NEET PG 2025 Topper Dr. Sonika Rani AIR 717: How PW Supported Her Consistent Preparation

Dr. Sonika Rani’s NEET PG 2025 journey is a story of balancing internship duties with preparation rather than waiting for an ideal study schedule. Securing AIR 717 on her first NEET PG attempt, she began serious preparation during internship and maintained her studies even through hectic postings.

Dr. Sonika Rani Built Her NEET PG Preparation Around Internship

For Sonika, internship and NEET PG preparation went hand in hand. She drew motivation from seniors who had managed both successfully and decided to begin serious preparation during internship itself. Her posting schedule initially gave her enough time to establish a rhythm, which she later maintained even during hectic postings.

“So I think if they can do it why not me, to then I started from internship itself, I started serious preparation from internship”

As her postings changed, she adjusted the amount and type of study rather than stopping altogether. During shorter postings, she could devote more time to preparation, while hectic postings required a lighter but consistent routine.

“But when hectic postings came, I just maintained consistency. I did not, matlab, maine bilkul chhoda nahi apni padhai. Thoda-thoda, one-two hours, but main padhti rehti thi, toh mera rhythm bana raha till the end. That’s why I’m here now.” 

This consistency became an important part of her preparation, allowing her to continue studying throughout internship despite fluctuations in available time.

Dr. Sonika Rani Used Her Internship as Part of Her Preparation

Rather than viewing internship as a separate responsibility, Sonika found that her clinical exposure also contributed to her NEET PG preparation. Her seniors and PGs guided her during this period, while her postings helped her understand clinical aspects that could later be useful in the examination.

“Yes sir, internship has helped me a lot. Even jo hamare PGs hote the, they have guided me a lot, taught me a lot of things. So they also have played a very major role in my preparation.” 

She also emphasised the importance of taking internship duties seriously. For her, the time spent in postings was not simply time away from studies; the clinical learning could contribute to understanding questions, particularly those requiring clinical correlation.

“And duties toh please give your duties very sincerely. Kuch na kuch aapko wahan se seekhne ko milega hi milega. Aisa nahi hai ki aap kuch bhi nahi seekhoge, aapka time waste hai.” 

This approach helped her use the hours after internship for dedicated study while continuing to gain practical exposure during her duties.

How PW Supported Dr. Sonika Rani’s NEET PG Strategy

With limited time during internship, Sonika relied heavily on Rapid Revision instead of trying to revisit lengthy resources repeatedly. Having already completed many main videos earlier, she found Rapid Revision more practical for her internship phase and final preparation.

“So Rapid Revision has been my source in the internship. And I have ah done main videos earlier. So it was easy for me to do rapid revise also.”

Her preparation also centred on MCQ practice and Previous Year Questions. She considered PYQs particularly important because they helped her understand the kinds of topics and patterns that could appear in the examination.

“So this was my strategy. Pehle maine previous questions kiye the achhe se. And then I did other questions also by making custom modules and all. And in the end, I revised only Rapid Revision that I had done throughout my year.” 

This combination gave her a focused revision framework while ensuring that question practice remained an important part of her preparation.

Dr. Sonika Rani Turned Difficult Subjects into Manageable Areas

Sonika identified Anatomy as one of the subjects she had struggled with the most. Her earlier difficulty with Anatomy questions made the subject a concern, particularly because many questions involved images and cadaver-based concepts.

“Among them also, Anatomy was my biggest. I was always afraid of Anatomy, and mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha main kaise karun usko.” 

She credited the lectures of Dr. Pradeep with helping her approach image-based Anatomy questions more confidently. She also highlighted the conceptual teaching of Physiology by Dr. Vivek as useful in strengthening her preparation.

“But then I also then I see that Doctor Pradeep sir's lecture also it has helped me through very in NEET preparation, and I can solve anatomy questions very easily”

Instead of leaving difficult subjects until the end, Sonika worked on the areas where she felt less confident and gradually made them more manageable.

Dr. Sonika Rani Started GTs Early to Build Exam Readiness

Sonika did not wait until her syllabus was complete to begin taking GTs. She started them from the initial stages of preparation, even when her syllabus coverage was incomplete, because she wanted to develop the ability to solve MCQs under exam-like conditions.

“So GTs maine shuru se hi dena start kar diya tha. Par tab mere achhe correct nahi hote the. 100 aur 110, itne hi hote the. Zyada nahi hote the. But dheere-dheere phir build-up hue. And then 150-160 correct tak bhi pahunchi thi main.” 

For her, GTs were not just a way to measure preparation. They also helped develop the stamina required to sit through the examination and solve questions for the full duration without anxiety.

“So GTs are very, very important because ultimately it is an MCQ exam. Aap jitni marzi theory padh lo, last mein MCQ hi decide karega aapki kya rank hogi. Toh MCQ solving skill aapko aani chahiye.”

Her progression from around 100–110 correct answers initially to reaching 150–160 correct answers reflected the gradual improvement that came through continued practice.

Dr. Sonika Rani Stayed Consistent Despite Doubts

The journey was not free from moments when Sonika questioned whether she should continue preparing alongside her internship. At times, she considered taking a drop and preparing later, but her seniors' encouragement helped her continue.

“Sometimes I think I should give up, main drop le lungi, tab padh lungi internship ke saath kyun itna stress lena, but then also my seniors motivated me a lot.”

Even when she had days where she could not study as much, she avoided completely abandoning her preparation. Her focus remained on doing whatever was possible from her side rather than becoming overly concerned about the eventual result.

“Toh I just maintain ki mujhe padhna hai. Ab rank jo bhi aayega, result hamare haath mein toh hota nahi hai. But what we can do from our level, I should do that, toh baad mein mujhe regret na ho ki maine, kaash main tab kar leti.” 

This mindset helped her continue moving forward despite uncertainty and the pressure of preparing during internship.

Dr. Sonika Rani’s Advice on Managing Internship and Preparation

Sonika did not follow a fixed number of study hours every day. Instead, she adjusted her schedule according to her postings, using less hectic periods for major subjects and busier periods for shorter subjects and MCQ practice.

“Sir, hours-wise, you should manage it yourself. If you have a short posting as I say, then you can pick up some major subject which you have no idea about or no basics.”

During hectic postings, she focused on shorter subjects and used available time for questions. This allowed her to maintain continuity without expecting the same study hours every day.

“And during your hectic posting I then you can pick any short subject and complete it really, really well. And then also you can practice more MCQs during your hectic postings.”

Her approach shows how preparation can be adapted to changing schedules while still maintaining a regular connection with studies.

What Dr. Sonika Rani’s AIR 717 Journey Means for NEET PG Aspirants

Dr. Sonika Rani’s journey to AIR 717 in NEET PG 2025 was built around consistency rather than a fixed number of study hours. She balanced internship with preparation, used Rapid Revision, prioritised PYQs and MCQs, started GTs early, and worked on subjects she found difficult.

Her experience also highlights the importance of making use of clinical exposure during internship and continuing preparation even when the schedule becomes demanding. With guidance from her seniors and PW teachers, she gradually strengthened her preparation and approached her first NEET PG attempt with a structured strategy.

“So GTs are very, very important, and maine GTs toh starting se hi diye the. So I will advise all ki GTs dena start karna chahiye sabko. Do not be afraid of giving GTs.” 

For aspirants balancing internship and NEET PG preparation, her journey offers a practical reminder: preparation does not always require perfect conditions. What matters is continuing to study, adapting the schedule, practising questions and giving consistent effort throughout the journey.