Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Success in any competitive exam requires relentless dedication, and my daughter’s journey to securing an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 1105 in her first attempt at the medical entrance exam in the year 2005 is a testament to her perseverance, discipline, and strong will.

Coincidentally, my daughter’s birthday falls on July 1st ,which is also celebrated as Doctor’s Day.
From an early age, she was determined to pursue medicine, inspired by her passion for healing and helping others. This clarity of purpose fueled her motivation, making her willing to invest long hours in preparation. At a time when the pre and main examination pattern demanded rigorous subject knowledge, conceptual clarity, and excellent problem-solving skills, she knew that a structured study plan was crucial.

Her journey began with an unwavering commitment to mastering the fundamentals of physics, chemistry, and biology. She meticulously covered every chapter, ensuring she understood the concepts rather than just memorizing facts. Regular self-assessments, practice tests, and mock exams became a part of her routine, helping her identify weak areas and strengthen them systematically.

Balancing speed with accuracy was another challenge. She trained herself to manage time effectively, solving complex problems within the given constraints. Beyond books and notes, she actively engaged in discussions with peers and teachers, seeking different perspectives and refining her understanding. Her ability to stay consistent in her studies, even when faced with pressure and fatigue, showcased her mental resilience.

Discipline played a key role in her success. She maintained a strict schedule, ensuring she followed a well-balanced routine that included focused study hours, revision periods, and adequate rest. Unlike many who get overwhelmed by the vast syllabus, she remained calm and took one step at a time, ensuring steady progress.

The medical entrance exam is not just a test of knowledge but also of endurance, patience, and determination. While others struggled with self-doubt, she remained confident, knowing that hard work always yields results. Her success in securing an excellent rank in her first attempt was not merely a product of intelligence but of sheer persistence, unwavering focus, and belief in her capabilities.

Her achievement was not just a personal victory but also an inspiration for others aspiring to excel in competitive exams. It proved that with dedication, a strong strategy, and the right mindset, any goal—no matter how challenging—can be achieved.

A Madness Approach

“A memory that still resonates with me is when my daughter was preparing for her Medical Entrance Examination after passing her ISC exam. Despite being an exceptional student and her school teachers’ confidence in her ability to qualify, she narrowly missed the cutoff score by a margin of 26 marks (266/600, with the qualifying marks being 292). We quickly realized that qualifying for the Medical entrance exam required a more strategic approach than just subject knowledge. It was essential to understand how to attempt questions, manage time, and avoid negative markings for incorrect answers. Unless absolutely sure, it was crucial not to attempt a question. I approached a coaching institute in our city to guide her. To this day, I chuckle when I recall asking the Director to assess her potential to qualify for the exam. I even offered to have her tested in front of me. The Chemistry teacher was available and posed several questions, concluding that she had the potential to qualify but needed a different approach to tackle the questions. My daughter often jokes that she’s grateful the Physics teacher wasn’t available that day, but ironically, it was the same Physics teacher who later helped clarify all her doubts and accurately solved numerical problems.”
Through out the year her test ranks consistently ranged from 5 to 8 ,which left us satisfied with her preparation.Meanwhile she learned in her coaching class that Allen Coaching Institute,Kota, was conducting an All India test series in our city.we promptly enrolled her in the test series for both pre and Main exams, which included fortnightly pre tests and monthly Main test.

Allen’s Test Series

Whirlwind of Kota
“The test series served as a barometer of individual candidates’ preparation, providing a clear indication of their potential selection. The process was proceeding smoothly, but my daughter occasionally made silly mistakes. When her ranks were good, she performed well, but when her ranks were not satisfactory, she made blunders. She struggled to cope with the pressure. I requested the teacher to refrain from sharing test results at the beginning of the next test, instead suggesting that they be shared with guardians or students after the test. This adjustment significantly improved her performance.

The day of the AIPMT pre-test finally arrived, and the center was located in Noida. Traveling to a distant location was hectic, but it was a necessary step before the Medical test. The results were declared, and she secured 325 marks, qualifying for the Main test. This was a crucial milestone, marking one step ahead in the selection process. Out of 150,000 candidates who appeared for the Pre test, only 19,000 qualified for the Main test. Furthermore, only 1,650 candidates were selected to study medicine, with the remaining candidates placed on the waiting list. The final results were declared, and she achieved an All-India Rank (AIR) of 1105.

Two incidents remain etched in my memory. The first occurred before the last Main test series, when the invigilator reminded me to advise my daughter to avoid cutting or crossing any answers, as this could negatively impact the marking process. When she emerged from the examination hall, I anxiously asked if she had made any such mistakes. Her reassuring response was ‘no.’ I was relieved.

The second incident took place during the Main test. Our train was delayed by three hours, but we managed to arrive exactly on time, thanks to the examination center’s proximity to the railway station. It was as if destiny had intervened, reminding me that sometimes, one must simply have faith.”

My only regret about Main results is that CBSC didn’t disclosed the marks,merely stating “Pass” AIR 1105 and Qualified for Counseling,without explanation.

CONCLUSION

“The All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) was a national-level examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The exam comprised two stages: the Pre examination and the Main examination, followed by counseling for the final allotment of seats.

The AIPMT ( year 2005) was held for 15% of the total seats available in 114 medical colleges across various states. Out of the total 11,000 seats, 1,650 seats were allocated by the CBSE through the AIPMT. The remaining seats were filled by individual state medical entrance tests.

Notably, the fee structure for the medical colleges varied according to each state’s policies, regardless of whether the candidate was selected through the CBSE’s AIPMT or the state’s entrance test.”
At her AIR 1105 she locked the seat of Govt Medical College Nagpur, whose yearly fees was ₹ 18000 + ₹ 2000 Hostel fee per year. ₹ 550 per month fooding charges which included break fast, lunch, tea & snacks around 4-5 evening and dinner at night.
At the end of 4.5 years of course, one has to compulsory do one year Internship in medical college. During this internship a fixed amount of stipend paid per month depends on state regulations. ₹ 5000 to ₹ 10000 PM . AIIMS pay the maximum stipend.
AIIMS fees was ₹ 926 per year plus Hostel fee negligible amount.