‘Don’t lose confidence in exam hall’: AIR 7 Keshav Mittal shares last-minute tips for NEET 2026 aspirants

As the countdown to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2026 begins, aspirants are dealing with peak anxiety, revision pressure, and self-doubt. At this crucial phase, 18-year-old Keshav Mittal, who secured All India Rank (AIR) 7 in NEET UG 2025, has one clear message: “Confidence can make or break your performance.”

“The most important thing you should carry with you to the examination hall is confidence. Do not ever lose it in yourself,” he told Careers360, emphasising that this mindset helped him secure a top rank and a seat at his dream college- AIIMS Delhi. MIttal advises NEET 2026 aspirants not to focus on studying more, but on studying right in the final 15 days.

NEET 2026 will be conducted on May 3 in a single shift. NTA NEET UG exam city slips have been released by National Testing Agency, and hall tickets will be released around April 27.

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‘Revise, don’t rush’: NEET 2025 topper shares last-minute tips

With nearly 20 days left for one of India’s biggest entrance exams, Mittal cautions aspirants against the common mistake of picking up new topics. Instead, he recommends a sharp, focused revision strategy built on clarity and accuracy. “Last-minute preparation should be about strengthening what you already know,” he said.

According to him, aspirants should prioritise revisiting silly mistakes that they made during mock tests. They should go through formula sheets and key concepts regularly, and focus on commonly forgotten points and data-based facts. He believes these areas are often overlooked but can significantly impact scores by reducing errors and improving precision. “Even small corrections can lead to big improvements in rank,” he suggested.

“Many aspirants know the answers but lose marks because they panic. Staying calm and trusting your preparation is very important,” he added.

For Mittal, confidence was not built overnight but developed through consistent practice, mock tests, and self-belief. A native of Barnala, Punjab, MIttal scored 97.6% in Class 10 and 98% in Class 12. Drawing inspiration from previous years’ topper interviews and their preparation strategies, he stuck to a focused routine of 6–7 hours of self-study daily. He credits his decision to pursue NEET to his father, who is a homoeopathic doctor.

‘Studying at AIIMS Delhi is exciting and transformative’

After achieving his goal, Mittal is now experiencing life at AIIMS Delhi. “Life at AIIMS is full of adventure. You get freedom, explore new things, travel, and experience much more,” he said.

Beyond academics, he highlighted the overall campus environment as a major factor in shaping students’ growth. In a field where students usually fear ragging, Mittal shared that senior-junior relations at AIIMS Delhi are very healthy. “Seniors are always there to help — whether it’s academics, sports, or general guidance,” he said.

His closing advice to NEET aspirants is clear and direct: revise smartly, avoid unnecessary stress, and walk into the exam hall with confidence.