Samuel, who secured an impressive 24th rank in NEET, is currently studying at Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore.
Inspiration is often said to stem from everyday experiences, and this holds true for Samuel Harshith Tsapa, an 18-year-old who achieved the 24th rank in the NEET UG 2023 exam. His decision to pursue a career in medicine was inspired by witnessing the dedication of doctors and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although his outstanding rank could have secured him a place at prestigious institutions such as AIIMS, he chose to study for his MBBS at a college that aligned more closely with his aspirations.
Samuel, who secured an impressive 24th rank in NEET, is currently studying at Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore. CMC, located close to his home, is ranked third among the top medical institutions in India, according to the NIRF 2024 rankings. Despite the opportunity to attend AIIMS, Samuel opted for CMC on the advice of his family and teachers.
He highlighted the importance of having a focused strategy in his exam preparation, particularly the use of short notes. Samuel continually revised these notes, updating and refining them as the exam date approached. His disciplined approach to regular revision and concise note-taking played a vital role in his success.
Having achieved an impressive 97.4 per cent in his Class 12 board exams, Samuel is now considering his career options after completing his MBBS, with a strong interest in pursuing research in the medical field. For his NEET preparation, he relied heavily on NCERT books, particularly for Chemistry. He practised all the in-text questions, examples, and exercises, which he condensed into short notes to facilitate easier revision. This systematic approach enabled him to quickly revisit key concepts. Additionally, whenever he had extra time, Samuel practised from NS Avasthi and worked through previous years’ JEE Main questions to further solidify his understanding. His strategic preparation and consistent revision were key contributors to his academic success.
In addition to traditional study methods, Samuel made use of online platforms like YouTube for his Biology and Physics preparation. If he couldn’t immediately find an answer to a question, he would set it aside and return to it later, demonstrating the importance of perseverance.
He said that effective time management is crucial for success in the NEET UG exam, noting that he had to solve around five Physics questions in the final minutes of the test. Samuel also incorporated resources such as the YouTube channel ‘Beat the NEET’ and the Memo NEET app into his study routine. Furthermore, he utilised the audio version of NCERT textbooks, listening to chapters via earphones, which allowed him to absorb information while on the go.
