Q: I am not very good at maths but I wish to become a doctor as I am interested in saving lives and enjoy working with people. I am currently in Class IX. Is it possible?
A: Well, nowadays, you can opt for science and other subjects and keep maths as an optional subject. Even if you don’t get good marks in maths, it shouldn’t affect your overall result. I completed my Class XII exams from Hyderabad without maths as a compulsory subject because, in those days, we didn’t have this option in Guwahati. You are lucky as it is possible to bypass maths now.
If you are weak in maths, devote an extra hour to it, or take help from your teachers and seniors. Have a positive mindset, rest assured you will do well in all subjects, including maths. There is no option upto Class X so you have to work on your maths as your percentage of marks in the Class X board exams will play a crucial role in the selection of the stream of your interest (whether Science/Humanities/Commerce) in Class XI.
As per the New Education Policy which will be implemented very soon, you will have flexibility in choosing your subjects but you have to devote time to your studies and give more attention to subjects that you are weak in.
You have a beautiful heart, and thus, your zeal to work for the people is praiseworthy. Keep this spirit, I bet, you will be popular and happy in any profession you join. Always be sincere, honest, dedicated and nurture a heart which feels the pain of the common people.
Joining the medical profession itself is a long and challenging exercise so you have to be positive and strong. You have to pass Class XII (Science) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English as main subjects and you have to qualify the NEET exam:
NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY CUM ENTRANCE TEST (UG)
15 per cent All India Quota seats; 85 per cent State Quota seats
Courses offered through NEET: MBBS, BDS, BUMS, BAMS, BHMS, BSMS, BNYS, etc.
Qualification Requirements: Passed Class 10+2 in PCB and English from a recognised board.
Minimum Age Requirement: Must have completed 17 years as on December 31, 2021. No upper age limit is there.
NEET Eligibility Marks in Class XII: UR – 50 per cent; OBC/SC/ST – 40 per cent; PWD – 45 per cent
No of Attempts Limit: No restrictions on the number of attempts.
Nationality: Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs are eligible
Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions
Number of Questions: Physics – 45; Chemistry – 45; Biology – 90 (Zoology – 45 and Botany – 45); Total – 180
Total Marks: 720 marks
Marking Scheme: Correct Answer: +4, Incorrect Answer: -1, No/Multiple Answers: 0
Medium of Paper: English/ Hindi/ Urdu, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Gujarati, Tamil, Marathi, Assamese, and Oriya (As per the location of the candidate).
The upper age limit for NEET (UG) is 25 years as on the date of examination with relaxation of five years for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC-NCL category and PwD Candidates.
However, the candidates who are above the age of 25 are provisionally allowed to appear for the examination but their admission is dependent on the verdict provided by the Supreme Court.
N.B: Nothing is impossible. If you work harder and devote an extra hour or two, even maths will become easy for you.
Answered by: Dr Hemanta Kumar Phukan, Paediatrician, MBBS, DCH, PGDHHM; and Dr Darshana Garg, Dental Surgeon, BDS.
