NEET UG Toppers’ Tips: Fulfilling his mother’s dream, this MBBS student secured AIR 12

A resident of Kolkata, Pradhan is a day scholar. His father is a supervisor at the ITI and his mother is a homemaker. Pradhan talks to indianexpress.com and shares how he was able to crack NEET UG in his first attempt.

When did you decide to become a doctor?

I decided to become a doctor when I was in Class 10. It is because it was my mother’s dream and I had an interest in Biology. I want to study medicine and work at a hospital as a radiologist, general physician or paediatrician.

How did you prepare for NEET?

I used to study for 8 to 10 hours a day. I would spend half of the time studying biology and divide the remaining half between physics and chemistry. I joined a local coaching for the classroom programme and would attend it five days a week from 10 am to 5 pm. I also joined another coaching for distance learning, it was a six-month programme.

I used to sleep for 6 to 7 hours a day. I would get up at 7 am and sleep by 12 am or 12:30 am. I would study from 7 am to 9 am, then go to coaching. Once I came back, I would study from 7 pm to 10 pm and then from 11 pm to 12 pm. I went to school once a week.

Did studying all day take a toll on you?

I don’t think it took a toll on me. Preparation is not very stressful, it requires proper planning and revisions.

Which books did you refer to?

I mainly referred to NCERT for biology, studied chemistry from NCERT and class notes and physics from class notes. I completed my syllabus around February and for my revision, I used to study from books by Arihant Publication for physics, NTG for biology and Balaji Publication for chemistry.

Did you study from the state board? If yes, was it difficult to manage both the boards?

I studied from the state board and secured 98 per cent in my Class 12. It isn’t very difficult as the coaching teaches you from NCERT books and everyone knows that the exam is based on the NCERT syllabus. I don’t think different boards make a great difference, but instead the preparation method.

What would you do for recreational purposes?

Whenever I got tired, I would take a short nap, read the newspaper or listen to songs. I enjoy watching movies and sports. Read the books properly and thoroughly and don’t let it be stressful rather than enjoyable.