NEET-UG 2023 Topper: AIR 8 Swayam Shakti Tripathy shares his preparation strategy to crack NEET Exam
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2026 ( NEET )
MP NEET Counselling 2026 Registration
4 Aug '26 - 13 Aug '26
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.
Commonly asked questions
NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a paper-and-pencil-based test (PBT) of three hours or 180 minutes duration. There will be a total of 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), all of which will be compulsory to attempt. The syllabus of the exam consists of Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects. The Biology subject is segregated between Zoology and Botany. On the other hand, the Chemistry subject is segregated into Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry. Unlike last year, the subjects will not be divided into two sections.
According to the marking scheme, each correct question carries 4 marks, and there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unattempted questions. The following table brings the structure of the NEET exam.
| Sections | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics Section | 45 | 180 |
| Chemistry Section | 45 | 180 |
| Botany Section | 45 | 180 |
| Zoology Section | 45 | 180 |
The NEET scorecard or the NEET result is declared in an online mode. The NEET scorecard is released online in PDF format. Candidates will have to obtain the NEET scorecard by following the steps given below:
1. Visit the official website - neet.nta.nic.in
2. Click on the link indicating NEET scorecard download
3. Enter the NEET application number and date of birth or password
4. Enter the security pin
5. Download the NEET scorecard PDF document
6. Take multiple printouts
Candidates must preserve the hard and soft copy of the NEET scorecard till the admission or counselling process is concluded.
The format for NEET exam is a total of 180 question with total 720 marks. Four marks will be awarded for a right answer and one mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. The questions will be objective type that is MCQ based. 90 questions will be from Biology including Zoology and Botany both, and 45 questions each from Physics and 45 Chemistry. Each subject will be divided into two sections. The syllabus will be that of Class 11 and Class 12 CBSE syllabus.
There will be bonus marking or extra marks awarded to NEET candidates only if there is a discrepancy in the NEET answer key. Clarifying the same, NTA has stated:
1. If more than one option is found to be correct then Four marks (+4) will be awarded to only those who have marked any of the correct options.
2. If all options are found to be correct then Four marks (+4) will be awarded to all those who have attempted the question.
3. If none of the options is found correct or a Question is found to be wrong or a Question is dropped then all candidates who have appeared will be given four marks (+4) irrespective of the fact whether the question has been attempted or not attempted by the candidate.
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.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, the NEET 2025 exam pattern was changed. NTA announced the change in the exam pattern on January 25, 2025, to enable candidates prepare accordingly. The optional questions were removed. Instead of 200 questions, there were 180 questions. The total duration of NEET 2025 was reduced from 200 minutes to 180 minutes or three hours now.
The NEET analysis is prepared based on the student reactions and reviews by experts. While the student reactions may vary from one to another as each student has a different perspective, the expert review is a more credible source of NEET analysis.
The difficulty level of NEET may vary for candidates, based on their preparation level. Based on the expertise and experience, the NEET analysis by experts will provide a more in-depth overview of the exam for each subject, topics, syllabus coverage and weightage. Expert analysis for NEET will also act as a basis of preparation for aspirants planning to appear for the exam next year.
However, student reactions give a first-hand impression of the exam which cannot be ruled out. It gives a glance to the NEET question paper and the personal feedback of candidates. NEET analysis by student reactions help evaluate the overall performance of candidates and the expected cutoff.
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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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 23 hours ago
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Abhay Anand is an experienced education journalist with over 15 years in print and digital media. Currently serving as Manager- Editorial at Shiksha.com, he specializes in higher education policy, student mobility,
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