‘Studying medicine in India carries weight abroad’

NEET is a crucial milestone for students aspiring to pursue a career in medicine or dentistry in India. Recognised as the sole entrance exam for undergraduate medical admissions, it demands months of focused study and unwavering determination. Each year, lakhs of students from diverse backgrounds take this exam, hoping to earn a seat in prestigious medical colleges. For many, NEET is not just a test — it’s the first step toward a lifelong dream of becoming a healthcare professional.

But for some students, preparing for NEET is not enough; JEE is also a big part of their study plan. Meet Nandini Jha, Class XII student at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park.

How are you managing to prepare for NEET and JEE?

Honestly, I’m more focused on NEET. The syllabus for NEET and JEE overlaps a lot, especially in Physics and Chemistry. So I follow NEET preparation as my primary focus, and that automatically covers a lot of what’s needed for JEE as well.

What about school exams?

For school exams, the shift from Class X to XI wasn’t a huge change for me. While JEE and NEET focus on MCQs, I didn’t want to lose the habit of writing long-form answers. That’s why I make it a point to keep practicing written questions, especially for Chemistry and Physics. I also love Biology, and I make my notes, which helps with retention and revision.

You’re preparing for both NEET and JEE. What happens if you clear JEE too? 

That’s the tricky part! My dream is to become a doctor, specifically a cardiologist. But I’m also taking JEE as a backup. NEET has over 25 lakh students appearing each year, while JEE sees around 10 to 12 lakh candidates. Plus, JEE has more private college options compared to medicine. So statistically, the chances of clearing JEE are slightly higher. I’m not preparing for JEE in-depth, but I hope that my NEET preparation helps me attempt at least the minimum number of questions to get a good percentile. If I score well in NEET, I will choose medicine. If not, I will consider engineering.

Why cardiology? Is someone in your family a doctor? 

Yes, my mother is a doctor, an ophthalmologist. But no one in my family is a cardiologist. I’ve always found the heart fascinating, and cardiology speaks to me as a field. I think it’s the complexity and importance of the organ that draws me toward it.

Do you plan to go abroad for your medical super-specialisation?

No, not at all. I strongly believe that India offers top-notch education. Institutes like AIIMS and IITs produce world-class professionals. An education from India, especially in medicine or engineering, is highly respected worldwide. Yes, if someone wants to work abroad, they may need to give some additional exams, but having studied here carries a lot of value. Indian professionals are making a mark globally!

Advice to other students wanting to prepare for NEET and JEE.

Those who want to take both tests must know that they will have to focus on one. It’s impractical to give equal attention to both. So my advice would be — choose one as your main goal and treat the other as a backup. That’s the only way to manage the pressure effectively.