Introduction
As someone who has achieved an AIR 120 in NEET MDS and AIR 49 in INI-CET MDS 2019, and with four years of experience guiding aspirants since my first year in MDS OMFS, I have identified several common traps students fall in to during their MDS Entrance preparation. Understanding and avoiding these traps is crucial for success in NEET/INI-CET MDS. In this article, I aim to highlight the major traps associated with coaching centers and provide strategies to navigate them effectively.
Trap 1: Getting fooled by overload of Notes
Many coaching centers provide extensive notes, often running into thousands of pages. However, this can be overwhelming and counterproductive. Many students fail to recognize that ‘Dental Pulse’, the resource that is already in their hands, comprises a substantial volume of notes. When academies supplement this with thousands of additional pages, students risk allocating an excessive amount of time to these materials. This time could be more efficiently used for grasping broader concepts and for revision. It’s important to balance the intake of information with efficient learning and review strategies.”
The Power of Handwritten Notes
Emphasizing the importance of handwritten notes is critical. These notes, written during lectures, are more beneficial than just reading PDFs or textbooks. They engage multiple senses – writing, seeing, listening – enhancing memory and understanding. I always advice students to take down lecture notes rather than relying on voluminous typed notes for quicker learning and revision at a later stage.
Trap 2: Notes are enough
Notes are a key tool in studying, but they cannot teach you the basics and concepts. The current pattern is based on understanding of basics and concepts in all subjects including the medical subjects which is often challenging. This is where proper lectures come into play, guiding you through these concepts effectively.
Information Vs Information + Concepts
Some lectures are heavy on information but light on conceptual understanding. It’s essential to find a balance – lectures should provide enough information to be useful but focus primarily on explaining concepts clearly including the difficult and complex areas in each subject.
Trap 3: Guidance is not needed to get a good rank
I have always felt astonishing that Many students inquire about lectures, notes, and test papers from academies, but often overlook the importance of guidance. Effective guidance is crucial, particularly when learning and revising 20 subjects within a limited timeframe. Achieving success in exams like NEET MDS or INI-CET MDS on the first attempt is challenging and rarely possible without proper guidance for each subject. Coaching should extend beyond merely providing materials; it should encompass assisting students in planning their study schedule, managing stress, staying motivated, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, and strategically mastering their weaker areas still maintaining their understanding in the stronger areas .”
Trap 4: Misguided Study Plans & Lack of Schedule
Some coaching centers offer a lot of content without a structured plan. However, having a plan and schedule is essential. You need to cover a vast syllabus efficiently, and without a plan and schedule , some subjects might take too long, leaving less time for others.
Trap 6: Overemphasis on Textbooks
While textbooks play a significant role in study preparation, they shouldn’t be the over focussed, especially given the time constraints of NEET/INI-CET MDS preparation. Some coaching centers cater primarily to university toppers and often rush through key topics without thoroughly teaching the underlying concepts. This approach can force an average student to depend heavily on textbooks for
learning their concepts as well as for the understanding of the entire subject in a better way , which is time-consuming and less efficient compared to other methods. In the past, when fewer resources
were available, reliance on textbooks was more justified. However, in the current context of well-structured coaching, the emphasis should be on concise and efficient study materials. This includes
lectures that are both simplified and detailed, ensuring a solid understanding of basic principles before progressing to more complex topics. Also It should be understood that the textbook learning if at all followed should be very very specific and limited.
Trap 7: Dental pulse is sufficient
Dental Pulse’ is undoubtedly a valuable resource for aspirants, yet it should not be considered the sole comprehensive guide. While it’s essential for all students to refer to it, one must be aware of its limitations. The questions in ‘Dental Pulse’ are arranged randomly within each chapter rather than being organized by topic. This structure can make it challenging for students to memorize and recall concepts effectively during exams. It’s important to view ‘Dental Pulse’ as a key supplementary resource for entrance exam preparation, primarily serving as a practice question bank, rather than as the primary study material. Aspirants must also realize that merely reading through questions and their explanations is not sufficient for a thorough understanding of key basics and complex topics, both of which are crucial for securing a good rank in the MDS Entrance exam. A comprehensive approach that combines problem-solving with in-depth concept learning is essential for achieving success in these competitive exams.”
Conclusion
As you embark on your NEET MDS preparation journey, be wary of these common traps. Focus on concise, concept-based learning, and seek guidance that helps you understand and apply these concepts. Remember, the right approach and strategy are as important as your hard efforts and time commitments you put for learning. With this mindset, you’ll be well on your way to achieving success in your NEET/INI-CET MDS exams.
