ETG(EduSys) : What exams you appeared for and your status/rank in them?
Srivats : I appeared for the following exams: 
1st in DPMT (703/800), 7th in Manipal, 11th in JIPMER, 14th in AIIMS, 87th in CBSE-PMT, CMC Vellore & AFMC - Selected for interview
Arpit Rao : 1st in K-CET, 6th in AFMC, 21st in AIIMS and MP PMT, 48th in Manipal, 106th in CBSE-PMT .
Faraz : 6th in AIIMS, 11th in UP CPMT, 28th in CBSE PMT
Arpit Jain : 11th in BHU, 8th in MP PMT, 
866th in UGET Manipal, 1668th in CBSE PMT, 116th in VMMC.

ETG(EduSys) : Any other achievements? 
Srivats : I am a NTSE Scholar.
Faraz : NTSE - 4th (Class 8th), 5th (Class 9th), 
5th (Class 10th).

ETG(EduSys) : How did you prepare for the examination?
(a) Hours put in (approx)
(b) How much time does one require for serious preparation 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 ?
Srivats : (a) Variably 2-3 hrs on school days. About 5 hrs. on holidays. In the last month I spent about 10 hrs/day.
(b) It took me 2 yrs. but can be done earlier if you are determined enough.
(c) I joined a coaching institute in Delhi.
(d) Every thing was important. I laid more stress on Inorganic Chemistry in Chemistry, Waves and Optics in Physics and Animal Physiology in Biology.
(e) I was very weak in Plant Morphology, Families of flowering plants and modern physics.
(f) Beside NCERT, I read my coaching notes.
Arpit Rao : (a) 2-4 hrs per day of highly concentrated self study.
(b) 2 years are just sufficient but regular self-study is a must to do so.
(c) I had been a regular student of a Coaching Centre in Indore. 
(d) It depends entirely on the exam you are going. Each exam has its own preference.
Its very important to know the topics getting maximum weightage in an exam (Eg. Genetics and ecology in CBSE). Idea about these can be had from previous years question papers. The collection is available in Explorer series of ETG Books.
(e) Strongest at Physics, weakest at Organic Chemistry.
(f) Books - Tutorial notes in Physics. I also read Karnataka CET Explorer, AIIMS Explorer and CBSE PMT Explorer.
Magazines - Exams Today.
Faraz : (a) 4 hours of regular work over 2 years is more than sufficient.
(b) Ideally 2 years but even if you start late there is no reason to lose heart.
(c) I had enrolled for the Correspondence Course.
(d) Especially at Physics, Modern Biology and Physical Chemistry.
(e) In Biology I was strong in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. For CBSE it is Genetics and Applications of Biology. Physical & Organic Chemistry I was rather consistent in Physics.
For AIIMS General Knowledge preparation daily reading a newspaper (for e.g. Times of India) is enough.
Arpit Jain : (a) 2 - 3 hrs. of self study apart from coaching.
(b) Physics – Modern physics, Mechanics, Electrostats and current electricity.
Chemistry – Organic and physical chemistry, Co-ordination compound, Qualitative analysis.
Biology – Application, Genetics, Cytology, Ecology.
(c) 1 year is more than sufficient, for M.P. P.M.T. just 3-4 months are sufficient because most of the questions are repeated.
(d) Joined coaching, went to individual teachers for specific topics, Solved test papers of ETG(EduSys).
(e) Weak in classical magnetism, wave optics, animal and plant classificiation, plant morphology and anatomy, inorganic chemistry.
(f) Physics : Concepts of physics – H.C. Verma, Fundamental physics-Resnick and Halliday, Interactive Physics by R. Ravi.
Chemistry : NCERT text book, Organic Chemistry - Morrison and Boyd, Lee Inorganics chemistry, Chemistry Olympiad Problems (publisher - ETG Learning media).
Biology : NCERT text book, Biological sciences (Cambridge university press), Schaum’s 3000 solved problems in Biology, Biology Olympiad Problems - ETG Question Bank package in Biology, Human Biology (ETG) for specific topics.
I also used to read Exams Today and solved various explorers. 

ETG(EduSys) : In your words what are the components of an ideal preparation plan?
Srivats : Finish your course by December, revise by February and then brush up till your exam.
Arpit Rao : Fix your priority, divide the time and stick to the schedule. Topic with greatest priority to be done maximum number of times and worry not if you can’t revise a topic of lower worth. Be honest and dedicated. Keep faith and work hard.
Faraz : Be confident and dedicated. Never lose heart and always know that things will work out if you have faith in yourself and in the Almighty. Rely on understanding rather than learning. Manage your time well. The vacations should be treated as preparatory leave especially for finishing NCERT books of XI and XII.
Arpit Jain : Self-confidence, discipline, trust in teachers, remain acquainted with the latest information, a lot of hard work with focus on goal. Try to complete NCERT books 3-4 times by December (especially bio and chemistry).

ETG(EduSys) :What role did the following play in your success : (a) parents (b) teachers (c) school.
Srivats : Parents were always motivational in anything that I wanted to do. Anything I did was alright with them so they helped me a lot, I could discuss anything with them.
(b) and (c) : My teachers were very helpful, they motivated me twoards my goal. 
Arpit Rao : (a) Parents are the reason for myself now being in AIIMS. 
(b) Teachers have always motivated me to reach my aim. They also share a large part of my success.
(c) School also helped me a lot.
Faraz : (a) Parents : It is impossible in words to indicate the scope of their contribution. Where I am today is because of my family.
(b) Teachers - I had an absolutely superb Biology Teacher. I would acknowledge my Principal’s constant support.
(c) School - School is the place where preliminary concepts are built.
Arpit Jain : (a) Parents always provided me a friendly environment and inspired me to work hard.
(b) Teachers at my coaching centre always inspired and forced me to work hard which ultimately helped me to get into a prestigious institute. 

ETG(EduSys): Your family background?
Srivats : My father is an MD (Medicine) and mother is MD (Gynaecology).
Arpit Rao : My father is a lawyer and management professional. My mother is a teacher. 
Faraz : My father is a manager. My mother is a housewife. 
Arpit Jain : My father is a doctor in Govt. Service, Mother is a house wife.

ETG(EduSys) : What mistake you think you shouldn’t have made ?
Srivats : I have no regret, I did my best.
Arpit Rao : Wasted lots of time in 11th and 12th. Didn’t go for Test Series and didn’t clear concepts in Physics until a year from exams.
Faraz : I should have started preparing long earlier. Besides I was just taking it easy until the exams were just 2 months away. In CBSE I absolutely bungeld time management policies and did not have sufficient time to attempt the chemistry section.
Arpit Jain : Unplanned studies, comparatively less hard work, getting diverted from goal very easily, bunked test of coaching in whole December and January. Mismanagement of time in CBSE-Mains which affected my studies and psychological condition during last 15 days of May after CBSE-Mains and till AIIMS. This led to bad performance in all exams during this period. If I have managed time properly I might have got under 15 rank in CBSE and also I might have cleared AIIMS. I should have put atleast 8-10 hrs per day of self study. But now nothing to regret.

ETG(EduSys) : Was this your first attempt ?
Srivats : Yes. 
Arpit Rao : Yes.
Faraz : Yes.
Arpit Jain : No.

ETG(EduSys) : Had you not been selected then what would have been your future plan ?
Srivats : I never thought about that.
Arpit Rao : Though I was really very sure of selection, my second preference would have been either being a lawyer + MBA (as my father) or something in Electronic Media.
Faraz : Never worried. I like to live life one day at a time. Alternatively I would have gone for software engineering.
Arpit Jain : I might have done something in Biochemistry.

ETG(EduSys) : What did you think was the secret of your success?
Srivats : Hardwork and suport from my parents and 
teachers.
Arpit Rao : There is no secret at all. It’s my parents + Teachers + Hardwork + Perseverence.
Faraz : Faith in the Almighty, belief in myself and the blessings of my parents and teachers.
Arpit Jain : Dedication, encouragement from parents and belief in myself that I could do it all contributed to my success in competitive exams.

ETG(EduSys) : How have Exams Today helped you in your preparation?
Arpit Rao : Exams Today is very good magazine. Study matter is very well framed. The best part of it is High Yield Facts. Extensive High Yield Facts are also given in the Correspondence Course and TWAS. Mini Test Series contains High Yield Facts which are exam specific i.e. for UP, BHU,.... These High Yield Facts are not available in the market hence student should enrol for ETG(EduSys) 
Course to obtain them This is useful while revising the topics.
Faraz : ETG has been a tremendous contributer. Actually I have a library of the previous 3 years of all editions of Exams Today. Of course there are always the MCQs and High Yield Facts which one would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. The ‘Explorer’ series books are also quite good. 
Arpit Jain : I am a regular reader of Exams Today since class 10th. Inspiring words of toppers keeps one on to the path for success. Theory given on various topic increases depth of knowledge and develops interest in subject, solving paper helps to analyze and eliminate mistake thus slowly building up confidence and examination temperament.

ETG(EduSys) : What advice would you like to give to our readers who are PMT aspirants?
Faraz : Concentrate on your studies, but never forget that at the end this is all a part of life. And never aspire for anything below the best!
Only five months are left. So you should start revising your syllabus. Re-read NCERT Text Books and hammer 
out inconsistencies which you did not understand or leave out. Must go for High Yield Facts and Capsular form especially in Biology and Organic Chemistry. But for Physics and Physical Chemistry strengthen your concept. Do as many solved papers as you can.
Go for ETG(EduSys) Crash Course, this will provide you final moment study material and test you exhaustively.



Arpit Jain : Always trust your teachers remain devoted towards them. Work hard develop self confidence, remember where there is a will there is a way and impossible is the word in the dictionary of fools. Complete course with quality as early as possible and revise it 4 -5 times. Remain acquainted with latest knowledge especially in field of science. Completely master NCERT books of biology and chemistry. Don’t get depressed if any exam get spoiled. Just put your best in other exam. If you are not able to get a satisfactory rank in test of coaching or any test series don’t get depressed, instead try to improve your rank and marks in subsequent tests. Remember you are sitting for National level exam. These tests doesn’t matter if you get a good rank in main exam. In cricket no record of practice match is kept if any team wins the cup. Also read good books. I would suggest of Swami Vivekananda to develop self confidence. “If you are confident about your 
success than God even can’t stop you from getting your goal.”