In order to succeed you must know what you are doing, like what you are doing, and believe in what you are doing- Will Rogers .

    This work is meant for the serious candidates of competitive examinations in Homoeopathy. The work has been made with the purpose of helping the students   who my wish to make themselves familiar with competitive examinations like MD entrance, PSC,UPSC,MOH(UAE) etc. I make no pretence that this work is either complete or final. My aim is to stimulate the students to make their own ideas and observations.

Multiple Choice Questions

Multiple choice questions are widely used for examination purposes and are reliable and accurate in evaluation also comparing to descriptive mode. Lack of familiarity with MCQ may result in unexpected failure but at the same time adequate reading, understanding and systemic study of subject is highly essential.

Students preparing for competitive examinations are recommended to read the appropriate chapters from the text books  and then to asses themselves using the MCQs.  Try to record your reasoning before checking the correct answer.

Many of the MCQs at any entrance examinations   have been repeated (about 35%) in same or altered form, so a candidate who revised the previous year’s questions had a definite advantage over a candidate who had not.

Text books

Reading previous years MCQ's will help to a certain extent, but this is not the sole method of preparation advisable. If the question paper setter is an expert he will never take questions from guide but from standard text book. Read Textbooks thoroughly. This is a must for every aspirant. One can get the basic concept only through the textbooks. Select the book which provides genuine materials picked up from the standard text books.

Time management

Self assessment is an important part in the preparation. Practice as many Mock Tests as possible in close to examination environment as possible. Because time management is very important. Don’t try to read the entire question paper first. Try to answer easy questions first with care.

You have to answer for a large number of questions with in a short time. For example as per Kerala PSC exam pattern you will get only less than one minute for answering one question (100 questions to be answered with in one hour and fifteen minutes). The experiences of the author as well as many selected candidates show that you should have 90 or above correct answer out of  100 questions to get a call for interview.

Remember

Questions can be asked from every nook and corner of the subject and therefore it is not at all advisable to omit any chapter or area. Because even a single wrong answer could miss  you a prestigious medical officer seat. We are living in an era of tough competition. Unless & until you have a well planned strategy you will miss the target.

Previous question papers show that plenty of questions are asked from Allen’s Key notes. Candidates Should have a thorough knowledge of all medicines in Key note. Generally many questions are asked from Relationship part of the book. Candidates should recollect comparison that is given in the book. A detailed understanding of Boericke`s materia medica is also expected. Questions regarding Common name of drugs are also asked. Family wise study of medicine should be done. Candidates should know the source and family of common medicines (Clinical materia medica by Farrington, last part of Clinical repertory by J.H.Clarke  & Articles regarding Family wise study given in materia medica portion of www.similima.com  can be referred).

Questions regarding History of Repertory, different repertories their philosophical background, year of publications, word  meaning, grading of rubrics, Computer repertories, Card repertories are asked usually. Some rubrics with their chapters,  rubrics in Kent's repertory in which only one medicine is given are also asked

Questions regarding drug preparation, Pharmacopoea, source of drugs, rules& regulations are asked usually.

You have to study Social & preventive medicine including scope of homeopathy in epidemics with latest census parameters such as literacy rate, life expectancy, population  etc… 

Guessing

You can guess if you are able to narrow down the answers to two, otherwise not.

Beware of negative marks. Each correct answer carries 1 mark and for each wrong answer 1/3 mark will be deducted in Kerala PSC, no negative marks in UPSC, 1 minus mark in Kerala PG Entrance exam (4 marks for correct entry). No negative mark for unattended questions.

During preparation

Avoid heavy oily food just before exam – your brain will concentrate on digestion not on your question paper.

Take more vegetables & fresh water – like green leaves, carrots etc. which will decrease your eyestrain and sharpen your memory.

Avoid smoking, excess tea & drinks- Many of us have a belief that smoking, black tea etc. will stimulate our brain so that we can able to study for a long time – but these will definitely decrease your energy, and you will become tired with in short time.

Sleep deprivation will result in decreased mental alertness – Many of the students will prepare thoroughly before the exam, but in the night before the exam, they avoid sleep and try to revise the whole topic. This will definitely decrease their mental alertness and they are unable to grasp the questions. So go to bed early in the night before exam.

Recommended books 

There are many books available in the market, but the following books are more comprehensive   with essential and quality materials and their authors adopted a novel way in presenting the matter. This will help the students to remember the facts and conceptualize the topic. Moreover   important information about some topics is given in the form of charts and boxes for ready reference. 

A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge on all the 12 subjects of BHMS syllabus are essential.   In addition to the standard text books (which are of top priority) - these books provide a comprehensive outline to the essential content of the subject with summaries and tables.

 Recommended books :
In addition to the text books we advice the following books- these are highly useful

 SARP- Self study guide PG Medical Admission-Dr.C.K.Sinha
 Scientific Book Company.
 Ashok Rajpath
 Patna. 800004

 Sanjay.T - Comprehensive PG Entrnce review
 Paras Medical Publishers
 5-1-473,Jambagh Road,Putilbowli, PO Box.544
 Hyderabad. 500095

Post graduate Medical entrance review -Salgunan

Quick review for PG Medical entrance test- Dr.N.Sreenivaslu
Paras Medical Publishers
5-1-473,Jambagh Road,Putilbowli, PO Box.544
Hyderabad. 500095

SARP or PARAS series of condensed books on PG medical admission- in Medicine, OBG, Physiology, Anatomy, FMT etc-(These books  provide a comprehensive outline to the essential content of the subject with summaries and tables)

 

Medlin's Super Rank File - P.Suneesh Babu
Medline Publishers.Cochin
Anew Associates. 10/241.B2. Calicut.28

Homoeopathic Books
4000 MCQs in Homeopathy- Dr.Manojkumar Singh
B.Jain Publishers
1921, 10th Street. Chuna Mandi
Paharganj, New Delhi.110055
Web : www.bjainbooks.com  Email : bjain@vsnl.com 

MCQs in Homeopathic Materia Medica- Dr.Rajesh.M.Patni
Indian Books and Periodical Publishers
B-5/62,Dev Nagar,Pyare Lal Road
Karol Bagh. New Delhi.110005

Exhaustive MCQs on Materia Medica - Dr.A.K.Routray
B.Jain Publishers
1921, 10th Street. Chuna Mandi
Paharganj, New Delhi.110055

Learning Homoeopathy thro Objective type questions- Dr. Niranjan Mohanty
B.Jain Publishers
1921, 10th Street. Chuna Mandi
Paharganj, New Delhi.110055

MCQS in Homeopathy - Dr.J.D.Patil
Indian Books and Periodical Publishers
B-5/62,Dev Nagar,Pyare Lal Road
Karol Bagh. New Delhi.110005

Solved Questions on Organon of Medicine - Dr.Eswaradas
B.Jain Publishers
1921, 10th Street. Chuna Mandi
Paharganj, New Delhi.110055

Gems of MCQs in Repertory- Dr.J.D.Patil
Indian Books and Periodical Publishers
B-5/62,Dev Nagar,Pyare Lal Road
Karol Bagh. New Delhi.110005

Prescriber to Allen's Key notes - Dr.Sangar.R.P
B.Jain Publishers
1921, 10th Street. Chuna Mandi
Paharganj, New Delhi.110055

Remember 

Try to purchase the latest edition of these books, since medicine is an ever changing science and confirm any doubts with standard text books since few mistakes are there in majority of the books

Analysis of previous question papers show that questions are asked from all the subjects of B.H.M.S course. A concise idea  about all the 12 subjects of BHMS syllabus in required- with more importance to clinical subjects. Normal biochemical values, Death Certificate, Medical certificates etc. Common disease with their aetiology, clinical features, diagnosis with Homoeopathic medicines.

Online support 

Now days many of the question paper setters are taking questions from websites. You can download these questions with answers on various subjects free of cost.

Study materials (MCQ) available in http://www.fleshandbones.com – A website based on Davidson’s practice of medicine. MCQs and descriptive questions based on all the chapters of Davidson’s practice of medicine are available in this site.

Study materials (MCQ)  available in http://www.similima.com- This is the largest portal on homoeopathic education & research developed by postgraduate homeopaths which provide online coaching for PSC,UPSC,MOH(UAE) and MD(Hom) entrance examinations.

Study materials (MCQ) available in http://www.surgical-tutor.org.uk

Studymaterials(MCQ)available at http://www.webhealthcentre.com/mcq/postreg.asp - Thousands of MCQs, Online Tests, Study Material etc. 

Study materials available at http://www.aippg.com - the premier Postgraduate Entrance / PLAB / USMLE / MRCP /IELTS resource online.

Planning

Plan your studies at least 2 months prior to exam - this is the most important aspect towards securing a good rank. The plan should ideally be drafted up to 2 months prior to the date of examination; thereafter a revised schedule might be put into operation. Prepare a simple timetable with sufficient time for each subject.

Make notes in a separate paper in abbreviated form (a must). It will considerably shorten the revision time & improve your memory. This proves very useful while revising the textbook also. Use different colored pencil or pen for marking tricky confusing questions.

Group discussion is also an important factor in preparation. One among you asks questions in haphazard/ rapid manner and others try to answer. This will quicken or sharpen your memory and reflexes. But not conceal any points for fear of others knowing it.  

Our memory

We may forget 75% of topics with in first 48 hours  

So try to read the same topic 2-3 times with in 2 days - other wise you will not be able to remember majority of the points.

Last moment revision

It pertains to the last three days before the examination. Relax the schedule's bit, try recapitulating the information, and revise the matter which you couldn't recollect. Revise the easily forgettable information like Biochemical values, aphorisms, observations etc.

Read the notes you prepared in abbreviated form.

Remember
Remember that there is no magic formula for success in an interview. Good preparation, judicious application of common sense and self-confidence are the key factors that will help us in an interview.

Regular assignments

Regular assignments and home works are unavoidable for getting a higher score

Pattern of questions

50% can be answered by an average student

30% can be answered by above average

20% very difficult to answer (You should very careful while answering it)

Avoid anxiety & jealousy

It is very difficult to comprehend and concentrate if you are over anxious.

If you are jealous towards your friend and classmates on competitive exams- it will create turmoil in your brain – so you are unable to concentrate.

Make preparation - a thrilling experience

Remember the famous words of swami Chinmayananda : “ You cannot get into the ocean without getting wet, you cannot get into the fire with out getting hot”.

                          “Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion you must set yourself on fire”

With best wishes

Dr.K.R.Mansoor Ali

Mob : 09249 33 77 99