In general, competitive exams can be quite intimidating. Preparing for competitive tests is altogether a different ball game compared to that of board exams preparation. While there may be a similarity in the syllabus, the strategies and the approach varies. Juggling between these two can be a challenge since we are more familiarized with the board-exam style. Students grapple with exhaustion and anxiousness.
Confidence of students in the exam hall comes crashing down when encountered with questions they have no idea about. Lack of a stronghold on concepts can confuse you between options, the thoughts of negative markings can haunt you, you start second-guessing answered questions for its accuracy and more.
The metrics involved in competitive tests are different. However, a commonly shared activity in both exams – board and competitive tests such as NEET exam, is the practising from previous years’ question papers. A sure shot approach to cracking the test must entail a solid plan. Why reinvent the wheel when you can simply follow the expert plans already set and adapted by toppers.
In this article, we bring to you the pro-tips, nuances to be adapted into your routine while solving previous years’ papers to crack NEET with flying colours. Read on.
Nail Your NEET Preparations With Questions Paper-Solving
Why solve previous years’ question papers?
- Familiarity with the exam pattern, up-to-date with the previous trends
- Assessment of your preparedness, consequently modify your strategy and working on areas of improvement
- Habituated with the exam-temperament keeping all the anxiousness at bay
- Sharp eye on important, not-to-be-missed topics
- Effectively manage time to complete the paper within the allotted time
Which Paper To solve?
There is no limitation to the number of papers you can take up to practice. It only broadens your horizon. It is suggested to solve at least 20 papers from the previous years. However, care must be taken to avoid solving questions on topics that are no more relevant and out of syllabus. Some concepts are no longer included in the NEET syllabus. Carefully study the syllabus and check questions for its inclination to the syllabus before solving.
Regardless of how many ever changes, the concepts remain the same. Solving as many papers is sufficient for you to tune to the exam mode and hence get accustomed to the pattern and composition of the paper.
Best Tips To Solve Previous Years’ Papers for NEET
Listed below are a few pointers to help you ace your game with question paper-solving for NEET. Follow these simple steps and maximize the benefits:
1. Identify Key Concepts
Knowing beforehand about the important and expected topics is always a plus. Question papers are the best and authentic sources to know what topics to expect. For instance, an analysis on the recently concluded NEET 2020 Question paper reveals that the “Mechanics” chapter from Physics was a heavy-weighing unit, it carried nearly 12 questions out of the total 45 from Physics. Likewise, students can prioritize and conclude on the important topics for each subject with the help of previous years’ papers.
2. Set a time limit
Everyone knows solving papers is a must for NEET. 80-90% students practise papers every day. What gives you an edge? The factor called time is the only distinguishing factor that will set you apart. While practicing papers, time your attempts. Train yourself to solve questions within one minute. With each day your performance must improve. Take the least time and minimize steps.
3. Assess your performance and do not repeat mistakes
After solving each question paper under an ideal exam scenario, dedicate special time to analyse your performance. Make a report of your strengths and weaknesses – time-consuming questions, questions involving confusing options, questions left unattempted etc. All these and more metrics must be thoroughly analyzed. Once the report is ready, read it. Care must be taken to not repeat the same mistakes again.
4. An eye on the levels of speed and accuracy
Accuracy and speed are two important criteria to crack NEET with desired scores. This only comes with a well-practised hand. No shortcuts here. Regular practising by closely following sample papers, previous years’ papers and mock tests is an absolute must. The more the papers you solve, the lesser time you take to solve the paper on D-Day. Competent levels of these two metrics help you earn great marks and hence achieve your dream rank.
This was brief on question paper-solving for your NEET preparations. Subscribe to BYJU’S YouTube Channel for other interesting and helpful content.