5 Study Hacks to Boost Your Medical Exam Performance – By Dr. Deepak Marwah

If you are preparing for medical exams, you would know how overwhelming it can be. With the vast syllabus, depth of concepts, and the intensity of competition, considering the preparation a small feat is the biggest mistake anyone can make. 

But taking it as an impossible and haunting task would do you no good either. With the right approach and mindset, you can transform long hours of confusion into sharper, shooter, and more productive study sessions. Remember, it’s never about how many hours you study for, it is always about how effectively you use whatever time you get. 

In this blog, we have compiled all the proven study hacks shared by Dr. Deepak Marwah especially for the students aiming to clear high stake exams like NEET PG, FMGE, and INI-CET. And all these hacks focus on smart work instead of hard work so you can retain more, perform better, and walk into the exam hall with confidence. 

Hack #1: Rethink the Pomodoro Technique

If you are following the Pomodoro technique, which involves studying in short intervals with frequent breaks, you might have to rethink the strategy. It might work for lighter subjects or even office work but it is sure to backfire for medical exam prep. 

Medical concepts are complex, and they demand deep focus. Just when you are beginning to unravel a clinical case, the timer goes off and breaks your rhythm. 

And what is even worse is that once you complete multiple pomodoro, you get a sense of accomplishment and you feel productive. However, the reality is very different. Your understanding remains fragmented. And if you are preparing for a 3-5 hour exams like INI-CET, your brain needs to stay locked in for long stretches. 

Rather than worshipping Pomodoro technique, you must train your mind for longer study sessions. It’s advised that you begin with one-hour blocks and gradually push to two or three hours. 

This is sure to build mental stamina, reduce dependency on breaks and prepare you for real exam conditions where there is no timer to rescue you. 

Hack #2: Apply the 80/20 Rule

Not every chapter, not every fact, and not every subject carries equal weight in medical exams. The 80/20 principle (Pareto’s rule) tells us that 20% of effort produces 80% of results. For you, this means identifying the high-yield topics and mastering them before spending time on less significant areas.

Review previous years’ papers, analyze recurring patterns, and focus on the chapters that examiners love to test. For instance, PSM, Pharmacology, and Medicine consistently carry heavy weightage in NEET PG and FMGE.

It’s not just about “what” you study but also how you tackle MCQs. Small details like “except” in a question or a cleverly placed comma can change the entire meaning. Going through past exam papers helps you recognize these patterns and avoid falling for traps.

Hack #3: Use Technology Wisely

Technology can be both your biggest distraction and your strongest ally. The difference lies in how you use it.

Apps like Forest gamify focus by “planting trees” that grow only if you avoid distractions. It gives you a visual reason to resist picking up your phone. Distraction-blocking tools can temporarily lock apps like Instagram or WhatsApp while you study.

And when used the right way, technology offers enormous productivity benefits. Prep apps like PrepLadder give you structured video lectures, curated QBanks, and instant analytics on your performance. Instead of scrolling endlessly, you can let tech guide your preparation and keep you on track.

Hack #4: Mix Hard and Easy Subjects

Studying Surgery after Anatomy after Orthopedics may sound like a logical sequence—but it’s mentally draining. All three are dense, heavy subjects that demand high concentration. If you only study difficult subjects back-to-back, burnout is inevitable.

The smarter approach is to balance heavy and light subjects. For example, pair Pharmacology with PSM, or Surgery with Anesthesia. This way, you get both conceptual depth and factual learning without overwhelming your brain.

Mixing subjects also helps you stay engaged. Switching from a high-cognitive load subject to a relatively lighter one refreshes your mind and keeps motivation high. Think of it as alternating between sprinting and walking during a marathon—you preserve stamina while still moving forward.

Hack #5: The ABCD Approach to Prioritization

When time feels short, everything seems urgent. But not everything deserves equal attention. This is where the ABCD method can be a lifesaver:

• A (Absolutely Must Do): High-yield subjects like Pharmacology, Psychiatry, and Medicine should be non-negotiable.
• B (Bare Minimum): Essential basics like General Surgery or Trauma protocols that must be covered at least once.
• C (Can Wait): Topics like detailed enzyme pathways in Biochemistry can be postponed to the final weeks.
• D (Daily Revision): Weak areas and tricky subjects should be revised consistently, even if only for an hour a day.

This method gives you clarity and prevents wasted energy. More importantly, it keeps you moving forward without getting stuck in unproductive cycles of regret over what you couldn’t finish.

Also Read: How to Prepare for NEET PG from 3rd Year

Wrapping Up

We understand that the journey to acing the medical exams can be tough and pretty overwhelming but it is not at all impossible. The five hacks that we mentioned above are all about maximising your study efficiency. 

You must always aim for retaining and applying knowledge under exam pressure rather than just covering the syllabus. Every hour that you spend studying should move you closer to clarity and confidence. 

All you need to do is stay disciplined, trust the process, and keep reminding yourself that every small step today compounds into big results tomorrow. 

As long as your preparation is consistent and smart, you don’t have to invest your time in perfecting it. With the right strategies, you can easily transform your study sessions and set yourself up for exam success.

If you’re looking to strengthen your final prep, don’t miss out on Rapid Revision Reignite by PrepLadder. It’s designed to help Medical PG aspirants cover the entire syllabus quickly with concise notes in a Question-Answer format, high-yield MCQs, and expert-led revision videos—perfect for last-minute reinforcement before the exam.

Download the PrepLadder app now to access high-yield content with 24-hr Free Trial. Explore premium study resources like Video Lectures also in हिंglish, digital notes, QBank, and Mock Tests for a seamless exam preparation. Time to begin your NEET PG coaching online with PrepLadder.