Dr. Akhila, who has secured an impressive 23rd rank in the NEET SS 2023 surgical group.
Preparation Amidst Final Year PG: A Balanced Approach
When asked about her preparation journey, Dr. Akhila revealed that she didn’t take any specific time off for NEET SS preparation. “I recently completed my final year of post-graduation, and while preparing for my final year PG exams, I also started taking mock tests from Sushruta LGS. Even before my final exams, I was solving mock tests in between,” she said.
Her approach to simultaneously preparing for both her theory exams and NEET SS was a key factor in her success. “I believe this strategy helped me a lot,” she added.
Engaging with Sushruta LGS: From Mock Tests to MCQs and Classes
Initially, Dr. Akhila subscribed to the mock tests from Sushruta LGS. “Later, I found it very interesting, so I subscribed to the MCQs and then the classes as well,” she explained. The classes by Dr. Ruchir Bhavsar, in particular, had a significant impact on her preparation. “Your classes were really mesmerizing. After watching them, you could almost blindly answer the MCQs,” she complimented.
The Dream of Surgical Oncology
Dr. Akhila’s ultimate goal was to specialize in Surgical Oncology. “I have always aimed for Surgical Oncology,” she mentioned. However, she also admitted that she didn’t expect to secure such a high rank. “I thought I would be lucky if I got the last seat, but now that I have multiple choices, it’s a blessing and a bit of a bane because it’s harder to decide,” she said with a smile.
Key to Success: Simultaneous Theory and MCQ Preparation
Dr. Akhila strongly believes that a balanced approach between theory reading and MCQ practice is crucial. “People often skip MCQs and mock tests, but I did a large number of them, and I believe that helped me significantly,” she shared. In the final days leading up to the exam, she focused on revising the mock tests she had previously completed. “Revising those tests helped me during the exam,” she added.
Six Months of Focused Preparation
Although Dr. Akhila worked throughout her PG years, she began serious preparation in January of this year. “For the first two years, it was mostly about working, but in January and February, I started preparing seriously for NEET SS,” she explained. Her strategy of combining MCQ practice with theory reading over the last six to seven months proved to be effective.
The Importance of Revision
When asked about her revision strategy, Dr. Akhila admitted that while revising Bailey was challenging, she focused on revising MCQs and mock tests. “Reading Bailey was hectic, so I focused on revising the questions from the mock exams,” she said. This method helped her avoid the overwhelming task of going through the entire textbook again.
Sushruta LGS: A Key Role in Preparation
Dr. Akhila expressed her appreciation for the Sushruta LGS platform and its role in her success. “In my first grand test, I scored around 250, but slowly, as I revised and continued using the platform, my scores improved,” she recalled. Over time, she started using more of the platform’s features, including MCQs, videos, and mock tests.
She initially discovered the platform through a WhatsApp group, and her journey with Sushruta LGS started with mock exams before expanding to include the classes and notes. “The notes were amazing and were like a duplicate of Bailey and Sabiston,” she said.
The Importance of Tough Mock Exams
Dr. Akhila stressed the importance of tough mock exams in her preparation journey. “Your mock exams were slightly tougher, and I believe that really helped in preparing for the actual NEET SS exam,” she noted. Her advice to students facing low scores in mock tests is to not lose hope. “The more challenging the mock exams, the better prepared you are for the final exam,” she added.
Advice for Future Aspirants: Theory and MCQ Practice
When asked to share her advice for future aspirants, Dr. Akhila emphasized the importance of practicing MCQs alongside reading theory. “First, they need to build their concepts by reading theory. When they get tired of theory or need a break, they can practice MCQs,” she advised.
For her, practicing MCQs became a way to stay motivated. “When I couldn’t read anymore, I would practice fresh MCQs. If I got them wrong, it motivated me to study more,” she explained. Her message to students is clear: take mistakes in MCQ practice positively, and use them as a guide to improve.
Strategy for a Tough Exam
Dr. Akhila also shared her strategy for handling tougher papers like NEET SS. “At one point, my confidence was going down, and I thought I couldn’t do it. But I started skipping the difficult MCQs and moved on to the ones I knew. That built my confidence, and then I returned to the skipped questions,” she said. Her approach of tackling easier questions first and then coming back to the difficult ones is a strategy she recommends to others.
Preparing for an Unpredictable Paper
When it comes to preparing for a paper as unpredictable as this year’s NEET SS, Dr. Akhila suggested starting with the basics. “Reading Bailey and Sabiston is essential, and then you just have to hope for a reasonable paper,” she laughed. Her advice is to build a strong foundation with these core textbooks and be prepared for surprises in the actual exam.
Feedback on Sushruta LGS and Future Suggestions
When asked for feedback on the Sushruta LGS platform, Dr. Akhila’s main suggestion was to keep adding more MCQs. “There were a few topics where I felt more MCQs could be added,” she said. She also appreciated the videos and MCQ practice and looked forward to more content in the future, including image-based questions and clinical scenarios.
Take-Home Message: Hard Work and Persistence
To conclude, Dr. Akhila’s take-home message for future aspirants was simple but powerful: “Just keep working hard. The most important thing is to not stress. Keep pushing forward and hope for the best.” Her advice to stay consistent and persistent is a message that resonates with many students preparing for competitive exams.
As Dr. Akhila enters the world of super-speciality, her journey is a true inspiration to anyone aiming for success in the NEET SS exam. Her balance of hard work, smart preparation, and determination is a recipe for success.
