NEETQuest: Swayamsinh Gohil

Swayamsinh Gohil: 2024

Swayamsinh Gohil: I qualified for NEET both times but scored much better on my second attempt.

Swayamsinh Gohil: I’ve always felt a deep sense of purpose tied to this path. For me, medicine isn’t just a profession, it’s a calling. I’ve been fascinated by the human body, by the intricate way it functions, and even more so by how a doctor can intervene at the most critical moments to make a real difference. Growing up, I saw the power of medicine not just in curing illness, but in bringing hope, clarity, and dignity to people during their toughest times.

Swayamsinh Gohil: 2023. I initially attempted NEET before 2023, but I would like to say that my true preparation began in 2023. After my first attempt, I took time to reflect deeply on what went wrong—not just in terms of the score, but also in my mindset, strategies, and overall approach. That year marked a turning point for me. I shifted from passive learning to active, focused preparation. I started taking my weaknesses more seriously, refined my study techniques, and became more disciplined with my schedule. 2023 was the year I committed myself fully.

Swayamsinh Gohil: Yes, I did take coaching from a reputed institute during my NEET preparation. I genuinely believe that coaching can be very helpful—especially for young students—because it provides structure, expert guidance, and a competitive environment. It helps streamline the vast syllabus and clears concepts effectively.

However, I also believe that no matter how good the coaching is, it can never replace self-study. In the end, it’s your own dedication, consistency, and understanding that determine your success. Coaching can guide you, but self-learning is what truly shapes you. The real growth happens when you take ownership of your preparation.

Swayamsinh Gohil: I didn’t have to balance school and NEET preparation because I was a dropper.

However, for those who are managing both school and NEET simultaneously, it’s definitely challenging but very much possible with the right mindset and strategy. Here are a few tips:

1. Integrate the syllabi – There’s a lot of overlap between NEET and school syllabi, especially for boards like CBSE. Use that to your advantage by preparing for both together.

2. Time management – Create a realistic daily schedule that includes time for school homework, NEET revision, and rest. Avoid burnout by being consistent rather than overloading yourself.

3. Use weekends and holidays wisely – These are golden opportunities to cover NEET-specific portions that aren’t covered in school.

4. Revise regularly – Make short notes and revise frequently. Don’t leave revision for the last few months.

5. Stay focused in school – Even if school classes seem slow compared to coaching, treat them as revision opportunities.

Swayamsinh Gohil: It’s important for all subjects to thoroughly go through your coaching modules—they’re designed specifically to match the NEET level and cover a wide range of question types.

Biology: NCERT is the holy grail. I genuinely believe you don’t need anything beyond it for theory. For practice, books like Fingertips can be helpful, but they’re not absolutely necessary if you’re consistent with your modules.

Physics: Coaching modules are usually sufficient, as they provide a good mix of conceptual and application-based questions tailored for NEET. However, for theory-heavy chapters, referring to the NCERT textbook can be beneficial for clarity and conceptual understanding.

Chemistry: Again, modules are great for practice. However, I’d like to emphasize the importance of NCERT textbooks, especially for Inorganic and Organic Chemistry. A lot of direct questions in NEET come from the exact wording and reactions in NCERT, so being thorough with it is crucial.

Swayamsinh Gohil: NCERTs are absolutely essential for NEET preparation—they form the backbone of the syllabus, especially for Biology. They provide clear and concise theoretical knowledge, and a strong command over NCERT content can help you answer a large portion of the paper accurately, particularly in Biology and Chemistry.

However, while NCERTs are great for building a solid foundation, they may not always be enough on their own—especially when it comes to solving application-based or tricky questions in Physics and certain parts of Chemistry. That’s where additional resources like coaching modules, reference books, and question banks come in. They help you practice different question patterns, improve speed, and train your brain to think critically under pressure.

In my opinion, NCERTs are essential but not sufficient alone. To truly succeed in NEET, you need to supplement them with consistent practice and advanced problem-solving from additional sources.

Swayamsinh Gohil: During my NEET preparation, I encountered several challenges that tested my commitment, but each one helped me grow stronger.

1. Distractions: One of the biggest challenges was dealing with distractions like my phone, social media, and relationships. These took up a lot of my focus initially. What really helped me overcome this was spending more time with my family. Their presence gave me a sense of stability and helped me disconnect from distractions. I started using my time with them as a reset—away from screens and stress—and it helped me stay grounded and focused on my goal.

2. Feeling Stuck: There were times when I couldn’t understand certain concepts or felt stuck while solving questions. I made sure to reach out to my teachers during those times. Their guidance and doubt-solving support helped me push through.

3. Low Scores & Emotional Lows: Scoring low in mock tests or practice exams sometimes affected my confidence. It was easy to fall into negative thinking. But both my teachers and parents were incredibly supportive. They reminded me that one test doesn’t define my journey and encouraged me to keep improving.

Swayamsinh Gohil: Absolutely not. Even as a dropper with just around 10 months to prepare, I didn’t follow an extreme routine or burn the midnight oil. A consistent schedule with 5–6 hours of focused self-study in addition to coaching classes was more than enough to cover the syllabus effectively. It’s not about how long you study, but how well you use your time.

Since I was living in a different city, it was definitely challenging for me to be present for family functions or fulfill family responsibilities. But, I believe it’s absolutely possible to manage both, with proper planning and setting priorities. You don’t have to sacrifice everything—what’s important is balance, consistency, and staying mentally fresh.

Swayamsinh Gohil: Staying motivated throughout the NEET journey wasn’t always easy—it had its highs and lows. But what truly kept me going was the support and belief of my teachers and especially my family. I constantly reminded myself of the sacrifices my father and mother made for me—their hard work, sleepless nights, and unwavering faith in my dreams. That sense of responsibility became my fuel. I knew that preparing well wasn’t just for me, but also a way of honoring everything they had done.

At the same time, I understood that my future was in my own hands. I had to plan it, build it, and fight for it. No one else could do that for me. That sense of ownership gave me inner strength.

There’s a quote by Leo Tolstoy that really resonates with me:

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”

This journey taught me exactly that—that success doesn’t come overnight, but with consistent effort and trust in the process.

Swayamsinh Gohil: During my preparation, I was living in a hostel, and while many of my roommates had smartphones and access to social media, I made a conscious decision to avoid those distractions. I used a basic Nokia phone, which only allowed calls and messages. It was a tough call, especially seeing others constantly on their phones, but it helped me stay focused and avoid the trap of doomscrolling and mindless browsing.

Limiting my access to social media was one of the best decisions I made. It gave me mental clarity, reduced comparison and anxiety, and created a distraction-free zone for genuine productivity. At the end of the day, it’s not about avoiding technology completely, but about being intentional with your focus—and for me, simplicity worked best.

Swayamsinh Gohil: In my opinion, starting NEET coaching as early as 6th or 8th grade puts unnecessary pressure on young minds. These are the years meant for curiosity, exploration, and building a love for learning—not being burdened by competitive exam stress. Looking back, I truly cherish my childhood and feel grateful that I got to experience those years without the weight of such responsibility.

Introducing coaching too early can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even a loss of genuine interest in science. I believe that starting structured coaching from 10th grade onwards is more than enough. By then, students are more mature, better at handling pressure, and can approach the journey with the right mindset.

Every child deserves a happy, pressure-free childhood—academics are important, but not at the cost of mental well-being.

Swayamsinh Gohil: I believe the ideal time to start NEET preparation is usually from 10th or 11th grade onwards, as that’s when the syllabus begins to align more closely with NEET topics. Starting at this stage gives you enough time to build strong conceptual foundations and develop the right problem-solving skills.

However, the real right time is when your mind is ready—when the fire to succeed motivates your brain, and you’re mentally prepared to face the challenges ahead with focus and discipline. Some students may feel that readiness in 11th, others might only feel it after their first attempt—and that’s completely okay.

What matters most is not when you start, but how committed and consistent you are once you do.

Swayamsinh Gohil: The number of attempts one should take at NEET is ultimately a personal choice. If someone has the passion, perseverance, and belief in their ability to succeed, they can crack it—no matter how many attempts it takes. Many aspirants make it in their second or even third attempt, and that doesn’t make their journey any less valuable.

At the same time, it’s important to be self-aware. If you feel that this path does not align with your strengths or happiness, it’s completely okay to explore other career options. Success is not limited to one field. Knowing yourself—your mindset, your capabilities, and your limits—is crucial. But that doesn’t mean you should underestimate yourself either.

Swayamsinh Gohil: It’s true that the cost of pursuing an MBBS from a private university in India is extremely high, and unfortunately, not everyone can afford it. In such a situation, I would personally recommend taking a gap year rather than rushing into an expensive private seat or going abroad without proper planning.

A dedicated drop year with focused preparation can make a huge difference. Many students, including myself, have seen a major improvement in just one year with the right mindset, strategy, and support. Government medical colleges not only offer quality education at a fraction of the cost but also better clinical exposure and environment.

Studying abroad is a valid option too, but it comes with its own challenges—like adjusting to a new country, clearing FMGE, and often a lack of hands-on clinical training in the initial years. So unless one is absolutely sure and financially prepared, a drop year is often a safer and smarter investment.

Swayamsinh Gohil: Want it like air, see it like light, chase it like fire.

Swayamsinh Gohil: Believe in your journey. Don’t get overwhelmed by others’ progress—focus on your own pace and consistency. Stick to the basics, master NCERT, practice relentlessly, and revise smartly. Avoid distractions, trust your teachers, and most importantly, trust yourself.

It’s not about being perfect every day, but about showing up even on the hard days. Success will follow. All the best guys!

Swayamsinh Gohil: Inorganic Chemistry is actually easy, people just make it sound harder than it is.

Inorganic isn’t about solving complex problems, it's about recognizing patterns, rules, and repetition. Stick to NCERT, it's easy.

Swayamsinh Gohil: "He stares at books all day, argues with his mock test scores, survives on chai, and says he’ll be a doctor—but we mostly just see him pacing around and talking to himself like a scientist."

That’s actually what I overheard them saying about me, they are not wrong.

Swayamsinh Gohil: In 10 years, I hope the world is kinder, smarter, and more balanced—where mental health is valued as much as physical health, and empathy isn’t seen as a weakness. I’d love to see a world where healthcare is more accessible, education is less about pressure and more about purpose, and people are driven not just by success, but by meaning and connection.

And of course, I hope there are more doctors with good music playlists and better sleep schedules too.

Swayamsinh Gohil: I used to take “study breaks” to watch just one football match… next thing I know, it’s 2 AM, and I’m analyzing formations like I’m coaching Juventus.

Let’s just say NEET and the Champions League had equal importance in my life for a while.