CUET PG 2024 Topper Interview- Muhafiz Ali, says “Smart Study is Mantra for my success”

CUET PG 2024 results were declared on April 13, 2024. The exam was administered in 157 subjects which is being offered at 190 CUET PG 2024 participating universities. Muhafiz Ali, a CUET PG 2024 top scorer for SCQP17 (Life Sciences), shared his perspectives, experiences, and valuable guidance to aspiring CUET PG exam takers.

CUET PG 2024 exam was held from March 11, 2024, to March 28, 2024, at exam centres across the nation and overseas. Around 4.6 lakh unique registrations were made for this academic session 2024-2025. CUET PG 2024 exam was conducted for 157 subjects among 6 domains. CUET PG 2024 results were declared on April 13, 2024, and NTA has also released the CUET PG 2024 subject-wise topper list this time. This Shiksha article brings one of the CUET PG 2024 topper interviews in the Science Domain.

We have great pleasure in congratulating Muhafiz Ali, who scored exceptionally well in the CUET PG 2024 exam for Life Sciences [SCQP17]. Muhafiz is a final-year student at Jamia Milia Islamia, currently studying BSc Life Sciences. He hails from a small city in Madhya Pradesh and shifted to Delhi for graduation. With an incredible score 241, he established a standard of excellence for aspiring candidates in the future. Muhafiz is an academically average student who believes in having a deep clarity on the basics of the subject with the added touch of smart work that led him to score exceedingly well in the CUET PG 2024 exam.

In a recent interview with Shiksha.com, Muhafiz Ali shared his views and happiness on becoming the CUET PG 2024 topper. He also mentioned his strategy, how he analysed the PYQ and made prep tips, and also suggested valuable guidance for the CUET PG 2025 test takers. Let's examine the champion's thoughts and discover the enigmas of this outstanding accomplishment.

 

Read More CUET PG Topper Interviews

Shiksha: Congratulations on achieving 241 in CUET PG 2024! Would you kindly tell us a little bit about yourself?

Muhafiz Ali: Thank you very much! I am Muahfiz Ali from Mihona, Madhya Pradesh. I’m currently a final-year student in Life Sciences at Jamia Milia Islamia. I’m an enthusiast who is 21 years old and loves to watch anime series, also have a profound interest in watching Sci-Fi series. In my free time, I write some poetry.

Shiksha: What was your reaction after getting the CUET PG 2024 results?

Muhafiz Ali: Of course I was thrilled but I have a tragic scene to share. My mobile network was off that night and when the CUET PG 2024 topper list was released I didn’t know. My friends and the telegram groups that I have joined for CUET PG 2024 preparation, everyone congratulated me. When I woke up in the morning, at first I didn’t know what was happening but later after knowing I got extremely happy.

Shiksha: What motivated you to target for a great score in the CUET PG 2024 exam?

Muhafiz Ali: Well, as such I didn’t have any motivation. I have applied for the CUET PG 2024 exam and prepared at the normal pace, utilized the time, did analyses on PYQs and appeared in the exam.

Shiksha: How did you manage your time effectively during your exam preparation? Please share your preparation strategy.

Muhafiz Ali: I was mediocre in my studies right from the beginning, but I have a great and in-depth understanding of the basic concepts in Biology. I didn't take a lot of burden on scoring good marks in the examination. However, I made a preparation strategy to cover up the slated syllabus by NTA and attempt mock questions. The syllabus was found too easy to moderate and had covered maximum topics already in the graduation.

My preparation strategy was as follows. First of all, I checked on the CUET PG syllabus and went through the CUET PG previous year's question paper. Had Analysed the trends and topics which consisted of more weightage and sorted out my strong and weak subjects.

Biochemistry, Immunology, and Molecular Biology were my strong subjects which helped me ace the examinations. Also, some of these subjects were being taught in my sixth-semester because of this the concepts and their basics became strong.

As I’m in my final year, so after coming back to college I tried to give at least 4-5 hours a day, where I used to make notes of the important topics and syllabus by going through some YouTube videos and some resource material. I started my preparation in December 2023.

Shiksha: Can you share any challenges or obstacles you faced during your preparation and how you overcame them?

Muhafiz Ali: No, I did not find any challenges while preparing for the CUET PG exam. I think if u have a good command of the subjects with clarity in the roots then the CUET PG exam can easily be targeted and candidates can easily get a decent score.

Shiksha: How did you prepare for CUET UG? Self-study or Coaching? Which method was effective for you?

Muhafiz Ali: I think preparation for an exam like CUET PG needs more self-study and requires the zeal to understand the concepts at the root level. I didn’t take any coaching classes for my preparation. Although I did take some reference videos to clear my doubts in the subject regard and prepared notes accordingly.

Shiksha: Apart from your academic studies, were you involved in any extracurricular activities? How did you balance your studies and other commitments?

Muhafiz Ali: Well, I'm not very much interested in co-curricular activities but, I love to watch web series. In my free time, I love to watch sci-fi web series. According to me, 4-5 months are sufficient to get a decent score in the CUET PG exam I started the prep in December month and with ease, I covered the syllabus.

Shiksha: What subjects did you find most challenging in the CUET syllabus, and how did you overcome those challenges?

Muhafiz Ali: I think preparing for Gene Cloning, DNA Techniques, and Biochemistry is a bit challenging. Candidates must focus on these subjects as they have good weightage and will take more time to cover.

Shiksha: Which universities did you apply to? What was your dream college?

Muhafiz Ali: My top priority is JNU and then I filled in my second option as Delhi University, the third option I filled in was Jeevaji University and the fourth was Devi Ahilya Vishwavidhyalaya.

My first preference is getting admission to Jamia Milia Islamia. I will be appearing for that university’s exam in June 2024. Since I did my graduation from Jamila Milia Islamia, I’m more comfortable and more used to its campus environment.

Shiksha: What advice would you give to your fellow students who aspire to achieve a high percentile in their Class 12th and CUET exams?

Muhafiz Ali: Sure, I can advise some tips that the aspirants can consider while preparing for the CUET PG 2025 examination:

•  Questions in the CUET PG exam are more concept-based and theoretical, abstract-based questions are asked less in the examinations. Candidates must stick to the slated syllabus by NTA and try to cover all the topics with a basic understanding. Ver few questions were from the analytical thinking approach.
• While preparing for the CUET PG exam, candidates can study from some YouTube channels to get a better understanding of the concerned subjects. For Biological Sciences candidates can go through YouTube channels like IFAS, Bansal Biology, and Shomu's Biology. Books like Pathfinder are very helpful.
• Topics like Biochemistry, Techniques, and Molecular biology need to be focused more. Plant and Animal Sciences have less weightage in the examination, 12 NCERT books will suffice. So candidates can give less time to cover this and more time should be given to high weightage topics.

Shiksha: Did studying from Jamilia help to get a good score in the CUET PG exam over other colleges?

Muhafiz Ali: Yes definitely, the Life Sciences at Jamila Colleges is very fast and comprehensive, It covers all the slated syllabi of CUET PG. I studied more topics than the CUET PG syllabus.

But in my view, NTA had slated the very basic syllabus for the exam and I guess all the universities must have covered the maximum topics at the UG level. If a candidate with good determination and perseverance starts preparing for the exam, they can score well.

Shiksha: NTA has removed Section A from the exam. What is your comment on that?

Muahfiz Ali: I’m very happy with the NTA decision on scrapping section A. My general reasoning section was not strong and I think giving an exam with just domain knowledge questions certainly helped to get an extra edge in the CUET PG scorecard. 

Shiksha: How did the Shiksha platform help you in the CUET PG 2024 preparation?

Muhafiz Ali: The Shiksha platform helped in many aspects like knowing the CUET PG exam poetry, syllabus and previous years' question papers. It also helped in learn about the CUET PG 2024 participating university seat intake.