ETG(EduSys) : What exams you appeared for and your status/rank in them?
Nitin : I appeared in the following exams
1st in MP PMT, 3rd in AFMC, 17th in AIIMS, 63rd in CBSE PMT and selected for interview in CMC Vellore.
Ajay : I appeared in the following exams
1st in CPMT-2004, 3rd in CBSE-2004, AIIMS-2004 and VMMC-2004, 4th in BHU-2004, CMC Vellore-2004 - written qualified
Sudeep : I appeared in the following exams
2nd in MP PMT, 7th in AIIMS, 42nd in Manipal, 558th in CBSE (Mains), CBSE (Pre) - 506*/600
Harkirat : I appeared in the following exams
8th in AIIMS, 86th in CBSE, AFMC - selected for interview
CMC (vellore) - selected for interview, CBSE(P)-508/600

ETG(EduSys) : Any other achievements? 
Ajay : I topped my district in class XII - CBSE board.
Sudeep : I cleared 2nd round of NTSE.
Harkirat : NTSE Scholar. I got 92.4% marks in CBSE + 2 board (topped in school, 2nd in district). I got 7th rank (India) in 5th National Science Olympiad and 1st rank in state level (Punjab). I had cleared 1st level of NSEB, NSEP, NSEC and was selected for camp in Bombay in Biology. 

ETG(EduSys) : How did you prepare for the examination?
(a) Hours put in (approx)
(b) How much time does one require for serious prepration for these exams ?
(c) Any extra coaching ?
(d) On which topic and chapters you laid more stress in each subject? 
(e) Which topics you were strong/weak at?
(f) Which books/Magazines/Tutorials/Coaching classes you followed ?
Nitin : (a) I used to study approximately 7 - 8 hrs a day.
(b) One year of extensive studies with sincere efforts is sufficient for preparation.
(c) Yes, I took coaching for 1 year.
(d) In biology I laid more stress on genetics and human biology. In physics I laid stress on mechanics and electricity and in chemistry on organic and physical chemistry.
(e) In biology I was weak at plant and animal classification, Properties of matter in Physics and in inorganic chemistry.
Ajay : (a) Not fixed; 2-3 hours for self study in a day (in addition to coaching of 4-5 hours a day).
(b) At least 2 years of serious preparation. 
(c) Yes. 
(d) In physics and chemistry no such topics but in biology stressed on genetics, cell biology and animal physiology.
(e) Success of mine was result of almost equal command on each subject.
(f) Books - NCERT books and my teacher’s notes.
Magazines – I read Exams Today for previous year question paper.
Books : Explorers edited by ETG(EduSys) and published by ETG.
Coaching – Individual coaching.
Sudeep : (a) 10 - 12 hours/day
(b) 2 years
(c) Yes, I had join coaching.
(d) Biology - Genetics, Human physiology, Cytology; Chemistry - General & organic part, Equilibriums and periodic table properties
Physics - Mechanics, Electrostatics.
(e) Strong at topics listed above and weak in Plant kingdom, plant physiology in Biology.
Physics - SHM
Chemistry - Electrochemistry, Surface chemistry.
(f) Books - Human Biology written by Dr. Sandeep Ahlawat and other ETG Books. 
Magazine - Exams Today.
Tutorial - ETG(EduSys) one year correspondence course. (Enrolment No. BTT 40195).
Harkirat : (a) 5 - 6 hours
(b) 2 years
(c) Local tuitions, teachers and correspondece course.
(d) Physics - Mechanics, S.H.M, waves, electricity and magnetism with semiconductors. Never leave semiconductors. 
Chemistry - Physical chemistry, do some facts in solid state. In AIIMS basic concepts in organic chemistry is frequently asked.
Biology - Genetics for CBSE, deep knowledge of plant and animal physiology and applications of Biology for AIIMS.
(e) My physics and chemistry was strong. I was weak in classification and families in biology.
(f) I read ETG books and magazine and the other basic text books. A book called Human Biology written by Dr. Sandeep Ahlawat is very much helpful for proper study especially for AIIMS.

ETG(EduSys) : In your words what are the components of an ideal preparation plan?
Nitin : An ideal preperation plan includes a fixed schedule of study to be followed sincerely through out the period of preparation for exams.
Ajay : 2 years, good planning and division of time, guidance of able teachers, dedication and honesty to onself.
Sudeep : Strong determination, complete dedication and right direction is the basis of success. The ETG magazines and books kept us upto date in all the topics.
Harkirat : Hard work, determination and proper time schedule.

ETG(EduSys) :What role did the following play in your success :
(a) parents (b) teachers (c) school.
Nitin : (a) My parents used to motivate me especially when I felt depressed. 
(b) Teachers guided me in the right direction, specially the topics on which more stress was to be laid.
Ajay : (a) My parents support and their continuous encouragement helped me in rough times. 
(b) I followed my teachers almost blindly and attribute my success to their hardwork.
(c) School provided me ample free time to follow my coaching and also financed my coaching.
Sudeep : (a) and (b) - My parents and teachers played a very important role. They motivated me from time to time and supported me at every stage of preparation.
(c) School - Very supportive, all teachers gave special attentions to me.
Harkirat : (a) Parents - Supported throughout.
(b) Teachers - Solved my all problem.

ETG(EduSys): Your family background?
Nitin : My father is a doctor and my mother is a housewife
Ajay : My father is store manager in a Govt. laboratory, my mother is a housewife, brother is an engineer from IIT.
Sudeep : My father is a doctor and my mother is housewife, my brother cleared PMT two years back.
Harkirat : Father M.D. anaesthesiology, mother M.D. 

ETG(EduSys) : What mistake you think you shouldn’t have made ?
Nitin : I would not decide whether to go for medical stream even till class XII. Hence my preparation got delayed due to my indecision.
Ajay : I should not have concentrated too much on complex problems in physics.
Sudeep : I did not pay attention towards subjective pattern. Hence after getting good marks in prelims, I lost out in mains and my rank plummetted to 558.
Harkirat : Wasted time in class 11th.

ETG(EduSys) : Was this your first attempt ?
Nitin : Yes.
Ajay : Yes.
Sudeep : Yes. I had appeared for MP PMT and CBSE PMT when I was in 11th Class and had obtained 27th and 1000+ rank respectively.
Harkirat : Yes, it was my first attempt.

ETG(EduSys) : What did you think was the secret of your success?
Nitin : Secret of my success is my hardwork, motivation of my parent and teachers.
Ajay : Continuous non stop hard work for two full year and good guidance from my teachers helped me to acheive this success. Also parents support and God’s grace.
Sudeep : Hardwork and dedication.
Harkirat : Support of my family teacher and sincere hard work in later stage.

ETG(EduSys) : Had you not been selected then what would have been your future plan ?
Nitin : If I haven’t been selected then I would have taken admission in biotechnology.
Ajay : I would have gone for another full year of hardwork for this.
Sudeep : I was always sure of selection.
Harkirat : I didn’t think so. After solving old papers I was sure of my selection.

ETG(EduSys) : What do you feel is lacking in our examination system? Is this examination fair to the students?
Nitin : The examination system is not able to maintain secrecy as frequent cases of paper leaks appear which should be strictly checked.
Ajay : No, the examination pattern is such that it is 
not fool proof. Moreover overall intelligence is not assesed.
Sudeep : Our educational system is unable to create interest in studies. There should be more stress on application part rather than limiting it to theoritical knowledge.
Harkirat : There is very less stress on application aspect in all the subjects.

ETG(EduSys) : How have Exams Today helped you in your preparation?
Nitin : Exams Today provides extensive coverage of various topics which is a must for PMT exams.
Ajay : Beside your magazines, AIIMS and BHU PMT Explorers helped me to assess which topics to stress on.
Sudeep : ETG magazines, books and ETG(EduSys) Correspondence Course were very useful, especially model question papers and last years papers helped me very much.
Harkirat : ETG books especially Human Biology, and PMT Capsule helped me a lot. The Two books of Assertion and Reason gave final touch to my preparation of AIIMS. The solve and send in Exams Today magazine can help you track yours position during your preparation period.

ETG(EduSys) : Considering other hot careers for eg. Infotech, Biotechnology why do you still want to be doctor ?
Nitin : Being a doctor gives a mental peace and internal satisfaction which can’t be found in any other profession.
Ajay : I cannot answer this question absolutely but my own will and support from parents were the main cause for taking up medical as a career.
Sudeep : No other career would have diverted me from my aim to be a doctor.

ETG(EduSys) : What advice would you like to give to our readers who are PMT aspirants?
Nitin : Never lose hope, fix your aim and work hard to attain it.
Ajay : I advice them to be sincere and to never lose their confidence. 
Sudeep : Be confident, put your best and believe in God. He never disappoints those who work hard.
Harkirat : Do hard work sincerely and always remain focussed on your aim. It is not the quantity of study but it is the quality which matters. One who inputs 8 hours and gives output of 5 hours is much better than 15 hours input.