When hard work meets clarity, success follows — and that’s exactly what Dr. Debayan Banerjee, Rank 4 in INI-CET May 2025, proved. In a conversation with Dr. Praveen Tripathi, he shared his journey of balancing a hectic internship, mastering concepts, and how Cerebellum’s Grand Tests (GTs) played a defining role in his preparation.
Preparing During Internship — A Tough Yet Smart Choice
Dr. Debayan, a graduate from KEM, completed his internship in March 2025 — just a month before cracking INI-CET. He believes an internship is actually the best time to prepare for entrance exams:
“We are still in touch with patients, cases, and clinical discussions. That fresh understanding helps retain concepts better. Once you step away from that environment, it’s easy to lose touch.”
Of course, balancing duties and studies was never easy. He emphasized using lighter postings wisely and managing heavier ones by “just hanging on somehow.”
Also Read: Angelman Syndrome Made Easy: Top 10 Important Points by Dr. Anand Bhatia
Cerebellum’s Grand Tests — The Turning Point
What truly stood out in his journey was how Cerebellum’s INI-CET Grand Tests transformed his approach. Despite scoring Rank 62 and Rank 30 in the two mocks, he didn’t lose hope.
“My GT scores were much lower than expected, but that was the biggest eye-opener for me. It showed me exactly where I was lagging and what I needed to fix.”
He particularly appreciated the two-level difficulty pattern — one moderate and one advanced mock — which simulated the real exam environment.
The video explanations and Q-based explanations were another highlight.
“Reading explanations can be tiring after a point. Those 60–90 second video solutions were concise, clear, and helped me absorb better.”
Click Here to Watch: Cerebellum’s GTs Were an Eye-Opener for Me,” Says Dr. Debayan (Rank 4, INI-CET May 2025)
Concept Building — Foundation for Everything
During his first and second years, disrupted by the COVID lockdown, Debayan made the best of his time at home by going back to standard textbooks like Robbins and Harrison.
“I realized that if you first watch a concept-based video, understanding textbooks becomes much easier. It builds your base before diving into detailed reading.”
By his third and final year, he was focusing on notes and video lectures for quick revision and clinical application.
The Underrated Power of Short Subjects
Dr. Debayan strongly believes that short subjects can make a big difference in rank.
“They’re limited, high-yield, and can be completed within a few days each. People often underestimate them, but INI-CET had a lot of questions from short subjects this time.”
He suggests dedicating at least a month to cover all short subjects thoroughly, as they can significantly boost scores.
Changing Pattern of INI-CET — Depth Over Breadth
Discussing this year’s paper, Debayan mentioned how the exam has shifted from one-liners to deeper, statement-based questions:
“They’re now testing multiple concepts within a single question. It’s no longer about mugging up facts — you need true conceptual clarity.”
He credits Cerebellum’s GTs for preparing him for this change:
“Facing low scores in the mocks helped me handle the real exam better. I was mentally prepared for a tougher paper.”
PYQs — Learn Topics, Not Just Questions
Debayan also highlighted the importance of Previous Year Questions (PYQs):
“INI-CET often repeats topics, if not the exact questions. The right approach is to study the topic in depth, not just memorize the question. That’s what helps in tackling twisted versions in the real exam.”
The Final Revision Tool — BTR
One of his biggest assets during the last phase was Cerebellum’s BTR.
“BTR acted like a checklist for me. Watching the videos helped me ensure I’d covered everything and reminded me of volatile facts. I even used it till the night before the exam!”
His Advice for Future Aspirants
To those starting their internship and those who couldn’t make it this time, Debayan had practical and heartfelt advice:
- First, assess where you stand. Everyone has a basic level of preparation — it just varies in depth.
- If you’re starting an internship, begin with the first and second-year subjects. You’ll have more time initially, so strengthen your basics through videos and notes. Later, move to the clinical ones.
- For those who couldn’t score well, take a few days to reflect. Identify weak areas, fix them, and don’t overwork on topics you already know. Just stay consistent.
Looking Ahead
As for what’s next, Debayan is still deciding between medicine and surgery, slightly leaning toward a surgical branch.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Debayan’s journey is proof that perseverance, smart strategy, and the right mentorship can turn challenges into triumphs. His story also underlines how the Cerebellum guide students toward success — not just through scores, but through clarity and confidence.
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