Meet NEET UG 2013 Toppers

The results of NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduate courses) 2013 were declared on June 5. Ayush Goel of Kolkata secured the All-India First Rank while Arnav Aggarwal of Chandigarh emerged second and Delhi's Umang Arora stood third. Currently, the bright young brains are in Mumbai attending the Biology Olympiad being conducted by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).

All the three toppers of NEET UG 2013 gave interviews to Shiksha correspondent, Madiha Jawed. Check out their plans and success strategy right here:

Ayush Goel, NEET UG - 1st topper

It feels really great that I lived upto the expectations of my friends and family. However, I never studied with an aim to top nor did I expect. However, I was certain that I would feature in the top 50 for sure.

I have been preparing for the last 2 years (class 11^th and 12^th). As far as my study plan is concerned, it was nothing special. I never studied to top but to gain more and more knowledge and learn new concepts everyday. I want to become a doctor and topping was never my ultimate goal.

I took coaching classes since 11th from Allen Coaching Institute. There I joined a two year Classroom Contact Program. However, I had joined Aakash too in February 2013 where I took 6 mock tests that were conducted in the month of Feb (end) March, April and May.

My exact score subject-wise is: Physics – 175/180; Chemistry – 175/180 and Biology – 341/360.My Overall score is 691/720.

AIIMS,Delhi is my dream institute and I am awaiting the results for the same. I also took the JIPMER MBBS Entrance Exam where I bagged the All India 13^th rank. If not these two, then definitely Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi.

I would just suggest them to work hard, make friends and interact with them. Do not study just for the sake of it but study to gain knowledge. Follow your heart and do not pressurise yourself to study.If you are not able to understand any part, get up take a break, come back and start afresh. Do not study forcibly and never try to mug things up. It would never help.

I dedicate a great part of my success to my friends. My continuous interaction with them helped me a lot.

I have never thought about it. I will think about it in the next 5 years while pursuing my MBBS.

According to me, it has both good and bad points. Good because you just have one national exam to prepare for and that’s not much of a headache. Bad because in case you are not able to take your exam on that single day, then what happens? You do not get a next chance. That one single day should not decide your next 5 years.

However, I am sure; the government has introduced NEET with some methodology so I would not like to comment much on it.

I got 85% in my 12^th boards and I am a student of Rajasthan State Board. When I was in 11^th , the Rajasthan Board switched to CBSE books. So preparing for NEET was not that tough a task, as the syllabus for both 12^th and NEET was quite similar. However, I did have to study for subjects like Hindi and English to brush up my basics.

We are a group of 40 students from across the country. The Olympiad was conducted in three stages and this is the last step. The first stage was conducted in November where 200-300 students got selected for the second stage.

The second stage was conducted in February where 40 students were selected for the third round. Now, the 40 students were invited by Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE). Each level has individual exams for Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. As many subjects you clear at every level, will determine the Olympiad you would be eligible for.

Here, the selected students go through theory and practicals for all the subjects. Out of the 40 students, four would get selected and get a chance to represent India in the International Olympiad to be conducted in Switzerland in July, 2013.

• Trust your teacher. Ultimately, they are the ones who would surely guide you
• Don’t study for the sake of studying
• Enjoy and have fun but work hard too
• Never put yourself under too much pressure
• Make friends, interact and study with them.

Arnav Aggarwal, NEET UG - 2nd topper

I am just feeling great. Getting an AIR – 2 is not a small thing. While preparing, I never ever thought that I would emerge as one of the toppers that too the second one. However, I was quite sure that I would feature in All India Top 100. I am just feeling unexpectedly happy.

I have been preparing for the last two years and took coaching classes. I utilised 5-6 hours for my self-study and coaching + school took another 6-7 hours. I laid maximum emphasis on Biology.

My exact score subject-wise is: Physics – 170/180; Chemistry – 170/180 and Biology – 346/360. My overall score is 686 out of 720.

In school I wasn’t a topper but always featured in the top 5 students of the class. I was never a bookworm. But I made sure, that I spent a fixed amount of time towards my studies and I think that strategy worked and I cracked the exam.

Well, AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), Delhi tops my list of dream institutes and I am still awaiting the results for the same. However, God forbid if I don’t get through AIIMS, my second option would be Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi.

For all the aspirants who would be taking the exam next year, I would only suggest them to pursue regular studies and never ever neglect any subject. Neglecting any subject creates a lot of problems while taking exams. I have seen students neglecting subjects that they think they are good at, but unfortunately that’s the biggest mistake one makes. It really turns things around.

I would like to pursue Cardiology and haven’t got any second thoughts about it. However, as far as PG is concerned I haven’t really thought about it, and will only give it a thought once I successfully complete my MBBS.

According to me the new pattern is way better because firstly, the overall marks have been reduced and secondly we don’t have to prepare for different medical exams individually. Also, we just have one syllabus unlike the last pattern where we had to follow different syllabus for taking different exams. Beside this, the last system had different type of questions and pattern but NEET definitely has a set pattern. The introduction of NEET has certainly reduced the pressure on medical aspirants.

I scored 95.4% in my 12^th boards and I am student of CBSE. The syllabus of NEET isn’t really different from that of CBSE. There are minor changes that you would notice in both. There are no deleted topics but some minor additions. This actually helped me a lot in preparing for both my exams and I did not really have to work hard.

The Biology Olympiad in Mumbai has different students from different states. Here, students go through practicals from different Biology topics. It actually gives us experience and exposure using which we can apply for International Olympiads. Coming to the Olympiad was my individual choice and no school helped me. However, my parents were quite supportive.

• Pursue regular studies
• It’s important to utilise the time you get after your board exams.
• Focus on your weak points and keep practicing
• Never neglect any subject/topic

Umang Arora, NEET UG - 3rd Topper

It was so unexpected and I am so excited. I never thought of emerging as the third topper of NEET UG 2013 but was sure enough that I would be somewhere in the top 100.

I have been preparing for the last two years. In 9 and 10^th I took coaching classes from FIITJEE where I wasn’t even preparing for MBBS. I laid all the emphasis on Physics and Maths. It was only after 10^th that I got serious about pursuing MBBS and took coaching classes for the same.

As far as my study plan is concerned, I was always very consistent and took up subjects and topics that I was weak at. I used to study for 5-6 hours a day and always featured in the top 10 students in the class when I was in school.

My subject-wise score is: Physics – 165/180; Chemistry – 180/180; Biology – 336/360 and my overall score is 681/720.

While AIIMS, Delhi is my first choice, if I don’t make it then I will also be happy if I get into MAMC (Maulana Azad Medical College) and I am very sure I will get through. AIIMS result is expected to be out next month.

Be competitive, consistent and do not lose hope – that’s all about it.

I still haven’t thought about it. There are still 5 years for me to decide upon it.

The new NEET pattern introduced by the government is just amazing. Through this, students will have a better chance to get a seat in a good medical college. The old pattern (AIPMT) was all about donations, quotas and less deserving candidates getting a seat in medical colleges. But with NEET coming into picture, all this will be history, I hope!

I very very unexpectedly scored 94.8%. This was really not expected as I thought I will score something in low 80s. I am a student of CBSE and was more focused on NCERT than CBSE. The NEET pattern is quite similar to that of NCERT and CBSE.

I feel so lucky to be part of CBSE. It follows NCERT and thus I didn't have to work that hard for NEET. Moreover, my main focus was NEET and not my boards.

I am here with two of my best friends and we are having the best time of our lives. I would suggest students to take the AIPT tests. AIPT conducts national examinations in Biology, Physics and Chemistry. After clearing NSEB, which is conducted by AIPT, you get a chance to appear for Indian National Biology Olympiad, after which you are selected for the Homi Bhabha camp. The exams are simple, straight forward and can easily be attempted by someone with beautiful concepts.

• Be confident
• Be competitive. It’s really important. It motivates you. During NEET, I had to beat my friends who were my competitors at a point of time.