INI CET 2023 Topper Interview: Consistency and Balance are Keys to Success, says Dr Vanshika Arora, AIR 7

INI CET January 2023 Topper Interview – Dr Vanshika Arora, AIR 7

Q: Congratulations on your success in INI CET January 2023. Were you expecting this result? How did you celebrate?

A: It was indeed a dream come true moment for me. I had performed well but I was not expecting that I would be in the top 10. I came to know about the result in the evening and I was really anxious while checking the result. I was pleasantly surprised to know the single-digit rank and could not believe my eyes at first. I asked my friends to recheck it and when the confirmation came, it was a moment of joy for all of us. I celebrated the moment with my friends and family members.

Q: Did you appear for any other postgraduate medical entrance exam? Was this your first attempt in INI CET?

A: No, I did not appear for any other medical entrance exam for PG level. NEET PG 2023 is scheduled to be conducted in March but I would not be appearing for it. INI CET January 2023 session held on November 13 was my first attempt.

Q: When did you start preparing for INI CET and what was your preparation strategy?

A: I started preparing in the third year of my MBBS. I decided to crack INI CET on the very first attempt as I want to pursue my postgraduation from AIIMS itself. I love life at AIIMS and don’t want to part ways with it. I started coaching and completed studying the notes in the third year. I was simultaneously preparing for the AIIMS Professional Exam as well. My internship started in February and since then I started dedicated preparation for INI CET in the MCQ pattern. I did group study with my friends and combined study materials from different coaching institutes. I took around five to six mock tests. I used to keep one day for analysing the answers. Since my internship was going on, I could not take many mock tests.

Q: Apart from the coaching institute study materials, which other books did you refer to?

A: I studied from Harrison’s, Bailey’s and Robbins around three to four times.

Q: How did you balance your preparation with your internship?

A: I had a very hectic schedule in the initial months of my internship when I was posted in the village. There we had 24 hours duty and emergency duties which left me with very little time for preparation. On some days, I could barely manage to study for four hours. Whenever I had some time during the OPD sessions, I used my phone to revise from the screenshot of notes or other online materials including diagrams, flowcharts, etc. After the first three months, the internship was not that hectic and we used to get free by the afternoon. The residents and teachers also cooperated with us and did not overburden us with work. This helped me manage my time for my studies.

Q: What was your exam day strategy and experience?

A: This is the first time AIIMS conducted INI CET in two slots. My exam was scheduled in the second slot and I was a little anxious due to this. My friends who had appeared in the first slot said that the paper was easy, but in my slot, the paper was quite tough. However, I did not lose hope and read the questions carefully. Although they were familiar, the answer options were tricky. I applied the elimination method and deduced the correct answer option. There were four to five questions which came as a surprise for me and I did not attempt those. The question paper was very lengthy. I had prepared my time management strategy as picking up speed from the very first attempt and completing the exam 15 minutes before time. To accustom myself, I used to take the test from 9 am to 12 noon, as per the original exam timing.

Q: Amid this hectic schedule, how did you unwind?

A: My hobbies include swimming and dancing and I was actively involved in these activities. I love writing poetries which was a big stress buster for me. I regularly participated in college fests, dance competitions and quizzes as well.

Q: How is life at AIIMS?

A: Life at AIIMS is fantastic for an MBBS student. The curriculum is not as hectic as that of other medical colleges in the country. We have mid-semester and end-semester exams and do not have weekly exams. This gives us a breather to enjoy life beyond studies. I party a lot with my friends and even go on trips with them. Although we have to work really hard before the exams, we have a lot of fun for the rest of the year.

The faculty members and pedagogy is also one of the best. The quality of notes is very good and at the end of the lecture, we are provided with the PPT for further reference and making our own notes. The Residents are also very eager to teach us. The atmosphere is very homely and cordial. The myth of a hectic life of a medical student was busted after I joined AIIMS. In short, I had the best years of my life in AIIMS!

Q: What are your future plans?

A: I want to pursue MD in Pediatrics. I want to be a paediatrician as I love children and it would be a great pleasure to treat children. I want to practice in India itself to serve my country.

Q: What is your advice to INI CET aspirants who are planning to appear for the next phase of the exam?

A: Consistency is the key. Success cannot be achieved overnight. One has to study daily and revise regularly. It is also very important to stay away from distractions such as social media. During my preparation phase, I hardly logged into social media platforms and had set up a duration of 30 to 45 minutes for social media. At the same time, while partying, I did not think about my studies or was stressed unnecessarily. That time management has to be done cautiously. The preparation phase can be very tough and lonely, so keep talking to your friends and family members for motivation and emotional support. Trust yourself and your preparation. Rather than referring to multiple study materials, select a few effective ones. Last but not the least, do not give up.

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INI CET 2023 Toppers for January Session