Srinagar, Oct 14 : Balancing nursing internship duties with competitive exam preparation, Srinagar’s Mohammad Arif secured All India Rank (AIR) 50 in NORCET 11 Mains on his first attempt, crediting consistency, strong basics and regular practice for his success.
Arif began preparing for the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET) as soon as his internship started, joining PW Nursing Wallah’s NORCET 10 Regular batch on August 18 after a friend informed him about it.
Although his college studies had not fully prepared him for the examination’s specific requirements, he focused on building his foundation from scratch.
Managing preparation alongside morning and night duties was challenging. Unable to attend every live class, Arif completed lessons after returning from duty, often studying late into the night.
“Whenever I got time after duty, I would complete my classes at night,” he said.
He strengthened his theoretical understanding through lectures and prepared handwritten notes for subjects such as obstetrics and gynaecology (OBG), paediatrics, community health and pharmacology. He also credited Ritu Ma’am’s teaching style and motivational guidance, recalling that he had initially watched her classes on YouTube.
Arif prioritised conceptual clarity before attempting mock tests. After completing each topic, he practised related multiple-choice questions (MCQs), including questions from Target High. He began taking mock tests after covering half the syllabus and analysed his performance to identify weak areas.
“First, I started with the basics. After studying a topic in class, I would practise MCQs on the same topic,” he said.
He emphasised that regular question practice and mock-test analysis were crucial to strengthening his exam readiness.
Advising future aspirants, Arif said consistency was essential, particularly when preparation had to be managed alongside demanding schedules.
“Consistency is the most important thing for anyone preparing for a competitive examination,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of self-motivation, noting that aspirants must sustain their confidence and commitment even when external encouragement is limited.
Arif’s achievement highlights how strong fundamentals, regular practice and disciplined preparation can help nursing students pursue competitive examinations alongside internship responsibilities.
