Here are some reasons why repeaters usually score more than fresh students and some tips for fresh students to score more in MDCAT and also in other exams.

 There are a lot different fields and professions for a student to choose from.Most of them are quite promising.Different students opt different professions which suit them best.Among myriads of different degrees MBBS is one.

 In Pakistan MBBS is not just a degree.It is considered a symbol of prestige and honor.It's like being a doctor gives you supremacy over others.

 Parents push their children into medicine (MBBS) not just because of good prospects it promises but a respect and esteem they want for their children in the "Society".(Sigh..)

 Due to limited no of seats (in medical colleges) and an ever increasing population (and hence no. of candidates for test) the merit is soaring each year up and hence it's becoming more and more difficult to get admission.

 So the competition has definitely increased over the past years and has been increasing continuously and rapidly.Whatever the causes of the present situation and whoever are responsible for this, the victims are the students eventually.

 Locally, candidates who take MDCAT more than once are called "Repeaters" and the first time takers obviously "Fresh" candidates.

 Based on my personal experiences and my observations I have cited some of the main reasons why repeaters usually score more than the fresh candidates.

 Now, it does not means that fresh candidates cannot score more than repeaters.The purpose of writing this blog is to help fresh candidates to avoid basic mistakes which are usually expected and score more in MDCAT just like repeaters.

 Following are the reasons why Repeaters usually score more than Fresh candidates;

1. Out of Syllabus Study


MDCAT is something different from F.Sc and matric. It requires completely different approach towards studies.That's why they require the right guidance.But in most cases that's not enough because students have been studying in one pattern for almost 10 years, they cannot easily change it.

Despite the advice and guidelines of teachers most of (Fresh) students do not confine them to syllabus, they dig into different and extra topics and study those details and information which is not actually needed, thinking that it might help them in the test.

"What if a question from this topic comes in test since it is indirectly related to the main topic?"This is how fresh students usually think.

Not only do they study those extra topics which are not included in the syllabus but also get into the minute details of the topics (given in syllabus).Believe me all this is useless.

I remember, I once asked a fresh student about Alpha and Beta Glucose (ref: Biology) and he came up with those kind of names I never heard in my entire life.I said; really, bro, you are here to prepare for MDCAT not for B.Sc or something.

All this extra, I may say useless study does more harm than good.It not only waste their precious time but also makes it harder for them to remember everything before test.

A unit which they can easily learn in about 30 min if studied to the point would take more than 2 hrs if they try to sneak into details.

Plus, they would not be able to remember everything for the test.After all, they are humans and human brains have it's limitations.

 No matter how well someone study in 3 months if he cannot learn all syllabus before test, all his hard-work would be wasted.

On the other hand repeaters are a lot better at this.

They have experience of at least one previous test (in my case two tests.No, I have not wasted two years.I took test in 2017.20th August and 29th October).They know what kind of questions are asked and how they are strictly restricted to the syllabus.

They usually focus on the topics that are actually in the syllabus and spend their precious time and potential in learning them from the first day.

So, never study extra.Study hard.

2. Calculations


UHS prohibits the use of calculators in the test.So calculations are to be done by hand by those old school methods.

Most of the calculations are easy but some of them really prove challenging.

The only secret to calculations is practice.The more you practice calculating difficult values performing different arithmetic operations (+, - , *, / ) the more you get the hold of it.

Repeaters are quite good at it.They have a fairly more experience of calculations than fresh students.

Not only they tend to make less mistakes in calculations but also do them in less time.

Fresh students on the other hands are habitual of calculators.They do not have any previous experience.So it's quite a factor of their mistakes.

Fresh students should practice difficult calculations for not just the right answer but also to do them in short time.

3.Time Management

Photo from: www.jamesclear.com

UHS MDCAT comprises 220 questions for which 150 minutes (2.5 hrs) time is given.There is average 40 sec for each question.

Depending on the difficulty level of the test time may or may not be short.The same time may be quite short in one test and enough in the other.

If I talk about 20th August 2017 MDCAT (Punjab), it was full of difficult calculations and other complicated conceptual questions.Time was quite short for the test.

Many students couldn't even reach the end of the test and still others left the calculation related questions which they could solve just because of shortage of time.

This is something at which every candidate appearing for the test should be good.Repeater candidates are usually better at attempting the test in time than the fresh students.

Shortage of time not only constrains students from attempting all the questions well but also exerts a stress on them which markedly decrease their efficiency and hence marks.

Student should practice to complete test in time.

4.Working under pressure




Taking test in academy is different from taking test in examination hall in real conditions.

 An easy test feels quite difficult in the examination hall.Ticking clock, stress and emotions decrease the efficiency.

 Keeping control over the nerves is necessary. Believe me it is as important as the study itself.If you fail to attempt your test well due to any reason all your studies and hard work would be wasted.

 Repeaters are generally more good at working under pressure.They have more experience and understand it's importance.

 Fresh students on the other hand, are not quite aware of it. They don't prepare themselves mentally.

Conclusion

These are the four main reasons beside studies fresh students despite of their hard work cannot score marks that they deserved.They should practice and develop these skills as I have mentioned.This would definitely help them.

 Tell me in th comments if you agree.

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This post will Guide the students who are seeking admission to AMC Rwp, CMH Multan, CMH Lahore , QIMS and any other Army affiliated Medical College as medical cadets

 MBBS is regarded as a top level degree in Pakistan.It is the dream of thousands of students to be a doctor.But, to be a doctor and also serve in the army is the best a medical student can imagine.

 Well, the path to success is never easy, but those who are determined and never give up get what they want(Ok that's enough of the motivation let's come to the topic)

At my time when I applied for AMC (Army Medical College) I came to know that almost nobody knew about the complete process.

 I was on my own, I  didn't even know what to study and what kind of test I'm gonna attempt.What to do after the test and how to prepare for the "INTERVIEW" if there was any.

 Well, as I went through the whole process I came to know about the process.But what if I was already guided and had prepared accordingly I would have performed much better.

 So here I am to guide all of you who are to go through this process yet.

 I will guide you through the whole process and share my personal experiences and some mistakes so that you may not make any mistake.

 The whole admission process is divided into following three "Steps".

THE INITIALS

The first step is The Initial or The Preliminary Tests
It is further divided into three parts.
  • The Computer-Based Test
  • The Physical Test
  • The Initial Medical Test

The Computer-Based Test


Considering you have applied online, you would have a roll no. Slip.There is a date and time printed on the slip.You will have to report at respective AS&RC on the date and time specified.

There you will have to first pay a fee of Rs.300 (as in 2018) for the Prospectus.After that you will be guided to a computer room where you will take test.

I went to AS&RC at 11 O' clock (as specified on the roll no. slip) but due to great rush I could not take test before 5 O Clock.So I recommend you to go as early as possible on the specified date.
 There are three portions of the test which are;

 1) Verbal

There are 30 minutes for this test and around 58 (I can't remember exactly) questions are there.

 There will be a statement for every question and you have to choose the best answer from the given options.

 These questions are quite general and one may say IQ related questions

 For Example:
2) Non-Verbal

Time is same 30 minutes and around 78 questions are from this part.

 These questions are without any statement.

 There are only diagrams which are arranged in a sequence.You have to choose the missing diagram from the sequence.

 For Example:

3) Academic

 Time is same 30 minutes and 30 questions are there.These questions are related to your text books (Phy, Che, Bio) so be prepared.

 After every test (as mentioned above) a green or a red screen will appear indicating whether you've passed the test or not.

 You can move to next test If you pass the first test.

 After successful completion of the test, you can tell the attendant. He will put a stamp on your roll no. slip.Remember this stamp is important.

 You may now ask them about when and where to report for Physical Test or Medical Test.(It's onto them which test they prefer first.)
Initial test has NO NEGATIVE MARKING

The Physical Test

You will have to qualify following physical standards for the preliminary physical test.

  • 1.6 KM run in 8 min
  • 15 Push Ups in 2 min
  • 20 Sit Ups in 2 min
  • 3 Chin Ups in 2 min
  • Ditch Crossing (7' 4" * 7' 4" )
After successfully qualifying Physical test they'll put another stamp on your roll no. slip.

The Initial Medical Test

This is called initial medical test because there will be another medical test which I will discuss later.

Following tests will be performed in the Medical test
  • Weight and Height measurements
  • Eye Sight
  • Chest
  • Any Bone Deformities Check
  • Hemorrhoids and Hernia
  • Flat feet or Chest etc
After Medical test you'll get another stamp.

After the above mentioned three tests your roll no. slip will have three stamps.This means you can get the "File".

File Submission


Now, they'll give you a file which you have to fill up.It is about Bio-data and personal info

They'll guide you about how to fill up the file and documents to be attached with the file.

Some important documents (attested copies) that you have to attach with the file are ;
  • Matric Certification (Alongwith Matric Result Card)
  • F.Sc Result Card
  • Domicile
  • B-Form/ ID card

In addition you will have to attach a postal order of Rs.100 named to DG/ PA GHQ RWP.

Do not fill the hobbies and sports section (in the file ) with activities and sports you don't know about because they can ask you about that later in the interview.
The merit calculation formula is secret but The Initial Test has an important role (yes, it do have marks).So attempt your test well.

THE INTERVIEW/PERSONALITY TEST

Every year (in September) List of names of short-listed candidates is published on the official website who are selected for Interview/Personality test.


Interviews and personality tests are conducted in batches of around 30-40 students or more each over a period of 2 days at AMC Rawalpindi.

The Personality Test

On the first day will be Personality test

It Includes three sections

  • Word association test (Includes 76 words which will be shown one by each for 10 seconds on projector and you'll have to write sentences for each in the same time

  • Sentence completion test (you'll be given two separate sheets both will have 26 incomplete sentences which you'll have to complete. For each sheet there are 6.5 mins)

  • Story writing (You'll have to write two stories from the shown vivid pictures. Two pictures will be shown and for each 4 mins will be given) 

  • A topic will be given (like "The most shocking moment of life or "The most happiest moment of life ) and you'll have to write an essay in 4 mins about the topic it must be in positive way

After the Personality test you'll be given a form about Bio Data.You have to fill it up.They'll guide you.

After that you can go home or wherever you are staying.

The Interview

Interviews will be conducted on the second day.

 Now, interview experience may differ for everyone, so I will give you a generalization of what was asked from me.
  • Introduction
  • A few academic questions from Biology book
  • General talk over a topic (i.e, what is the most famous thing of your city)
  • General Information about the country and politics (not asked by me but I heard from other candidates)
Be sure to speak in the language they themselves are speaking.If they are speaking in Urdu don't try to speak in English to make an impression


Your experience might differ a bit but the Academic questions will be asked.So at least study Biology before going for Interview.

 After the interview of every candidate of your batch, results will be declared.(yes, you have to wait till the interview of every candidate of your batch).

 Successful candidates shall be given letters on which shall be stated the date on which you have to report at your specified CMH for Final Medical Test (They will ask you which city's CMH you want your medical test done).

THE FINAL MEDICAL

If you reach this stage you are lucky enough but it does not means that you have got admission because not all the candidates who reach this stage get admission.

So, first thing you have to do after entering CMH is to go to candidate's office they will provide you with a file.Name of every test will be written on the file.You have to get every test done written on that file and then finally submit that file back.

Be very sure to take the necessary documents written on the form (that you would've got after interview).I can recall a really very bad day because of my negligence.

The Final Medical Test comprises following tests;
  • Physical measurements
  • Dental
  • ENT
  • Audiometry
  • Blood test
  • Dermatology related
  • Bones related
  • Chest X-Ray
  • Urine Test
  • Eyes
  • Psychiatric test
After completing every test you would have to submit your file to Candidate's office.Your work will be done then.

Then in November Final Joining Letters will be sent to the finally selected candidates.
If you get this, then you can celebrate.

Still got questions? feel free to ask me in the comments.

Disclaimer: The sample questions shown are from the prospectus and are the copyright of Pakistan Army.They are shown for the purpose of demonstration.

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