Last Minute Strategy & Tips for NEET 2020

With the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) to be conducted on September 13, 2020, students barely have a few days at hand to make a concerted effort to revise for the exam and give their last-minute preparations a final touch. In our efforts to continue supporting and motivating the aspirants, Aakash conducted a Live NEET Webinar with none other than Mr JC Chaudhry, our Chairman & Managing Director, and Mr Aakash Chaudhry, our CEO  & Director, where they shared last minute strategy and tips for NEET 2020.

Key Takeaway Points:

• Be Confident & Stay Positive

Students should be very confident of their preparation as they had got plenty of time to strengthen their preparation for NEET. They should not be anxious or nervous as it will only lead to self-doubt and they will feel confused. If any negative thoughts cross their minds, they should immediately replace it with positive ideas. Adopting a positive attitude will ensure positive vibrations and will help keep all the negativity at bay.

• Do Not Start Anything New

This is not the time to start anything new. In the last few days before the exam, students should focus only on revising what they already know. A glance at the NCERT textbooks, graphs, diagrams, etc. and study notes should suffice. They should abstain from delving deep into the textbooks or getting into too much theory. The focus should be on going through already solved mock tests, analysing the mistakes and improving on weak areas.

• Replicate a Real Exam Scenario

While practicing for the exam at home, students should try replicating a real exam scenario as it can greatly help in addressing their exam-related anxieties. They should find an isolated space and keep all distractions at bay. It is important to time the clock to 3 hours and take the test at the exact same time as that of the exam. This will help their biological clock to get accustomed to that of the exam. Wearing a face mask and gloves and keeping a hand sanitizer at the table will help in replicating the exam scenario. Using the washroom before the commencement of the test will help save time. Everything should be a complete replica of what students will experience on the NEET exam day. This will acquaint them with the real exam scenario and boost their confidence.

• Practice Marking the OMR Sheet

Filling the OMR sheet is the most important and crucial part of the exam. Students should first fill in their credentials carefully and correctly. The OMR sheet has to be filled with blue/black ballpoint pen only. Students should not over-fill or under-fill the bubbles. They should not hurry and be patient while filling the bubbles. The bubbles should neither be over darkened that it may tear off the sheet nor should they be so light that the machine fails to capture the answer. Partial filling or spilling out should be avoided. To ensure the OMR sheet is filled correctly, students should first mark their answers on the question paper only. The ideal time to mark the answers on the OMR sheet is after completing a section. Leaving it for the end is not advisable as there may not be enough time and students may do it hurriedly, thereby resulting in errors. In order to smoothly fill in the OMR sheet in the exam, it is always best to practice it in advance during preparation time.

• Practice Numerical Questions & Be Selective

Mastering numerical questions is all about practice. While practicing, it is important to understand the application of concepts. In case, students find it difficult to solve numerical questions in Physics, they should focus on strengthening their Biology and Chemistry.  Additionally, they should not stress too much on their weak areas as it will only lead to negativity. Rather, they should be selective in their approach and focus on topics with maximum weightage. Even if they are strong in Physics, starting the exam with Biology or Chemistry will boost their confidence as they are relatively easy. Questions that are difficult should be dealt with later.

• Prepare for Exam Day

Students should stop studying a day before the exam to give their mind some rest. Allowing the mind to relax will keep it healthy and make recapitulating easier. A good sleep of at least 8 hours is a must. On the NEET exam day, they should have a healthy breakfast, get ready and leave for the exam centre. They should avoid heavy meal before the exam as it may make them lethargic. They should not ponder over the exam or about their preparation and think about positive things only. Additionally, they should refrain from interacting with other students or responding to their queries as it will only disrupt their preparation. Students should stay calm and confident of their preparation, think positive thoughts and know that they will be successful.

• Take Precautions & Learn to Deal with Coronavirus Anxiety

Instead of fearing the coronavirus, students should accept it and understand that the virus is here to stay for some time. The best way to deal with it is by taking the necessary precautions. At the exam centre, students should refrain from participating in any intimate conversations and follow all social distancing norms. They should wear a face mask at all times, wear hand gloves, wash their hands frequently and use a hand sanitizer.

• Read the Questions Carefully

A meticulous reading of the questions as well as of all the options is a must. While reading the questions, students should pay special attention to the keywords. They should go through all the options before deciding on one. During revision, it is wise to revisit the selected option to be sure of the answer.

• Avoid Silly Mistakes & Negative Marking

Silly mistakes are actually the result of lack of balance of mind.  Students should stay calm and compose. Excitement or nervousness for the exam can cause silly mistakes. Students should keep their cool and read the questions very carefully and patiently.  They should attempt the question only if they are 100% sure. Guesswork should be avoided as it may result in negative marking, thereby impacting the overall score.

What Parents Should Do To Support Students:

When it is about the future of children, parents are often very concerned. However, they should neither expect a lot from their child nor should they discuss their apprehensions regarding the performance of their child as it will only produce negative energy. This negative energy can severely affect the child’s performance. Instead, they should always motivate their child to do better and talk about only positive things. They should have faith in the abilities of their ward and abstain from advising too much. A supportive attitude will help the child to stay positive and perform at his/her best without any pressure.