10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting NEET MDS Preparation

Starting NEET MDS prep can feel like you�ve just stepped into a storm. There�s pressure, confusion, and a million things pulling you in different directions. When I started preparing, I made a bunch of mistakes, not because I wasn�t serious, but because no one told me what to expect.

So here�s the list of things I wish I had known before I opened that first textbook. If you're just beginning your NEET MDS 2026 journey, this could save you a lot of time (and sanity).

1. You�ll Underestimate the Syllabus. Everyone Does.

You think you know what you're getting into, �19 subjects, I�ve studied all this during BDS!� But trust me, the depth of NEET MDS is a different ballgame.

Not everything you learned in BDS is equally important here. And when you start studying without a clear focus, it�s easy to fall into the trap of trying to read everything, which leads to burnout.

- What helped later:
I discovered MERITERS, which broke down each subject into chapter-wise high-yield notes and videos that told me exactly what mattered and what didn�t.

2. You Can�t Survive Without a Daily Plan

Here�s what I used to do: wake up, pick a random subject, read for hours, and feel tired without knowing if I made progress. Sound familiar?

What I didn�t realise then is that a daily schedule isn�t just for toppers, it�s for anyone who wants to stay sane. You need to know what to study and when, and give yourself goals that are actually achievable.

- Smart tip:
I eventually followed MERITERS� weekly targets, which adjusted based on my performance and helped me stay on track even when I was falling behind.

3. Too Many Resources Will Confuse You

Let me guess, your downloads folder is already full of PDFs from seniors, random Telegram channels, and every book ever recommended. Yeah, mine was too.

But honestly? You don�t need all that. In fact, having too much content is just going to slow you down. NEET MDS isn�t about how many books you own; it�s about how well you�ve understood and revised the right stuff.

- What worked:
I stopped bouncing between apps and started focusing on MERITERS only. Their notes, question bank, and lectures had everything in one place, and it finally felt manageable.

4. Theory Alone Won�t Cut It, MCQs Build Your Brain

I made the classic beginner mistake, reading notes without doing questions. I kept telling myself I�d start MCQs after �finishing theory,� but guess what? The theory never ends.

The truth is, you start remembering better when you apply what you read. Solving MCQs helps reinforce learning, exposes weak spots, and preps your brain for the real exam environment.

- What helped:
MERITERS' QBank has 31,000+ MCQs, including clinical, image-based, and repeat questions, all with detailed explanations. I started slow but made it a habit every single day.

5. Don�t Be Afraid of Mock Tests

I used to avoid mock tests like the plague. I thought I�d feel �ready� someday and then take them. But honestly, mock tests are not about scoring well, they�re about getting used to failing and improving.

You need to see how your mind works under pressure, how well you manage time, and where your weak areas are. Mock tests give you all of that.

- Insider tip:
MERITERS' Grand Tests and National Mocks gave me detailed reports, All India Ranks, and even AI-based suggestions on what to fix next. That kind of feedback is gold.

6. Burnout Is Real - Protect Your Mind

Let�s be honest: there are days when you feel like giving up. You start comparing yourself to others, your score is stuck, and everything feels pointless. I�ve been there.

One thing I learned late is that your mental health is part of your prep. You can't study if your mind is exhausted. You need breaks, hobbies, and days where you just watch a movie guilt-free.

- What helped me cope:
Being part of the MERITERS Telegram community made a huge difference. You�re not alone in this, and hearing others share their bad days made me feel less isolated.

7. Past Papers = Blueprint to the Exam

If I had spent more time analysing past papers earlier, I�d have figured out what topics matter most - and saved a ton of time. Many questions get repeated or come from similar concepts.

- Must-do:
Solve NEET MDS and INI-CET papers from at least the past 5 years. Platforms like MERITERS have them all in one place, with authentic explanations that help you understand the �why� behind each answer.

8. Clinical and Image-Based Questions Are the New Normal

I was shocked during my first mock when over 30% of the paper was case-based, image-based, or scenario-driven. These aren�t your usual �facts from notes� kind of questions. They require reasoning.

- Solution:
Start practising these early, don�t leave them till the end. The MERITERS Marathon Plan includes over 3000+ clinical questions, especially created based on the new exam pattern. Honestly, they trained my brain to think clinically.

9. If You Don�t Track Your Mistakes, You�ll Keep Repeating Them

It�s easy to re-revise the subjects you�re already good at - it makes you feel productive. But that�s not helping. You need to face your weaknesses, not run from them.

- How I improved:
MERITERS gave me detailed performance breakdowns by subject and topic. I could see where I was weak and what I needed to fix, instead of guessing.

10. The Right Platform Will Save You Time, Stress, and Doubt

There�s no shortage of NEET MDS resources. But trying to manage books, notes, PDFs, Telegram groups, mock tests, and doubts across different platforms is exhausting.

Once I switched fully to MERITERS, I realised how much time I was wasting earlier. Everything, from notes, MCQs, videos, mentorship, past papers, and mock tests, was in one place. That gave me peace of mind and focus.

Final Words

NEET MDS is tough, but it doesn�t have to be chaotic.
If you�re just starting, take these lessons seriously. Start early. Start focused. Don�t wait to make the mistakes I did.