How To Prepare For NEET At Home Without Coaching?

NEET Self-Study Guide: All About NEET Exam Preparation Without Coaching

NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) is a gateway for securing admission in India’s medical institutes. Applicants of around 16 lakh appear for this annually held national level examination. NTA (National Testing Agency) organizes this exam all over India to find eligible students for AH, BVSc, AYUSH, and MBBS programs. Due to the minuscule seat number provided and cutthroat competition of the NEET exam, students find it really difficult to clear the test with good scores. Even though coaching is a common pathway for NEET exam preparation, self-study has also been proven successful. With a lot of diligent work, some smart work, a crisp study plan, and the right guidance, cracking the NEET exam is achievable.

Students opting for self-study are concerned about finishing the whole NEET exam syllabus. Additionally, they need to achieve the planned targets and need to be constantly motivated. To succeed in this method, students should be sincere and dedicated in their studies and should develop a full-proof strategy to prepare for the NEET exam before they begin. Shakespeare once stated that if you are ready mentally, then everything will be fine. The same should be applied to NEET aspirants as well. Candidates need to be mentally prepared to go the extra mile on their own. They need a positive approach towards the study plan and a formal attitude towards the study-at-home concept to ensure that the NEET exam preparation does not fail or lag.

First of all, candidates must get rid of the wrong connotation of NEET exam coaching. Online/offline coaching is not the only means to prepare for the NEET exam. Self-study is equally important in clearing the exam with flying colors. Coaching would be a waste of time if students don’t study on their own.

Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought huge upheaval all over the world. So candidates preparing for the upcoming NEET exam must be conscious of any contingencies in the future and must know how to prepare meticulously for the exam. With all the pandemic restrictions, virtual classrooms have become the new normal for students. For many even, that is not a viable option for NEET exam preparation. Here comes the significance of self-study. For all who are struggling with NEET exam preparation at home, Biotecnika is offering a NEET self-study guide with the best tips & tricks to ace the NEET exam.

Does NEET Coaching Matter?

Coaching centers in India adopt different methods to attract as many students as possible. They advertise their classes with the inclusiveness of the study materials offered and previous success records. Students should bear in mind that the popularity of the center does not guarantee success, rather it is the hard work and effort of the candidate that matters.

Almost all institutes claim to offer an extensive approach covering the entire NEET exam syllabus. Nonetheless, only a handful of them teaches the basics of the syllabus. Most coaching centers focus on important topics alone and fail to give a proper base on the different concepts. This style of teaching severely affects the candidate’s knowledge base. Worry not, because Biotecnika is here with a full-proof NEET self-study guide for aspirants.

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NEET Self-Study Guide – How To Prepare For The NEET Exam At Home?

Dedication & willpower are two crucial factors ascertaining the success of the NEET exam, particularly if you are studying on your own. Now, let us look at the preparation hacks for cracking the NEET exam without any coaching.

1. Stick to the timetable: As the saying of a man who moves a mountain by initially working on stones, the first and foremost step in NEET exam preparation is to devise a timetable. The study plan should be formulated after dividing the NEET exam syllabus into different topics. This schedule must reflect your daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Students need to be consistent throughout the preparation and have to strictly follow the daily schedule according to the NEET self-study guide. An ideal study plan allows efficient time management.

2. Set targets: It is imperative to include targets for your NEET exam preparation. Make sure that you study for at least 9 to 10 hours a day. Most significantly, the goals need to be realistic such that you do not lose your confidence. Establishing goals and then achieving them by the deadline boosts your confidence and is an additional inspiration to drive your studies. This will help you in covering the topics by the planned time.

3. Adopt a smart & selective method: “The early bird catches the first worm, however, the wisest bird catches it quickly”. The unique aspect about toppers is that they choose a smart approach to study. The study materials for the NEET exam are more or less the same. Students need to categorize important topics for each subject and prepare accordingly. During revision as well as practice, give more attention to these high weightage sections.

4. Finding the right time to study: Each student has their own unique preferences when it comes to studying. Some might study listening to music, some might prefer a silent study setting, some might be day breakers, and a few others might be night owls. In spite of the time you choose, keep in mind that you allot enough time to complete mock exam schedules, revisions, and syllabus for the NEET exam.

5. Familiarize yourself with the NEET exam: Candidates appearing for the NEET exam must be well-versed with critical factors of the exam such as important concepts, weightage of all chapters, exam pattern, marking scheme, the format of the paper, syllabus, and so on. NEET exam syllabus is quite broad and covers concepts & topics from Biology, Chemistry & Physics. Totally 180 MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) are asked for the NEET exam and 50% of these questions are based on Biology and the rest on Chemistry & Physics. You can begin by dividing topics that require more attention. In order to do this, candidates must compare the NEET exam syllabus with that of Class 12 & 11. Separate the uncommon topics and club the common ones, such that you can arrange the timing for each topic accordingly. NEET exam pattern is vital for understanding the duration, marking scheme, and question type.

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Since Biology has the highest weightage, make sure that your prepare this subject thoroughly. Go through the NCERT book in detail as nearly 70% of questions are asked from this book. Additionally, biology is a concept-based subject with many theories, so ensure that you record notes of all significant sections to make it easier for revision. Physics, on the other hand, requires a lot of practice. It is imperative to understand the fundamentals and apply them in answering questions. The last one, Chemistry, is a scoring subject. Ensure that you practice numerical questions from all important sections. Create a crisp formula sheet for Physical Chemistry topics such as metallurgy, qualitative analysis, and p-block elements. In the case of Organic Chemistry, ensure that you make a note of all the significant chemical reactions.

Even though all topics are relevant, some topics are given more weightage. So, give an extra focus on these specific topics mentioned below to score well.

6. Choose relevant sources: Rather than perusing study materials from different sources, choose standard materials and books for your reference during the NEET exam preparation at home. Students should be aware of which all books to refer to. NCERT books should be given the first priority. After mastering these books, you can check other study materials and question banks.

7. Practice MCQs: Make sure that you attempt at least 150 to 200 questions daily. Practice with previous year’s question papers. Practice makes it perfect. So students should regularly practice as many questions as possible and master the art of answering MCQs in a minute. This can only be possible with frequent practices and revisions.

8. Take up mock tests: Mock tests can help in identifying your weaknesses and analyzing your performance. There are several online platforms available for students to take up mock tests for NEET. There is a ‘National Test Abyas‘ app, developed by the Government of India & NTA, that provides free online tests for the NEET exam. These sites analyze your weak & strong areas and give real-time reports. This can certainly help students to prioritize their studies accordingly. Moreover, mock tests allow you to manage time efficiently and analyze your answers. Instead of the rote learning method, try to understand the basic concepts of each topic. As soon as you are done with the NEET exam syllabus, start your mock tests. Last-minute mock tests could end up in failure. Assess your answer, clarify your doubts, and revise again. Try to mimic the actual exam conditions while taking these mock tests. Topic-wise tests can help in learning the pattern of the question. Previous year papers, on the other hand, helps students to improve the subject knowledge and help in understanding the trend. It is crucial for all NEET aspirants to take up full-length mock tests, preferably past lunchtime in order to adjust their bodies for the afternoon examination.

9. Track your progress: Students have to make sure that they have good progress during their preparation. It can be measured by considering the time taken for solving an answer. By tracking your performance record, you can motivate yourself to attempt answers correctly and boost your confidence level. The crucial thing is to maintain consistency throughout your NEET exam preparation. Once you divert from the track, it will be difficult to catch up. Therefore, note down the NEET exam syllabus & various topics to be covered and record your progress. This can help in assessing your performance at any time. Regularly assess to know your stand. There are several free apps and online sources that can help you with tracking.

10. Stay motivated: Remember not to waste time. Bear in mind that you are your own master. The key is to have an undying spirit. Believe that you can crack the NEET exam with self-studies.

11. Never be complacent: Overconfidence is a dangerous thing that you need to stay clear of. Don’t think that you are well aware of all the questions due to consistent good scores in practice tests. Be a better version of yourself and keep on learning. This could give you new insights daily. Focus on your weaknesses and try to improve your speed and accuracy.

12. Be healthy: Apart from all other tips in the NEET self-study guide, students should take care of their health. A healthy diet, adequate sleep, and stipulated breaks should be prioritized. Bad health can ruin all your preparations. Also, your well-being affects your learning ability. Keeping your mind & body relaxed & healthy is important for your performance & preparation. Spent at least 30 minutes to meditate and exercise regularly. Try to eat healthy as well. Include vegetables and fresh fruits in your diet. Never compromise on your sleeping hours or else you will burn out at the end and fail your exam.

13. Manage screen time: While preparing for the NEET exam at home, it is crucial that you control your screen time. Avoid sitting at a particular spot for more than 2 hours. Take regular breaks and study in short sessions. After completing a topic, stretch your body and move around. Try to shift your attention to indoor activities like meditation & yoga rather than spending time on social media. These physical activities will boost your well-being and health.

14. Revise the syllabus: It is the aim of every NEET aspirant to finish the revision of the whole NEET syllabus. Entire syllabus revision helps you to score better. Revise as many times as possible since it can help you to recollect and store information. Take a systematic method for revision wherein you have to divide the entire NEET syllabus into small parts. Revision can also help you identify the topics that need more focus.

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15. Keep a positive attitude: With the current scenario, it has become essential for all candidates to have a positive outlook so as to assure that their preparation is following the right path. Keep yourself motivated and optimistic. This can help you study even the hardest topics.

16. Maintain your focus: Generally, humans can continuously concentrate for a minimum of 1 hour. Rather than taking long study hours, break it into smaller sessions with breaks in between. Continuous studies can make you tired quickly. If you take regular breaks in between, you remain focused for a long time. Also, you won’t feel NEET exam preparation is a burden. Remember to stay clear of distractions like unproductive conversations, online games, and social media. Instead of resorting to these distractions, select a hobby that is refreshing as well as effective for studies. NEET exam preparation is not simply a 1 or 2 days work. It needs total commitment and devotion from both the students & their families. Students should avoid making excuses and stick to the prepared schedule according to the NEET self-study guide. Remember about the benefits after clearing the exam. Do not get swayed by any external distractions. Try to maintain your focus throughout the preparation.

17. Adopt new techniques for studies & revision: If you are getting tired of the monotonous routine, you can try new methods for revision & learning. A multidisciplinary approach can help in improving your performance. Change your learning style into something that interests you. For example, writing can help you to remember points. Employ doodles and visual cues to improve understanding. You can even discuss in groups and record your own voice to facilitate easy understanding.

• Become an expert speed-reader. Speed reading is a method that can improve your reading skills. Many online tools are available for helping you with this.
• Employ the note-taking approach to recall major points. Note down what you remember with phrases and keywords rather than complete sentences. Also, you form a mind map.
• Combined learning of a cluster of associated topics can help you in recalling everything together. It even helps you to grasp different topics in one stretch.
• Mental pictures of complex content can facilitate easy recollection of the details. Your image should depict the details of the concept. You can make it a permanent memory by choosing an image on your own.
• Techniques using mnemonics enable you to solidify information in your brain with visual cues or wordplay. Making mnemonics itself is a good means to learn the concept since you are focused on the topic. Try to make your own mnemonics to make it a memorable one.

18. Reading technique for NEET aspirants: 

Your primary focus must be to go through the topics first to acquire superficial knowledge. Before your start with your NEET exam preparation, remember that it is not the time taken for studies that determine your score, but is the expertise in the topics. After the initial skimming, you might know which sections you are comfortable with. Also, if you think some sections are a bit dragging for you, then skip them and you can deal with that afterward. The second round of reading must be a thorough one such that you understand & learn the concepts well. Apart from that, refer to other study material to get a deeper understanding of the concepts.

Few Pointers For Students Preparing NEET At Home Without Coaching 

• You need to be honest with your NEET exam preparation as well as to yourself
• Be healthy, eat nutritious food, and sleep well
• Remind yourself of your dream to become a doctor and stay focused on your studies
• Identify your weak areas and make them your strong areas
• Do not tire yourself out, remember to relax and take enough breaks
• There is no harm in seeking assistance from former students or seniors
• Always practice, this needs to be a routine for you
• Revision is a must for all sections even if you excel at some. Since NEET exam questions are unpredictable, it is safe to revise all the topics.
• Remember to finish your goals by the right time and avoid procrastination
• Attend mock tests like your actual NEET exam and that too in a single stretch

FAQs On NEET Exam Preparation At Home Without Coaching

– Is self-study sufficient for the NEET exam preparation?

Regardless of the mode of preparation, be it self-study or coaching, your efforts are all that matter. In the case of studying at home without coaching, students need to work more by clearing doubts, taking mock tests, and rigorously solving question papers.

– Can I prepare for the NEET exam at home without coaching?

Even though coaching looks very promising, it is a mistake to underestimate self-study. Many students have cleared the NEET exam & topped the exam without coaching. Students just need to follow the NEET self-study guide by having a smart work plan, dedication toward the study plan, regular practice with mock tests & sample papers, and periodic self-analysis. It is definitely possible to clear the NEET exam without the help of a guide.

– How to begin NEET exam preparation at home without coaching?

Begin your NEET exam preparation by making a smart study plan. Ensure that you give yourself sufficient time to cover the syllabus and aim to strengthen your weak areas. You should stick to the plan based on the NEET self-study guide as if you want to crack the NEET exam

We believe these preparation tips could be useful for you to devise your own study plan for acing the NEET exam. Take proper rest, adopt a healthy lifestyle, take a systematic approach for time management & revision, follow the study plan religiously, remain calm, stay focussed, and viola, you are ready to crack the NEET exam. All the best!

NEET Without Coaching, NEET Self-Study Guide

Author – Geema George