NEET Preparation Tips 2023: A Concise Study Plan

In a country like India where almost half of the student population aspires to become doctors, setting basic criteria for qualification becomes necessary to filter out the best of the best medical professionals who can join the Indian healthcare sector. The National Entrance Eligibility Test (NEET) conducted at the undergraduate level by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) set parameters for the selection of Indian students aspiring to join the medical profession. Every year, over ten lakh students appear for the NEET UG exam with a dream of joining the top medical colleges of India for a successful medical career ahead. This year, the NEET-UG exam will be held on 7th May 2023 across India for medical aspirants who seek admission to undergraduate MBBS and BDS courses nationwide. 

How to prepare for NEET 2023?

Qualifying for the NEET UG exam is a mandatory condition to fulfill the eligibility criteria for MBBS in India and abroad. Where Indian medical colleges demand the highest NEET passing percentile for admission, medical aspirants can apply for MBBS abroad with just passing NEET scores. 

With just four months left until the exam, the NEET UG preparation by aspirants is already in full swing. As your medical career ahead depends on the NEET scores, it is important to have strong NEET preparation. 

NEET 2023 preparation tips and strategies

Year after year, the level of competition for the NEET UG exam is increasing with an enormous number of students sitting for this exam. Creating a smart, well-documented study plan focusing on your strengths and weaknesses, including exhaustive revisions, practice sample papers, and going through NCERT books from class 10th to 12th will take you a long way. 

1. Know the NEET syllabus thoroughly

Before you start your preparation for NEET UG 2023, you should have the entire syllabus of the exam in front of you. You can never prepare a timetable or a study plan without the NEET syllabus. 

The exam focuses on three subjects – Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology). The NEET syllabus is based on the NCERT books of classes 11th and 12th book. As you might have covered most of the chapters of the NEET UG syllabus in your 10+2, you will have enough time to concentrate on other complex topics. 

2. Know the exam pattern

A thorough understanding of the exam pattern helps you in ascertaining the scoring scheme, total duration of the exam, negative marking, etc. The examination pattern of the NEET 2023 is as follows:

• The subjects for the exam are physics, chemistry, biology, and zoology.
• There are two sections for every subject – Section A and Section B.
• Section A for every subject contains 35 questions for 140 marks.
• Section B of every subject comprises 15 questions for 40 marks.
• The maximum marks for the NEET exam are 720.

• The questions will be multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
• The duration of the exam is 3.20 hours.
• The exam is conducted in English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Marathi, Oriya, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, and Urdu.
• There are 200 questions in the exam and candidates are required to answer 180 questions.
• Each question is of 4 marks.
• 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
• No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.

3. Focus on important topics 

As the majority of the NEET syllabus mostly focuses on the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, here is the list of important topics you must concentrate on to score good marks in the exam. 

Physics	Thermodynamics, Nuclear Physics, Mechanics, Optics, Waves & sound, Capacitors & electrostatics, Electromagnetic induction, Gravitation, fluid, heat, magnetics, and Kinematics
Chemistry	Periodic Table, General Organic Chemistry, Mole Concept,  Coordination Chemistry, and Chemical Bonding.
Biology	Cell Biology, Morphology, Ecology & Environment, Genetics, Basics of Biotechnology, Reproduction, and Physiology of Animals & Plants

4. Create a timetable/study plan

Preparing a pragmatic study plan or a timetable for NEET 2023 exam in advance helps you in planning your preparation in the most effective manner. Last-minute preparations for competitive exams like NEET never end in success and hence, creating one beforehand can add up to your exam success. A well-documented, customized, and well-structured exam plan can help students diligently focus on weaker sections and have sufficient time to practice and evaluate mock test papers. 

Sticking to this timetable helps in covering up your entire syllabus on time and leaves you with a good amount of time to revise later. Set realistic goals based on your capacity and avoid superficial targets that do not affect your performance.

5. Prepare notes

Preparing short notes for every topic while studying helps in improving memorization skills and helps in quick revisions of subjects before the exam. Try to note down only important points that are difficult to memorize. Make sure you include flowcharts, diagrams, bullet points, etc. in your notes as visual and concise representations of the content have long retention powers.

6. Solve previous years’ question papers

Solving the questions paper of previous years and mock tests of the NEET exam helps you in evaluating your preparation for the exam. It also helps you analyze your weaker areas that require more time and concentration. The previous year’s question papers help you understand the format of the NEET exam paper and the type of questions asked in the exam. 

7. Focus more on weaker sections

Although most of the NEET syllabus is based on the NCERT syllabus of 10th and 12th standards that you have already studied, however, there may be some concepts in the syllabus that you find difficult. Concentrate more on such sections by allocating more time to them. Avoid leaving any section of the NEET syllabus as it can risk your NEET scores to a great extent. 

8. Use analogies

Analogies and abbreviations help in remembering certain terms and information longer time that are important for the exam. With so much information to retain in front of you, this trick will definitely help you in cracking this exam. 

9. Refer to good books and study materials

No aspirant can score good marks in the NEET exam without relevant and good study material. Referring to excellent study materials for the NEET exam is an excellent way to prepare for the exam. NCERT books are the best source of study materials for NEET 2023 preparation for years. Some of the other best books for NEET 2023 preparation for physics, chemistry, and biology are:

Physics	Concepts of Physics by H. C. VermaFundamental Physics by PradeepFundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick & WalkerProblems in General Physics by I.E. IrodovThe Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol. II & Vol. IIThe Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol. I (Mechanics. Radiation and Heat)Objective Physics by DC Pandey
Chemistry	Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations – R. C. MukherjeeOrganic Chemistry – MConcise Inorganic Chemistry – J. D. Leeorrison and BoydOrganic Chemistry – Peter SykesOrganic Chemistry – M. S. ChauhanPhysical Chemistry for Medical Entrance by OP Tandon
Biology	Objective NCERT at Your Fingertips for NEETAC Dutta for BotanyTrueman’s Elementary Biology Volume – I and Volume – II11th and 12th NCERT textbooks books by T.L Rayar

10. Take care of your health

Scoring an excellent score in the NEET exam to apply to the top medical colleges in India and abroad is important but not at the cost of your health. Take sufficient rest and sleep, have a healthy diet, and maintain good health. 

Common mistakes to avoid while preparing for NEET 2023 exam

Medical aspirants appearing for NEET UG this year must follow these preparation tips for the NEET exam to score a good rank. The below mistakes must be avoided at all costs while you prepare for NEET.

• Avoiding the timetable: Candidates must abide by the timetable prepared for the NEET exam. 
• Ignoring NCERT: Never avoid the NCERT books as 70% of the NEET syllabus is prepared from them.
• Tiring schedule: Candidates must avoid keeping a hectic schedule by studying for long hours as it can lower their concentration levels, impact their retention capacity, and make them feel lethargic.
• Leaving weaker sections: When you are preparing for competitive exams like NEET, never leave out your weaker section as it can impact your result to a great extent. 
• Last-minute preparation: Never leave your NEET preparation for the last minute. No matter whether the majority of the NEET exam comes from the NCERT book that you have studied, still, strong preparation is required for the exam focusing more on the advanced subjects.

Candidates should follow these NEET preparation tips to secure a good rank in NEET Exam. They should avoid all the mistakes which are mentioned here while preparing for NEET.