Rank 2 in NEET SS 2024 (Surgical Group):
Dr. Vishal Hubballi’s Clinical Approach to Success
Securing All India Rank 2 in one of India’s toughest super-specialty exams isn’t just about intelligence—it’s about clarity, consistency, and clinical grounding. Dr. Vishal Hubballi, who achieved this feat in the NEET SS 2024 Surgical Group, shared his journey in an insightful conversation with Dr. Vinayak S. Rengan.
From balancing OT duties to fine-tuning his preparation with Surgtest, Dr. Vishal’s story is a masterclass in strategic study for surgical aspirants targeting MCh courses.
Dr. Vishal’s Medical Journey
Hailing from Terdal, Karnataka, Dr. Vishal completed his MBBS from Bangalore Medical College and MS in General Surgery from Mysore Medical College.
Initially uncertain about pursuing MCh, his residency exposure—particularly in laparoscopic and GI procedures—ignited his passion.
“Most surgeries during residency were GI-based. I fell in love with laparoscopy, and eventually surgical gastro felt like a natural fit.”
Seeing the competitiveness in surgical super-specialties and the limited scope of general surgery in isolation, he decided to prepare seriously for NEET SS.
Study Plan: Balancing Work and Preparation
After MS, Dr. Vishal joined a GI surgery unit where his day was packed from 9 AM to 5 PM (often longer on OT days). Despite this, he carved out 3–5 hours of study daily.
His structured approach was divided into phases:
- Phase 1: Foundation
- Line-by-line reading of Bailey & Love and Sabiston.
- Phase 2: Active Practice
- Transitioned to MCQ-based learning using Surgtest Qbank after 2–3 months.
- Phase 3: Full-Time Revision
- Quit his job 3 months before the exam.
- Studied 12–14 hours/day.
- Revised personal notes + added updates from Surgtest MCQs
How Surgtest Boosted His Score
Dr. Vishal attributes much of his success to Surgtest’s high-yield Qbank:
“Surgtest’s 3,600+ MCQs were spot-on. They covered Bailey, Sabiston, and also integrated guidelines like ATLS and NCCN. Some questions were almost identical to the actual NEET SS exam.”
What he valued most:
- Clear, concise explanations
- Integration of recent guidelines
- Clinical case-style questions that matched NEET SS patterns
Mindset & Motivation: Learning from Failure
This was not his first attempt—his previous NEET SS rank was 645. Instead of giving up, Dr. Vishal refined his approach:
- Set a Top 3 rank as his non-negotiable goal.
- Prepared with a study partner, Dr. Vikas (Rank 33), through group discussions.
- Treated clinical experience as a strength, not a distraction.
“Most NEET SS questions now focus on clinically-oriented, MS-level knowledge. Real ward experience matters more than obscure trivia.”
Advice to Future Aspirants
Dr. Vishal’s key advice:
- Don’t quit your job too early—clinical practice reinforces theory.
- Build your foundation with standard textbooks and personal notes.
- Use Surgtest to practice, identify weak areas, and stay updated.
Go all-in during the last 1–2 months with focused revision.
“Don’t overdo resources. Choose one solid source and go deep. For me, that was Surgtest.”
What’s Next for Dr. Vishal?
Looking ahead, he aspires to specialize in HPB (Hepatopancreatobiliary) and robotic surgery within GI surgery. His vision combines clinical mastery with academic engagement.
“The dream is to master GI surgery, especially HPB and robotic techniques.”
Your NEET SS Journey Begins with the Right Tools
Dr. Vishal’s story is proof that with clinical focus, discipline, and the right resources, success in NEET SS is achievable.
With Surgtest, aspirants get:
- 3,600+ curated MCQs
- Clinical case-based format
- Coverage of Bailey, Sabiston, NCCN, ATLS
- Regularly updated Qbank
- Explanations that teach—not just test
Download the Surgtest app today and start your journey to NEET SS success.