NEET UG 2023 Toppers: Majority of best 50 rankers relied on coaching; only one chose self-study

When it comes to cracking the gateway exam for admission to medical colleges, coaching seems to be the only way to get your foot in. Out of the top 50 rank holders of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) declared by the National Testing Agency (NTA), The Indian Express spoke to 38 and found that all but one had taken coaching to prepare for the exam — additionally, all except one qualified on the first attempt. Most are from schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education.

When asked if they referred to any specific book for preparation, many mentioned that NCERT is enough to crack NEET and secure seats in their dream colleges. While some showed interest in neurosurgery, most students are yet to decide on their specialization. Edited excerpts.

Number of Attempts: 1

School: Sri Chaitanya Junior College, Vijayawada

Board: Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Education

Board Exam Marks: 98.7%

Coaching or Self Study: Integrated coaching

College Preference: AIIMS, Delhi

Name: Kaustav Bauri (18 yrs)

All-India Rank: 3 (SC)

Number of Attempts: 1

School: Kendriya Vidyalaya, IIT Chennai

Board: CBSE

Board Exam Marks: 96%

Coaching or Self Study: Coaching

College Preference: AIIMS, Delhi

Name: Pranjal Aggarwall-India Rank: 4 (General)

Number of Attempts: 1

School: Delhi Public School, Dhuri

Board: CBSE

Board Exam Marks: 96.60%

Coaching or Self Study: Coaching

College Preference: AIIMS, Delhi

Name: Dhruv Advani (17 yrs)

All-India Rank: 5 (General)number of Attempts: 

School: GR International School, Delhi

Board: CBSE

Board Exam Marks: 99.4%

Coaching/Self Study: Coaching

College preference: AIIMS, Delhi

Name: Surya Siddharth N (18 yrs)

All-India Rank: 6 (OBC-NCL)

Number of Attempts: 1

School: SBOA School and Junior College, Chennai

School Board: CBSE

Board Exam Marks: 97.4%

Coaching or Self Study: Coaching 

College Preference: AIIMS, Delhi

Name: Shriniketh Ravi (17 yrs)

All-India Rank: 7 (General)

Number of Attempts: 1

School: Khar Education Society

Board Exam Marks: 89.67%

Coaching/Self Study: Coaching

College Preference: AIIMS, Delhi

Name: Swayam Shakti Tripathy (18 yrs)

Rank: 8 (General)

Number of Attempts: 1

School: SAI International School, Bhubaneswar

School Board: CBSE

Board Exam Marks: 98.6%

Coaching or Self Study: Coaching

College Preference: AIIMS, Delhi

Name: Parth Khandelwal (17 yrs)

All-India Rank: 10 (OBC-NCL)

Number of Attempts: 1

School: St. Xavier’s School, Jaipur

School Board: CBSE

Board Exam Marks:  90.6%

Coaching or Self Study: Coaching

College Preference: AIIMS, Delhi

Name: Ashika Aggarwal (18 yrs)

All-India Rank: 11 (General)

Number of Attempts: 1

School: Delhi Public School, Jalandhar

School Board: CBSE

Board Exam Marks: 96.6%

Coaching or Self Study: Coaching

College Preference: AIIMS, Delhi

Name: Sayan Pradhan (17 yrs)

All-India Rank: 12 (General)

Number of Attempts:  1

School: Pathfinder Higher Secondary Public School, Kolkata

School Board: West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education

Board Exam Marks: 98.4%

Coaching or Self Study: Coaching

College Preference: IPGMER and SSKM Hospital