Keeping cool during the preparation and exam is very important. Smart work more than hard work gives results.

Yes, very often. I think it’s completely natural. The key is to get out of the low phase as quick as you can and keep going.

It totally depends. I took serious 6 months. Before that I was doing just 5-7 hours a day for 3-4 months. Quality is more important than quantity.

After the MAY 15 Aiims and PGI.

Yes I did. Like everyone else. Keep revising the volatile topics. Note them down and start reading them a week before the exam.

I made do-able targets to begin with. I put in 12 hrs everyday. And yes I used to stick to them. If I couldn’t finish my target in a day, I used to pull in 1-2 hrs extra to finish before the next day. That helped me keep my anxiety levels low.

Initial 2-3 months when you make your basics are very important. Read notes, guides and prev years during that time only. So it makes you understand the importance and pattern of questions. After that just revise what’s important and don’t waste too much time on a single subject. At the end all are equally important.

I read Harrison for medicine, Robin’s- for pathology, park for Spm.

I tried to be as cool as I could. You have got to control your nerves. I did not study too much the day before. So that helped me keep my cool.

I planned on doing 50 ques per 30 minutes. So if I couldn’t finish 50, I’d leave that there. And start with the next 50. I finished the left ques in the last 30 minutes.

Yes I underwent major phases during my prep too. I talked to my parents, friends and teachers. They told me its normal and I should keep going. I took small recreational breaks to rejuvenate myself every now and then. Watching your fav shows or shopping or anything that helps you feel better is very important. Studying all day every day becomes montonous and boring and that’s when depression starts. So don’t refrain from indulging in 2-3 hours of refreshing activity everytime you feel depressed. It just increases your efficiency manyfold.