There is nothing like an unsolved question. You have to keep practicing more and more.

Having my brother who qualified ICMR at first attempt; I can provide some useful suggestions to excel in ICMR JRF life science exam.

Let’s go step by step:

1. Strategize:

Remember that by qualifying GATE or NET, you are not by default prepared for ICMR. Because:

• Different kind/nature of the question (how the question been asked?)
• Areas preferred in ICMR are different from CSIR. (Which fields/topics are important?)
• The pattern of the question also different (how question paper structured?)

So you have to devise a different strategic plan for ICMR.

2. Customize:

ICMR always emphasize medically relevant questions (ICMR is built for promoting Medical Research in India). So never miss topics like:

• Infectious agents and disease caused
• Common Anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal drugs, Antibiotics and their mode of action
• Vaccination and passive immunization
• Disease likes malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, Leishmaniasis, Candidiasis, Athlete's foot
• Everything about Prions (ICMR like questions from prion!)
• Monogenic disorders
• Environmental health topics such as water-borne diseases

(The list is not exhaustive.)

3. Conceptualize:

Don’t believe in Market notes. Make sure you are reading some books minimum:

a. Parasitology by K. D. Chatterjee

b. Microbiology by Black& Black, Prescott

c. Emery’s Elements of Medical Genetics by Turnpenny & Ellard

d. Biochemistry by Satyanarayana, Lehninger

e. Cell biology by Karp, Albert

f. Ecology: Theories and Applications by Peter Stiling

g. Developmental Biology by Richard Twyman

One topic is better discussed in one book. For example cell cycle from Albert but Cellular energy production in Karp. That’s why I mentioned two books for some discipline. If you can’t afford both, make use of library or collect softcopy.

4. Tackle Part-A:

It is all about Research methodology, Biostat, simple reasoning, recent/Indian scientific affairs etc. I will recommend a simple, thin, fast-read book on that: Introduction to Biostatistics and Research methodology by Sunadar Rao & Richard (PHI Learning).

5. Take mock tests:

But, where to get previous year question papers? ICMR does not release question papers. Practice model GATE papers from Pathfinder/Upkar etc. Later you will thank me. Remember ICMR prefers knowledge and comprehension-based questions instead of analytical questions. So, prepare accordingly.

Are you ready now?

Let’s start preparation.

Best wishes...

Thank you.