NEET 2022 Preparation Tips by Expert: Manage Your Weakness and Do Regular Self Assessment

Read the exclusive interview of Anurag Tiwari, National Academic Director (Medical), Aakash on how to prepare for NEET 2022 along with deciding the exam strategy and impact on the changes brought in by NTA this year.

NEET 2022 Preparation Tips by Expert

NEET 2022 is just two months away from now. At this stage, students tend to think and chalk out the best possible ways of NEET preparation. Having expert guidance and tips not just pave the right way for them, but also boost their confidence level to crack NEET, which is scheduled for July 17. In this article of Shiksha, we bring to you the exclusive interview of Anurag Tiwari, National Academic Director (Medical), Aakash.

In this interview, Tiwari has delved into multiple aspects of NEET, such as month-wise preparation strategy, balancing NEET preparation with Board exams, and tips for droppers and repeaters among others. He has also shared his views on some policy level decisions such as the removal of the upper age limit, and conducting NEET twice, to name a few.

Read the full interview below.

Q: With approximately two months to the exam, how should students prepare for NEET 2022?

A: Indeed this is very important to strategies the upcoming two months and put the best foot forward for utilising the available time in the best possible way. The first thing is to identify your weak and strong areas. Revising the theory and then question practice will help the students cope up with the weak areas while the strong areas can be re-strengthen by practising as many questions as possible. NEET mock tests also need to be attempted at frequent time intervals. 

Q: Please provide a brief month-wise preparation strategy and timetable.

A: The month of May can be utilised well in strengthening the weak areas while in June emphasis should be given to test and question practice and once the exam approaches in the month of July, mock tests should be attempted on a daily basis. Seven to eight hours of effective daily study schedule will help students in covering the NEET syllabus and keeping the pace of preparation intact. It is essential to choose the study hours and timings as per the convenience. 

Q: How should one balance board exam preparation with NEET?

A: During board exams, students should be focused on that only as the NCERT content is common in both board exams and NEET. Post Board examination, they can dedicate eight to 10 hours for revision and practising the questions through assignments and mock tests.  

Q: Now that the Board exam is conducted in two phases, how should students balance it with NEET preparation?

A: The first phase is over and the second phase is going on so there is no such issue as of now. However, conceptually the content to be prepared for NEET and Board exams are similar in nature hence preparing for either exam helps students for other exams also. The major difference arises due to the pattern of examination which a student can make up by regular practising the test papers on the NEET pattern

Q: Is it difficult for NEET state Board students to prepare for NEET? What should be their strategy?

A: Most of the state board syllabus is in line with NCERT only hence there is no such big concern for state board students. However, they are always suggested to read the NCERT books line by line and understand the concepts to crack the questions asked from lines and paragraphs of NCERT. Rest strategy remains common for both CBSE and state board students. 

Q: What is your take on the removal of the upper age limit from the NEET eligibility criteria? How would it impact NEET?

A: It's a good move as the students who wish to pursue their education in medicine and could not crack or appear in the NEET before will have another opportunity to pursue their dream career. However, the volume of such students is quite low hence we do not believe that it will enhance any kind of significant competition.

Q: There would be students who would be taking NEET after completing graduation or after a gap of several years, owing to the age limit removal. How should they prepare?

A: No matter how much education you have already completed, you need to start afresh keeping the syllabus and pattern of NEET in mind. The best way to get into the NCERT books of classes 11 and 12 and start practising MCQs as many as possible from each chapter of NCERT. Since the paucity of time is an important factor here hence they must do some analysis and figure out the important chapters of each subject having more weightage in NEET and prioritise such chapters in the schedule of preparation. The final move of strategic preparation for NEET is to attempt multiple part syllabus and full syllabus mock tests on NEET pattern to get oneself well acquainted with the exam pattern and devise his/her exam taking strategy and learn effective time management.

Q: What is your advice to NEET aspirants who had dropped a year for preparation?

A: The students who have dropped a year and prepared for NEET for the last few months, should be more confident in their preparation. Now, this is the time when they should figure out their weaker areas and strengthen such topics and chapters. And the best way to know the weaker areas is to do a post-test error analysis thoroughly which will be a real reflection of one's mistakes and help them to put some remedial actions around those. In the end, practising mock tests shall be mandatory for every aspirant.

Q: Should NEET be conducted twice? Please share your views in detail.

A: Indeed, a well demanded policy. It will help students prepare well and provide opportunities to improve their scores. One chance and three hours of exam journey is deciding the fate of students and mostly it remains the first experience of students. One silly mistake or move ruins their preparation and leaves them behind in one of the most competitive exams of India. Having another opportunity in the same year will help students learn from their mistakes and do better as per their potential and open the door of opportunity to pursue their dream careers. 

Q: Any other information/advice you would like to share with the NEET aspirants.

A: Be clear of your goal, plan well, learn from your mistakes, avoid repetition of mistakes and move forward. Also, be prepared for failure as well.  NEET is not the end of the journey rather it's just a beginning. You put up your best efforts and rest is your destiny and whatever is destined it's always best for you. All the best for NEET 2022 and as we always say; " Vijayi Bhav"!

Read More:

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