From Fazilka to NEET AIR 87: Raghav Goyal’s Journey of Consistency, Focus, and Passion for Physics
“Study for the love of the subject, not just the exam.” These words define the journey of Raghav Goyal, who secured an All India Rank of 87 in NEET 2024. Hailing from Fazilka, a small district in Punjab, Raghav’s dedication and methodical preparation have made him an inspiration for thousands of future NEET aspirants.
🌱 The Beginning of a Dream
Raghav’s journey toward NEET didn’t start with a sudden decision. It was during the middle of 10th grade that he began considering medicine as a career. Studying under the ICSE board, his exposure to science began as early as Class 6. Gradually, biology piqued his interest, though he loved all subjects at the school level. By the time he had to choose a stream, he was sure—medicine was the way.
🧪 A Taste of Competition – The Score Exam
Before joining coaching, Raghav gave the Score exam by Sri Chaitanya. He registered just two days before the exam but performed well, securing a rank of 92. What struck him most was the advanced pattern of the test—it resembled JEE Advanced, with multiple correct answers and matching type questions.
“It was my first time solving such challenging and brain-stretching questions. That exam made me realize how important depth and conceptual understanding are.”
📚 Starting NEET Prep in Class 11
Raghav joined Sri Chaitanya in April, right after his Class 10 board exams. Initially, he found it hard to grasp certain topics in Physics, but with time, effort, and support from teachers, his understanding improved.
“I started increasing my study hours gradually and began listening more attentively in class. That’s when my confidence grew.”
⚡ Love for Physics – A Constant Companion
Unlike many NEET aspirants, Raghav’s favorite subject remained Physics throughout the two years.
“Physics excited me because it involved applying concepts, not just using formulas. The challenge of decoding the question’s language and applying class knowledge made it very engaging.”
He also credited his ICSE background for his early familiarity with practical concepts, which made the transition to NEET-level Physics smoother.
🧠 The Toughest Part? Repeating NCERT
Although biology is generally considered easier, Raghav found it tough to repeatedly read the same NCERT book.
“Understanding was there, but reading the same lines again and again felt redundant. Still, I read many chapters 10–15 times because NEET demands that kind of thoroughness.”
His approach included solving multiple variations of NCERT-based questions, ensuring conceptual clarity from class explanations, and staying consistent with biology despite finding it a bit monotonous.
🧩 Strategic Practice – JEE Mains & AIIMS PYQs
Realizing that NEET questions were becoming more analytical, especially in Physics, Raghav made a conscious decision to solve JEE Mains and old AIIMS questions.
“This year’s Physics section was lengthy, and over 35 out of 45 questions were from JEE Mains PYQs. That’s why solving those papers gave me a clear edge.”
He emphasized that diversifying your preparation and not restricting yourself to simple NEET-type MCQs is critical.
📴 Battling Distractions & Building Discipline
Raghav’s father runs a mobile shop, so gadgets were easily accessible—but Raghav stayed disciplined.
“I stopped using YouTube and avoided social media from the beginning of Class 11 itself. I knew it would hurt my preparation.”
He trained himself to study for 3-hour stretches—matching NEET exam timing—and gradually built his study stamina from short sessions.
🎯 Mocks, Mistakes & Mental Strength
Instead of focusing only on syllabus completion, Raghav practiced full-length mocks under timed conditions. He didn’t go to extremes like some toppers who studied in harsh physical conditions, but he believed in early and fast mock test practice.
“You should aim to solve mocks faster than the actual exam time. That way, you won’t panic if the paper is lengthy.”
He also maintained a “mistake copy” — a record of all errors — and revisited them repeatedly to avoid repetition.
🧘♂️ Mindset: Enjoying the Process
Raghav didn’t study just to crack an exam. He truly enjoyed learning and emphasized how loving what you study is essential for excellence.
“You must stay consistent and love the subject at that moment. That’s the real success mantra.”
He also admired Bhavik Bhosh, NEET 2019 AIR 2, whose learning philosophy resonated with him deeply.
👨🏫 Role of Teachers
Raghav credits his success to the immense support from his teachers at Sri Chaitanya. Whether it was clearing doubts, giving one-on-one sessions, or helping with detailed feedback on mock tests—they were always there.
“They never said no to doubts. Even explained things multiple times until I got it.”
📢 Advice for Future Aspirants
Don’t limit yourself to NCERT-style MCQs—expand your approach.
Train your brain to read and comprehend lengthy questions.
Solve JEE Mains, AIIMS, and Olympiad-style papers to improve depth.
Keep all subjects balanced. Don’t take any subject lightly.
Maintain consistency, take mocks seriously, and analyze your mistakes.
🚀 Looking Ahead
Raghav is now headed toward his MBBS, possibly at AIIMS. While he hasn’t yet chosen a specialization, he remains curious and open to what the future holds.
“Right now, I just want to explore all subjects and learn deeply. I’ll decide my field later based on interest and exposure.”