"I got rank 1 in NIMHANS mock by PrepLadder, this was my big boost" says Dr. Mahammad (AIR 1- DM Neurology, NIMHANS)

PrepLadder congratulates Dr. Mahammad Samim Mondal on securing Rank-1 in DM (Neuro) and Rank-8 in M.Ch Neurosurgery, NIMHANS. 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 to help you achieve your dream PG seat. Hello, please tell us something about yourself. Hi. I am Dr. Mahammad Samim Mondal. I graduated from Burdwan Medical College, West Bengal in 2017. I scored Rank-1in DM (Neuro) and Rank-8 in M.Ch Neurosurgery, NIMHANS. What do you think is the correct approach to study for NIMHANS? Only MCQ's or Theory + MCQ's? Extensive theory with full understanding of topics is an ideal approach to study for NIMHANS. Don’t mug up MCQ’s. It should be practiced just to assess your knowledge. When should the preparation ideally be started? The best time to start preparing is from fourth year onwards. If anyone starts late, she/he has to be more focused and cautious regarding syllabus and revision Please list the books you studied for each subject. Anatomy: BDC & ref. Greys & Snell Physiology: Ganong and Guyton as reference Biochemistry: Harper and Satyanarayan Pharmacology: Review of Pharmacology by Dr. Gobind Rai Garg, ref Goodman & Gilman Pathology: Robbins Microbiology: Lippincott, Review of Microbiology & Immunology by Apurba Sastry FSM: Reddy, Arvind Arora PSM: Park Eye, ENT: Arora, Khurana, Kanski and Dhingra, Medicine: Harrison Pediatrics: Ghai Nelson OBG: Dutta Surgery: Bailey Radiology: Arora, Fundamentals of Radiology. Orthopaedics:  Orthopedics by Apurv Mehra Dermatology: Andrews, Arora Psychiatry: Kaplan Sadock's Neurology: DeJong, Harrison MCQ- Neurosciences NIMAHNS by Omkarnath Have you attempted any PG exam previously? If yes, what were your ranks then and what did you do different this time that lead to your success? Yes, I have attempted AIIMS,NEET PG & PGI exam held in 2017. AIIMS May’17- 1600(approx) AIIMS Nov’17- 189 NEET (During Internship) 2017- 4666 PGI Nov 17- 390 (approx) NEET 2018- 761 How big is the role of practice and revision while preparing for NIMHANS and how much time should be dedicated for it? Localization in neurology is just like maths. So, you can understand how much to practice. Learn from your mistakes, be a learner first then you will surely be a ranker. Did PrepLadder play a part in your success? If yes,how? I got rank-1 in NIMHANS mock by Prepladder, this was my big boost. NIMHANS series by the legend Omkarnath himself was a mind-blowing approach to solve tricky and previously asked questions. My sincere thanks and respect to Dr. Omkarnath, you gifted me Your book, it’s awesome sir. Did you use a time table/study plan to keep your preparation on track? Yes, I always used a study plan to keep my preparations on track. It is mandatory for self assessment of daily activities. Were you a topper or a mediocre student during MBBS? Yes, Topper in Final MBBS from my college and PG oriented. List the most difficult and easiest subjects for you. Nothing is difficult because if you love something it will love you. I felt Community Medicine as the easiest.   One mistake that you believe everyone must avoid while preparing for NIMHANS. Don’t mug Up. Understand the topics, don’t just read notes, it will not help you. Notes provided by most of the coaching classes are review based. If you never understood the subject and concept, how can you review those topics? Remember, there is one "Re" in review. So view first, View is must. Build your concept; don’t waste your preparation time just mugging up coaching notes. Make your own notes only after clearing concepts then review those notes. It will give you highest yield. What was your exam taking strategy? I was less scared with the negative marking since only 1/4^th marks are deducted if a question gets wrong. So, if you have any idea related to the question, you must attempt it.   Some last tips for our readers preparing for PG? Either You Win Or Learn How To Win Next Time. No Failure In Between, because Winning is Your Birth Right and You Shall ........................(fill this with your own results ). Best of luck. We thank Dr. Mahammad Samim Mondal for sharing his success story. To read success tips from Dr. Chirag, Rank 1 Neurosurgery NIMHANS, click here. Best Wishes for PG entrance. With Love, Team PrepLadder