Interview with our topper Dr. Swapnil Patel

Interview with our topper Dr. Swapnil Patel
Dr. Swapnil Patel did his MBBS from UCMS, Delhi
and joined DAMS Regd no DL04068
He secured Rank 3 IN Nov AIIMS Exam 2012

DAMS: Congratulations on securing a good ranks. What is the secret of your success in this exam?
Dr. Swapnil Patel: Persistent hardwork, undying support from family & friends and keeping my aim always in focus helped me through!

DAMS: How did your parents, family and friends contribute to your success?
Dr. Swapnil Patel: There are countless periods of confidence fluctuations esp. near the end, so my family always supported me through. My friends are a big part of my preparation directly as I believe having a good discussion group is very imp.

DAMS: Who influenced you to take up Medicine?
Dr. Swapnil Patel: My family and my entire childhood atmosphere always promoted me towards the field.

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. Swapnil Patel: As already said, confidence fluctuations are bound to come and its necessary that they come as they help you push your limits.

DAMS:  Which books did you read for the theory part?
Dr. Swapnil Patel: Harrison, Sabiston, Robbins, Katzung, Grays.

DAMS : Which books did you read for MCQ revision? Which revision books were the most productive and which were least?
Dr. Swapnil Patel: Amit Ashish and Mudit Khanna last 5 yrs papers are more than  sufficient.....doing subject wise objective books especially 1st & 3rd profs are imp..

DAMS : How important you think was DAMS in your preparation ?
Dr. Swapnil Patel: DAMS is an important part of my success...especially the test series. ..It was awesome......

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. Swapnil Patel: Selective intensive study is the better way any day...as the syllabus of MBBS is vast...best strategy is to read only that which you can revise. I have always believed in revision.

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. Swapnil Patel: Appearing in multiple exams is very imp. ..As u never know which day you will be lucky and which you will not.

DAMS: Which subjects did you focus on?
Dr. Swapnil Patel: I gave emphasis on Anatomy, Biochem, Pharma, Path, PSM, ENT, Opthal & Surgery.

DAMS: What was your strategy for the exam day? How many questions did you attempt and why?
Dr. Swapnil Patel: I have always believed in taking my chances...any ques where I can eliminate a single option I attempt the ques in Nov AIIMS I attempted all the ques.

DAMS: What do you want to specialize in, why and where?
Dr. Swapnil Patel: I want to specialize in Neuro Surgery because I have always found it challenging and charming.

DAMS: Which teachers in DAMS influenced you most and what do you like about DAMS and would recommend to your juniors?
Dr. Swapnil Patel: The faculty of Radio, Surgery & Opthal influenced me a lot. I like the teaching program of DAMS and their test series...I would recommend my juniors to do the foundation course in 3rd prof and test series in internship!!