NEET UG 2025: ‘Aspirants must focus on concepts, not just on completing chapters’

There’s something deeply heartening about a student who walks her own path, guided not by trends but by the compass of her curiosity. Paridhi Gupta is that student. From resisting biology in her early years to falling in love with it through board exams, Paridhi’s story is one of self-belief, balance and resilience. In this exclusive conversation, she tells us how she scored NEET 2025 percentile and what it truly takes to emerge successful. Read edited excerpts: 

Paridhi, please tell us about this fabulous achievement in your own words?

 I’m thrilled to have cleared the prestigious and highly competitive NEET 2025 exam and scored 99.2 percentile, which ensures me a seat in a good government medical college. 

So when did the dream of becoming a doctor truly begin?
Interestingly, up till Class 10, I had no interest in biology—I’d always wanted to be an astronaut! My family believed I had the potential for medicine, but I resisted. Things changed during our split board year in Class 10. Studying biology in depth for Term 1 really pulled me in. I found it fascinating, more engaging than maths. That’s when I shocked my parents by saying I wanted to take up biology. They were surprised and even scared—but I assured them it was from genuine interest.

Walk us through your NEET preparation journey in Class 11 and 12.
I wanted to experience my last two years of school life—I’ve been at Apeejay School, Greater Noida since Class 2! So, the school is my second home and I balanced both school work and preparation. I would often continue my self-study till midnight. It was intense, but I stayed consistent. I made sure not to miss any school tests and managed all my projects on time.

Which subject did you find easiest, and which was the toughest?
Biology was the easiest at first, as expected. But I worked hard on physics because it scared me. I practised it a lot and turned it into my strength. I didn’t focus on just one subject—I aimed to master all three. To qualify in the NEET UG 2025 merit list is about accuracy and time, so balance is key.

How did you deal with the pressure of such a competitive exam?
My biggest stress-busters were school, music and my mom’s food!  I never missed tests. Those school visits gave me a refreshing change—talking to teachers and friends helped me stay emotionally balanced.  I stayed motivated through self-care and teacher support.

Any idea which medical specialisation you want to pursue?
Not yet! Right now, I’m just grateful that I’ll be starting my MBBS. Over the next five years, we all go through the same course. I’ll let the experience guide me—I’m open to discovering where my real interest lies.

 Your advice for next year’s NEET aspirants?
This year’s NEET was the toughest ever—physics was almost like JEE Advanced. So, aspirants must focus on concepts, not just completing chapters. Break topics into subtopics and practise thoroughly. Don’t panic—remember, if it’s tough, it’s tough for everyone. I kept reminding myself of what my teachers said: hard work never fails. So, trust your preparation, and don’t skip conceptual clarity.

What role did your school and teachers play in this success?
Apeejay School, Greater Noida has been my second home as I mentioned previously. My teachers have known me since I was little, and they’ve always stood by me. From emotional support to academic guidance—whether it was managing school work, counselling, or just cheering me on—they’ve helped shape me into who I am today. I’m so grateful to them.