Interview with our topper Dr.Akhila S.
Dr. Akhila S. did her MBBS from KIMS, HUBLI and joined
DAMS Combo Series Regd no BA03347
She secured Rank in CMC, VELLORE Exam
DAMS: Congratulations on securing a good ranks. What is the secret of your success in this exam?
Dr. Akhila S. Revision of chapter wise books & DAMS test series, AIIMS-Amit & Ashish Gupta.
DAMS: How did your parents, family and friends contribute to your success?
Dr. Akhila S. My family has been the biggest support in my career. Whatever I am today is because of them.
DAMS: Who influenced you to take up Medicine?
Dr. Akhila S. My sister Dr. Aparna Paediatrician PGI Chandigarh, Dr. Prema Dhanraj famous Plastic Surgeon CMC Vellore &
my teachers.
DAMS: We appreciate the fact that preparing for an extremely competitive exam must be really challenging.
During your preparation, did you ever doubt your ability to succeed in it?
Dr. Akhila S. I knew I would take uo only general surgery but didn’t know when & which exam. But I never gave up. We
have to be positive always, even after many failures. After all failure is the stepping stone for success.
DAMS: Which books did you read for the theory part?
Dr. Akhila S. These are a must, Harrison-Medicine, Dhingra-ENT, Ananthnarayan-Micro, Robbins-Patho, Park 20th & 21st
edition, Delta-OBG.
DAMS: Which books did you read for MCQ revision? Which revision books were the most productive and which
were least?
Dr. Akhila S. Mudit Khanna, Amit & Ashish, Most Productive. Amit & Ashish Medicine, Surgery-Most useful.
DAMS : How important you think was DAMS in your preparation ?
Dr. Akhila S. DAMS monthly tests made me stronger & the subject wise test made me avoid silly mistakes. Because of DAMS
Mock Tests I could avoid mistakes in repeats & repeat related questions.
Take the tests seriously & attend them sincerely. Revise it the same day you give the tests. Never postpone things, your seats
will get postponed!!!
DAMS: What do you think is the better way of preparation between selective, intensive study and wide, extensive
study? What did you choose as your style of studying?
Dr. Akhila S. I think selective intensive study of Newer & recent topics. Wide, extensive study & repeated topics is my
essential.
DAMS: Indian PG entrances are highly competitive so to compete them students end up in appearing in multiple
PG exams , kindly extend your views on this and also their pros and cons of appearing in multiple PG entrances .
Dr.Akhila S. You have to write all possible exams, depending on individual interest. Keeping in mind, not to overburden your
brain. Sometimes you need to be smart in deciding the exams to be written. E.g. I didn’t write November PGI instead I read
well for CMC vellore.
DAMS: Which subjects did you focus on?
Dr. Akhila S. Medicine, Surgery, Microbiology, Pathology, Biochem, Anatomy, Physio. Each & every subject is important.
Stress more on your weaker areas.
DAMS: What was your strategy for the exam day? How many questions did you attempt and why?
Dr. Akhila S. Be calm & Cool. We cannot achieve anything by getting tensed. We’ll spoil the paper by getting nervous &
tensed.
DAMS: What do you want to specialize in, why and where?
Dr. Akhila S. I wanna be the best Plastic Surgeon in India. I want to continue Plastic Surgery in CMC vellore. That’s the
dream of my life & specialize in Burns & Reconstruction Surgery.
DAMS: Which teachers in DAMS influenced you most and what do you like about DAMS and would recommend to
your juniors?
Dr. Akhila S. I will always my juniors to write DAMS tests Monthly Mock & subject tests.
Since I took only test series, I don’t know much about DAMS teaching faculty.
I just want to thank DAMS for guiding me by making me stronger in my weak subjects. All mock tests, which I tok
seriously, helped me the most. Monthly Mock Tests were very productive & helpful. All the best to all my friends. Never ever
compromise with the branch of your choice.
