University Press | |
| Psychology | Psychology by David Myers | David Myers | Worth Publishers |
| Introduction to Psychology by James W. Kalat | James W. Kalat | Cengage Learning | |
| Philosophy | A History of Western Philosophy by Anthony Kenny | Anthony Kenny | Penguin Random House |
| Ethics by Peter Singer | Peter Singer | Oxford University Press | |
| Education | Educational Psychology by Woolfolk | Woolfolk | Pearson Education |
| Foundations of Education by John Dewey | John Dewey | Teachers College Press | |
| Hindi | Hindi Vyakaran by Vishwanath Prasad Mishra | Vishwanath Prasad Mishra | National Book Trust |
| Hindi Sahitya Ka Itihas by Ram Vilas Sharma | Ram Vilas Sharma | Rajkamal Prakashan | |
| English | The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | Longman | Pearson Education |
| A History of English Literature by David Daiches | David Daiches | Penguin Random House | |
| Sanskrit | Sanskrit Vyakaran by Patanjali | Patanjali | Motilal Banarsidass |
| Sanskrit Sahitya Ka Itihas by Vasudeva Sharma | Vasudeva Sharma | Motilal Banarsidass | |
| Urdu | Urdu Grammar by A.R. Ansari | A.R. Ansari | Kitabistan |
| Urdu Sahitya Ka Itihas by Syed Ali Asghar | Syed Ali Asghar | Kitabistan | |
| Physics | Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma | H.C. Verma | Bharati Bhawan |
| University Physics by Young & Freedman | Young & Freedman | Pearson Education | |
| Chemistry | NCERT Chemistry Textbooks | NCERT | NCERT |
| Organic Chemistry by Paula Yurkanis Bruice | Paula Yurkanis Bruice | Pearson Education | |
| Mathematics | NCERT Mathematics Textbooks | NCERT | NCERT |
| Higher Algebra by Hall & Knight | Hall & Knight | Cambridge University Press | |
| Botany | NCERT Botany Textbooks | NCERT | NCERT |
| Plant Physiology by Taiz & Zeiger | Taiz & Zeiger | Sinauer Associates | |
| Zoology | NCERT Zoology Textbooks | NCERT | NCERT |
| Animal Physiology by Hill, Wyse & Anderson | Hill, Wyse & Anderson | Sinauer Associates | |
| Biotechnology | Biotechnology by B.D. Singh | B.D. Singh | Kalyani Publishers |
| Principles of Genetics by D. Peter Snustad & Michael J. Simmons | D. Peter Snustad & Michael J. Simmons | John Wiley & Sons | |
| Microbiology | Microbiology by Prescott, Harley & Klein | Prescott, Harley & Klein | McGraw-Hill Education |
| Brock Biology of Microorganisms by Madigan, Martinko, Bender, Buckley & Stahl | Madigan, Martinko, Bender, Buckley & Stahl | Pearson Education | |
| Geology | Physical Geology by Tarbuck & Lutgens | Tarbuck & Lutgens | Pearson Education |
| Earth Science by Tarbuck & Lutgens | Tarbuck & Lutgens | Pearson Education | |
| Commerce | Business Studies by T.S. Grewal | T.S. Grewal | S. Chand |
| Accountancy by T.S. Grewal | T.S. Grewal | S. Chand | |
| Business Administration by R.D. Agarwal | R.D. Agarwal | S. Chand | |
| Economics by Ramesh Singh | Ramesh Singh | McGraw-Hill Education |
Tips for Effective Preparation
- Understand the Syllabus: Carefully go through the official syllabus for the Bihar SET exam and identify the important topics.
- Create a Study Plan: Develop a realistic study plan that allocates sufficient time for each subject and topic.
- Refer to Quality Books: Choose the best books recommended for each subject and stick to them for consistent learning.
- Practice Regularly: Solve previous year papers and mock tests to get familiar with the exam pattern and improve your time management skills.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Regularly read newspapers, magazines, and online resources to stay updated on current events.
- Join Online Forums and Groups: Connect with other aspirants online to discuss doubts, share study materials, and stay motivated.
- Take Breaks and Stay Healthy: It’s important to take regular breaks to avoid burnout. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.
Conclusion
Preparing for the Bihar SET exam requires a well-structured approach, dedication, and consistent effort. By following the tips and recommendations outlined in this guide, you can enhance your chances of success and secure a rewarding career as an Assistant Professor in Bihar. Remember, the key to success lies in understanding the syllabus, choosing the right study materials, and practicing regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What are the best books for the General Paper (Paper I) of the Bihar SET exam?
A1: Popular choices include Lucent’s General Knowledge, Manorama Yearbook, India Yearbook, R.S. Aggarwal’s Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal, Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey, Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology by Dr. A.K. Singh, Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology by Dr. S.K. Mangal, Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar and Composition, Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi, and Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.
Q2: Are NCERT textbooks helpful for the Subject-Specific Paper (Paper II)?
A2: Yes, NCERT textbooks are considered foundational for many subjects and are highly recommended.
Q3: What are some good books for Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology (Paper III)?
A3: Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology by Dr. A.K. Singh, Teaching Aptitude and Research Methodology by Dr. S.K. Mangal, and Research Methodology by C.R. Kothari are popular choices.
Q4: How important are previous year papers for preparation?
A4: Analyzing previous year papers helps understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and important topics.
Q5: Are there any subject-specific guides available for the Bihar SET exam?
A5: Yes, several publishers offer subject-specific guides that provide a comprehensive overview of the syllabus and practice questions.
Q6: How can I stay updated with current affairs for the exam?
A6: Regularly read newspapers, magazines, and online resources like Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Success Review, and Yojana.
Q7: Are there any online forums or groups for Bihar SET exam preparation?
A7: Yes, joining online forums and groups can help you discuss doubts, share study materials, and stay motivated.
Q8: How important is time management during the exam?
A8: Time management is crucial. Practice solving previous year papers and mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy.
Q9: What are some tips for staying healthy and avoiding burnout during preparation?
A9: Take regular breaks, get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.
Q10: What are the key factors for success in the Bihar SET exam?
A10: Understanding the syllabus, choosing the right study materials, practicing regularly, staying updated with current affairs, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are all crucial factors.