Adnan Nawaz

“Entrance is 70% study and 30% luck”: Adnan Nawaz

When Adnan Nawaz appeared for his medical entrance exams in 2014, little did he know that he would get the chance to travel all the way from Patna to Guwahati to chase his dreams; to study in one of the premier institutions of North-East India- Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. Penfreak got in touch with him to know about his preparation strategies and tips and advice for the aspirants. 

Q. Congratulations on cracking one of the toughest medical entrance exams, AIPMT. What was your rank? Apart from AIPMT, what were the other entrance exams you appeared for?

Adnan: Thank you. My AIPMT rank was 3008. Apart from AIPMT, I appeared for AIIMS, COMEDK and ICAR.

Q. Tell us something about your experience of studying in Guwahati, far-away from your hometown Patna.

Adnan: Staying away from home is not a new experience for me. After completing my 10^th board exams from Patna, I was enrolled in Allen Career Institute, Kota, for a 2-year Classroom Program. During those 2 years, I used to visit home only during my Diwali vacations. So basically, I am used to it (laughs).

I was initially quite hesitant to come to Guwahati, owing to cultural and linguistic differences. But the idea of studying in Gauhati Medical College, one of the premier medical colleges of North-East India fascinated me. It was only after coming to Guwahati did I realize that the people here are very humble and friendly. My friends, seniors and teachers are really conducive and they make me feel at home.

Q.  How was your experience of studying at Allen Career Institute, Kota? Tell us something about the faculty and the study environment there.

Adnan: I would say Allen Career Institute is one of the best coaching centres for clearing medical entrance exams. It has a high selection rate and provides the best competitive environment required for the aspirants. A high-class infrastructure and good study materials is what it boasts of. Study materials contain a chunk of information, but the most important topics/points were elucidated by the teachers. Allen has an excellent faculty and the teachers are extremely proficient. The teachers provided a wide spectrum to my mind, providing me positivity towards achieving this goal.

Q. How did you balance your studies for boards and medical entrance?

Adnan: Actually, I didn’t prepare very well for the board exams. Chemistry and Biology preparation was almost the same as my preparation for the entrance exams. Preparing for physics was a bit hectic because you have to mug up all the derivations for the board exams. However they provided me some study materials for all the four subjects- Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English, meant exclusively for boards preparation. I devoted all my time in preparing for the entrance exams, but the last 2 months before the board exams, was meant exclusively for boards preparation.

Q. How did you study? Did you follow a schedule?

Adnan: Schedule is just a matter of a pen and a paper. Most of us tend to make a routine and then follow it for a maximum of 1 week. After that, we tend to forget it. I just managed to keep myself not lagged behind. I used to study regularly and revise those chapters, whenever I got time. Whatever you study is just vapour, if you don’t revise it regularly. I would advise all the aspirants to make a list of the chapters and revise them regularly, such that none of the chapters get lagged behind. Go through your list regularly and revise all the chapters, not just those chapters that you like to revise.

Q. How did you study during the last one month?

Adnan: There was nothing special I did during the last one month. As usual, I used to revise all the chapters. But I would advise all the aspirants to take special care of their health during this period.

Q. What would be your advice for other aspirants?

Adnan: Nervousness kills the positivity within you and breaks your confidence. Try not to be jittery under any circumstances while answering the paper. If you are unable to solve a question at the first go, simply relax! Leave it and try to attempt it, only after you have solved rest of the questions. If you are still unable to solve it, assure yourself that the question is extremely difficult and no one else will be able to solve it.

 60% of the paper consists of basic questions, which are extremely easy to answer. So, solve your paper in two attempts- in the first one, you have to search for these 60% questions and rest, in the second attempt. Also, try to improve your speed as AIPMT demands you to answer 180 questions in 3 hours. Do not forget to carry your watch with you on the day of exam.

Entrance exam is based on 70% study and 30% luck! Do not lose your confidence. Stay positive and nail the exams!