UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Dropout rate measures the proportion of students who exit a programme without finishing it. The stem speaks explicitly of students leaving before completion. This behaviour is exactly what is captured under dropout statistics. Therefore, “dropout” is the correct term.

Option A:
Promotion rate tracks how many students move successfully from one level or year to the next within the programme. It reflects progress rather than withdrawal, so this option does not match the description.

Option B:
Placement rate refers to the share of graduates who secure jobs or higher study opportunities. It relates to outcomes after completion, not to early exit, making this option inappropriate.

Option C:
Accreditation is an external quality certification for institutions and programmes. It is not a measure of student retention or attrition, so this option does not fit the stem.

Option D:
Dropout rate directly counts students who discontinue before finishing the programme, matching the situation described.