Introduction
16 lakh yearly applicants, for 1.5 lac seats across the medical and dental institutes in the country — NEET entrance exam is one of the most rigorous, arduous, and competitive exams globally. In this blog on education, let us find out more about NEET 2022 exams and what it takes to succeed them.
The exam, organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA), sees lakhs of students who fail to score the desired marks and attempt to re-appear to be eligible for their desired institutes. Due to lack of structured study, time management, revision strategy, and proper course material are key factors that may result in a candidate not getting their desired scores. Conversely, succeeding in the examination requires correcting the above factors themselves.
While the date is yet to be announced, NEET 2022 is expected to be held anytime during the months of June / July. Given the short time left for the examination, it is, therefore, necessary that students buckle up and focus on key result maximizing strategies to clear the examination.
Understanding the examination: NEET Structure
The NEET examination focuses on three main subjects based on the 11 th& 12 thclass NCERT curriculum pertaining to Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Zoology + Botany). Given medical aspirants’ key focus remains on chemical and biological sciences, physics becomes a pain point that may deride you of your desired score (More on this later). The exam has 180 questions — correct response gives candidates 4 marks, and you lose 1 mark for each incorrect answer.
What does it take to Succeed?
The 80:20 Rule
The NEET exam by design encompasses a vast syllabus — moreover, medical students are sometimes not exposed to Physics as a subject in 11 thand 12 th. Hence, knowing what to study from wherein an optimal time frame is key. At all times, know that your results will be a factor of smart, specific, and optimized study, rather than laundry coverage of all subjects.
Routine & Structure
While this one may sound general in nature, when it comes to NEET, routine is of pivotal importance. While all other examinations suggest a routine-based study and compliance, where NEET becomes special is the requirement of a structure, and rigorous importance of the revision aspect of the examination.
Given the large theory sets, NEET is an exam unlike others — while the JEE, UPSC may be heavily inclined towards a reductionist-based solution approach, NEET is heavily inclined to theoretical concepts and large literature sets.
An ideal revision routine would require you to continuously revise previous portions while you continue the effort on learning new ones. Leaving revision, or not revisiting past learned literature will leave you confused and struggling to recall information.
For e.g.: a 3 month NEET preparation plan would look like the following:
A preliminary assessment of your own current standing through a pre-preparation mock test should also help to structure your routine, and curriculum strategy.
Clarity of Thought, rather than Memory for Content
An offshoot of point no. 2 is the fact that it is humanly impossible for most of the candidates to memorize the vast syllabi spanning chemistry, physics, biology.
One would be left exhausted and burnt out should one try a memorizing approach — hence, focus on concept clarity, structured memorizing, and mental learning techniques that should help you attack the syllabus efficiently.
Stick to the Basics — NCERT
Students excelling in their 11 th& 12 thexaminations will be delighted to know that ~70% of the NEET exam is from NCERT books — hence, NCERT books form the Mecca of one’s study for the NEET exams. Stick to them and keep it simple.
Past is (slightly, and sometimes mostly) Representative of the Future
Given that your NEET examination day performance will be a sum total of your:
- Content preparation,
- Question comprehension,
- Understanding of the question paper structure,
- Ability to focus for long hours,
- Performing in examination conditions,
One’s preparation should, therefore, include replication of such exam-like conditions. Hence, pick up the last 6–7 years past NEET examination papers, familiarize yourself with the paper style, replicate examination conditions at home, and take a tab on your performance.
While the above pointers are applicable to students at large, feel free to research, and determine your own strategy.
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Originally published at https://blogs.dynamind.co on March 22, 2022.
