NEET 2025 Topper Interview: AIR 5, Avika Aggarwal on Smart Work, Focus & Consistency
NEET UG 2025 female topper, Avika Aggarwal, secured All India Rank 5 with 680 out of 720 marks in National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates. In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, Avika shared her preparation strategy, the need for smart work and consistency to ace the NEET exam. Read the NEET 2025 topper interview below to know her success story.
Q. Congratulations on your success in NEET 2025. Were you expecting this rank?
Avika: I was aiming for the top ranks, but I didn't expect to make it into the top five and be the only girl in the top 10 while being the female topper. It was a really happy surprise.
Q. You have emerged as the NEET 2025 female topper across India? How does it feel to be one?
Avika: Being the female topper is so overwhelming. I feel incredibly happy. My teachers did expect me of this feat and it feels sooo great to make them and my parents proud.
Q. How was your journey so far?
Avika: My journey was one where both my parents and teachers taught me to be consistent. The last months definitely are primary, but taking the entire two years seriously is an important part of NEET preparation.
Q. How did you prepare for the NEET UG 2025 exam? What steps did you take to overcome distractions?
Avika: To avoid distractions, I did not have any social media apps installed. I did watch movies and series, and played, but not to get distracted, instead to rejuvenate myself throughout my preparation journey for NEET UG 2025.
Q. How did you balance NEET preparation along with board exam preparation?
Avika: The syllabus on the board is the same as the class 12 part of the NEET exam, so all I needed was answer writing practice, and my coaching teachers guided us with the correct preparation strategy and mindset to crack NEET UG 2025.
Q. Which is your dream medical college and specialisation?
Avika: My dream college is AIIMS Delhi, and as of now, I am inclined towards dermatology or neurosurgery.
Q. What do you think about NEET without coaching?
Avika: I would not have achieved this feat without coaching. It's essential to have one cuz they give u a schedule structure and motivation. You can learn physics, chemistry, bio, but tests, the competitive spirit and most of all the support, u need coaching for that. My physics teacher at my coaching, Vivek Tyagi, was my mentor throughout this entire journey. He just didn't help in physics, but was also there when I felt demotivated.
NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a paper-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, Chemistry subject is segragated 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 or extra attempted 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 |
No, there is no sectional time limit in the NEET exam. The total duration of the NEET exam is three hours or 180 minutes. Candidates have one hour for each of the three sections. However, there is no specific time limit to solve the sections. Based on test takers' strategy, they can allot more time to a particular section than the other two. Since NEET is a paper-pencil-based test, candidates have the flexibility to decide the sectional timing as per their convenience.
Q. What was the most challenging subject in NEET, according to you?
Avika: For me, biology was challenging as memorisation is not my strong suit. I overcame that with tricks and mnemonics, many of which my father made.
Q. Any specific preparation tips you would like to share with future NEET aspirants?
Avika: I think positivity around u is absolutely Essential, so surround urself with the best people. For me, they were my parents and my physics teacher.
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Mayank Uniyal is a seasoned academic content creator at shiksha.com. Having a master's degree in International Business, he is creating content across several domains including CUET, Medicine and Universities. Apart... Read Full Bio
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As per the NEET exam pattern, the Biology section has the highest number of questions. Out of the total 360 questions, 90 questions come from the Biology section. The Biology section is segregated into two subjects, Botany and Zoology, each consisting of 45 questions, making the total number of questions to be 90. Physics and Chemistry sections have 45 questions each. Hence, Biology as a subject carries the highest weightage in the NEET question paper.