NEET PG 2026 AIR 2 Topper Interview: Dr Pallakshi on Balancing Work and Preparation

NEET PG 2026 AIR 2 Topper Interview: Dr Pallakshi on Her Preparation Strategy

Question: Congratulations on securing AIR 2 in NEET PG 2026 result. Did you ever expect to get such a rank?

Dr Pallakshi: No. Even in my best dreams, this was not the rank I had thought of. I never really dreamt of getting a rank like this in NEET PG. I think it was a combination of luck and hard work.

Question: When did you realise that you needed a structured source for NEET PG preparation, and why did you choose Marrow?

Dr Pallakshi: The first reason was word of mouth. Marrow was considered the gold standard, and everyone used it for Grand Tests. I had also used Marrow during my third and fourth year of MBBS, so I was already familiar with the platform. I felt that if I went back to something I was familiar with, I would be able to build my structure faster. Before attempting another platform or source, I wanted to first build my basic structure again. I used the World of Revision for this.

Question: You had used Marrow during your third and fourth year as well. Did those videos and notes help you during your MBBS professional exams?

Dr Pallakshi: Yes, definitely. I made my own notes during that period. My final-year marks were because of a combination of Marrow and my AFMC teachers. If you try to learn something from a textbook, it can take a long time. When a teacher has already simplified the information and presented it to you, it becomes much easier to understand and remember. That was a big advantage for me.

Question: NEET PG has become increasingly clinical and application-based. Do you think clinical exposure and understanding concepts are important for the current exam pattern?

Dr Pallakshi: Definitely. The questions are not always what you expect. You need to learn how to identify the area, subject or pathology being tested. When you see something in video form or encounter it clinically, it stays with you for longer compared to simply memorising it without understanding it. My foundation helped me because during MBBS I focused more on my professional exams rather than only preparing for PG entrance exams.

I read standard books such as S Das Clinical Surgery Manual and Bailey & Love. Even though you may not remember everything later, having read it once makes the information familiar, and that can make a difference during the exam.

Also Check:

• NEET PG 2026 Marks vs Rank

• NEET PG 2026 Cutoff

NEET PG 2026 AIR 2 Preparation: Revision, MCQs and Grand Tests

Question: How did you use the World of Revision for your NEET PG preparation?

Dr Pallakshi: Initially, I tried the main videos as well, but later I shifted to the World of Revision videos. I would watch the video and then attempt the related MCQs. While watching the videos, I would underline or highlight important points. I tried to complete one subject at a time before moving to another subject because I liked having a sense of completion.

The World of Revision format helped because there was a video followed by a schema of questions and an MCQ module. The limited number of questions helped me identify the most important areas that I had to get right.

Question: Did the limited number of MCQs in the schema make your preparation easier?

Dr Pallakshi: Yes. I felt that those were the must-do questions. I wanted to make sure that I did not lose marks on those questions. I could make mistakes in additional question bank questions, but I felt that I should be able to score very well in the core questions.

Question: How many revision cycles did you complete before NEET PG 2026?

Dr Pallakshi: I must have done seven to eight revisions. Since I was working alongside my preparation, my revision cycles were not always organised or planned.

In the final eight months, I would say I did around three to four revisions. There was an initial phase of reading for about three months, followed by another revision over two months, and then the final 30-day period.

Question: What was your approach towards the question bank and Grand Tests?

Dr Pallakshi: Initially, I was not very smart about the question bank because I liked the feeling of completing everything. I used to attempt almost all the questions. Later, I understood that it is important to prioritise. I started focusing more on questions that a significant percentage of students got wrong. This helped me avoid getting stuck on every question.

For Grand Tests, I used multiple platforms to test myself. Initially, I reviewed every correct and incorrect question. Later, I focused mainly on incorrect questions and questions where I had guessed the answer. I attempted almost every Grand Test and tried to learn from them rather than using them only as a strategy tool.

Question: What did you learn from the NEET PG mock test?

Dr Pallakshi: I don't remember my exact score or rank now, but I remember being scared because I realised how much competition there was. After the mock test, I did not completely change my preparation strategy. I focused on the questions I got wrong and tried to understand why I had made those mistakes. Sometimes I had forgotten the information, sometimes it was a silly mistake, and sometimes the question required deeper application.

The main thing I took away from the mock tests and Grand Tests was that I needed to double down on my revisions. I knew many of the concepts, but I was sometimes unable to answer them correctly.

NEET PG 2026 AIR 2 Topper Advice to Aspirants

Question: What was the most difficult phase of your NEET PG preparation?

Dr Pallakshi: Balancing my job with preparation was one of the toughest parts. There were days when work was frustrating, and I would come home tired and wonder how I could compete with people who were studying full-time. I sometimes compared myself with students who could study for 12, 13 or 14 hours a day. That made me feel frustrated because I wondered how I would be able to compete while working. But I would eventually start again. Even if I could study only a little, I would do it and continue.

Question: What are the three things you would recommend to someone preparing for NEET PG?

Dr Pallakshi: First, build a strong foundation. The NEET PG exam is no longer only about one-line facts. You need depth and a proper understanding of the subjects. Do not rely only on short versions or try to memorise facts without understanding the concepts.

Second, prepare for your revisions from the beginning. Try to revise all 19 subjects within 30 days at least a few times during your preparation. I could not do this as much as I wanted to, and towards the end I wished I had practised completing the entire syllabus faster. Even during your preparation year, take out one month to revise all 19 subjects. This will help you get used to the feeling of moving through the entire syllabus quickly.

Third, do not stop. Whatever your rank in a mock test is, whatever your batchmates are doing or whatever is happening at work, keep going. You can take a break if you are tired, but start the next day again. You do not have to study for 12 hours from the first day. Start with something, stay in touch with your subjects every day and gradually build your momentum.

Question: What would you like NEET PG aspirants to remember from your journey?

Dr Pallakshi: Consistency is very important. Even if you feel bad or have a difficult day, take a break, sleep and start again. You do not have to study perfectly every day. The important thing is to keep going and remain in touch with your subjects. Sometimes even reading something for a short period can help you build momentum. The preparation journey can be overwhelming, but you have to continue working towards what you want.