How students can excel NEET -2021exams without coaching

Given the craze for medical studies, the market for NEET examination has grown out of bounds. Medical aspirants follow different methodologies and get trained in most of the best-ranked training institutes to crack the tough exam amidst heavy competition.
Does NEET Coaching Matter?
Most of the coaching institutes attract the students by claiming their success records and comprehensiveness of the study materials they offer. However, the success is not defined by the popularity of an institute, but by the effort and hard work of the aspirant.
What is the Right Strategy for NEET Preparation?
Choosing the right strategy requires knowing your strengths and weaknesses. If you have all the concepts and basic knowledge of the course along with up-to-date quality notes, you are well ahead in your preparation for the examination and require no coaching classes. You can choose coaching classes for additional knowledge sources.
Since you have attained a basic knowledge of the concepts, you can reinforce your strengths and work on your weaknesses by concentrating more on those topics.
The Right Strategy – Prepare a Study Plan
Before getting into studies, prepare a plan of how to tackle the enormous syllabus. Start early in preparation when there are a few months left for the examination. You would need to prepare an extensive plan to cover the complete syllabus.
The preparation should start with a plan to create a basic understanding of the subjects studied. The understanding should not limit to just mugging up the topics but to learn the ideas and understand the logic behind each topic. A systematic approach would help you to move ahead with a comprehensive knowledge base while ensuring the linkage between different subjects.
Start Reading the NCERT books first
The NEET examination paper is structured around the syllabus in Class XI and XII books. So, a thorough reading of these books is the first step in preparing for the NEET exam.
Understanding any concept from the NCERT books becomes an easy task as these books are compiled for the school students. The level of complexity of these books is kept to a minimal level with easy to understand language and graphic illustrations. After reading these books, write down your areas of expertise and weakness, and then prepare rational plans for covering the topics one by one. A rational study plan can help in maintaining the flow of the studies which can maintain interest and productivity. Take your time and develop a comprehensive knowledge base.
Select the Right NEET Reference Books for Reading
Since the content of the NCERT books provides a bird’s eye view of the various concepts, one must not rely on these books entirely for preparation. For a good preparation, you must complement the content given in the NCERT material with other resources like the reference books available. It is essential to develop a knowledge base higher than the standards of the NCERT to crack the NEET examination.
Do not get carried away by the countless sources of study material available in the market. Instead, procure your study material from reliable sources and read them according to the syllabus.
Self-Evaluate by Solving Previous Years’ Question Papers
It is very important to self-evaluate from time to time, during the preparation. This helps you to analyze the effectiveness of your preparations and make necessary amendments as needed.
After you finish a topic, check your proficiency for it by looking at previous years’ question papers. Knowing the pattern of questions asked in the exam can help you in adjusting your study plans, and fetching the maximum out of your preparation.
Create Revision Plan & Practice Mock Tests
Carefully prepare your study plan, and don’t hesitate to revisit it according to the time available. Once you finish with the syllabus, start your revision again. Every subsequent revision should take lesser time than the previous one. It might not be advisable to spend your time in re-doing the trivial questions that are easily answerable. Mark the questions that need more time and try to devise your own short-cut methods to solve them.
In the light of tight study schedules and time limitations of the students, mock tests can help a great deal in the preparation. The main advantage of practicing mock tests is that you get to test your ability and potential in a real-time test pattern according to your time schedule. You can also test your answers with explanation. You can take the test anywhere anytime which saves you money and time at a less or no cost.
Your main aim should be to make an initial reading of topics covered in the subjects first, with an aim to gain a superficial knowledge. While starting to study, always remember that it is not the number of hours that decide your marks, but the kind of understanding that you are able to have. Once the initial reading is done, you would be able to select the areas that you are comfortable with. Also, if you feel some topic is taking a great amount of your time and effort, skip it after the initial reading and it shall be dealt with later.
The second reading should be an exhaustive one, so as to better understand and learn the different concepts. Read reference books in addition, to understand the concepts better. Based upon the difficulty of each topic being covered, you must set your daily goals and dedicate appropriate time for reading it.
Keep the Learning Process Interesting
A multi-disciplinary understanding of the topics can help you perform better in the examination. Make the learning process interesting to fight the boredom and frustration associated with mere reading. For instance, writing helps in remembering the points better. Use visual cues and doodles to enhance understanding. You can also record your own voice notes and use group discussions, written notes to aid in the process of understanding the subject being studied. Once you study a topic, think over it later to lay a strong foundation of anything you study.
Keep a Record of Your Progress
The most important point is to be consistent with the studies. Once you lose touch with the study plan, things start to deteriorate. Hence, write down the syllabus and the different topics to cover, and keep a record of your progress. This would be helpful in evaluating your performance at any time. Evaluate yourself regularly to understand where you stand. There are many online sources and free apps that can help you keep track.
Make Notes as You Read
Keep preparing notes from the various books you read, that can be an added advantage in preparation. By maintaining the notes of the things you study, you will be better able to remember and understand the topics. It also helps, in the long run, to keep a tag on topics that you cover. You can also improve your writing skills when you take notes.
Manage Time Better
It is very essential to manage time to excel in the NEET examination. A time schedule for each and every subject is a must. Weak areas should be practised more and worked upon regularly keeping available time in mind. Concepts should be clear even if you are short of time. Hence, a proper timeline should be framed for covering all topics in every subject.
Smart Methods to Use for Preparation
In order to succeed in the exam, you need to use smart short cut methods to prepare well.
The practice of writing mnemonics allows you to secure information in your mind with the aid of word play or visual associations. The process of making mnemonics is in itself a good way of learning, as you are continuously thinking about the topic in hand. Your own mnemonics are often the best as they are specific, and therefore more memorable, to you.
Mental images of a complex scenario help you remember the details. Draw and visualize the subject. Your image must have something to do with covering the entire detail of the concept which you study. It is advisable to choose an interesting mental image that you will remember. If you come up with your own image, if it really means something to you, it will likely become a permanent part of your memory.
Learning a cluster of related topics together helps you remember the whole group. It also helps you to cover a range of topics in one go.
Use the note-taking technique to remember key topics. Write what you recall in your own shorthand using keywords and phrases rather than full sentences. Alternatively, you could sketch a mind map.
Become an adept Speed Reader. Speed Reading is a process to improve your reading skills. A variety of tools are available online to help you read the vast majority of content in a short span of time.
Above all, know that success in the exam hall is all about confidence, and if you have this then you have all the power you need to succeed. Be aware of your Biorhythm, learning and motivation triggers and pattern. At times, you need to take your mind off the exam and clear your mind, so do something that will distract you for a few hours and make sure you get some rest before starting to study again. You will feel better and rejuvenated. Attempt the exam with a positive mindset and your hard work will speak the rest.
We hope that the ideas put forth in this article will have inspired you to try to approach the NEET examination on your own. Your pencils are sharpened and so is your mind, and you feel ready to tackle anything that examiners care to throw at you.