NEET 2020: Solve previous years’ question papers to crack the exam

By Nitya Gupta

To prepare well, along with NCERT textbooks and many competitive books suggested for the exam, one important element which can prove to be the key in securing good scores and giving you the edge is solving previous years' question papers. 

National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is a hard one to crack, but with just the right amount of practice, dedication and concentration, everything becomes as easy as counting. 

With the global pandemic hitting and everyone forced to remain insides, it somewhere gives us a shot to prepare to the best of our abilities for NEET 2020. According to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), NEET 2020 will now be held on September 13, after it was postponed due to outbreak of Coronavirus in the country.

Why solve NEET previous years’ question papers?

We know that every year more than 10 lakh applicants compete for one lakh seats around the country for MBBS and Dental courses. These numbers only show the pressure of performing well and securing a good score. All this to get admission to one of the leading medical colleges in India.

Therefore, while solving previous years’ papers, you become familiar with the pattern of the exam and the questions. You become aware of the sections you need to work more on. Practice and only practice can help you excel every single time. 

How solving previous year paper can improve your rank and score?

We know that the level of NEET exam is relatively high than other competitive exams. So, a lot of dedication and smart work makes it somewhat easier to crack. Now, one needs to prepare according to the latest NEET syllabus provided to avoid any confusion, and this is where last years’ papers come in play. Usually, the main pattern of exams remains the same so, it is always advisable to go that extra mile, and solve every paper you get your hands on. 

Some of the few reasons why an aspiring NEET candidate should solve previous years’ papers:

• By solving past years’ papers, you can assess your preparation levels
• It helps you in managing time and performing under stress in the exam
• Previous years’ papers can give you an idea about the layout of the question paper and solving it will fill you with the confidence to tackle different questions you might encounter in the actual exam
• Practising previous years’ papers can help you identify important topics and problems, thereby strengthening your preparation
• Answer keys to past papers are also available which can aware you of your mistakes and therefore you can analyse where you need to work more

Benefits of solving previous years’ question papers

Once finished with the syllabus, instead of waiting around, tackling past year papers can prove to be very crucial. When you begin with your revision, you can test yourselves by solving past papers, hence judging your preparations. It can also provide you with a sense of question formation. Then accordingly prepare more if you lag somewhere. Practising is the best tool to ace any examination. While attempting the past year papers, the atmosphere around you should mimic the real exam environment so that you become adapt to the examination environment beforehand. You can undoubtedly become aware of the exam pattern and the question formation pattern. Solving papers is the best kind of practice. It can help you in maintaining the speed and precision with which you solve questions. Solving more papers will make you confident and will take you one step closer to your goal: 

• Practising more papers will make you familiar with the exam pattern and will bring you at ease while taking the actual examination
• Sitting for three hours at a stretch can make you lose concentration, and with practice, you can build the stamina
• Set a timer for the duration of the exam, so that you know you are time-bound which will improve your thinking and answering abilities in the given time. You will be able to perform more efficiently in your exam
• You can check the areas you are weak in and give more focus to those concepts.
• By practising papers regularly, you will overcome the fear of examination and, the pressure of taking the actual exam will reduce considerably

NEET 2020 Preparation Tips

Clearing NEET in the first go is difficult, and the student needs to demonstrate dedication. You will need a balanced study plan which will distribute your time evenly between all the subjects.

• Try not to spend too much time on one topic and alternate between them every day
• To ace the examination, while being academically strong, you have to be strong in time management skills, exam-taking strategy, situational aptitude and logical skills
• Start preparing well in advance for this exam. Take tests after revising every concept. It will strengthen your hold on the said concept
• Plan your next day the previous night. Take sufficient amount of sleep every night so that you are well relaxed and alert the next day
• Take subject-wise mock tests and work hard on the areas you find difficult. If you have an ample amount of time, start with easy topics to gain confidence and gradually move on to difficult ones. While solving past year papers, pay more attention to the questions you were not able to answer and give them extra attention

With the right amount of practice, hard work, time management and dedication, you can ace NEET 2020 and secure a good score and rank. Just keep practising as much past year papers as possible and don't take any stress and you are sure to do wonders in your exam.

About the Author:

Nitya Gupta is a second-year student at Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. She is pursuing Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery.