With over 21 lakh candidates taking the NEET 2025 exam, it is important to ensure that not only do you prepare well but also retain what you have learnt. The exam this year has gone back to the pre-COVID pattern: 180 minutes totally with 45 questions each in Physics and Chemistry and 90 in Biology and no optional questions to fall back on. So here are some tips to help you as you navigate this journey.
Spaced repetition: Ever wondered why a concept you nailed last week vanished during a mock test? That’s the forgetting curve at play. But here’s the antidote: spaced repetition. Revisiting topics strategically — 24 hours, three days, seven days, 14 days — rewires the brain, shifting knowledge from short-term recall to long-term retention. NCERT is your Holy Book, especially for Biology. But passive reading isn’t enough. Condense it into bite-sized notes for a cheat code for crunch time. It’s not about cramming; it’s about creating a toolkit that works for you.
Subject-specific revision: Biology isn’t a list to memorise; it’s a story to understand. Concept mapping is your secret weapon. Link photosynthesis to respiration, hormones to homeostasis. Sketch these connections and NEET’s tricky questions will feel like a solved puzzle. That’s progress powered by understanding, not rote memorisation. For many, Physics is an Achilles’ heel. But here’s a secret — half the questions are formula plug-ins, so build a formula journal covering Mechanics, Electrostatics, and Modern Physics. These are high-yield topics that deliver results. Practise applying, not just solving. Why wrestle with a complex pulley system question when quick formula mastery gets you there faster? For Chemistry, keep it to bite-sized wins that stack up. This requires discipline and consistency. The periodic table? Make it muscle memory. Organic reactions? Chart them systematically: nomenclature, mechanisms, and shortcuts.
Mistake notebook technique: Document every incorrect answer from test and mock exam. By regularly revisiting these errors, patterns will emerge that highlight knowledge gaps. For example, if you consistently miss questions about the human endocrine system or semiconductor physics, these areas need targeted revision. This approach addresses weaknesses directly rather than revising everything equally.
Revision environment: Get real! Late-night marathons with four hours of sleep will not help. They only make you foggy. Your brain needs 6-7 hours of rest and is sharper in the morning than at midnight. Set up a distraction-free zone and watch retention soar. Personalise your notes, colour-code concepts, and sketch mind maps.
Strategic preparation: With NEET 2025’s tight clock and no optional questions, pacing is king. Timed mocks in the new format aren’t optional; they’re your training ground. The last weeks? No new topics; just sharpen what you know. Prioritise high-yield topics identified from previous years’ question papers. Double down, visualise cardiac cycles, nuclear reactions ... mental snapshots stick when words fail. Add a mnemonic for taxonomy, and you will excel. Don’t chase hours; chase outcomes.
Smart revision isn’t about 180 minutes of glory; it’s about wiring your brain to think, solve, and lead. It’s not about more but about being smarter. This will help you face the challenge of NEET.
The writer is Founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya.
Published - April 12, 2025 07:30 pm IST
