1.Congratulations on achieving such an amazing feat. Tell us a bit about yourself. Please also tell us your individual marks in each subject.
1.Hi I’m Dhruv Shetty, I got 198 in my MHCET exam and came 11th in the state. I studied at I.E.S college. I’m now studying at Seth G.S.M.C medical college. I got 100 in Biology, 48 in Physics and 50 in Chemistry and therefore 198 out of 200.
2.So, when all of this is new and the rest of us are still busy figuring the head and tail of the subject, how did you tackle and master the syllabus?
2.So yes mcqs are going to be the new hurdle to cross just remember that you will get used to the new syllabus,test schedules and the format in time just don’t fret. I personally ensured that I was always finishing the portion for all the major part tests or weekly tests so that I had no backlog and would be able to continue understanding anything further in the topic. Ensure that you do regular studies from the eleventh itself and approach your teachers as soon as possible for everything you don’t understand cause there will be a lot that you won’t. Solve a good amount of the recommended book for the exam you are giving it really helps to solve mcqs within the stipulated time and also give you a greater exposure and shows you how much you actually know.
3.Did you have a set schedule, a time table that you stuck to? What were the daily hours that you put in self study ?
3.I didn’t have a daily schedule per se but I just ensured I kept up with the topic that was going on and that I was understanding what was done in the class on that particular day. I had weekly tests so I kept up by reading the portion two to three times before the test and solved at least one mcq book on that chapter. Keep an aim in mind it helps to do the portion in time. The daily hours you put in changes from person to person and individually you need to find the right balance between enjoying and studying throughout the day.
4.Did you have a different methodology of tackling the subjects? Any special notes that you prepared?
4.I had one simple method while studying I would first just read the chapter like a story book so I could get a grasp of what concepts are we going to deal with. Then I’d try to sit and understand the concepts after which the last reading would be for rote memory to kick in. Notes again may or may not be required as per individual preference.
5.Do you have any special pointers for specific subjects? The do’s and don’ts of it?
5.Please don’t mug physics in any way and don’t neglect calculus. Learn the formulas and understand them. Solve a lot of mcqs for physics as it is a thorn in everyone’s side. Ask questions always even if they are stupid. For biology ensure that you just read up a lot because it’s a lot of rote memory. Chemistry is an easy subject if you understand why the reagent is being used and just see the mechanism of the reaction at least once so u won’t ever forget how the chemical reaction proceeds.
6.Was there any help that you acquired while exam preparation? Like any visual aids any professional guidance? Or those little tit bits that the professors tell us but none other than the toppers pay attention to? Please share with us.
6.There’s not much to do other than your natural way of studying. Stick to what you are comfortable with and don’t run behind the marks in the class test run behind the feeling of satisfaction of doing the best you could. And just relax.
7.How vital is the Question bank during exams? Does it come highly recommended or you advice thorough reading of the text and having confound knowledge of the subject?
7.See there’s no argument when it comes to theory paper question banks help a lot but I prefer reading question banks only after I’ve read the topic two to three times. In mcqs just ensure you have a thorough knowledge about everything. Read question banks only in dire need otherwise just stick to the texts.
8.How do you propose the students study and what kind of discipline should be followed during exam time?
8.During exam time DO NOT try new notes or texts that u have never done before. Stay in your comfort zone. Ensure you don’t get distracted a lot by electronics so sit in a quiet place. Some people can pull off all-nighters and some can identify which group you are in and try to ensure your sleep patterns are like that during exam weeks. Don’t eat anything heavy ever during exam week it makes you lazy and you don’t want that. RELAX and doesn’t stress ever because no exam can define how smart you are just see to it that u have done the best you could.
9.Could you give some important pointers on Exam writing skills? And also how should one prepare for a practical exam?
9.Exam writing requires a cool head and just see that you first show the examiners the important points first and then add all the accessory on that increase the size of it. Write In points always. If you can write it in the order of your most well written to your not so well written answer. For practicals read the practical books well and keep a calm mind and ensure that during your normal practicals you do it seriously.
10.Any special tricks and tacts for the students of your college who would be reading this?
10.Just ensure you read well in time and get to read the chapters a lot of times. Don’t give the small exams that much importance and respect the teachers always as they always help you later on.
11.So, do you have any parting thoughts? Like disclosing that secret mantra that you chanted or that special brand of energy drink you savored? Just seriously though..anything at all?
11.Enjoy studies, even though it’s paradoxical see the beauty of the science behind it and also enjoy responsibly. Be happy always and keep a cheerful attitude. Make new friend who will always help you. Help those who need it and see that you support your parents at times too by listening to them(most of the time) because in the end it becomes their exam too. Best of luck and do well!
INTERVIEWER: Ananya Mathur