NEET 2024: Tips to manage time in preparation phase

It is important to adopt different techniques of preparation as per the different stages of preparation and see what method of attempting the exam suits you.

Time management strategy during the preparation phase

The journey towards your dream score in NEET begins with meticulous preparation. Here’s how you can make the most of it.

Create a study schedule: Organise your study time into dedicated slots for each subject, including Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Allocate more time to challenging subjects and topics, and remember to reserve time for revisions and regular tests.

Set achievable goals: Establish daily, weekly, and monthly study goals that are practical. Monitor your progress and adapt your goals as needed to stay on track.

Avoid procrastination and distractions: Discipline is your ally. Maintain a structured study routine and resist the allure of distractions. Stick to your schedule diligently and never miss deadlines.

Prioritise your well-being: Remember, NEET preparation is a long and demanding journey that requires a sound body and mind. Allocate time for daily exercise and meditation. Practice sitting upright, as you would in the exam hall, during mock tests. Adequate sleep is non-negotiable; do not sacrifice it for extended study hours.

Time management strategy to solve a complete question paper

As the clock counts down during the NEET 2024 examination, the importance of effective time allocation technique cannot be exaggerated. To ensure you don’t stumble on the day of the actual exam, it’s imperative to mentally simulate the exam hall environment during multiple mock tests, allowing you to develop a robust time management strategy for solving a full-fledged question paper efficiently. While strategies may differ among students, here is a time management guide that can serve as an excellent initial reference.

How to begin

Statistics reveal a prudent choice – commence with Biology (Botany and Zoology). Questions from this domain are usually less intricate, demanding less time compared to Physics and Chemistry. Moreover, Biology contributes significantly (50 per cent) to your overall score.

This strategy of moving from easy to difficult extends to solving questions of a particular subject. Begin with those that rely on rote learning and formulaic approaches. It will allow you to maintain mental clarity for more challenging questions while boosting your confidence. Limit your time on Biology to 60 minutes and mark difficult or unsolved questions for later review.

Strategy for Physics and Chemistry

As seen in the previous-year question papers, Physics and Chemistry questions tend to be challenging. Divide your time into three rounds for these subjects. In the first round, address easy theoretical or numerical questions that rely on formulas or rote learning. In the second round, tackle questions which are difficult and require analytical skills. In the final round, revisit those challenging questions left unattempted.

Surveying questions

Before diving into the questions of a particular subject, take a cursory glance at each question in both the sections. This will give you a valuable insight regarding the difficulty level of the questions enabling you to allocate your time wisely and decide which questions to leave (including those in Section B).

Avoiding emotional traps

Do not allow emotions to entangle you with a challenging question. Spending excessive time on one question can jeopardise your overall performance.

Effective question solving

An efficient approach to solve each individual question can save a lot of your invaluable minutes. Read each question thoroughly, underline crucial points, and ensure you fully comprehend its requirements. Challenge yourself to articulate why the incorrect options are wrong before selecting the correct answer. For questions with multiple seemingly correct answers, select the most appropriate one. Utilise rough sheets to briefly scribble formulas and solutions to enhance clarity and speed. Keep essential formulas at your fingertips, and fully trust the language of the NCERT syllabus when conflicts arise.

OMR sheet filling strategy

The process of filling the OMR sheet varies among students. Some fill them one by one as they solve questions, others do it once they are done with all the questions, and some prefer to fill them after every 10-15 questions to avoid a rush. Each method has its pros and cons. During mock tests, craft your own OMR filling strategy allocating adequate time for it, and adhere to it in the exam hall.

To conclude, success in the NEET 2024 examination necessitates not only your subject proficiency, which is indispensable to begin with, but also an adept command of time management. Dedicate ample hours to tackle multiple mock test papers before the actual exam. This exercise will enable you to fine-tune your personalised time management approach which you should unwaveringly follow on the day of the final examination. Expert time management is the linchpin in surmounting this important milestone on your journey to a future in medicine.

(The writer is the National Academic Director- Medical at Aakash BYJU’S)