NEET UG 2025 girl topper: AIR 5 Avika Aggarwal on how she beat the NEET odds with physics, mnemonics, and Netflix

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Avika Aggarwal's advice for NEET aspirants - 'Prepare yourself mentally for any challenge, and remember that support from your loved ones is your greatest strength.'

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday announced the results for the NEET UG 2025 examination. The medical entrance test saw a massive participation with over 20 lakh candidates taking the test this year. Avika Aggarwal emerged as the topper among girls with All India Rank (AIR) 5. She is also the only girl among the top 10.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Aggarwal said that the plan to pursue medicine was clear from the beginning, and she was inspired by her parents, both of whom are doctors.

"Seeing how my parents could bring smiles to people's faces motivated me to pursue medicine myself," she added.

Favourite subject

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The topper's academic record is equally impressive, scoring 96.8 per cent in her CBSE board exams and 97 out of 100 in physics, her favourite subject.

Aggarwal's love for physics was nurtured by her dedicated physics teacher at Aakash Institute, Faridabad, whom she credits as a "lucky charm" in her journey. She described how the teacher's supportive approach helped her stay focused and confident.

She said, "My physics teacher never scolded me; instead, she always encouraged me to improve, which kept me motivated throughout." Aggarwal also mentioned the vital role her father played, preparing short notes and mnemonics to aid her memorisation, which she acknowledged is not a common privilege for all aspirants.

Challenges and exam inhibitions

Aggarwal openly discussed the challenges she faced during preparation, especially with biology, which required more memorisation and did not come as naturally to her as physics. To tackle this, she adopted a strategy of studying biology in short, focused intervals to maintain attention and used mnemonics and stories to aid retention.

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She emphasised the importance of balancing study with leisure activities such as watching Netflix, playing sports like table tennis and badminton, dancing, and spending time with family, which helped her avoid burnout. She explained, "Taking breaks to watch Netflix or play sports helped me refresh my mind and keep stress at bay."

Addressing the psychological barriers many NEET aspirants face, she highlighted the fear and demotivation caused by the previous year's difficult exam pattern and the intense competition.

She admitted, "There was always a fear that a small mistake could cost me dearly, especially with such high cutoffs." However, she credited her family and teachers for helping her overcome these inhibitions: "Their constant support kept me grounded and confident," the Faridabad girl added.

NEET UG 2025 exam pattern

This year's NEET exam introduced significant changes, including the removal of optional questions and a reduced time limit of three hours. Aggarwal noted that the limited time had a psychological effect, slowing her speed as she missed the buffer time. "The reduced time made me a bit slower because I was used to having some extra minutes," she admitted.

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However, she appreciated the removal of optional questions, stating it levelled the playing field by ensuring all candidates faced the same set of questions, eliminating luck factors associated with selective question attempts. "Removing optional questions made the exam fairer for everyone," she said.

Aggarwal stressed the importance of mock tests and coaching in preparing for such a challenging exam, explaining that these helped her develop time management skills and strategic thinking needed to tackle difficult questions.

According to the topper, NEET preparation should not be viewed merely as a knowledge test but also as a test of handling nerves and panic, which coaching and parental guidance can significantly help with. "Coaching and mock tests taught me how to manage time and stay calm under pressure," she shared.

Advice to future NEET aspirants

The all-India rank holder advised juniors preparing for NEET to maintain open communication with their family and teachers, as isolation and self-doubt can be detrimental during the preparation phase. She emphasised, "Never hesitate to talk to your family or teachers; sharing your doubts and fears makes the journey easier."

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She also recommended not relying solely on NCERT books but supplementing studies with coaching and other reference materials to build confidence for any level of question difficulty. "Don't just stick to NCERT; use coaching materials to prepare for tougher questions," she advised.

Aggarwal further urged aspirants to prepare mentally for the worst-case scenarios in exams and develop strategies to manage stress and time effectively. She concluded by saying, "Prepare yourself mentally for any challenge, and remember that support from your loved ones is your greatest strength."