If you are on this page, then I am sure by now you have completed your preparation and you are utilizing the extra time you have due to the NEET PG Exam Postponement to sharpen your skillset further. You have gone through a tough grind, and it is not an easy task to go through 19 subjects and remember all that information. This information and knowledge that you have will form the bedrock of future learning during the PG degree, and a grand edifice of your success will be built on the strong foundation of hard work that you are putting in today.

Even after so much hard work, it is natural to feel anxious and self-doubts may start to creep in. With the ever-evolving nature of exams, predicting a pattern and then preparing accordingly becomes difficult.

• Will I be able to clear the exam?
• Will the questions be tricky or not?
• Will there be an easy or difficult paper?
• Will I be able to complete it in time?
• What if my weak areas are asked in the exam?
• Will there be direct questions or application-based questions?

And other similar thoughts begin to cloud our cranial space. Over and above this, answering 200 high-quality questions with so much academic diversity in a limited time frame of 210 minutes (i.e., 3.5 hours), and that too with negative markings, is a highly stressful situation. Add to it the anxiety of a career, and you have a perfect storm brewing in your head. Only a person with high confidence and mental toughness who has put in the required preparation will be able to emerge with flying colors. But at the same time, coping with such a situation will boost your confidence to face any difficulty that may come your way in your future life. It’ll not only build your character but will also alter your perspective of life at large, Such is the magnitude of this exam in the life of a doctor.

Such thoughts tend to take a toll on the performance on D-Day, even of a headstrong and seasoned campaigner. In such pressure situations, when our minds are in dubiety, a silly mistake here or there becomes a matter of another year. But this one year is hard, agonizing, and excruciating. You see your peers moving forward with their professional and personal lives while you are still stuck in that same rut

Thus, it becomes extremely important that we are in the right headspace on the day of examination. For this to happen, it is really important to keep a few dos and don’ts in mind with the utmost clarity:

Do’s

1. Do have a sense of self-belief: Have faith that you have put in the hard work, and that hard work is not only going to help you ace this exam but will also make you a better doctor. Remind yourself of your preparation efforts and capabilities, ie the books you have read, the NEET PG lectures you have attended, the notes you have prepared, the mocks you have taken, etc. All these have prepared you well, so just have faith in yourself.
2. Do keep mental tranquility. Remember Murphy’s law: “Things will go wrong in any given situation if you give them a chance.”. So don’t generate that chance by panicking or getting nervous; stay on top of your game. Take deep breaths before starting the exam, sip some water, and get on with it with a level head.
3. Do have a good night Sleep: As the saying goes, sleep is the best meditation, so it is of utmost importance that you get sufficient sleep before D-day. Sleep for at least 7 hours the night before; otherwise, you could feel drowsy and lethargic during the exam. Being a computer-based exam, it’ll add additional stress to your already tired eyes.
4. Do make Positive Reinforcement: Reassure yourself that it’s your day and you are going to give your best today and crack this exam. Keep reassuring yourself, even when self-doubt tries to creep in. Being a medico, you are well aware of the fact that our minds can be conditioned in any way that we like, and it is of utmost importance that we stay positive, optimistic, and enthusiastic on that day.
5. Do Stay Energetic: It is important to maintain a healthy supply of glucose for your brain for it to perform to its peak potential. Have a light but healthy breakfast. Avoid heavy, spicy food to prevent stomach issues and feelings of lethargy. Stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids.
6. Do stay alert: One silly mistake can cost us a lot of time in such a high-stakes exam, so it’s important to be alert and sharp during the exam. Read all the instructions and questions carefully and thoroughly. This becomes very important when, due to the dynamic nature of NEET PG Exam, we are witnessing a lot of interlinked and application-based questions. A lot of case study-based questions are asked that require attention to minute facts. Read the questions properly and check for any contradictions in the question statements.
7. Take it Deep: It is not over until we say it’s over. Stay sharp and focused until you have attempted the 200th question. Don’t let the initial impression of the exam overpower your logical thinking. No exam is tough or easy. It’s only the perception and impression that we draw that classifies it as easy or hard. Take it one question at a time. All questions carry equal marks, so do not spend too much time on any particular question unnecessarily; move on if you don’t know.
8. Trust your instincts: Have faith in your instincts. It’s impossible to know the answer to all the questions, and solving the entire paper does require smart guesswork. Have faith in your preparation and the strategy that you followed in solving the mock exams. Use it to your advantage to eliminate irrelevant options and narrow down the right answer.
9. Do Pray: Make a prayer as per the religious belief you subscribe to. Various studies have shown that reposing our faith in a higher cosmic power tends to have a calming effect, and prayer can elicit feelings of gratitude, compassion, positivity, and hope, all of which are associated with mental wellness. Prayer can help us focus on what is important. Do take the blessings of your parents and elders, as we require them more than ever.

Don’ts

10. Don’t have unnecessary interaction. Try to limit your interaction before the exam, as you never know what mindset the other might have, and it does tend to have an impact on us as well. So keep it to yourself, limit your socialization, and stay focused like Arjun. You have gone there to clear NEET PG, not to make friends and acquaintances, keep that clarity of goal in your head.
11. Don’t read anything new: Reading anything new on the day of the exam can result in unnecessary stress that can have an impact on your overall performance. Trust the process you have followed during your NEET PG Exam preparation. Remember, it’s in calm water that we see our reflection, not in an agitated pool. The same goes for the brain.
12. Don’t let previous efforts cloud your confidence: On D-Day, it doesn’t matter which attempt you are taking at the exam. Remember, each attempt is a stepping stone to your success, which will be determined by your performance on the day of the exam. Stay focused and keep your brain sharp.
13. Don’t use digital devices: In this age of technology, it is difficult to stay away from e-gadgets and the constant chitter-chatter of social media. But on this particular day or even 2-3 days prior to the NEET PG, it’ll be great to stay away from electronic devices and social media platforms in particular. It’ll not only give your eyes a much-needed rest but will also boost your cranial outcome.
14. Don’t consume outside food: keep your meals light and easy to digest, and avoid outside food so that your body is in top shape to tackle the challenge of that day.

The day of NEET PG is the most important in a doctor’s academic journey. Staying focused, maintaining a positive mindset, and believing in his/her hard work will bring rich dividends. Be consistent, perseverant, and have a clear, calm head, as they are essential to cracking the NEET PG exam.