Preparation Strategy

Why Previous Year Questions (PYQs) Are the Key to Cracking AIIMS NORCET

Published: Oct 12, 2025By BestNursingCoaching Team10 Min Read

The Secret Weapon of Toppers: PYQs

Every year, thousands of students study the same books, yet only a few secure a top rank. The difference often lies in one resource: Previous Year Questions (PYQs). In nursing exams like AIIMS NORCET and RRB, PYQs are not just practice material; they are a blueprint of the examiner's mind.

Pattern Repetition vs Question Repetition

A common myth is that "questions repeat". In reality, concepts repeat. For example, a question on "Digoxin Toxicity" might ask about early signs in 2022, and about nursing interventions for the same condition in 2024. Studying PYQs helps you identify these high-yield topics.

How NPrep Integrates PYQs

Unlike other platforms that dump PYQs as a separate PDF, NPrep integrates them into the learning flow. When you study a topic like "Cardiology", the relevant PYQs from past 10 years pop up immediately, reinforcing the concept.

Analyzing the Weightage

Analysis of the last 5 NORCET exams reveals that 60% of the paper comes from 40% of the syllabus. PYQs are the only way to identify this "Core 40%". Ignoring this analysis leads to wasted effort on low-yield topics.

The RRB Factor

For RRB Nursing Superintendent exams, PYQs are even more critical as the non-technical section (Maths/Reasoning) often sees direct repetition of question types from other railway exams.

Real Example: The "GCS" Question

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) has appeared in 8 out of the last 10 AIIMS exams. A student who analyzed PYQs would know to memorize the GCS table by heart, securing an easy mark. A student who ignored PYQs might skim it.

Where to Find Authentic PYQs?

Memory-based papers are often inaccurate. It is crucial to use trusted sources. We have compiled a verified list of PYQs for you to download here.

Strategy for Last 30 Days

In the final month, stop reading new theory. Dedicate 100% of your time to solving PYQ papers as full-length mock tests. This builds stamina and reduces negative marking.

The Role of Explanations

Solving a question is useless if you don't read the explanation. A good explanation tells you why Option A is correct and why Options B, C, and D are wrong. This "Rule of 4" expands your knowledge base exponentially.

Common Pitfalls

Don't memorize answers. Examiners often tweak the options. Understand the rationale. Also, be wary of outdated answers in old books (e.g., changes in CPR guidelines).

Digital vs Physical PYQ Books

Digital apps allow for filtering and searching, which speeds up revision. Physical books are good for simulated practice but harder to update.

Conclusion: The PYQ Advantage

To summarize, PYQs are the single most high-return investment in your study time. Make them the foundation of your preparation, not an afterthought.

Start Today

Download the last 5 years papers now and start analyzing. Your future self will thank you.

Join the Discussion

Have a doubt about a specific PYQ? Join our community forums to discuss rationales with experts.

Further Reading

Check out our guide on "How to Analyze Mock Tests" for more insights.

Share Your Experience

Did PYQs help you in your last exam? Share your story in the comments below.

Stay Tuned

We are constantly updating our PYQ repository with the latest exams.

Final Tip

Consistency is key. Solve at least 50 PYQs daily.

PYQ Weightage Analysis (Last 5 Years)

SubjectAvg Questions/YearTrend
Medical Surgical45-50Increasing (Clinical)
OBG25-30Stable
Pediatrics15-20Stable
Psychiatry10-15Increasing
Community Health15-20Stable

Checklist: Effective PYQ Analysis

ActionStatus
Solved last 5 years papersRequired
Read rationale for all optionsRequired
Made notes of new topics foundRequired
Re-attempted wrong questionsRequired

Top 5 High Yield Topics from PYQs

SubjectTopicFrequency
FoundationCPR GuidelinesEvery Year
MSNECG InterpretationHigh
OBGPartographHigh
PedsMilestonesEvery Year
PharmaDrug CalculationEvery Year

Quick Summary

PYQs are your compass in the vast ocean of nursing syllabus. Master the past 5 years of papers to guarantee coverage of high-yield topics.

Common Mistakes

Relying on unverified "Recall" videos on YouTube which often have wrong questions and wrong answers. Stick to trusted platforms.

Step-by-Step PYQ Strategy

  1. 1

    Download authentic papers from NPrep.

  2. 2

    Attempt one paper daily without looking at answers.

  3. 3

    Score yourself honestly (deduct negatives).

  4. 4

    Analyze mistakes: Was it a knowledge gap or a silly mistake?

  5. 5

    Revise the weak topics immediately.

  6. 6

    Repeat until you score 80%+ consistently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years of PYQs should I solve?
For NORCET, last 5 years are essential. For State exams, go back up to 10 years.
Do questions repeat in AIIMS NORCET?
Direct repetition is rare (5-10%), but concept repetition is very high (40-50%).
Where can I get free PYQs?
You can download free PYQ PDFs from the NPrep links provided on this website.
Is it better to solve PYQs topic-wise or year-wise?
Start with topic-wise during your initial study phase. Switch to year-wise (full paper) during the final revision phase.
Are memory-based papers reliable?
They are 80-90% accurate if sourced from reputed coaching institutes like NPrep.
Should I solve PYQs of other exams?
Yes. Solve JIPMER/PGIMER papers for NORCET prep as the difficulty level is similar.
How to use PYQs for revision?
Mark the questions you got wrong. Only revise those marked questions in the last week.
Does NPrep app have PYQs?
Yes, NPrep has a dedicated section for PYQs with detailed video solutions.
What is the "Rule of 4"?
It means analyzing all 4 options of a question, not just the correct one.
Can PYQs help in RRB?
Yes, especially for General Science and Arithmetic sections where questions are standard.

Glossary of Terms

Recall Questions
Questions reconstructed from memory by students after the exam.
Rationale
The logical reasoning behind why an answer is correct.
Negative Marking
Deduction of marks for wrong answers (usually 1/3rd in AIIMS).
Silly Mistake
Errors made due to misreading or haste, despite knowing the correct answer.
High Yield
Topics that yield the most marks for the least amount of study time.
Mock Test
A practice exam.
Syllabus
The scope of the exam.
Pattern
The format of the exam (MCQs, time, marks).