UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Diagnostic function in teaching involves identifying learners’ strengths,weaknesses and misconceptions before or during instruction. By checking what students already know,the teacher can adjust content and methods to their actual level. This reduces mismatch between teaching and learner readiness. The stem clearly describes such identification of confusion and prior knowledge,so diagnostic is the correct term.

Option A:
Motivational function aims to arouse interest and enthusiasm,which may occur alongside diagnosis but is not the primary focus described. The stem stresses detection of what students know and do not know.

Option B:
Administrative function relates to record-keeping,timetabling and compliance with institutional rules,which is quite different from analysing learner understanding at the start of a lesson.

Option C:
Diagnostic work helps in planning remedial measures and selecting appropriate starting points,which matches the description in the question,making option C appropriate.

Option D:
Ceremonial function would relate to formal events or rituals and has no direct link with assessing prior understanding,so it is clearly unsuitable here.