PGI entrance topper interview: Dr.Varun Suryadevara, 5th Rank, Nov 2014

PGI entrance topper – Dr.Varun Suryadevara

PG Blazer: Congratulations on securing a top rank in the PGI entrance exam! What is the secret of your success?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: Planning and hard work.

PG Blazer: Could you tell us something about yourself?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: I am from Challapalli, Andhra Pradesh. I studied in a local school. Did my MBBS from from Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada.

PG Blazer: What were your aggregate percentage marks for MBBS?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: 70%

PG Blazer: How did you prepare during your internship period?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: I started the whole thing in internship. So I had to study the subject wise books. In the last few months I made notes which included the topics I mistake frequently it helped me a lot later for quicker and precise revision.

PG Blazer: What ranks did you obtain in your previous attempts? What changes did you make to your preparation after your last attempt?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: AIIMS: 95, PGI: 135

PG Blazer: Which were the various entrance exams you wrote in this session? What were the ranks you obtained?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: AIIMS: 60, PGI: 5th overall & 3rd in general category, JIPMER: 29.

PG Blazer: When did you start serious preparation for this year’s entrance exam?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: July 2014

PG Blazer: What was your study strategy?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: I had already done studied once all subjects so I chose the retrograde way this time and concentrated more on my weak areas in all subjects.

PG Blazer: Did you make any notes for helping with your revision? Were they useful?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: Ya. Proper notes is a must for fast revision.

PG Blazer: In your opinion, how much time does a student require for preparing for this exam?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: 6 months

PG Blazer: How many hours did you study each day?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: 6 to 8 hours

PG Blazer: Did you have a timetable for preparation? Were you able to stick to it?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: Tried to, but was not able to.

PG Blazer: What role did the internet play in your preparation?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: Rxpg forums were helpful. And for exams also.

PG Blazer: Did you ever doubt your ability to get selected in this entrance exam? If so, how did you overcome your fears?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: A lotta times. By talking with family or a friend who can boost confidence.

PG Blazer: Did you attend any classroom coaching? Was it useful? Do you think classroom coaching is essential for getting a good rank?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: PGEI Vizag. First year subjects were awesome especially physio and biochem. Those were my weakest, so it was very helpful in my prep.

PG Blazer: Did you attend any test series? If so, did you find it useful?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: PGEI and Adrplexus. Both were good.

PG Blazer: What were the subjects you focused upon?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: Micro and biochem.

PG Blazer: What was your approach to Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: Read selected topics.

PG Blazer: Is there anything specific to keep in mind while preparing for AIIMS?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: Do the exam very slowly don’t hurry up. And concentrate more on opthal, ENT, ortho and forensic. They are high yielding in AIIMS.

PG Blazer: How did you tackle the PGIMER entrance exam?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: Time management and writing mock exams. Micro and biochem are very important

PG Blazer: What was your strategy for taking the exam?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: I used to answer easy ones and other things later early in my prep. But I later increased my patience. This time I just didn’t go for second review in PGI. I just did it once slowly with perfect timing. For AIIMS and JIPMER, I completed my paper in 2 to 2 and half hours.

PG Blazer: How many questions did you attempt?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: AIIMS – 190
PGI – 600

PG Blazer: What is your advice to future aspirants?
Dr. Varun Suryadevara: Start early and start hard. Its not as easy as it seems.

PG Blazer: That brings us to the conclusion of the interview. Best of luck for your future endeavours!