Repeated setbacks in competitive examinations often lead students to abandon their dreams. However, the journey of Mohammad Raqib Akunji from Himmatnagar, Gujarat, serves as a compelling testament to how perseverance and strategic adjustments can turn severe hardship into triumph. Despite struggling with a debilitating medical condition during Class 12 and scoring poorly in his initial national entrance attempts, he persevered to achieve 695 marks out of 720 in his fourth attempt. With an All India Rank of 202, he secured admission to the prestigious government-run BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, where he is currently pursuing his MBBS degree.
Academic Struggles and Health Setbacks in High School
Up through Class 10, Mohammad Raqib Akunji maintained a strong academic record. However, transitioning into Class 11 with Science subjects brought unexpected conceptual hurdles. Whenever he raised questions during classroom lectures, fellow classmates frequently mocked him. Around the same time, he developed a severe stomach ulcer, leading to frequent fainting episodes at school. His condition deteriorated to the point where he could not attend even a single day of physical school during Class 12. Prioritizing his health, his father arranged for him to stay in Bhuj with his sister and brother-in-law, who is a practicing physician.
Early Failures, Social Criticism, and Inner Resolve
Confronted with illness, Raqib managed to secure 63 percent marks in his Class 12 board examinations. In 2019, he took his first attempt at NEET UG without taking formal coaching, scoring just 197 marks. The low score invited sharp criticism and taunts from relatives and acquaintances. Feeling disheartened, he often visited the edge of a local lake in solitude to reflect on his future. During those quiet moments, he resolved that regardless of societal doubts or academic obstacles, he would pursue medicine until he succeeded.
Family Support and Clinical Inspiration
During this challenging period, Raqib received crucial support from his family. To ensure he could focus entirely on preparing for his exams, his father stayed awake through many nights manually completing his Class 12 practical files. Meanwhile, in Bhuj, accompanying his brother-in-law to the hospital provided deep motivation. Observing patient care firsthand reinforced his commitment to becoming a medical practitioner.
Revising Strategy: Elevating Physics Score from 10 to 182
In his third attempt, Raqib scored 413 total marks, but managed only 10 marks in Physics. Recognizing that hard work without proper technique was insufficient, he critically analyzed his study habits. He identified a key mistake: checking the answer key immediately after attempting a problem. He eliminated this practice and created a dedicated 'Mistake Diary' to document every error. He systematically re-solved failed problems until the underlying concepts were thoroughly mastered. This refined preparation strategy yielded dramatic results in his fourth attempt in 2022, raising his Physics score from 10 to 182 marks and pushing his total score to 695, securing his medical seat.
