15 Secrets from NEET Toppers that you want to know
NEET stands as one of India's most coveted national-level medical entrance exams, attracting a vast number of candidates annually. Despite passing the exam, only a select few secure a spot on the final merit list.
The NEET application count has been on a consistent rise each year, with 15.97 lakhs in 2020, 16.14 lakhs in 2021, and exceeding 18 lakhs in 2022, intensifying the competition.
To navigate this challenging journey, students should adopt effective strategies, learning from NEET toppers who have excelled in their preparation, thus optimizing their practice and aiming for high scores.
It's crucial for candidates to cultivate the right mindset, with the primary goal of not just passing but achieving the highest possible score. This blog unveils 15 secrets from NEET toppers, offering valuable insights to conquer the NEET exam.
Common Issues NEET Students Encounter
Many candidates overlook essential details that can affect their exam performance, so as you prepare for NEET 2023, keep these key factors in mind and strive to avoid common errors. Let's start by discussing the two primary factors influencing your exam scores:
Overemphasizing a Single Subject:
Often, aspirants concentrate excessively on one subject while neglecting the other two. It's crucial to remember that all three subjects contribute to your final score, so allocate sufficient time to each.
Unnecessary Study Resources:
Students tend to accumulate numerous reference books, leading to confusion and an inability to focus. It's advisable to stick to a single study guide with clear explanations, ample examples, and useful practice questions.
Success Through Practice:
Prior to the main exam, practice as many problems as possible. Practice is the key to effective time management during exams and gaining a deep understanding of question patterns. Solve previous years' papers to boost confidence and readiness.
Group Study:
In addition to self-study, allocate time for group study to enhance your learning and gain a deeper understanding of the extensive NEET syllabus. Socializing while studying with friends can make your preparation enjoyable and productive.
Stress Management:
Develop your own stress management strategy, as advised by Raghav Dubey, the AIR-10 NEET topper from 2009. Engage in activities that bring you joy, such as hobbies, music, games, or leisurely strolls, to alleviate stress.
Thoroughly Examine Test Questions:
Carefully review each exam question, taking the time to fully comprehend it before answering. Evaluate the difficulty level, with physics questions warranting extra patience due to potential calculation errors.
Effective Time Management:
Utilize your exam time wisely by staying calm and not rushing to leave early. Use any extra time to review and double-check your answers. Avoid changing answers out of confusion; carefully review each response.
Avoid Procrastination:
Maintain discipline in your study routine and avoid postponing challenging subjects or practice sessions. Delaying your studies only adds to the burden.
Self-Evaluation:
Regularly assess your preparation by taking mock exams and solving previous papers. Practice answering questions under timed conditions, as recommended by NEET Topper Akansha Singh, who achieved second place in NEET 2020.
Revision:
Devote time to revising, and compile crucial formulas in a journal for periodic review. Practicing questions based on these formulas can test your comprehension.
Persistence and Dedication:
Top NEET scorers attribute their success to unwavering commitment. Begin your preparation early, as NEET Topper Tanmay Gupta, who secured AIR 2 with a perfect score of 720 in NEET 2021, underscores the importance of persistence and dedication.
Short Study Sessions:
Instead of prolonged study sessions, break your study time into shorter intervals. Take brief breaks, as NEET Topper Mrinal Kutteri suggests, focusing for around 45 minutes to an hour before pausing for 10 to 15 minutes.
Select Quality Study Resources:
Avoid overloading yourself with multiple study materials. Choose reliable study materials, as reading from too many different books can lead to confusion. Select a few excellent books for each subject and stick with them.
Know the NEET Syllabus:
Familiarize yourself with the NEET syllabus, which encompasses the class 11 and 12 curricula from various boards. This knowledge will help you plan your NEET 2023 preparation more efficiently and save time.
Understand the Test Pattern:
NEET is a paper-based objective exam divided into four subject areas: physics, chemistry, botany, and zoology. Each subject is further divided into two sections with different internal choices.
Adaptable Study Plan:
Maintain flexibility in your study schedule to prevent monotony and distractions. Adjust your study plan periodically to meet specific learning demands and maintain a consistent learning rhythm.
Prioritize NCERT:
Emphasize mastery of the NCERT syllabus for classes 11 and 12, reading and comprehending all concepts thoroughly. Don't skip studying from NCERT, as it forms the foundation for understanding key topics.
Efficient Time Management:
Consciously manage your study time for each subject, avoiding prolonged focus on a single subject to prevent excessive fatigue. Allocate appropriate time based on your optimal concentration levels.
How do NEET Toppers Study?
The following are the NEET preparation tips by toppers.
Gain Proficiency in the NEET Syllabus:
To excel in the NEET exam, it's crucial for candidates to thoroughly grasp the extensive syllabus. This entails identifying key topics and understanding their respective weightage, considering that the NEET syllabus draws from CBSE Class 11 and 12 curricula.
Grasp the Exam Pattern:
NEET toppers emphasize the significance of comprehending the exam pattern, which not only reveals the marking scheme and negative marking but also aids in honing time management skills. The NEET exam comprises four sections: Botany, Zoology, Physics, and Chemistry.
Develop a Well-Structured Action Plan:
Crafting a strategic study plan is vital, as sticking to a monotonous routine can lead to boredom. Customize your study schedule to suit your preferences and accommodate your daily routine.
Opt for Quality Study Materials:
Selecting the right study materials is crucial for effective NEET preparation. Instead of overwhelming yourself with multiple resources, focus on high-quality study materials that align with your study plan.
Thoroughly Analyze Test Questions:
Candidates should adopt a meticulous approach to exam questions, carefully reviewing each one and avoiding hasty answers due to the presence of negative marking. Spend the initial minutes of the exam perusing all questions, categorizing them by difficulty level, with particular patience needed for physics questions due to their calculation-intensive nature.
Apply Smart Techniques:
In the physics section, employ smart problem-solving techniques, including shortcuts and methods, to streamline question-solving. Consistent practice of derivations ensures clear understanding.
Self-Evaluation:
Conduct regular self-assessment by practicing questions from the topics you've covered. Taking mock tests under timed conditions helps identify strengths and weaknesses. Analyze your performance immediately after each test.
Prioritize CBSE Books:
NEET toppers stress the importance of initially covering the CBSE Class 11 and 12 syllabus. These books provide fundamental concepts that should not be bypassed, as they form the basis for a thorough understanding of each topic.
Short Study Sessions:
Rather than prolonged study hours, break your study sessions into shorter, focused intervals. Frequent short breaks help maintain concentration and prevent monotony.
Combat Procrastination:
Self-discipline is essential for NEET success. Avoid postponing challenging topics, as delaying them often leads to forgetting. Tackle complex subjects in the morning when you're mentally fresh.
Consistent Revision:
Regularly revise complex formulas by documenting them in a dedicated notebook. This facilitates last-minute revision and ensures clarity on challenging concepts.
Embrace Group Studies:
Incorporate group study sessions alongside individual study. Interacting with peers and fellow aspirants enhances learning and makes studying enjoyable, preventing routine boredom.
Manage Stress:
Identify stress-relief methods that work for you, such as engaging with family and friends or pursuing hobbies. Allocate weekly de-stress sessions to alleviate accumulated stress.
Efficient Time Allocation:
NEET toppers are mindful of time allocation for each subject and avoid excessive focus on a single topic. Track your study time for each subject to ensure balanced preparation.
Utilize Exam Time Effectively:
Make the most of your time during the exam by not rushing to finish early. Utilize the entire allotted time, and if finished, use the remaining time for a thorough review without hasty changes to answers.
15 Secrets from NEET Toppers FAQs
Q1. Do NEET's top scorers adhere to a fixed study schedule while preparing?
Ans: NEET's top achievers maintain a flexible study schedule and incorporate breaks during their study sessions.
Q2. Is there a significance to CBSE books in the context of the NEET exam?
Ans: CBSE class 11 and 12 books hold importance for the NEET exam as they provide a foundation for fundamental concepts.
Q3. How many questions will come from the CBSE syllabus?
Ans: Approximately 80 to 85% of the questions in the NEET exam will be based on the CBSE syllabus.
Q4. Are NEET reference books necessary, or are CBSE books sufficient?
Ans: NEET reference books carry importance as they offer insights into the exam's format and types of questions.
Q5. What criteria should one consider before choosing NEET preparation materials?
Ans: Before selecting NEET preparation materials, candidates should evaluate factors such as the exam pattern, edition, quality of content, coverage of concepts, and previous years' NEET papers.
