NEET rank holder on course to realising his dream

Syed Hafiz who secured the third position in NEET (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test) ranking at the State-level is all set to be the first doctor in the middle-class family.

His father Syed Zakir Hussain, a loco pilot with Indian Railways, is, no doubt, happy, but regrets what he terms as a one-year loss for his son. He said: "I committed an error by shifting my son from CBSE to State Board for higher secondary studies with the focus of marks alone."

Nevertheless, Mr. Zakir Hussain is today a relieved lot as he did not admit his son in a private medical college at Bengaluru last year for a fee of Rs. 5 lakh per annum, based on last year's NEET score.

Syed Hafiz had attempted NEET last year also, but was not lucky since the Tamil Nadu Government had secured exemption from the exam for 'State Quota' seats in government medical colleges and private institutions. He was out of reckoning for admission under State Quota based on plus two marks since his overall score was 1120 out of 1200.

Syed Hafiz who was enamoured by the profession due to his zeal for societal service was particular that he would join MBBS only on merit and took the gamble of devoting a year to prepare for the entrance examination.

The strenuous preparation at home for a year did serve the desired purpose. By virtue of his score of 651 out of 720, Syed Hafiz got admitted in Madras Medical College, even before the State-ranking was announced.

"I focussed my preparation on the CBSE content at higher secondary during my year-long preparation for NEET entrance. State Board students will continue to be at a disadvantage if the teaching-learning system is not revamped. Building capability to understand concepts rather than memorising skill is key to cracking NEET successfully," Syed Hafiz said.

State Board students will continue to be at a disadvantage if the teaching-learning system is not revamped. Building capability to understand concepts rather than memorising skill is key to cracking NEET

Syed Hafiz

State third in NEET

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/neet-rank-holder-on-course-to-realising-his-dream/article19556890.ece