AMU Topper 2014 loves to travel, read novels and cook delicious meals

Aligarh Muslim University Topper, Sarah Asif

A cute and chirpy girl, hailing from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh has topped the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) post graduate dental entrance exam with an impressive score of 154/200. Meet Sarah Asif, the girl next-door who loves to travel to new places, cook delicious meals, read novels and listens to music to relax. Fulfilling her parent’s dream of seeing her make a career for herself as a doctor, Sarah with her hardwork has reached the top of the rung where every dental student wishes to reach, a seat at the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University.

Read this Shiksha exclusive interview with AMU rank one holder, Sarah Asif, to find out what she did right to secure rank 1 at AMU and rank 129 in AIPGDEE.

From the very beginning, my preparation was aimed at both the exams, AMU and AIPG, though the pattern of both the exams is quite different. During my entire preparation I made sure that I justly dedicate my time to the preparation of both the exams, simultaneously. Fortunately, the hardwork I put in and the kind of preparation I did fell rightly into the place and I cracked both the exams. But 1st rank in AMU is surely beyond my imagination.

My father, Mohammed Asif  is a research entomologist, my mother Malka Asif is a home maker, my elder sister Sana Asif works as an HR assistant, my brother-in-law Shanul Haq Siddiqui is an engineer working for ALSTOM, my younger brother Zohaib Asif is an engineer working for Reliance Infocom and my younger sister Sayma Asif is preparing for IIT. I would also like to mention two of my friends cum mentors here-Dr. Nabeel Ishrat Khan and Dr. Shakeba Quadri who immensely supported me and constantly motivated me to put in extra effort and helped me stay focused.

I have done my schooling from International Indian School Dammam, K.S.A. Then I completed my senior secondary education from AMU and got enrolled into the prestigious- Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad Dental College & Hospital, from where I graduated in BDS in 2012.

In AMU entrance exam I scored 154/200. AIPG scores are not disclosed but the cut off most likely goes somewhere above 70%. So, I expect my score to be above that.

I started preparing 6 months before the exam. Firstly I realised that dedication is one of the most important things in any task you take up. I made a routine for myself and followed it with sincerity. I am a morning person and I made sure that I wake up by 6 am and tried and studied as much as I could before hitting the by 11pm.I tried to cut down things which were a distraction to me like watching movies and too much of socializing for the time when I was preparing. To refresh myself, I would listen to songs and preferred to have motivational chats with family and friends.

I did not join any coaching center during my preparation. But after completing my entire course once, I took up online test series organized by the MDS Achievers Academy which has its main center in Ahmedabad,Gujarat for a period of two months, i.e, October and November right before AIIMS exam. The test series immensely helped me in my preparation.

Dental Pulse is no doubt, the primary book to begin with. Both volumes have to be done thoroughly. Previous years exam papers of all the examinations like AIPG, AIIMS, PGI, KCET, COMED should be reviewed rigorously. Though my preparation was focused on just two exams but studying all these entrances previous years papers helped me immensely as the basics are same for all of them. Besides this I read all the standard texts especially of the clinical subjects in depth which now I feel is what made me achieve such good ranks and made the difference.

In my first attempt for PG exam I secured rank 899 in AIPG and rank 25 in AMU. Due to limited number of seats, I was not able to get a seat in any of these exams. I sat down and first tried to analyze where my preparation was lagging behind though I had studied almost every MCQ book. I then concluded that my preparation lacked careful revision. Revising over and over again is one of the key to fare well in any exam. This became my strength. Topics that I found I was weak in or ones which I found difficult to memorize I would write them down and repeatedly read them and tried to revise them as much as I could .My strong area, which made the difference in my second attempt definitely is the fact that I read the standard text books assiduously, which entirely changed my approach towards attempting a MCQ rather than just mugging up the answers blindly.

Dedication and channelizing yourself is of utmost importance. The day just before each exam I made sure to revise all the important topics once.

Well, it had always been my parents dream to see any child of theirs as a doctor someday. May be they saw it in me and it’s their prayers and support that has brought me here.

I have always found Orthodontics interesting and will definitely opt for it.

I will be picking up my seat from AMU, Aligarh. Its Orthodontics department being one of the best and since it’s also my parent college.

I enjoy reading novels, listening to songs, cooking and travelling to new places.

Believing in self and maintaining a positive approach is very crucial. Unless you don’t have it in you to make it you cannot succeed. Whatever you do give your 100% to it and then leave the rest on Almighty. God helps those who help themselves. Remember success is a combination of hardwork and sincere efforts. Keep studying and keep praying.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE ASPIRANTS!!!