NEET-UG 2023 Topper: AIR 8 Swayam Shakti Tripathy shares his preparation strategy to crack NEET Exam
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2025 ( NEET )
Counselling - 8 Oct '25
Swayam Shakti Tripathy, a student of SAI International School, becomes the State Topper (Odisha) in NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) 2023 by securing All India Rank (AIR) 8. Swayam who wants to get into AIIMS, New Delhi shares his preparation strategy of NEET-UG 2023 exam.
Q: Congratulations on your result! What was your reaction when you came to know about your rank?
Swayam: Thank you, and I am elated. I had expected a good score but AIR 8 was a pleasant surprise for me.
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Q: When and how did you decide to pursue MBBS?
Swayam: When I came to Class XI at SAI International School, I opted for both Maths and Biology. My biggest source of inspiration is my father who motivated me at each moment and helped me in deciding what I wanted to pursue. He took me to his different doctor friends, made me interact with them and it led me to understand how a big role a doctor plays in serving society. I wish to be a surgeon.
Q: Tell us something about your family, schooling, etc.
Swayam: I have my parents and my younger sister. My mother is a homemaker and my father is an electrical engineering Professor in a Govt. College in Odisha.
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In Class X, I scored 99.6% despite being in the COVID batch. And in Class XII I got 98.6%.
Q: When did you start preparing for NEET and what was the strategy?
Swayam: The day I decided I want to become a doctor I started my preparations right then. Class XI & XII are the years consistently studied.
Q: What were your strong and weak areas?
Swayam: There was nothing about the strongest and weakest topics but if I have to pinpoint, then animal and plant kingdom was a bit difficult as it required more of memorization and the easiest was human physiology as I have an interest in it. Rest all were good as I had spent equal time on each subject.
Q: Which books did you refer to for NEET?
Swayam: NCERT is the Bible and of course, whatever study we get from coaching have to practice that.
Q: When did you start taking full-length NEET mock tests?
Swayam: Had started my preparations right after I decided to become a doctor. Tests were a part of my preparation and i did not miss a single one.
Q: How did you balance your NEET preparation along with your school and board exams?
Swayam: My School SAI International was very supportive and the teachers were always there to clear any doubts I had.
Q: How did the lockdown impact your preparation and how did you cope with it?
Swayam: It gave me extra time to focus better. I had my teacher around me to clear my doubts.
Q: The NEET exam pattern changed this year just 2 months before the exam. How did you manage the change?
Swayam: I had studied consistently for 2 years which made me confident and did not bring any kind of stress when the pattern was changed.
Q: What was your exam-taking strategy?
Swayam: I studied 3 to 4 hours for each subject every day with a fail. Took as many mock tests as possible. I made a to-do list every day in the morning and made sure I complete each of it throughout the day before hitting the bed.
Q: During your rigorous preparation journey, how did you unwind?
Swayam: My parents helped me during my stressful time just by talking to me or cracking jokes. I love to spend time with my younger sister, she too is my big stress buster.
Q: Which is your dream medical college?
Swayam: An aspiring doctor's wish is to get into AIIMS Delhi and I am happy to have been able to make it to the top 8 of the country.
Q: What are your plans after completing MBBS?
Swayam: Have to become a surgeon so will go for my MS degree in General Surgery.
Q: Your suggestion for next year’s NEET takers.
Swayam: Consistency is the key. Do not lay back and miss even a day. Make a to-do list and follow it with full dedication. Take the help of your teachers and seniors.
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