How to prepare for NEET 2024 without coaching? - Self Study Tips, Timetable & More

National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2025 ( NEET )

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Sreetama Datta
Sreetama Datta Roy
Manager Content
Updated on Sep 23, 2023 14:36 IST

How to prepare for NEET 2024 without coaching aims to guide those who are unable to join a coaching Institute. Know the self-study tips and timetable that will help you to crack NEET 2024 without coaching.

Preparation for NEET 2024 without coaching is not an easy task to achieve. If you have decided to take NEET without coaching, you must be willing to sacrifice the comforts during the preparation phase and be ready to put in a lot of hard work. NEET being the largest examination held for aspiring doctors needs a correct plan for preparation. Preparation for NEET 2024 without coaching starts with getting familiar with the NEET exam pattern and syllabus. This should be followed by the preparation of a timetable, and following it religiously! Next comes the preparation strategy for NEET 2024, it must be solid and should be formulated keeping in mind individual strengths and weaknesses.

How to prepare for NEET 2024 without coaching?

Let's see what all needs to be taken care of if you want to prepare for NEET 2024 without coaching

Familiarity with the exam schedule

Aspirants of NEET should know about the dates and the chain of events occurring before and after the examination. Timetables can be better planned if you know about all the dates related to the examination. 

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Dates for NEET 2024

The important pre-exam events have been enlisted below along with the dates of NEET 2024.

Events

NEET 2024 Dates (Tentative)

NEET 2024 notification

First week of March 2024

 

NEET 2024 application process

First week of March to First week of April 2024 

NEET 2024 application correction window

Second week of April 2024

NEET 2024 advance intimation to exam city slip

Fourth week of April 2024

NEET 2024 admit card

First week of May 2024

NEET 2024 exam date

May 5, 2024

Have a thorough knowledge of the syllabus

The NEET syllabus is the groundwork of all preparation, so try to complete the given topics within a set time, leaving enough for both practice and revision. The syllabus of NEET 2024 will comprise three subjects - PhysicsChemistry and Biology. A major portion of the question paper is from Biology. The syllabus largely overlaps that of Class 11 and Class 12. Thus, one covers most of the topics in school. Prepare a list of the topics you find difficult or were not covered in school/college. Allocate time accordingly for these topics. 

Q:   It is possible to crack NEET exam without coaching?

A:

I will not say, it is impossible. It is possible, but you have work very hard and must give your 200% effort to crack these competitive exams. In my opinion, it is better to take coaching for NEET exam. Coaching makes your exam preparation easier. Sometimes, if you get lots of doubt then you can get it cleared by your tutor who has got the subject knowledge.

Students get individual attention at coaching institutes and they focus on learning and development of students as per their requirement. Coaching centers also teach you a lot of tips, tricks and time management that help you to crack NEET exam. But, you have to be careful in choosing a right and resourceful coaching center, as there are many fraud coaching centers that works for money and not for delivering knowledge to the students.

Q:   Which is the best reference book for biology for preparing NEET ?

A:
To prepare for the Biology section of NEET the best books or study materials are NCERT textbooks. According to experts and toppers, NCERT is the best source of preparation. Based on the contents of the book, NCERT would be sufficient for NEET Biology preparation. However, students may refer to additional books and study materials. Some of the books are as follows: 1. Trueman's Biology Vol 1 and 2. Objective Biology by Dinesh 3. Objective Biology by Ansari 4. Pradeep Publication's Biology 5. Biology by GR Bathla Publications 6. SC Verma Biology.

Q:   Who topped the NEET 2023 exam?

A:

As many as two candidates have scored full marks of 720 in NEET 2023 result. Out of 20,38,596 candidates who had appeared for the exam, 11,45,976 candidates have qualified. Prabanjan J from Tamil Nadu secured AIR 1 with a full score of 720. Bora Varun Chakravarthi from Andhra Pradesh has bagged AIR 2 with 720 score. Pranjal Aggarwal from Punjab is the female topper of NEET 2023 with 716 score. NEET 2023 result was declared on June 13. NTA released the scorecards along with the list of top scorers in NEET 2023 and the qualifying cutoff scores for each candidate category.  

Also Read: NEET 2023 Toppers List

Knowing the exam pattern

The preparation strategy for NEET 2024 will be fruitful only if you know the pattern of questions asked in the examination. Know about the type of questions, the marking scheme, the duration of the exam and other important parameters of the NEET exam pattern. Here are some important points of the exam pattern.

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Mode of exam

Offline

Type of questions

Multiple-choice questions

Duration of exam

3 hours and 20 minutes

Total number of questions

200 (180 to be attempted)

Subjects

Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology)

Total marks awarded

720

NEET 2024 Timetable

Time is a critical factor and every minute has to be judiciously managed. The entire lot of 20 lakh plus students study the same syllabus for NEET- but some succeed and others don’t. Here are a few tips that will give you an edge and help you be successful:   

  • Begin with a timetable that accommodates the following
    • School hours
    • Time allocated for new topics
    • Time allocated for revision
    • Mock tests
    • Leisure and sports
    • Rest periods 
  • Take short yet effective breaks in between 

Mock tests and previous year question papers

This is the most important part of the preparation and is true for any examination. Solving the NEET question papers will give you an idea of the type of questions that can be asked in the examination. NEET mock tests of various difficulty levels will prepare you for anything that can be thrown at you on the day of the examination. 

Q:   What is a good score in NEET?

A:

In general, a score of 600+ is considered to be good for NEET which will ensure a high rank. However, given the high level of competition, if you wish to get admission to one of the top 10 colleges, then you must score above 700. But if you wish to get an MBBS seat and any of the decent medical colleges in India, then a score of 600+ is required. At the same time, a score of 550 or above may also fetch you an MBBS seat at a medical college towards the end of the counselling rounds. On the other hand, if you are aspiring to pursue a BDS or a B.Sc. Nursing, then a score above 500 should be able to fetch you a seat at a good Dental or Nursing colleges in India. Having said this, by if your score is lower than the marks mentioned above, you need not feel demoralised or demotivated. There are a lot of other medical specialisations or courses through NEET scores and you will always have a good option according to your score. To know more, read the article given below: https://www.shiksha.com/medicine-health-sciences/articles/what-after-neet-blogId-37499.

Q:   Which was the easiest section of the NEET 2023?

A:
As per the NEET 2023 analysis, Physics and Biology were the easiest sections. Physics which is generally rendered as a tough subject, appeared as a surprise with easier questions. Biology on the other hand, is generally easy in nature, despite having the highest weightage in the NEET question paper. The topics of high weightage in the Physics section were Current Electricity Electro Magnetic Field, Modern Physics Rigid Body Dynamics, Modern Physics etc. In Biology the top chapters or units were Genetics, Human and Plant Reproduction, Cell Biology Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants, Application Biology and Human Physiology among others.

Q:   Can I prepare for NEET in just one month?

A:
Start repeated revisions of the chapters. Revision is the key. Solve questions and mock tests. If you refer to prepare for the NEET from the zero - The answer would be no. It's a competitive exam, has vast syllabus and could not completed in a month if starting from the zero.

Q:   How do I prepare for the NEET from the very beginning without coaching?

A:
Follow some of the best ways to prepare for NEET: Get a calendar and a diary Set your priorities Set out long study hours Take care of your health don't sleep during study time NCERT books are considered the best to cover all the basic concepts of all the subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Q:   How to prepare for NEET exam and get a good rank?

A:
Here are some tips to help you prepare for NEET and improve your chances of getting a good rank: 1 Understand the Syllabus: Go through the NEET syllabus thoroughly and create a study plan accordingly. Divide the topics into manageable chunks and make sure you cover each one systematically. 2 Refer to Good Study Materials: Use the best study material available in the market, such as NCERT books, reference books, and online resources. 3 Take Mock Tests: Taking mock tests regularly will help you assess your strengths and weaknesses, and give you an idea of the exam pattern and the difficulty level of the questions. 4 Time Management: Time management is crucial when it comes to cracking NEET. Devote sufficient time to each section, and make sure you complete the entire paper within the given time frame. 5 Stay Healthy: Take care of your physical and mental health to ensure that you can stay focused and motivated during your preparation. Eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and take breaks to avoid burnout. 6 Seek Help When Needed: Don't hesitate to seek help from your teachers, mentors, or online communities if you are facing any difficulties in your preparation. Remember, consistent effort and practice are key to success in NEET. Keep practicing and stay focused on your goal, and you are sure to achieve a good rank. Good luck!

Download the Complete NEET Mock Test and Answer Keys from the table below.

NEET Mock Test Question Paper NEET Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 1 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 1
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 2 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 2
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 3 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 3
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 4 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 4
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 5 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 5
Download NEET 2024 Mock Test - 6 Download NEET 2024 Mock Test Answer Keys and Solutions - 6

Also Read: 5 Advantages of Solving Previous Years' NEET Question Papers

Doubts and queries

You will have doubts and queries when you start preparing for the examination. Make a list of all the doubts and try to solve them on your own first. Certain queries can be solved with practice. If the doubt still persists, ask any of the teachers in your school to answer them for you. 

Self-study tips

  • Remember that only hard work will not give you results, it has to be coupled with smart study, time management and the proper utilisation of available resources
  • Integrate learning, revising and practising into your daily schedule
  • Break long chapters into smaller pieces for easy retention
  • Make a comparative chart for two or more related topics
  • Make a list of important definitions, formulae, derivations in physics, chemistry and diagrams in biology
  • Flow charts, mind maps, and ray diagrams also help retain things better
  • Set daily, weekly and monthly targets and try to achieve them in the stipulated time
  • Allow yourself to indulge in recreational activities once in a while
  • Set realistic targets and goals
  • Access your strengths and weaknesses, harness your strengths and work on your weaknesses

Get the Right Books and Study Materials

Along with your school books, you must gather the right books and study materials. While there is a plethora of books available in the market, you must not horde them all as it won't be possible to refer to each of them. Make a list of the right books based on the content, edition, practice questions, etc. As far as books are concerned, give preference to the NCERT books followed by the rest. 

Also Read: NEET Study Material for 2024

Stay Connected With Peers

Always stay in touch with your friends and peers who are also preparing for NEET 2024. Since you are not joining any coaching institute, you may form a study group and organise a doubt-clearing session or mock test/question paper analysis session to understand where you stand in comparison to your competition. It would also be helpful in terms of exchanging notes and getting expert tips from those who have enrolled on a coaching institute for NEET. 

Read More

About the Author
author-image
Sreetama Datta Roy
Manager Content

Sreetama has over a decade of editorial experience in the higher education beat. A wanderlust by passion, she is also an avid reader and a music lover. Among friends, she is popular for her sense of humour.

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