Lessons Learned from NEET 2022: Overcoming Mistakes and Achieving Success

In the 2022 National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), I encountered several challenges and made a few critical mistakes. However, I still managed to secure 615 marks, which, although my target, highlights the importance of preparation and mental focus. My personal experience can serve as a valuable resource for aspirants preparing for the NEET in the future. This article delves into the key lessons I learned and offers advice to help you combat common mistakes and achieve success.

Strategic Approach and Mindset Management

One of the most significant mistakes I made was setting a fixed mindset regarding the format and difficulty level of the exam based on previous years. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met, and this preconceived notion hindered my performance somewhat. A crucial piece of advice I can offer to all NEET aspirants is to focus comprehensively on NCERT textbooks. Avoid visualizing the paper, as this can lead to unnecessary anxiety and pressure to perform in a specific manner.

Performance Breakdown: Subject-wise Analysis

Physics

I scored 162 out of 180 in Physics. My mistake involved a simple recipe for a silly error - a simple question I answer correctly but made a mistake in filling the OMR response sheet. I marked option 1 instead of 3, marking the picture so you can see the error. I also left the Biot Savart law and photoelectric effect questions unattempted due to lack of confidence and preparation.

Chemistry

For Chemistry, I scored 157 out of 180, which was largely due to a fault in my preparation. Had I studied this topic more deeply, I could have achieved a higher score. I struggled with the reduction-oxidation potential concept, which was consistently a bouncer for me. Statement 1 in a particular question really confused me, leading to a wrong answer. Additionally, I left two more questions unanswered.

Biology

My Biology score was 322, split between Botany (171 out of 180) and Zoology (171 out of 180). In Botany, one mistake and one left question cost me. In Zoology, I focused on one question too much and neglected another. Despite these mistakes, my final score was 661 out of 720, which, while not my ideal, was still a commendable result.

Lessons from Specific Mistakes

Physics: Biot Savart Law and Photoelectric Effect

The Biot Savart law question was a pivotal moment where overthinking led to a mistake. I initially believed Statement 1 to be correct but later marked it as incorrect, leading to a deduction. For the photoelectric effect, my impetuosity in solving Statement 2 questions cost me additional marks.

Chemistry: Amines and Reduction-Oxidation Potential

The Amines chapter posed a challenge, and my impulsive approach in solving Statement 2 questions led to a deduction. The reduction-oxidation potential concept was a significant hurdle, as my fear and lack of preparation in this area cost me a crucial part of the marks.

Biology: Overthinking and Last-Minute Decisions

In Botany, I initially got an ex-situ conservation question wrong due to overthinking. The chemiosmosis hypothesis question was another area where overthinking led to a marking error. Additionally, two controversial questions in Zoology and an NCERT-repeated question in Molecular Basis due to time pressure allowed them to slip by unattempted. The overall contribution of Biology to the mistakes was significant, highlighting the need for focused and confident responses.

Conclusion and Future Advice

While my performance highlights my mistakes, it also underscores the importance of strategic preparation, mental focus, and the optimal balance between confidence and overthinking. For future aspirants, try to remain in a certain range of being pensive, think optimally, and avoid both overthinking and underthinking. A balanced and focused approach is crucial to achieving success in the NEET.