How to Prepare Image-Based Questions for NEET PG?

Over the past few years, Image-based questions (IBQs) have become increasingly important from the NEET PG examination point of view. At least 25-30 questions from this year’s NEET PG exam were image-based, carrying a substantial amount of marks weightage. 

On the other hand, over 30 IBQs were asked in the INI-CET May 2023 examination. 

This shows that the examiner is keen to check your fundamental knowledge of all 19 subjects and understanding of clinical skills. 

Hence, paying undivided attention to IBQs is key to scoring a good rank in the NEET PG 2024 exam. For some students, IBQs are a hard nut to crack. They find it difficult to comprehend simple images, which eventually leads to a low confidence level.

But not anymore. This blog post will help you to develop a systematic approach to solving IBQs

So, let’s get started with the steps on How to prepare Image-based questions for NEET PG. 

Get a Basic Understanding of Human Anatomy

Having the Anatomy basics right will help you clearly identify the various organs and structures in the human body. This will help you make accurate detections and identify any abnormalities by comprehending the orientation of various organs. 

For instance, if a CT scan is done of the abdomen, a radiologist may need to identify the spleen, pancreas, liver and other organs in order to diagnose a patient. 

Sadly most of the students fail to thoroughly understand the anatomy of organs and often interpret medical images incorrectly, which eventually leads to a misdiagnosis. 

Fortunately, this won’t happen in your case. You can watch in-depth and conceptual Anatomy video lectures by Dr Rajesh Kaushal on the PrepLadder app, like the one below:

It goes without saying that being good at anatomy will help you immensely in answering image-based questions and clinical questions for NEET PG. 

Become well-versed in Imaging Techniques

Another way to master image-based questions is to become well-versed in different medical imaging techniques, including X-rays, CT scans, MRI and Ultrasound! 

Doing so is extremely important as understanding imaging techniques is imperative to solve image-based questions that are asked in Medical PG entrance examinations. These techniques provide a visual representation of various medical conditions. 

Having this knowledge will help you interpret various pictures in image-based questions and answer them with ease. IBQs are asked from almost all subjects; however, there are a few subjects which constitute the majority of IBQs, such as Radiology, Anatomy, Ophthalmology, Microbiology, Orthopedics etc. 

Hence, mastering these subjects is essential to tackle IBQs and answering them correctly. You can solve IBQs from these subjects on the PrepLadder app. 

Also read: Top 5 NEET PG Preparation Tips That Will Guarantee A Good Rank

NEET PG Previous Year Question Papers of Last 5 Years

Solve a Variety of Image-Based Questions

The more IBQs you will practice during your NEET PG preparation, the better are your chances of getting them correct in the main examination. It will also help you give an idea of the various types of questions asked in the exam. 

The image-based questions consist of images of different diagnostic tests, procedures, and medical conditions. The key is to solve as many as possible you can to interpret IBQs better. 

Watch the Microbiology IBQs discussion by Dr. Preeti Sharma, faculty of Microbiology and Pathology at PrepLadder:

Learn to Differentiate between Normal and Abnormal Findings in the Images

Being able to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings in the images is one of the crucial steps to mastering IBQs. 

This requires knowledge and attention to detail. 

To understand the medical abnormality, you should be able to study and figure out the normal images. Images of normal anatomy and the expected appearance of vital organs and their structures are something which you must be clear about. 

Look for any change, however small it may seem, in the shape, size, or texture of the structure being imaged. For better results, you must also pay attention to the positioning of the patient and the equipment used to capture the image. 

Eg: Cytomegalovirus 

Go Back to the Questions that you got wrong

It is always a good idea to reflect back upon your mistakes and make necessary adjustments in your NEET PG preparation. The more image-based questions you will attempt and practice, the better you will be able to comprehend and answer them correctly. 

Hence it is strongly recommended to revise every day to ensure that you remember everything you have studied. This practice will help you solve the IBQs easily. 

You will be able to identify the key features in the image, notice any abnormal findings, develop strong clinical reasoning, and build better familiarity with image-based questions by revising every day. 

Read more: NEET PG Preparation: Tips for Improving Your Score in Clinical Questions

Approach IBQs Systematically

If you want to master Image-based questions in no time, then there is one systematic approach that must be followed all the time. 

Start by analyzing the patient’s history, identify the area that is being imaged, carefully analyze the image and then start making a diagnosis. 

Following this approach will help you save crucial time and improve your accuracy. 

You can also download the PrepLadder app and access a repository of IBQs to get exam ready. PrepLadder app has everything you need to crack NEET PG 2024 with utmost ease, including video lectures by India’s top medical faculty, QBank 5.0, with maximum clinical questions, Mock Tests as per the latest exam pattern, comprehensive notes and much more. 

So, start learning today with PrepLadder and get the rank you always desired of!