NEET 2023 Topper Interview: Doing MBBS was childhood dream, says Navya Mishra AIR 71

Shiksha spoke to NEET UG 2023 topper Navya Mishra AIR 71, read here to know about her preparation strategies.

Determination can lead to success, proves Navya Mishra's story. She comes from a family where there is a special focus on academics. The girl dreamed of becoming a doctor ever since she was a child. NEET UG 2023 was her second attempt and this time she scored 705 out of 720 and achieved an All India Rank 71.

Navya is looking for medical colleges in the top three, exactly which college she wants to join she will decide during the counselling. Also, she is planning to go for further studies and pursue a PG in Cardiologist or Oncologist. 

Q: Congratulations on your result! What was your reaction when you came to know about your rank? 

A:  I was surprised at first and then I felt very good. I got to know through Motion Institute that I have got an all-India rank of 71. I was expecting under 100.

Q: When and how did you decide to pursue MBBS? 

A: I had decided since childhood that I would do MBBS. And I was focused on it after the 10th class.

Q: Tell us something about your family, schooling, etc. 

A: I was a student of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Allahabad. I completed my Class 11 and Class 12 from this school. In Class 12, I got 95.4% and I had not joined any coaching institute till Class 12 and I achieved this percentage only through self-studies. When I gave the paper in first attempt, I scored 557 marks. Then, I joined Motion Education Institute as they talk about 100% selection. When I joined them, I got a scholarship, so my fee was very lees around INR 20, 000.

My father is a P.G.T. Physics teacher at Jawaharlal Nehru Vidyalaya Government School and my mother is a housewife. She was also a topper in her school but could not complete her studies. My elder sister is studying BTech in Electrical Engineering at MIT Institute. My younger sister has completed her Class 10 and currently studying in Class 11. She is also a topper in her school.

Q: When did you start preparing for NEET and what was the strategy?

A: I was selected for the scholarship test in Motion, and I got the scholarship. It was very helpful for me and I was also able to score well because of this. When I came here, I found the teachers and facilities here were very good. The teachers taught the three subjects - Biology, Chemistry and Physics very well and I was able to understand everything.

This was my second attempt and first drop. I did not do any coaching till Class 12th and I did only self-studies. After that I chose Motion and from my first-time score of 557 marks, the score increased to 705 marks in the second attempt.

Q: What were your strong and weak areas?

A: Chemistry was my strongest subject. My Biology was a little weak but because I am a PCB student, I thought that I should get higher scores in Biology. I put in a lot of effort in Biology then and this time I got 360 out of 360 marks in Biology. Chemistry has always been my strong area and in Class 12, I cleared both NEST and KVPY exams. 

Q: Which books did you refer to for NEET?

A: For NEET preparations, I completed the Motions modules first. By following the instructions of my teachers to complete the syllabus two months before the examination, I completed the syllabus two months before the examination. Then, in the last two months, there was a Brahmastra Test Series in which first syllabus-wise and then full syllabus test was conducted which I completed.

And there were some other books as well. Like I completed HC Verma. I started the mock test in January. I started two papers in one day, two months before the NEET exam.

Q: How did you balance your NEET preparation along with your school and board exams?

A: It was difficult but I tried my best. However, there is no difference between the syllabus of the board and the syllabus of the NEET. It is the same syllabus, so I prepared for both simultaneously.

Q: How did the lockdown impact your preparation and how did you cope with it?

A: There was a disturbance during the lockdown because all the classes were online. And at that time, some students' marks were very high, and my score was very low, which was actually a benefit for me. I tried to beat their marks. And I considered online classes as a peak in my preparatory phase as my marks have increased instead of decreased.

Q: What was your exam-taking strategy?

A: I used to attempt Biology first, then Physics and then Chemistry. The reason for attempting Biology first is that it has the highest weightage in the NEET paper. I used to choose Physics second because if I would do it at the last moment, then most likely I can make a mistake in the calculation in Physics. So I used to put Physics in the middle and at the end I used to attempt Chemistry because it was my strongest subject and I was confident that I would do well in this subject even at the last minute. 

Q: During your rigorous preparation journey, how did you unwind yourself?

A: When I used to be stressed, I used to talk to my parents and teachers. I also used to see videos of NV sir (Founder and CEO of Motion Education, Kota). He also used to motivate us in class and provided us with multiple tips in Physics. As a result, our marks increased.

Q: Which is your dream medical college?

A: I am looking for any college in the top 3. I will decide after seeing the colleges’ facilities. I will decide during the counselling.

Q: What are your plans after completing MBBS?

A: I will pursue PG in Cardiologist or Oncologist. I will decide one from both of these, and I will decide which zone I am most comfortable in so that I can make the patient feel most comfortable. So that the patient can see my face and know that he/she can be cured.

Q: Your suggestion for next year’s NEET takers. 

A: I would like to say that the aspirants should believe in their parents, teachers and most importantly in themselves. They must follow what the parents and teachers are saying. Stay away from distractions and use your phones only as much as you need to. Stay concentrated. It is very important to make a schedule in your life. It can help you in achieving anything in life.

Read more:

• NEET 2023 Topper Interview: Preparing from NCERT books was my priority, says AIR 10 Parth Khandelwal
• NEET 2023 Topper Interview: Grandfather inspired me to pursue MBBS, says Arnab Pati AIR 19