How to prepare for dnb 2018

Hi Milan,

I am assuming you are asking about the Diplomate National Board Centralized Entrance Test – Super Specialties (DNB CET SS) since DNB CET was scrapped and replaced by NEET PG last year.

DNB CET SS for 2018 admissions to various Post Doctoral DNB, MD and MS Super Specialty three year courses was conducted on December 21, 2017. The result was declared on January 21 and the counselling process will take place between March 20 and March 28, 2018.

Therefore, the earliest you can appear for DNB CET SS will be for the 2019 admission session, the exam for which will be conducted most likely in December 2018.

That gives you around 9 months to prepare. I assume from the question tag that you wish to prepare for the Surgery specialization of DNB CET SS. Here are a few pointers which you should keep in mind with regard to the same:

• DNB CET SS is held as a Computer Based Test comprising 180 questions to be answered in 3 hours. The paper generally asks questions from applied basic sciences, clinical practices and recent important advances in the speciality opted for.

• The main topics covered in the Surgery specialization paper of DNB CET SS include GI Surgery, Urology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Breast and Endocrine and Plastic Surgery.

• The best way to prepare will be by practicing as many MCQs as possible on the above topics through mock tests and other such resources. The idea is to be clear with your concepts. For this, focus on the MCQs asked in related specialization papers of AIIMS and PGIMER over the past 5 years.

• Cover the important topics your syllabus in depth for a 2 to 3 hour duration every day and make as many notes as possible. Diagrams are also important. Apart from this, prepare a time-table for your daily studies over the next few months and stick to the same with discipline.

• Try and obtain previous years’ papers of DNB CET SS to become familiar with the exam pattern and to know the types of questions asked.

• The key books to follow include the Sabiston Textbook of Surgery and Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery (26th Edition). Ensure that you go in depth through all the important chapters contained in these. To practice MCQs, the go-to book is Surgery Essence 6th Edition by Pritesh Singh. The image based questions and annexures in this are especially useful.

• Keep calm, work hard and give your best shot. There is still enough time if you utilize it well.

Hope the above information was useful. All the best!