My NEET Exam Experience: A Ground-Level View from Lucknow

Hello reader, I'll share my experience from the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) exam that I appeared for in 2023. I've studied in Kota for my last two attempts but opted for a home city test center in Lucknow, my hometown. The journey was enlightening, as I faced unique challenges and conquered them with the help of careful planning and a strong mindset.

Exam Day: Nerves and Preparations

The test center was located about 10 kilometers away from my home, requiring me to leave early to ensure I arrived on time. On the day of the exam, I woke up around 12:00 sharp and arrived at the center by 12:30. After a series of security checks, I found myself on the ground floor of the school. The rest was waiting for others to arrive. An hour later, at 1:50, we received the OMR sheets for name and other details. At 2:00, the test papers were distributed.

Taking a deep breath, I approached the biology section and found it surprisingly straightforward. With lightning speed, I completed the biology section in under 15 minutes. The rest of the biology section, along with the bubble section for other sections, took around 10 minutes each. Together, I managed to complete the biology section in less than 50 minutes. I left around 6-7 questions for review.

Sectional Approach and Confidence

Once biology was finished, I decided to start with the physical section, which I was more confident about. I managed to attempt around 38 questions in the next 45 minutes (3:30) and took 10 minutes to bubble the answers.

The chemistry section, however, was the most challenging. As an inorganic chemistry enthusiast, my confidence dipped in the face of inorganic and organic chemistry questions. Pushing through with determination, I managed to attempt around 25 questions in 40 minutes. Noting that I had around an hour left before the break, I started attempting more questions. By 4:20, I had completed around 60 questions, yet I was unsure about many of them. I took a short break, had some water, and resumed question-solving.

The Final Push and Outcome

Back from the break, I felt revitalized, especially after solving a few physics questions and biology questions that came later. By 5:20, I had nearly completed the paper, with around 10 minutes left. I reviewed biology questions and managed to solve around 4, but no more. As the bell rang, time was up, and the exam concluded. Despite not requesting extra time, I submitted my OMR sheets and pens. On my way back home, I fretted over the results, unsure if I would get a good rank.

After returning home, I recounted the number of questions I had attempted, which was 172 in total. However, I was still uncertain about the correctness of my answers. Post the exam, coaching centers provided the answers, and around 600 was the cut-off. Even though I was close, the relief only came after further checks, confirming that I was quite likely to surpass 600 marks.

Lessons Learned and Mindset

From my experience, I've learned the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and not giving up. Even after facing setbacks, staying alive and resilient is crucial. As they say, 'Be alive even after the news of your death.' This mentality will help you during tough times and ultimately in achieving your goals.

Key Takeaways:

Be Prepared: Studying in Kota helped me stay focused and disciplined. However, the home city experience added a new challenge and required me to adapt. Mental Sturdiness: A strong mental state is just as important as your preparation. This exam day showed me that persistence pays off. Review and Revise: Regular walkthroughs of the papers and understanding your weak areas can significantly impact your performance.

Stay motivated and dedicated, and you'll see the fruit of your labor.

Good luck to all the aspirants!