Start preparing from internship to get through AIIMS exam – says Dr. Dipin Sudhakaran (AIIMS Rank 15)

PrepLadder congratulates Dr. Dipin Sudhakaran on getting AIIMS Rank 15. We wish him all the best for his career and future ahead. In this exclusive interview with PrepLadder, he shares tips to help you achieve your dream PG seat like he did. Hello, please tell us something about yourself. I am Dr. Dipin Sudhakaran. I did my MBBS from AIIMS New Delhi. I secured rank 15 in AIIMS (PG entrance May 2017). What do you think is the correct approach to study for AIIMS PG? Only MCQ's or Theory + MCQ's? Theory plus MCQ’s When should the preparation ideally be started? Ideally start it during the internship time itself. But mostly you will have a hectic schedule, so try to get a superficial idea of what to study and what not to study by the end of internship. Please list the books you studied for each subject. The books that I read are:

• Anatomy- Rajesh kaushal booklet plus grays anat pics especially head and neck.
• Ross pics for histology
• Langman for embryology
• Biochem - Kaplan USMLE notes or Rebecca James
• Physio- Soman Manna booklet along with Ganong images
• Pharma - Kaplan notes plus Gobind Rai guide
• Micro- First Aid USMLE book plus Panicker for Parasitology
• Path- Devesh Mishra notes plus Robbins for images
• Forensic - Sumit Seth book
• Ortho- Apurv Mehra notes plus made a folder of important images like various test and x-rays findings
• ENT- Sakshi Arora guide
• Optha - Ruchi Rai notes plus images downloaded from google
• Derma -Neena Khanna book
• Psychi - Sachin Arora notes plus subject wise test paper
• Medicine - Thameem notes plus emergency disease flowchart from Hardison plus ACLS , BCLS , ATLS , blood transfusion notes from some emergency book surgery - Jai sir , plus Bailey for general surgery
• Radio - Sumer Sethi class note plus images downloaded from google
• PSM- Vivek Jain guide book
• Paeds - O.P. Ghai for neonate resuscitation, emergencies

Have you attempted any PG exam previously? If yes, what were your ranks then and what did you do different this time that lead to your success? Yes, I attempted PG exams in Nov 2016 and my rank for AIIMS was 646, PGI – 500, JIPMER - 300, NEET- 2801. Thereafter, I planned better and finished the course by Feb 2017 end. I had kept 2 months for revision and the last 2 weeks revised for final rapid revision of all subjects. Each time when I used to study I downloaded images which I felt they might ask. I did grant tests quite often and worked on weaker subjects. Never try to do all guides. Just identify which is your weak area and work on that. Be specific rather than sticking on to the idea that I will do all subjects guide once. How big is the role of practice and revision while preparing for AIIMS PG and how much time should be dedicated for it? Keep the last 2 months for revision. First month give grant tests and previous year papers like a paper in every 3 to 4 days. The questions you mark wrong do open your notes and read that topic. This is the stage one of revision. By reading notes and topics that you made mistakes in, will let you get thorough with most important topics. Do this for a month. Make a list of topics / subjects in which you feel you are weak. For the next 2 weeks you have to focus and make those topics strong. This is stage 2 by this you are thorough with most common topics plus your weak zones have been eliminated. The last 2 weeks are stage 3 / rapid fire session.  Just read the full notes and do last 2-3 previous year papers, doing so you are revising common topics. Your eyes go through rare but may be asked topics  plus previous year questions are on your finger tips. Did you use a time table/study plan to keep your preparation on track? I always study with a plan. It helped me to stay on track and do things in a timely manner. Were you a topper or a mediocre student during MBBS? I was a mediocre student. List the most difficult and easiest subjects for you. I studied my final year really well, so I was strong in those subjects. However, minors and 1st and 2nd year subjects I was terrible especially anatomy, physiology, forensic, anesthesia, and orthopedics. One mistake that you believe everyone must avoid while preparing for AIIMS PG. Everyone takes effort but some people crack and some can’t. The reason is lack of revision and trying to study everything. So understand the concepts clearly. How many questions did you attempt in AIIMS PG? I attempted 195 questions. Some last tips for our readers preparing for PG? Work hard, never lose hope. If I can do it, then everyone can. It’s just that you need to put efforts in the right direction. More topper tips coming soon, keep following this space.