NEET UG Toppers’ Tips: ‘Besides NCERT, I followed these books,’ AIR 100 shares preparation strategy

The 19-year-old Patna girl scored 99.4 per cent overall marks in Class 10 and 97.8 per cent marks in Class 12.

The NEET UG all-India rank holder has wanted to become a doctor ever since she was a child. Her maternal grandfather was the chief inspiration for her doing an MBBS. Mishra took a two-year-long coaching course from Allen, Kota.

However, as Covid started, the classes went online and for most of the period, she was attending classes from her home. Speaking to the indianexpress.com, Mishra shares how she prepared for NEET UG. 

How did you prepare for NEET UG?

My primary preparation for NEET UG started when I was in Class 11 and Class 12 when I enrolled in the coaching classes of Allen Institute. I had a clear goal in mind of doing well in NEET UG and board exams were secondary. I used to devote the maximum time to physics as I found it a little challenging at the beginning of my preparation. Later, in my board exams and in the medical entrance test, I ended up scoring the full marks in physics. 

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I also like chemistry as a subject. I used to enjoy solving my coaching modules. I also kept on reading NCERT books side by side and this helped me a lot.

For biology, I used to write all the important things. Also, I had the habit of using sticky notes, making charts and stick it on the walls of my room so that I can keep looking at them and read them.

After my board exams were over, I focussed on the mock exams every day. Initially, I took one test every day but later started taking two. I appeared for the tests in the timings NEET UG is held – from 2 pm to 5 pm and followed the same NEET dress code as prescribed by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

I did not compromise on my sleeping schedule. I used to get proper sleep during the night.

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What books did you refer to for NEET UG?

I was also enrolled in a distance learning programme of Aakash Byju’s. I used to follow both Aakash’s and Allen’s modules. I also made sure nothing from the NCERT textbooks was left out.

For physics, I found USS Errorless Book and BM Sharma very useful, while for chemistry, my coaching modules and for physical chemistry, I followed N Avasthi. For biology, I mainly focussed on NCERT only.

What would you recommend to NEET UG 2024 aspirants?

– Have a very positive and optimistic attitude towards the preparation

– Consistency is the key to success

– There is no substitute for hardwork

– Practice as many question papers as you can

– No matter how much you practice and take mock tests, the question paper might come as a surprise. You should not give up and try to answer the questions calmly.

– Do not take additional stress. It is just an exam and must be treated as an exam

Did you get nervous on your NEET exam date? 

I did get nervous on my NEET exam day. However, I only had one thing in mind – to answer the maximum number of correct questions.

How was it like preparing for board exams and NEET UG simultaneously?

Preparing for NEET UG and board exams together was a little stressful but prioritising helped. My board exam result was a by-product of my NEET UG preparation.