“I watched Marrow videos, sometimes multiple times, to create residual memory” : Dr. Amiya Nayak, Rank 1 JIPMER ’18

We are well aware that the top ranks of all our students are their own achievements. Our role is just lending a helping hand and nothing more. However it is such a joy and privilege to have them in Marrow family, and hence we are sharing the news with you!

 

Congratulations on your Rank, Dr Amiya!

Thank you, this is not only due to my hard work but the good wishes of family and loved ones too. There are a lot of things that contributed to my success.

Please tell us a little about yourself

I recently finished my internship at MKCG Medical college, Orissa. I would like to pursue Medicine. I am very much influenced by Dr Rakesh Nair and his lectures.

When did you start preparing with Marrow?

There were not many options for PG preparation in my city. There were no coaching institutes which were easily accessible. When I started my internship, I thought I will prepare on my own, as it was not possible for me to go out to classes. That is the time I came across Marrow accidentally and I thought this will suit my preparation because I can stay at home and prepare. Also, I wanted something that I could listen to and learn. So I subscribed Marrow Plan C.

How did you use Marrow video lectures for your preparation?

At first I listened to the videos multiple times without making notes. During my revision, I made short notes of only important points that I needed to remember. What I learnt was that if I write each and every concept down, it will be difficult to revise it later. Easy, small points were all I required to remember later.

I have watched all the videos, and most of them in 2x speed. I like to learn fast.

Why do you prefer Marrow videos?

Watching video classes multiple times helped me in creating a residual memory. Sometimes, when you are not in a mood to read, you can just keep listening to the videos.

Who is your favourite teacher on Marrow?

I have watched Dr Rakesh Nair’s medicine so many times. Whenever I’m feeling depressed I watch his videos, they get me motivated.

I would like to say thank you to all the faculty at Marrow. Microbiology is such a bulky subject and Dr Shivika just made concepts so easy to learn. Ophthalmology is another subject I was scared of and I never understood it but Dr Rajarathna’s lectures were so clear. It is great when you have the best teachers.

When did you start preparing seriously for PG?

Final year, I started reading the 1st year subjects along with my final year subject and started correlating topics. Example: Physio & Pathology, Micro & Medicine. Serious preparation started in my internship. Marrow was my primary source. I also attended T&D sessions at a coaching class on some weekends.

How many hours of studies did you put in in a day?

Never counted. Whenever you get time, keep listening to lectures.

When do you recommend your juniors to start preparing?

It is a competitive exam, so start as early as possible with the best possible content you have. I have already recommended Marrow to all my friends and juniors.

Tell us a little about your preparation with the Marrow Qbank

From the very beginning, I solved the Qbank. The good thing about this is some Grand Tests are from the Qbank and that was so helpful in revision because even if you cannot complete the Qbank, just keep giving Tests and everything will be covered. For many short subjects and Community Medicine I entirely relied on the QBank: it was completely sufficient. 

Initially, I thought reading theory is enough, but it is not possible for anyone to read everything. Unless you start practising the Qbank and give the tests it will not happen. Do not wait to complete the syllabus to start solving Tests.

Would you recommend any guides?

Did not use any guides at all. There are some excellent ones, but later realised they were not required, as everything is covered in Marrow. I did not need to do anything else. At the end of the day, you need to know everything about all 19 subjects and not just 1 subject. Also, try not to rely on too many sources.

Did you make notes from Qbank? How did you go about it?

Made a few notes of highlighted points in the explanations, but I bookmarked questions for a later revision. As soon as I was thorough with a concept, I deleted the bookmark.

How did you revise?

Mainly using the Bookmarks option. In some modules I even bookmarked all the questions, then after 3-4 times of revising it I kept what I needed and deleted the rest. Some questions I even revised 10-15 times. Did not read all the explanations everytime.

Did you follow Marrow Live sessions with Faculty?

I love the Live sessions, they are exceptionally useful. At some point of time during your preparation, you need this for a boost. Marrow never overwhelms you with so many things. But does simple things well.

How many Grand Tests did you take and how was your performance?

I gave all the Grand Tests. I never thought I could reach this level. Only after giving the Marrow Grand Tests and doing well consistently in all of them I realised that yes, it is possible to get a good rank. Standard of questions is very good and there is no mistake in the explanations or answers given. I had a rank of 5 in Marrow AIIMS Mock and Rank 3 in Marrow JIPMER Mock.

How did you prepare for image questions?

No special prep, if you know the theory it is enough. Robbins for Pathology images if you have been referring to textbooks from UG times.

What was your approach to controversial questions?

I took them very lightly, did not really break my head over them. Focus on the questions that will get you marks.

Would you recommend your juniors to use Marrow?

Marrow has everything a student can dream of having during their preparation. Plan B or Plan C student – it does not matter, but you should restrict yourself to the content you have and revise it as many times as possible.

What advice would you give regarding Marrow grand tests?

Give a GT whenever it is live. Do not wait to complete your syllabus. At any point, you will not feel 100% prepared, but giving tests made me confident about making educated guesses and ruling out options. This helped me more than reading only theory.

What was your strategy in the last one week before JIPMER exam?

I solved the previous 3 year’s JIPMER papers. 10-15 direct questions came this time.

How many JIPMER questions did you attempt?

250. Correct were 177. To get a good Rank, you have to be aggressive.

Did you do any special prep for central institute exams?

Nothing special, prepared keeping the NEET-PG in mind and solved previous year’s papers of central institute exams.

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