How to Prepare for INI-CET November 2025 in 3 Months?

The INI-CET exam or as you know it by Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test is undeniably one of the most competitive post graduate medical entrance exams in India. 

This exam is conducted by AIIMS twice a year to ensure aspirants get access to some of the country’s most prestigious institutes including AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS. 

If you wish to crack this exam, you don’t only need hard work but also a sharp strategy to tackle the exam questions. Since they are focused more on concepts, clinical application, and image-based problem-solving than the simple recall, the prep requires a more focused approach. 

If you are an INI-CET November 2025 aspirant and have only 3 months left, the best way to tackle the prep is through structured approach, smart revision, and consistent practice.

In this blog, we are going to break down how you can maximise these 90 days and walk into the exam hall with confidence.  

Step 1: Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Before you dive straight into the preparation, it is crucial to understand what you are preparing for. You must be aware of the basic facts that the exam runs for three hours with 200 questions/ Every correct answer gives you +1 mark, while an incorrect one deducts  ⅓..

The coverage spans across pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical subjects, but the weightage is tilted towards clinical and applied topics. This means you cannot just rely on memorizing facts—you must connect the dots between basic sciences and clinical medicine.

The takeaway: INI-CET is concept-heavy. Train your brain to think clinically, not just recall theory.

Step 2: Build a 3-Month Preparation Roadmap

With only 90 days, time is your biggest asset. Break it down into three clear phases:

Phase 1 (Day 1–30): Build Your Foundation
Focus on high-yield and heavily weighted subjects like Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pathology, and Pharmacology. Aim for 70% syllabus coverage in this month by devoting 7–8 hours daily to a mix of theory and MCQs.

Phase 2 (Day 31–60): Consolidation
Move to subjects of the second tier—Microbiology, Pediatrics, Biochemistry, Ophthalmology, ENT, and Physiology. Start linking basic sciences with clinical cases. Daily practice of previous years’ INI-CET questions should become a habit.

Phase 3 (Day 61–90): Revision & Mocks
The final month should be all about recall. Focus on revising your notes, reinforcing weak areas, and taking mock tests under exam conditions. This phase builds your exam temperament and speed.

Step 3: Subject-Wise Strategy

Not every subject carries the same weight. A smart allocation of your time makes all the difference.

• High-Weightage Subjects: Medicine (cardiology, neurology, infectious diseases), Surgery (trauma, GI, thyroid, urology), OBG (labor, contraception, gynecological cancers), Pathology (hematology, slides, neoplasia), Pharmacology (autonomics, antimicrobials).
• Moderate-Weightage Subjects: Microbiology, Pediatrics, Biochemistry.
• Short & Scoring Subjects: Dermatology, Psychiatry, Anesthesia, Radiology.

A good balance: 40% clinical, 30% para-clinical, 20% pre-clinical, 10% short subjects.

Step 4: Master Image-Based & Clinical Questions

INI-CET is well known for its image-based and integrated questions. Expect to see pathology slides, radiology scans, dermatology pictures, and ophthalmology images. Case vignettes are common too, where a clinical presentation is followed by questions spanning diagnosis, pathology, and treatment.

To tackle these effectively, revise standard images from your notes, practice integrated Qs, and make sure you’re not just memorizing but actually interpreting.

Step 5: Daily Study Routine

Consistency is the key in these 90 days. A 10-hour study schedule works well:

• 2 hrs: Major subject (e.g., Medicine)
• 2 hrs: Supporting subject (e.g., Pathology)
• 2 hrs: Short subject or integrated topic
• 2 hrs: MCQ practice + reviewing explanations
• 1.5 hrs: Previous years’ INI-CET papers
• 30 mins: Quick notes/images revision before bed

This balance ensures you don’t just study but also recall and apply.

Step 6: Revision Techniques

Revision is where the real learning happens. Don’t wait until the end—revise in cycles.

• First revision within 20 days of completing Phase 1.
• Second revision before the last 15 days.
• Final 7 days for only high-yield notes, PYQs, and quick tables.

Use active recall (close your notes, try to write or say everything you remember) and spaced repetition (Day 1, Day 3, Day 7, Day 15) to strengthen memory.

Step 7: Mock Test Strategy

There is nothing better than mock tests when it comes to getting a rehearsal for the real stage. You must attempt 10-12 full length mock tests in the last two months, simulating the exam conditions. 

After every mock test, you must spend at least 2-3 hours reviewing or analyzing the mistakes. Maintain a mistake notebook where you jot down repeated errors—this becomes gold in the final week.

Step 8: Stick to Smart Resources

At this point, don’t overload yourself with multiple textbooks. Stick to:

• Concise notes (PrepLadder/INI-CET focused)
• Previous 5-year papers (a large portion repeats in some form)
• Selective use of standard textbooks for images and tables

Depth matters more than breadth in these final 3 months.

Final 15-Day Sprint

As the exam comes closer, you must focus on simplifying your prep, revising notes, PYQs, and practicing integrated clinical cases. Try attempting 3-4 mocks under strict exam conditions, and avoiding new topics altogether. This is the time to sharpen, not expand.

Wrapping Up 

We understand that you have only 3 months for INI-CET November 2025 and this can be pretty overwhelming for you. But, if you have the right plan, it is pretty achievable. 

This exam doesn’t reward those who passively read, it rewards those aspirants who revise smartly, think clinically, and stay consistent. 

All you need to do is stick to your schedule, practice consistently, and ultimately enter the exam hall with confidence. 

With dedication, even 90 days are enough to secure a seat in one of India’s most prestigious institutes.

Download the PrepLadder app now and unlock a 24-hour FREE trial of premium high-yield content. Access Video Lectures, digital notes, QBank, and INI-CET Mock Tests for FREE to ace your NEET PG preparation. Elevate your study experience and gear up for success. Start your journey with PrepLadder today!