Clearing DNB is not a rocket science…….

Dr Himabindu

Success is the quality of the journey not the destination….

An inspiring quote but why mention it for the exams

It the 3 year of clinical study and not the book study of 3 months

That’s the key to clear any medical exam ….in particular DNB

Art – diagrams, colours, highlights

Basics

Charts

Division and subdivison

Empathy

Analyse and underline things not to be missed in each question with a pencil..

Question paper in hand

1. Check the subject…..trivial..2. Don’t rush to answer 3. Go through questions with a calm mind …don’t rush

from the very first second

1. Don’t panic by counting the number of questions that u can answer..

Secret: I myself missed out on 2 questions per each paper total 8 questions I was not prepared to answer…..

But at the end it didn’t make any difference

Take home message : DON’T PANIC

But what if I panic ?????

Mantra : Take a deep breath ..take many

Tell urself calm or relax…

If u are cinematic …can try “ All iz well”

5. Look for your thesis in every paper

Boost your confidence

Helps you relax

Sure shot points and a way to impress your examiner

Some examples that will guide you to answer questions in a little different manner than your peers….

Before starting the answer write the question in a short form for making an impression that you have recorded the essence of the question…

Descriptive question like the above a useful way to start is by making a list of headings under which you are writing your answer …..

Another example :

Q: Role of neuroprotective agents in glaucoma?A:

1.) Neuroprotective agents : Definition2. ) Mechanism of Action3.) List of available agents4.) Application in Glaucoma5.) Newer advances

Is it not a waste of valuble time!!!!!!

No

Impression of organised approach to the question ……. Invaluble in scoring for the answer Small mistakes could be overlooked

Types of questions ?1. Descriptive2. Classification3. Diagrams4. Clinical approach5. Investigations6. Anatomy and physiology7. Specific

1. Etiology2. Sequelae3. Signs and symptoms

8. Drugs

ChartsBubble diagramsArrow diagramsLine diagramsFlow chartsAlgorithmsHighlights – yellow preferredUnderliningSide HeadingsUse block letters instead of cursive for easy comprehensionIncorporate at least 2 flowcharts per question

Some examples………………

Answer may appear short, but no reason to worry when you have met the requirements of the question

A precise correct answer would yield more than a lengthy good looking nonsense

U can add colour later to the same at the end if u have time…..

Use diagram itself to write the clinical signs and symptoms It saves time and also fetches points To avoid missing any signs that we see clinicallySame can be used for cornea, uvea also

Questions on drugs:

Follow general text book headings

1.) Introduction2.) Mechanism of action3.) List of available agents4.) Dosages5.) Side effects6.) Indications7.) Contraindications

To the point questions …. Always write the content asked even though the answer might be small.

Q;) Indications and contraindications of Avastin?Q:) Indication of laser in a patient with lattice degeneration?Q:) Indication for immunosuppresive agents in a case of uveitis?Q;) Indication for systemic antifungal agents?

To underline use colours like orange, yellow, can use pencil or pen

Draw margins on one side , in the time before u get the question paper

Finally the exam day

Sleep well the previous night at least 4 -5 hours

Eat a good breakfast

Number of answer booklets doesn’t matter

Last few days before exam revise all the question papers atleast last 4 to 5 years

Majority are repeat questions

Refer any of your prepared notes

Refer to the powerpoint presentations that you have collected as it is one of the fastest way to refer vast syllabus in less time

The gap between papers in the afternoon go through questions on preventive medicine like 2020 , NPCB and questions from previous papers if u missed any.

Look at diagrams

All the best for all those exam going post graduates

Believe in you and your effort , success with follow……..

This is a small attempt to guide students and any queries are welcome to

himabinduadusumilli@gmail.com