From AIR 8,000 to 140 within 6 months. The unbelievable success story of PrepLadder alumni Dr. Sanket

PrepLadder congratulates Dr. Sanket Sarda on achieving this unbelievable feat. We wish him all the best for his career and future ahead.

In this exclusive interview with PrepLadder, he shares the plan that worked for him in order to help you achieve this too.

Hello, please tell us something about yourself

Hi everyone, this is Dr. Sanket Sarda from B.J. Medical College, Pune.

I scored AIR 140 in DNB CET and I’m presently studying Radio-Diagnosis in Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore.

What do you think is the correct approach to study for PGMEE? Only MCQ's or Theory+MCQ's?

MCQ's followed by theory is the best approach according to me.

When should the preparation ideally be started?

As soon as possible.

Please list the books you studied for each subject.

For entrance preparation:

Arora for most subjects except

Pharmacology - Garg Gupta

PSM - Vivek Jain

Medicine - Didn't study

Surgery - Pritesh Singh

ObsGyn - Sakshi Arora

Ortho - Apurva Mehra

Didn't prepare Image based questions.

NBE 2014-15, 13-14, Kalaam

AIIMS volume Pritesh Singh

Target JIPMER

and a bit of ROAMS

For MBBS 1st to final prof

Physiology - NBK Notes

Pathology - Harsh Mishra and first 5-6 chapters from Robbins

Pharmacology – KDT

Med- Harrison vol 2, Park for Infectious Diseases, Robbins for Hemat.

Surgery - LB for thyroid and Breast, Manipal

Obs Gyn both from Dutta

Ortho – Maheshwari

SARP - Didn't read

Have you attempted PGMEE previously? If yes, what did you do different this year that lead to your success

AIPG 2016 - some 7k-8k rank

MHPGMCET 740 rank 221/300

DNB nov-Dec 2016 – 6000

I used to study subject wise. But after these low ranks I decided to go for Retrospective approach and solve previous year papers and question banks and try to find the important topics. Then made a list of some 1500 topics and studied only those till the end.

I scored better than before in all exams I gave 6 months later.

AIIMS May 2016: 1000

JIPMER May 2016: 240 something

DNB July 2016: 140.

How big is the role of practice and revision while preparing for PGMEE and how much time should be dedicated for it?

Frequently revising what we read is the most important part. Rather than reading 100 pages 10 times, read 10 pages 100 times. Its a time saving and smart approach.

Only thing is to find those 10 important pages to be read.

Did PrepLadder play a part in your success? If yes, how?

I didn't join any test series before. While browsing for some Test Series options 4-5 months before exam, I found PrepLadder, solved one free test and felt that the quality of questions was as good as actual entrance exams and was also cost effective.

Joined PrepLadder and solved as many tests as I could.

Even the Daily topics email were helpful.

I found a couple of controversial question in the PrepLadder test series, which are there in any test series these days, but the quality of questions is one that matters.

Instead of sitting for 5 hours and reading explanations to these controversial questions in some PhD, DM or MCh level books, it is better to understand our silly mistakes on the basic topics.

Did you use a time table/study plan to keep your preparation on track?

No. Just planned to finish few important topics 1 month before exam.

Were you a topper or a mediocre student during MBBS?

1st prof - 50%

2nd prof - 53%

3rd prof - 57%

Final - 69%

So average or even below average I would say.

List the most difficult and easiest subjects for you.

Difficult - Anatomy, Toxicology, Surgery, Ortho, Antibiotics in Pharmacology, Radiology

Easiest - Pathology, Medicine, Pharmacology (apart from antibiotics), PSM

One mistake that you believe everyone must avoid while preparing for PGMEE.

Stop reading these:

1. What was never asked in last 10 years.
2. Names of some scientists/syndromes or any such pointless logic-less questions which were asked once.
3. Any new/recent topics which are tough to understand/learn in quick time.
4. Never let negative vibes around you. Avoid wasting time over unnecessary things or people. 5-6 months of selfishness is acceptable.

Some last tips for our readers preparing for PGMEE?

Being a good clinician requires entire knowledge and understanding of all 20 subjects.

Most PG entrance exams don't test that knowledge but our capacity to remember and memorize.

Start studying as soon as possible.

Remember/understand/memorize what's needed.

Make notes on confusing topics and topics where silly mistakes are likely and read only these notes on final 10 days.

Don't stress and panic about exams during final days. You'll remember everything in the exam hall.

Every paper has 10-15% unanswerable questions (even for a 1st ranker I think) and 50-60% questions are simpler ones.

Rest 25% are one's that can take you from 4 digits rank to 3 digits or even 2 digits.

These are from the stuff asked in previous 3-4 years. Constant revision and practice is the key to avoid making silly mistakes here.

Do your best and God will do the rest!

For More Topper Interviews, visit:

From 61% in MBBS to Rank 26 in DNB July 2016 –The success story of Dr. Ayaz

Do not join a coaching institute during Internship - Says Dr. Vaibhav

From being a mediocre in MBBS to a resident in AIIMS radiology institute - Success Story of Dr. Narasimman Murugan

8-9 months of serious study is enough to crack any exam -Says Dr. Sudhakaran VS

"If I can do it, anyone can!" Says Dr. Sashwanthi Mohan

Don't give up your preparation midway- Says Dr. Vinay Goel

Focus on MCQ's, Grand tests and Revision for success in AIPGMEE- Says Dr. Ashish Rai