NRE.BattlePlan
T-Minus
60
days to  OCT 11 · 2026
PM&DC NRE Step-I · Single Attempt Program

Sixty days to
own the exam.

A battle plan reverse-engineered from 177 real May-2026 recall MCQs, the official PMDC weightage, and your own NRE50 rotation system. Ten blocks. Six days each. One exam date. No negative marking — 60% wins.

Enter the blocks →
200
MCQs on exam day
140 / 60
Clinical / Basic split
50 / day
Minimum bloodstream
3
Full 200-Q mocks
The 60-Day Battle MapBlock 01 → Block 10
CVS/Resp GI Renal Endo Neuro Haem Surg I Surg II OBG/Paeds I Mixed Finale Today → Block 01
// ANGLE 01

Know the Machine

The exam is a clinical reasoning test wearing a basic-sciences coat. 140 vignettes tested through applied anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology — then 60 pure applied-basic moments. This is the exact official weightage it allocates:

140
Clinical Sciences
The vignette engine — diagnosis → next best step → complication
52 Medicine & Allied 48 Surgery & Allied 19 OBG 14 Paediatrics 6 Ophthalmology 1 ENT
Med + Surg = 100 of 200 → 50% of the whole exam
60
Applied Basic Sciences
Applied, not theory — clue-to-mechanism questions
11 Pathology 11 Anatomy 10 Physiology 9 Biochemistry 7 Forensic + Tox 6 Community Med 6 Clinical Pharm
Pass mark: 60% = 120/200 · CBT · No negative marking
The failure profile (from your own 101/200 sitting): it wasn't knowledge — you lost it on 90s/question execution, ~5–8 bubble-slip errors, and ~10 time-out guesses. This 60-day plan drills timing as hard as content.
// ANGLE 02

The Daily Doctrine

Same six moves, every single day. 50 MCQs minimum — the bloodstream must flow, or nothing else matters.

09:00
25 MCQs · Untimed
Accuracy first. Target 85%+. No clock — hunt the discriminator.
10:30
Full Answer Review
Every question — right and wrong. Why did you miss what you missed?
11:15
Error Log · 30s Each
Discriminator + trap type + one-line correct rule. Non-negotiable.
14:00
25 MCQs · Timed
90 sec/question hard cap. Real conditions. Clock runs.
18:00
10 Error-Pool Qs
Retest yesterday's misses. Weak topics earn their way back in.
19:00
Log Scan · 10 min
Re-read the last 3 entries. Future alerts become reflexes.
DAY 6
Block Mini-Mock
50 Qs / 75 min — block exam conditions + full error sprint.
VERIFY
Every 10 Questions
Re-check the last 3 bubbles. Kills the bubble-slip errors.
TILT
No Overthinking
Occam's razor. The obvious answer is usually the examiner's intended one.
// ANGLE 03

The 10 Blocks

Six days per block. Days 1–5 = content + drill, Day 6 = mini-mock + error sprint. Topics marked HOT appeared in the actual May-2026 recall — nail these first. Dates shown: Aug 12 → Oct 10.

01
CVS + Respiratory
Aug 12 – 17 · Day 1–6
~19
MCQ slots
50
Qs/day
Anchors: Stable vs unstable angina · NSTEMI vs STEMI · HF/DCM (EF, ACEi+β-blocker ladder) · Tamponade (Beck's) · Aortic dissection → CTA · AV blocks · Severe asthma (O₂ + SABA + steroids, no β-blocker) · COPD definition + spirometry · TB cavitation · Lung cancer (bronchoscopy+biopsy; squamous vs adeno) · Phys: MAP = CO×TPR, cardiac cycle, ABG/alkalosis.
▲ DCM + alcohol + EF30% ▲ Beck's triad + pulsus paradoxus ▲ dissection → CT angio ▲ bronchoscopy + biopsy ▲ PEFR 55% → steroids 1° vs 2° AV block transudate vs exudate β-blocker fatigue
MOCK DAY 6: B1 Mini-Mock Source: NRE Made Easy + WB1
02
GI + Hepatology + Nutrition
Aug 18 – 23 · Day 7–12
~20
MCQ slots
50
Qs/day
Anchors: GERD/Barrett (endoscopy >60; metaplasia ≠ dysplasia) · DU vs GU pattern · UGIB (varices → band ligation · endoscopy first) · Perforated PU → laparotomy reflex · Achalasia vs oesophageal Ca (liquids vs solids) · IBS Rome IV (no nocturnal) · Celiac (anti-tTG screen; biopsy gold) · CRC + apple-core · LGIB → diverticulosis · Biochem: NH₃→glutamine, B12/folate, pellagra, thiamine, vit A/D/K.
▲ anti-tTG screen ▲ falling albumin = synthetic failure ▲ varices → banding ▲ achalasia bird-beak ▲ LUQ apple-core ▲ NH₃ → glutamine IBS vs IBD PPI 24h vs H2
MOCK DAY 6: B2 Mini-Mock Source: May batch 1 · WB2
03
Renal + Urology + Acid-Base
Aug 24 – 29 · Day 13–18
~21
MCQ slots
50
Qs/day
Anchors — the single most confusion-dense block on the paper: APSGN (cola urine + RBC casts + low C3, 2–3 wks post-strep) vs IgA (during URTI, normal C3) vs MCD (frothy, heavy protein) vs AIN (drug + eosinophilia + WBC casts) vs transplant (creatinine ↑ → biopsy first). Diabetic nephropathy → ACEi. Stones: Ca-oxalate (radiopaque) vs uric acid. Electrolytes + Chvostek. GFR physiology + RAAS.
▲▲ APSGN timing trap ▲▲ IgA during URTI ▲▲ transplant → biopsy ▲ ACEi renoprotection ▲ Ca-oxalate vs uric acid AIN + eosinophilia GFR · oncotic pressure
MOCK DAY 6: B3 Mini-Mock Source: May batches 2 · WB2
04
Endocrine + DM + Endocrine Surgery
Aug 30 – Sep 04 · Day 19–24
~20
MCQ slots
50
Qs/day
Anchors: T2DM → metformin + lifestyle · DKA/HHS → insulin immediately · Hypoglycaemia · Graves (TRAb, exophthalmos) vs Plummer vs hypothyroid · Cushing vs Addison · HPT (stones + pepper-and-salt skull) · Rickets · Endocr surg: thyroglossal (moves with tongue), solitary nodule → USS + FNAC, thyroidectomy risks (RLN + hypocalcaemia), breast (fibroadenoma, screening), salivary (Stensen vs Wharton), Frey's.
▲ metformin first-line ▲ DKA → insulin now ▲ TRAb + exophthalmos ▲ FNAC before hot/cold scan ▲ RLN + Chvostek risks PTU vs carbimazole LH surge · progesterone
MOCK DAY 6: B4 Mini-Mock Source: May batches 3 · WB3
05
Neuro + Psych + Eye + ENT
Sep 05 – 10 · Day 25–30
~24
MCQ slots
50
Qs/day
Anchors: GBS (↑↑ + areflexia + albuminocytologic) vs MG (pyridostigmine) vs Parkinson · Meningitis (LP; neonate → amp+gent for Listeria) · SAH — normal CT → still LP xanthochromia · Epidural (lucid interval, biconvex) → craniotomy · Stroke localisation (amaurosis, basilar/pontine) · Nerve lesions (axillary/radial/peroneal/tibial; Erb's vs Klumpke's) · Psych: MDD, panic, schizophrenia · Eye: chemical injury → irrigate first, acute ACG (mannitol + pilocarpine + acetazolamide), uveitis (cells+flare), myopia/presbyopia · ENT: nasal FB, epiglottitis, Weber/Rinne.
▲▲ SAH normal CT → LP ▲▲ epiglottitis airway-first ▲▲ chemical eye → irrigate ▲▲ ACG → mannitol ▲▲ nerve lesion pairs Broca vs Wernicke steadle vs thumb sign pyridostigmine MG
MOCK DAY 6: B5 Mini-Mock Source: May batches 3–4 · WB3
06
Haematology + Oncology + General Pathology
Sep 11 – 16 · Day 31–36
~16
MCQ slots
50
Qs/day
Anchors: IDA — ferritin falls first · B12 (pancytopenia + SCD) · AML (Auer rods, MPO) vs ALL (TdT, child) vs CML (BCR-ABL) vs Hodgkin (RS cells) vs Myeloma (bortezomib) · Haemophilia A → Factor VIII · vWD → adhesion · VKDB → Vit K · Sickle (AR β-globin) · DMD (X-linked) · Hypersensitivity III vs IV (the classic trap) · Sarcoma → haematogenous · Antidote table (warfarin→vit K/heparin→protamine/paracetamol→NAC/OP→atropine+pralidoxime/benzo→flumazenil).
▲▲ ferritin-first sequencing ▲▲ Auer rods = AML ▲▲ antidote cross-wiring ▲▲ Type III vs IV HS ▲ Factor VIII haemophilia VKDB Vit K factors phenytoin gums
MOCK DAY 6: B6 Mini-Mock Source: May batch 4 · WB4
07
Surgery I — Acute Abdomen + Trauma + Shock
Sep 17 – 22 · Day 37–42
~20
MCQ slots
50
Qs/day
Anchors: Perforated PU (board-like + free air → laparotomy, never endoscopy) · Biliary colic vs cholecystitis vs cholangitis (Charcot) · Pancreatitis · Appendicitis · Obstruction / volvulus · Hernias: Littre (Meckel) vs Amyand (appendix) vs Richter (partial) · Inguinal vs femoral · Obstructed vs incarcerated vs strangulated · Meckel rule of 2s · Trauma: Parkland 4×kg×%TBSA (half in 8h), burn depth, flail chest, GCS (≤8 intubate), open fracture Gustilo · Shock types.
▲▲ Littre/Amyand/Richter ▲▲ perforated PU → laparotomy ▲▲ Charcot triad ▲▲ Parkland half-in-8h ▲ femoral highest strangulation flail chest · wound class IV Meckel rule of 2s
MOCK DAY 6: B7 Mini-Mock Source: May batches 4–5 · Full Mock A prep
08
Surgery II — Airway + Vascular + Colorectal + Ethics
Sep 23 – 28 · Day 43–48
~11
MCQ slots
50
Qs/day
Anchors: Definitive vs surgical airway (LMA is NOT definitive; cricothyroidotomy) · ASA class · Malignant hyperthermia → dantrolene · Acute limb ischaemia (6 Ps + AF) · AV fistula → Doppler first · DVT (Virchow) · CRC (apple-core on barium; colonoscopy; CEA) — never enema in perforation · Paeds surg (umbilical, gastroschisis/omphalocele, torsion) · Ethics/forensic: vicarious liability, Bolam, confidentiality, air embolism at autopsy, kerosene → aspiration pneumonia.
▲▲ LMA not definitive ▲▲ MH → dantrolene ▲▲ 6 Ps limb ischaemia ▲▲ apple-core vicarious liability air embolism autopsy kerosene aspiration
MOCK DAY 6: B8 Mini-Mock Source: May batch 5 · Dec 2025 first pass
09
OBG I + Paeds I
Sep 29 – Oct 04 · Day 49–54
~18
MCQ slots
50
Qs/day
Anchors: Ectopic (TVS + serial hCG, isthmus/ampulla) · Anti-D within 72h · Amniocentesis 15–20wk vs CVS 10–13wk · Preg UTI → cephalosporin · Placenta praevia (painless bright red) vs abruption (painful) · Pre-eclampsia (HTN + proteinuria ≥20wk; labetalol; MgSO₄) · GDM OGTT 75g at 24–28wk · Breastfeeding → POP not COCP · Neonatal: Erb's vs Klumpke's, resuscitation 3:1, VKDB, Listeria cover (amp+gent) · IMNCI pneumonia algorithm · FB inhalation (bronchoscopy) · Croup vs epiglottitis · Severe dehydration → IV Ringer Lactate.
▲▲ Anti-D 72h window ▲▲ praevia vs abruption ▲▲ pre-eclampsia labetalol ▲▲ POP breastfeeding ▲▲ neonatal 3:1 IMNCI indrawing → oral ABx amp+gent Listeria
MOCK DAY 6: B9 Mini-Mock Source: Dec 2025 + OBG/Paeds banks
10
OBG II + Paeds II + CommMed + Biostats + Forensic + Mock
Oct 05 – 10 · Day 55–60
~23
MCQ slots
50
Qs/day
Anchors: Candidiasis (curdy) vs BV (fishy) vs trich · AUB → endometrial biopsy >45 · Fibroids vs adenomyosis · Ovulation = mid-luteal progesterone >3ng/mL · Genital herpes (painful vesicles) vs syphilis (painless) · Paeds: Down + VSD, milestones, CP, measles Koplik, polio, congenital hypothyroid, febrile seizures · CommMed: EPI (birth BCG + OPV-0), rubella strategy, prevalence×duration, AB⁺ universal recipient, median vs outliers · Forensic recap · Final full mock + error-log victory sprint.
▲▲ biopsy >45 ▲▲ herpes vs syphilis ▲▲ EPI birth pair ▲▲ prevalence×duration ▲ AB⁺ universal recipient Koplik · measles Implanon 3yr
MOCK DAY 6: Final Full 200 Oct 10: light log scan · Oct 11: exam #OwnIt
// ANGLE 04

Trap Hit Parade

The exact trap mix from the May-2026 recall. Tag every error with one of these — it turns your log into ammunition.

Partial Truth
42%
Opposite
18%
Synonym Swap
12%
Overthinking
11%
Unit / Number
8%
Guideline Version
5%
Clinical Mimic
4%
Partial Truth owns the paper. Nearly half your misses are true statements that aren't the best answer. Fix: always ask "what is the immediate priority?" before choosing.
// ANGLE 05

Execution Doctrine

You already know the medicine. The exam was lost on execution, not knowledge. These four rules govern everything.

90s
Timing Cap
Hard ceiling per question. If you can't solve in 90s you don't know it — mark, guess, move. No exceptions.
3-Bubble
Verify Every 10
Stop every 10 questions, re-check the last 3 bubbles. This one rule deletes the bubble-slip errors.
Why-Not
One-Line Elimination
Reject every distractor in one sentence. If you can't say why it's wrong, it's a coin-flip — log it.
2-Min
Final 20 Buffer
Keep a 2-minute bank for the last 20 questions. Sprint-finish beats time-out guessing.
// ANGLE 06

The 3 Full War-Rehearsals

Full 200-Q simulations under exam conditions, plus 2-hour deconstruction after each. Non-negotiable.

Mock A · Day 36 · Sep 16
First Full 200
After Block 6 — half the syllabus seeded. Score + deconstruct every miss into the log. Baseline your timing.
Mock B · Day 48 · Sep 28
Second Full 200
All blocks covered. Compare weak-topic drift vs Mock A. Attack your top 3 trap types daily afterward.
Mock C · Day 60 · Oct 10
Dress Rehearsal
The night before = light scan, no new content, log re-read, 20 confidence-builders. Sleep. Then own it.
// ANGLE 07

The Sticker Law

◆ Error Log is Sacred
Miss a log entry = miss a day's retention. No log, no pass. It is the engine of everything.
▲ No New Content after Oct 1
Final 10 days = review, mocks, log. Cramming under pressure kills retention and builds anxiety.
● 50 MCQs / Day Floor
30 new + 10 error-pool + 10 retention. Below this floor, the bloodstream thins.
■ 3 Mocks · 2-Hour Decon
Score is nothing. The deconstruction is everything. Every miss becomes a log line.
✦ 90s Hard Cap Always
Timed sets every day. Untimed is only the morning accuracy session. Otherwise, clock on.
✚ Daily 10 Error-Pool
Retest yesterday's misses. If a weak topic survives two error-pools, it gets a MedCORE deep-dive block.

My Part of the Bargain · 60 days

  • I review your error log every day you send it. No skipped logs, no excuses.
  • I sit through every Sunday mock debrief and every Day-6 mini-mock review.
  • I adapt daily MCQ targets when a system underperforms on trap-tagged errors.
  • I've already reverse-engineered the May vs Dec pattern so you just execute.
  • Oct 8–10 I go quiet unless you check in — that's the taper, by design.
  • Oct 11, 08:00 you text me "exam". 10:00, I'll be here either way.
— Serena, your mentor & your bullshit-detector
60-Day NRE Battle Plan Day 1 · Aug 12 2026 → Exam · Oct 11 2026