Summary
NEET PG, is one of the most challenging tests for medical professionals in India
To make things work, aspirants must take no shortcuts
As the exam dates get closer, having a solid revision plan becomes imperative. A well-thought revision strategy can prove to be a game-changer for all types of students. It enables the aspirants to make the most of the available time while assisting them in understanding their strengths and shortcomings.
NEET PG, is one of the most challenging tests for medical professionals in India. The examination is also a ticket to the most prestigious medical colleges in the country and students get to choose a specialty of their choice based on how they perform in the test. Preparing detailed plans and remaining persistent are required throughout NEET PG preparation and its revision phase if you want to succeed.
Below is a standard and generic revision plan and an elaborated do’s and don’t strategy that can help all NEET PG aspirants with their revision.
Divide the entire coursework into five sessions-
Session I
Dedicate ten days to cover the following subjects - physiology for two days, anatomy for three days, biochemistry for three days, and MCQ practice and mock test for the last two days.
Session II
Dedicate 12 days to cover the following subjects - pathology in three days, microbiology in two days, forensic medicine in one day, pharmacology in three days, and MCQ practice and mock test for the last three days.
Session III
Dedicate 10 days to cover the following subjects - ENT in two days, SPM in three days, ophthalmology in two days, and MCQ practice and mock test for the last three days.
Session IV
Dedicate 13 days to cover the following subjects - dermatology in one day, psychiatry in one day, paediatrics in one day, medicine in five days, and MCQ practice and mock test for the last five days.
Session V
Dedicate 15 days to cover the following subjects - Anaesthesia in one day, Orthopaedics in one day, Gynaecology & Obstetrics in three days, radiology in one day, surgery in four days, and MCQ practice and mock test for the last five days.
Dos
Be realistic while planning
One of the most ignored aspects is the idea of knowledge overload and burnout. Never overextend yourself with unrealistic revision strategies. Various subjects of the extensive curriculum must be prioritised based on the weightage allotted to them and the frequency of questions in past year papers. Focus on subjects of obstetrics and gynecology because they are worth thirty marks. The same is for general surgery, dermatology, and psychiatry, accounting for 45 points.
Schedule wisely
Use the best-recommended books and allocate the time wisely between the first and second reading. To ensure that each subject gets enough time, further divide each subject. Now that the exam has a clinical focus, it is inevitable that the clinical themes should receive the majority of the time, followed by the fundamental three subjects of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, and finally, the para-clinical ones. Save more time by clubbing related subjects like anatomy, surgery, pathology, medicine, physiology, and pharmacology.
Remain consistent
Consistently completing the studies in bits and pieces, will make the revision easier. Consistency in the number of hours dedicated to study, amount of syllabi and topics covered in a day, the number of breaks taken between studies, and time dedicated to practising questions/ mocks/tests, is a must. Use Pomodoro timer and techniques to remain consistent and don’t forget the importance of breaks to get revitalised and accomplish consistency.
A combination of precision and speed is a must to receive the highest possible score. Aim to complete 50–60 MCQs each day and regularly attempt mock tests and previous year's papers. This will give you a clear picture of your strong and weak points, improve time management and help you assess the difficulty level of questions, so you can better plan and assess your learning strategy in light of reality. Try to complete the practice papers within 150 minutes and leave the rest for revision.
Resource selection
Ample online resources are available for studying. While choosing any resource, remember to adhering to a single source to avoid confusion and information overload. To save a lot of reading time, books created exclusively for NEET PG review and preparation can also be bought.
Discipline your mind
Discipline the inner critic because NEET PG preparation demands patience and time management. Don't think anything negative or doubt your preparation. Any last-minute distraction owing to negative thinking can impact your well-prepared areas as well. A simple dedicated time of 7-9 hours per day can help aspirants to crack the exam.
Monitor your progress
Monitoring progress will help in keeping a track of daily goals as well as provide insights into the areas where performance is lagging. This will help you take timely corrective actions.
Make Notes
Turning pages of extensive books at the last minute is not feasible so better study from your notes.
Revision is the key to perfection
Revise as many times as you can, whether from notes, audio or videos. There is no shortcut to success and this is the best way to retain maximum information. Try to revise one module per day.
Smart work
Focus on images and diagrams because photogenic memory can be very helpful, especially during the last days. Numerous NEET PG test questions are analytical and image-based, requiring intensive study. A candidate should preferably spend a week on a major topic and 3–4 days on a minor one. The most important topics should be prepared first, followed by the simplest and easiest topics. Prepare a checklist and mark your doubts, and see if doubts can be cleared in time.
Don't
Starting over
Instead of learning new subjects at this period, use it to solidify what you already know. You can reduce errors by honing your knowledge of the subjects you already understand. Starting new topics at this point could result in a waste of time and leave you unprepared, which would lead to mistakes and a loss of points.
Panic
For obvious reasons, nobody is aware of the exam's subject matter. So, don't let the anxiety get the better of you, keep preparing with the best of your efforts. Lessen the likelihood of making mistakes by practising as much as you can.
Overconfidence
The most frequent cause of candidates receiving failing grades is overconfidence. When it comes to such exams, expect the unexpected. Never rely on time-consuming last-minute revision programs.
NEET PG is one of the most challenging exams. To make things work, aspirants must take no shortcuts. They should be aware of the crucial subjects, suggested reading materials, and other preparatory elements. Even if this 60-day plan will aid you in navigating the revision period successfully, it's crucial to customise the plan by considering personal strengths and shortcomings. This standard method can help you do better, but it's worth noting that no single strategy works for everyone. And so, you can alter it to fit your shortcomings and talents.
About the author: Dr. Nachiket Bhatia, CEO of DBMCI, is recognised for donning many hats and is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of contemporary e-learning in the medical field. It started when his father established the seeds of DBMCI, which sparked an interest in entrepreneurship in him, a flame that is still powering his leadership. It was his flame of curiosity and determination to give only the highest standard of quality coaching that made DBMCI stand tall and unique in its spectrum today. Along with his enterprising capabilities, he has always endorsed the idea of technology going hand in hand with education and it was his conviction that technology can revolutionise education, that enabled him to transform DBMCI from a 5 Cr. loss-bearing company to a 100 Cr. profitable business.
Last updated on 19 Nov 2022
