NEET PG 2023 Topper Interview: Know how solving NEET, AIIMS mock tests helped Dr. Aakash Sethi to secure AIR 4
Prepare for NEET PG with a motivation that is greater than just securing a dream college and branch, be it to help people, to set an example or to make your parents and friends proud, says Dr. Aakash Sethi who secured All India Rank 4 in NEET PG 2023 Exam. Read further to know about his strategies, the books he referred to, daily routine, etc.
NEET PG 2023 Topper Interview: Know how solving NEET, AIIMS mock tests helped Dr. Aakash Sethi to secure AIR 4
NEET PG Result 2023: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test- Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2023 was announced on March 14, 2023. Dr. Aakash Sethi from Vadodara bagged All India Rank (AIR) 4 in NEET PG 2023 exam. In an exclusive interview with shiksha.com, Dr. Sethi shared some unique tips that helped him to top the medical entrance exam against all odds.
Q. Tell us something about your background.
A. I was born in Chandigarh and raised in Vadodara my whole life. I did my schooling at Navrachana School Sama and am currently pursuing Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship at SSG hospital and Medical College Baroda.
Q. What motivated you to pursue medicine as a career?
A. My first inspiration is my parents. Both of them are doctors. My father is a Gastroenterologist and my Mother is an ENT surgeon. Interestingly both graduated from my alma mater. Then there was my love for biology. As far back as I can remember, I had the curiosity to learn in-depth about the human body and its myriad functioning so I deduced that medicine would be an ideal career choice for me.
Q. How did your family support you in your journey?
A. My parents Dr Alka and Dr Ashish, sister Aakanksha as well as my grandparents have had a huge role to play in this success. I used to endlessly discuss tricky topics in Medicine with dad, or maybe run by him whatever I had read that day while we were taking a stroll after dinner. He also helped clear my queries regarding hepatobiliary and intestinal systems from both medical and surgical perspectives. Mom apart from discussing her ENT subject, used to make sure I am eating well and sleeping on time.
Q. Where did you complete your rotatory internship?
A. I am doing it from Sir Sayajirao General Hospital. It's due to complete on March 31, 2023.
Q. Did you appear for any other PG medical entrance examination?
A. Not yet. This was my 1st NEET PG attempt.
Q. What are your thoughts on the NEET PG 2022 postponement that many candidates requested? Do you think the exam should've been postponed?
A. I closely followed the court proceeding and the Respected Health Minister's remarks regarding the NEET PG postponement made in parliament. From that, I could infer that right the lordships as well as the HM were not in Favour of the same. Personally, I feel exam postponement is a relief at the start, but later it becomes boring if you are repeatedly faced with it. Plus should accept one can never be fully prepared for an exam like this containing 19 subjects and a theoretically endless syllabus. Thus, although exam-related anxiety might try to derail you, you must try and be focused on the same and continue your preparation, being least bothered about whether or not the exam will be postponed.
Q. How did you prepare for NEET PG 2022?
A. My primary source of study material/notes were my coaching notes which I made in my final year by attending face-to-face classes. During my internship, I used to make it a habit to regularly solve questions and give Mock tests. During whatever free time I used get during my duty hours, I used to look at volatile topics, solve MCQs etc. My dedication to the exams paid off later.
Q. How much time did you devote to self-study vs. coaching and how do you manage to do both?
A. After completing my notes in the final year, almost the entirety of my internship was dedicated to self-study and solving questions.
Q. Did you take any mock tests to prepare for NEET PG 2022 preparations?
A. I gave over 50 mock tests, both of NEET as well as AIIMS. I'd say they had a huge role to play in my preparation. They have me an opportunity to learn time management when to skip a question vs when to take an educated guess for a question from a topic that you haven't revised.
Q. Did you have any specific exam day strategy?
A. My main strategy was to take adequate rest the day before. On the day I had written down some affirmations which I recited while waiting in the exam hall. I am a devotee of Lord Krishna and chanted the hare Krishna Maha Mantra 108 times while I was sitting in front of my exam PC.
I would encourage people in similar situations to do things that make them feel comfortable. I had decided to attempt at least 195 questions out of 200 and then have ample time to also recheck the whole paper all over again to avoid any silly mistakes that might have been made.
In the end, I attempted 197 questions and got 14 incorrect, but my final score was 718 out of 800 marks.
Q. What are your hobbies and did you find time to engage in your hobbies throughout your NEET PG 2022 preparations?
A. I was a Medical student on working days and a debater on the weekends. Throughout my five and half years of MBBS, I have taken part in over 50 international and National Model united nations, conventional debates, British Parliamentary and Asian Parliamentary debate competitions, and Management based competitions conducted by business schools to name a few. I have won accolades in over 20 of them. During my internship year, I managed to attend three out-of-state conferences and present my originally conducted research papers there.
Q. Any message or advice for future medical aspirants?
A. My main message will be to my juniors is that work with dedication. Don't let your past weigh you down. Prepare for NEET PG with a motivation that is greater than just securing a dream college and branch, be it to help people, to set an example or to make your parents and friends proud. For lasting motivation, one has to come up with a reason to work hard by themselves.
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