GPAT 2021 Topper Interview: Gourav Gupta, AIR 1

Question: Congratulations on becoming a GPAT topper! What does it feel like to be the GPAT 2021 topper?

Gupta, Gourav: Thank you very much. My sir contacted me at 9:30 pm to inform me of my GPAT result. I was overjoyed to learn that I had topped the GPAT with an All India Rank of AIR-1. AIR 1 has always been a dream of mine, and I was overjoyed to see it realised. My instructors and parents are really proud of me.

Question: What inspired you to seek a profession in pharmacy?

Gourav Gupta: Pharmacy, according to me, is a career that combines science, healthcare, direct patient interaction, computer technology application, and business management. A career in pharmacy can provide a lot of benefits and possibilities. Chemistry and Biology have always piqued my interest, and this area combines the two. For me, the variety of job paths that a Pharmacy degree may provide is what drew me to this field.

Question: Have you gotten any coaching? If so, where did you get it?

Gourav Gupta: Yes, I was enrolled in Pharma sapience coaching, and I would want to credit the entire staff at Pharma sapience for my achievement.

Question: What was your family's role in your journey?

Gourav Gupta: One of the most important factors in my achievement as GPAT topper 2021 has been the support of my family. They were always a source of motivation for me to keep going. They always look after my health since hard labour requires excellent health.

Question: What impact did the COVID issue have on your preparation? During COVID, how did you study for the exam? What struck you the most during this preparation?

Gourav Gupta: At first, it was impossible for me to comprehend things since the world had come to a full halt. It was quite simple for me to organise my path when Pharmasapience's online lessons began.

Question: How did you keep yourself motivated? What are your stress relievers, and how have they helped you de-stress during this time of preparation?

Gourav Gupta: I believe that careful preparation and commitment never result in tension. I attempted to maintain a good attitude and break down tasks into little chunks since this made it easier for me to reach my objective - GPAT AIR 1, and this success motivated me. In addition, I always took a break to rest and refresh my thoughts.

When it comes to my interests, I enjoy cooking and dancing, therefore I have made an effort to spend time with them. I used to sleep for eight hours every day.

Question: For all sections, what was your exam-day strategy? Overall, which portion of the GPAT exam was the most difficult and easiest?

Gourav Gupta: In contrast to the previous year's trend, the GPAT test structure of questions was unique but straightforward. This year, I found the Pharmacognosy part to be the easiest, Pharmaceutical Chemistry to be medium, and Pharmacology to be middling. There were a lot of questions from Pharmaceutical Analysis that included numerical issues in them.

Question: What books did you find particularly useful in your GPAT preparation?

Gourav Gupta: The notes supplied by Pharma sapience were really helpful. Apart from that, I chose Inamdar for MCQs and conventional GPAT books such as Lachman for Pharmaceutics and KD Tripathi for Pharmacology.

Question: How much time did you spend preparing for this event? What was your plan for getting ready? What changed as the exam day approached?

Gourav Gupta: I used to spend 5 to 6 hours a day taking notes in the beginning. I spent 11 to 12 hours per day preparing and solving MCQs in the previous several months, and as the test approached, I focused more on the areas where I was falling behind. I attempted to calm my mind two days before the exam by sleeping properly, eating properly, and studying only 5 to 6 hours each day.

Question: What steps did you take to prepare for the GPAT 2021? What was your everyday preparation regimen like?

Gourav Gupta: I started studying for the GPAT in January 2020, when I enrolled in the coaching programme. COVID-19 lockdown was advantageous to me since it allowed me to focus more on how to prepare for GPAT 2021. I took notes on each subject for the first several months, with a lot of support from my coaching professors, and then I started reviewing things.

Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacognosy, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry were among the first topics I covered. I used to try MCQs relevant to each topic after each one. Following the conclusion of a certain topic. I used to put more emphasis on MCQs. Following that, I continued to study the GPAT syllabus and completed all of the test series assigned by my coaching specialists. I spent the last month studying previous year's GPAT question papers to familiarise myself with the exam format.

Question: Any advice or message for future MPharm students preparing for the GPAT?

Gourav Gupta: I constantly tell prospective GPAT candidates to believe in themselves and to be their own toughest opponent. The secret to success is to work hard on a regular basis, with good preparation and devotion.