Pros and Cons of Dropping a Year for NEET Preparation

Each year, several students appear for NEET. However, not everyone out of them is able to crack it with their desired rank. In such a case, aspirants either have to choose some other college, change their career, or drop a year. The latter is also an option for those who are unable to prepare for NEET in time. However, is dropping a year a good option? 

Irrespective of the reasons you decide to drop a year for NEET preparation, it is downright common and normal. In fact, among all the NEET aspirants, several of them are droppers or repeaters each year. Due to the ever-increasing competition and the vast NEET syllabus, the exam is one of the toughest in India. 

If you wonder whether or not to drop a year for NEET preparation, this blog post is for you. Here, we will tell you about all the pros and cons of doing the same and a complete analysis of it. We are sure that by the end of this post, you will have figured out if you should give your NEET preparation another chance. Let the scrolling begin. 

Should Aspirants Drop a Year for NEET Preparation? 

Most aspirants who want to become a doctor would do anything to become one. That is why they study for several hours a day to crack NEET with a top rank. However, there are times when attempts do not go down the right path. In such a case, you may often find yourself coming across confusions like – “Is it okay to drop a year, or should I go for some other course?” 

If you are wondering the same, know that there are several dropper success-stories out there that may make you want to drop a year. On the other hand, some students prefer to go the different paths. Most of them opt for BDS instead of MBBS, while others go for other medical career options. The real question here is – “how do you know which one is the right choice for you?” 

Well, these pros and cons of a gap year for NEET preparation will help you decide about the same. Read them and make an informed decision. 

You Have an Opportunity to Prepare Better 

When it comes to NEET preparation, there is nothing called enough preparation. The more time you have to get yourself ready for the exam, the better you get at it. Of course, you have to spend all this time preparing for the exam and not wasting it. 

All the NEET repeaters/dropper success stories state how beneficial it was for these candidates to get an extra year. Within this time, they were able to practice well and aim for their desired college. Thus, one of the significant advantages of dropping a year for NEET preparation is that you can have the opportunity to get better at your concepts. 

Further, you get to fix your weaker points and focus on the strong ones. This is especially true if you were not able prepare for NEET well due to your boards. This extra year can give you time for it and improve your chances of cracking the exam with a top rank. 

You Get to Improve Your Past Performance 

 The only reason someone would drop a year after giving the exam is that they wish for a higher score. For such a candidate who has already appeared for the NEET exam once, dropping a year is their chance at improving the score. 

Further, when you give the exam once, you realize where you stand with your preparation and know your weak points. This one-year break can be fruitful to develop a strategy and work on it to improve yourself. 

With a lot of practice and revision of what candidates already know, there is a better chance of getting a high rank the following year. Again, make sure for this preparation, you stick to a timetable that is achievable and has enough breaks to keep you healthy. 

You Can Get an Idea About Your Achievable Rank 

 When a candidate appears for an exam the first time, they have no idea about the rank they will be able to secure. Sure, a mock test can give an idea about it. However, when you give the test once, you know how well you can perform on the D-day. 

With a gap year for NEET preparation, students can keep their last year’s NEET rank in mind to set an achievable target for the upcoming exam. Thus, they will know how much more they need to prepare for it and how much effort would get them into the medical college of their dreams. 

You Can Aim for the Best Dental and Medical Colleges 

All aspiring medical students have a particular MBBS or BDS college in mind when they start their NEET preparation. If you are dropping a year because you could not get into that, a year’s gap can work wonders for you. 

 Students can work hard to get their desired rank during this year and not settle on a mediocre college for admission. If you wish to pursue your dream, taking a year’s drop can turn out to the best thing for your medical career. 

You Lose a Year of Education

If becoming a doctor isn’t your dream, dropping a year may not be an ideal choice for you. Make sure to do it if you really want to take up an MBBS or BDS course at your desired college. It is because during this year you have to follow a rigorous preparation for the exam. 

Further, if you plan on going for higher studies or have an interest in a different field, you may not afford to lose a whole year. In such a case, quit the thought of dropping one year to prepare for NEET. 

You May Feel Extreme Pressure  

Since you know your previous year’s NEET performance was not up to the mark, you may feel extreme pressure. You will want to outperform others anyhow. After all, you got more time to prepare for them, and if you fail, the gap year may seem a complete waste. 

If you are someone who does not perform well under such kind of pressure, a gap year may not be for you. However, if you want to be a doctor badly, self-motivation and a lot of hard work can help you overcome this pressure and fear. 

You May Feel Frustrated or Discouraged 

Since the gap year is meant to prepare the same things all over again, there are times you may feel discouraged, frustrated, or even depressed. Some days, you may not be able to follow the timetable and may even get bored. When you decide to take a gap year for NEET preparation, know that such things are common.

Conclusion – Is Dropping A Year A Good Option? 

Dropping a year for NEET preparation is entirely your choice. Weigh the pros and cons and then decide for yourself. If you are 100% confident about your potential, there is nothing wrong with taking a chance. It may end up helping you fulfill your dream of becoming a doctor. Whatever choice you make, consider the pros and cons deeply, and make a choice keeping your future goals in mind. Good luck!