Homeopathy Book Reviews

Crack the Entrance – A preparatory manual for MCQ Examinations in Homeopathy

Written by Mansoor Ali

A review of a book potentially useful for students or practitioners appearing for competitive examinations.

Full name of the book : Crack the Entrance
A preparatory manual for MCQ Examinations in Homeopathy
For UPSC, KPSC,RPSC, MD Entrance etc.

Published by
B. Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
1921/10 Chuna Mandi
Paharganj, New Delhi-110055
Ph :9811959189
Price : Rs. 249.00

This book is not only useful for those who are preparing for competitive examinations but also for BHMS & MD students for their theory & viva voce – since this book contains a lot of authentic study materials on materia medica in addition to multiple choice questions.

We are living in an era of tough competition. Unless and until you have a well planned strategy you will miss the target.

The main difficulty faced by the students appearing for competitive examinations was the unavailability of any authentic books with study materials on Materia Medica. The authors have tried their best to make this book as interesting, exciting and reader-friendly as possible.

The book, written by Dr.Anil K. & Dr.Jithesh T.K., who have cracked many competitive examinations in Homoeopathy, has been compiled after years of tireless hard work and thorough analysis of the previous question papers of various competitive examinations in Homoeopathy. Having appeared for various competitive examinations in Homoeopathy the authors are well aware of the tricks of the trade and have incorporated this experience in compiling this book.

This book is the first part of a series of books on the 12 subjects of BHMS syllabus.

This book is essentially meant for those students who are interested in appearing for various competitive examinations. There are many books on the market which contain lots of mistakes and repetition, however this book is more comprehensive and helps students to remember the facts and conceptualize the subject in a novel way. It is is also useful for last minute revision. Care has been taken to avoid repetition of questions, and also to include different types of Multiple Choice Questions in each section.

Guide lines for preparation
Important guidelines for preparing and attempting Materia Medica Questions in different examinations are given in a separate chapter. The book also provides a lot of information for undergraduate and postgraduate students during their written and viva-voce examinations in Materia Medica and is also useful for practitioners.

Getting the proper concept is the base for good preparation and performance. The kind of information available in many materia medica text books depends on the author’s school of thought and leaves the student in the dilemma of which school or materia medica is correct. Without having the basic concepts in classical text books, it is not possible to answer in twisted MCQs and also to practice. The answer must strike the candidate as soon as he finishes reading the questions of an MCQ. This book will give you the concept and offers the subject in a precise and well formatted manner.

Previously asked Questions
A separate section of previously asked questions in various examinations, like Union Public Service Commission (U.P.S.C), Kerala Public Service Commission (K.P.S.C), National Institute of Homoeopathy (N.I.H), Rajasthan Public Service Commission (R.P.S.C), Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (M.P.P.S.C), Post Graduate entrance examinations in Homoeopathy of various states etc., are given under each chapter. Questions from the most recent competitive examinations have also been included.

Flow charts
Authors have used flow charts, graphs and tips for easy study. Also included are re-caps, diagrams and examples based on frequently asked questions, to communicate the concepts and points covered in each medicine, so that it is very easy to comprehend and is retained long in the memory of students.

The topics have been arranged system wise and each drug has been covered thoroughly. Important information about various drugs is given in the form of charts and boxes for ready reference. There is extensive, thoroughly verified and updated compilation of drug details. By this approach the authors have achieved their objective to provide ESSENTIAL and QUALITY study material on materia medica for students and practitioners – the readers get all the aspects of materia medica in one book. In one word it is complete and authentic.

The lessons are planned systematically, keeping in view the various patterns of questions asked in major competitive examinations. Detailed references are given in the last part of the book which are also useful for further reading.

Chapter wise study materials
The study material is based on authentic textbooks and given in 13 separate chapters, a main attraction of this book. This book will stimulate students to study materia medica in a serious and scientific way without much strain.

In each chapter there are charts, tips for easy study, re-caps etc, which are based on frequently asked questions. The candidates have to be well versed in this chapter as it has been seen that questions based on these study materials have appeared differently in different question papers.

1. How To Study Materia Medica for M.C.Q examinations
2. Important Books on Materia medica & their authors
3. Provers / Authorities
4. The Vegetable kingdom
5. The Animal kingdom
6. The Mineral kingdom
7. The Nosodes, Sarcodes & Imponderabilia
8. Constitution
9. Desire, Aversion & Intolerance of important medicines
10. Important Modalities of medicines
11. Relationship of remedies
12.Tips from Boericke’s Materia Medica.
13. Previous Questions Revisited

Chapter-wise arrangement of M.C.Q Questions
Great efforts have been taken to segregate the questions and put them under different headings, so that the student can study them systematically. This arrangement is also easier to memorize. MCQs are available under the following headings in Part 2 of this book.

1. Mind
2. Head & Vertigo
3. Eye & Vision
4. Ear & Hearing
5. Nose, Face & Mouth
6. Throat & External throat
7. Stomach, Abdomen, Rectum & Stool
8. Urinary organs
9. Male Genitalia
10. Female Genitalia
11. Chest & Respiration
12. Back & Extremities
13. Sleep
14. Fever
15. Skin
16. Generalities
17. Miscellaneous
18. Assertion and reason

In short, I can say that – no such MCQ book on materia medica, complete in information and authentic at the same time, has appeared so far and therefore I recommend this to all students.

In the subsequent editions it would be better to include a few model question papers/mock papers since self assessment/time management is an important part in preparation.

About the author

Mansoor Ali

Dr. K.R. Mansoor Ali took his BHMS and MD from Govt. Homeopathic Medical College, Calicut, India and was appointed by the Kerala government in the same college in the department of Repertory. He is the director and chief editor of the website on homeopathic education & research www.similima.com . Dr. Ali has presented papers in several states and at national and international conferences. He conducted various workshops and training programs for BHMS students, internees, Govt. medical officers, teachers and practitioners. He is also a visiting lecturer at many homeopathic institutions and Universities.

3 Comments

Leave a Comment