‘Necessary to have conceptual strength to clear NEET’

There is no doubt that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a difficult and challenging exam to clear. After all, it is a single-level medical entrance exam in the country and lakhs of students take it. What makes it tougher is that there are limited seats in each medical college. Hence, it is the students’ passion and drive to become a doctor that is the sole deciding factor.

But for Pauravi Mhapankar, a student of Apeejay School, Nerul, who scored 94.6 per cent in class XII Board exams, it was her parent-doctors that drove her to begin her journey to becoming one herself.

“My mother is a gynaecologist and my father is a paediatrician. I have grown up watching what good doctors they are. I wanted to be like them. After class X Board exams, I chose subjects that propelled me to walk this path,” Pauravi said, who scored 609/720 in NEET 2023.

In a candid interview, she talks about her study strategies for the Boards and NEET.

When did your preparation for NEET begin?

Once I cleared my class X Board exams, I enrolled with a coaching institute. I did this for two years – in classes XI and XII. I would attend my school classes, come back home and then take coaching. When I was in class XI, I used to study for six hours excluding the coaching study time. And then there was school as well. In class XII, since I was a non-integrated student, I used to take out four hours of study time apart from school coaching. On weekends, I used to study for 10-12 hours a day.

Is this hard work or smart study plan?

While it is true that the NEET is a difficult exam to crack, it is not tough when it comes to the level of questions that are asked in the test. Acing NEET is about being consistent in your studies. If a student wants to clear this exam, they must study regularly for two years. The syllabus may be vast, but it is not tough to study.

 I too struggled when I was in class XI; everything was new for me. But slowly and steadily I had a grip over the situation; this was possible because I was consistent with the studies.

How did you manage preparing for class XII Boards and NEET?

I have my school teachers to thank for this. They were excellent; they were always there to support me and cleared my concepts whenever they arose. They also gave us mock papers to familiarise us with the Board exam pattern. I also ensured that I studied for the Boards in the school. This way, I didn’t have the burden of coming back home and studying school syllabus. Once home, I would focus on NEET.

Key to clearing the NEET.

It is extremely important that your concepts on each subject are clear. Conceptual strength in all three subjects – Physics, Chemistry, and Biology – is a must. Don’t leave any concept unclear and think that you will come back to it. Also revise the concepts time and again.

What books did you consult for NEET?

I would say that NCERT is more than sufficient. One should consider the book as a Bible. I had revised each chapter in all the three subjects more than seven times; there was no portion of the chapter that was left untouched; this included the summary and the questions at the end of each chapter. This year, the entire Chemistry portion was from the NCERT book. For Physics, one can refer to some books that have modules but the rest has to be NCERT.

What was your strategy?

Since I was taking coaching, I used to go through the modules that were given in the study material. I completed the entire portion during the summer vacations. But once the school opened I concentrated on NCERT books alone.

What was your one-month study game-plan?

I took mock test papers every day. If I got tired, I would take a break for a day and then go back to the test papers. I solved as many mock papers as I could. It also included the NEET papers for the last 20 years. I also took full-length tests for 720 marks. I followed the same format as it would have been in the real time exam centre. I also ensured I got eight-nine hours of sleep.

How did you deal with the stress?

It is natural to be stressed. But my parents were pillars of strength. They used to calm me down. Ten days before the actual exam, I started reading the guidelines on how to dress and follow various dos and don’ts. I followed these while taking the mock tests. I had already started dressing the way we had to for the exam when I used to go for coaching just to ensure that I was comfortable.

What was your blueprint in the exam hall?

It is natural to be stressed when you see the paper. So, the best policy is to take 10-15 minutes to calm yourself. If you get anxious, you won’t be able to attempt the paper. Look at each question with a cool head and you will sail through.