27-11-2023
Comparing Medical and Engineering Entrance Exams: NEET vs. JEE
One of the most common dilemmas faced by students is determining the superior option between JEE and NEET. Joint Entrance Examinations (JEE) and the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) are regarded as two of India's foremost national entrance exams. While JEE helps students to pursue a career in engineering fields, NEET prepares the students to build a career in the field of medicine. Both of these exams are highly competitive and possess distinct features. Today, we shall compare these two entrance examinations in detail:
NEET vs. JEE: An Overview
|
Parameters |
NEET |
JEE |
|
Full Form |
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test |
Joint Entrance Examinations |
|
Nature |
Pen and Paper-based National Entrance Examination |
Computer-Based National Entrance Examination |
|
Conducted For |
Admissions for undergraduate engineering and architecture courses |
Admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses in government and private colleges |
|
Regulated by |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
|
Number & type of questions |
180 MCQ-based questions |
90 questions |
|
Duration |
3 hours |
3 hours |
|
Marking Scheme |
+4 for each correct answer and -1 for each incorrect answer |
For MCQs: +4 for each correct answer and -1 for each incorrect answer |
|
Cut-off for eligibility |
General – 50%, OBC- 45% and ST/SC/PWD – 40% |
General – 75%, Reserved – 65% |
|
Languages |
English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Odiya, Gujarati, Urdu |
English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Odiya, Gujarati, Urdu, Punjabi & Malayalam |
NEET vs. JEE: Subject Curriculum
NEET is the single entrance test for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses in India, including the coveted MBBS and BDS programmes. Administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET plays a crucial role in assessing the qualification for medical programmes in both public and private institutions nationwide. The NEET curriculum comprises of three fundamental subjects, namely, physics, chemistry, and biology, which are elaborated upon below:
| Section A: Physics |
Section B: Chemistry |
Section C: Biology |
|
Physics and Measurement |
Some basic concepts in Chemistry |
Diversity in Living World |
|
Kinematics |
Atomic Structure |
Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants |
|
Law and Motion |
Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure |
Cell Structure and Function |
|
Work, Energy and Power |
Chemical Thermodynamics |
Plant Physiology |
|
Rotational Motion |
Solutions |
Human Physiology |
|
Gravitation |
Equilibrium |
Reproduction |
|
Properties of Solids and Liquids |
Redox Reactions & Electrochemistry |
Genetics and Evolution |
|
Thermodynamics |
Chemical Kinetics |
Biology' and Human Welfare |
|
Kinetic Theory of Gases |
Classification Of Elements & Periodicity In Properties |
Biotechnology and its Applications |
|
Oscillation and Waves |
P- Block Elements |
Ecology and Environment |
|
Electrostatics |
D - and F- Block Elements |
|
|
Current Electricity |
Co-ordination Compounds |
|
|
Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism |
Purification And Characterisation of Organic Compounds |
|
|
Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents |
Some Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry |
|
|
Electromagnetic Waves |
Hydrocarbons |
|
|
Optics |
Organic Compounds containing Halogens |
|
|
Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation |
Organic Compounds containing Oxygen |
|
|
Atoms and Nuclei |
Organic Compounds containing Nitrogen |
|
|
Electronic Devices |
Biomolecules |
|
On the other hand, JEE is conducted in two phases: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. JEE Main is the first level of the examination, and it is a common entrance test for various undergraduate engineering programmes in India. The students who perform exceptionally well in JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced, securing their positions in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), among other premier engineering institutions. The JEE syllabus is divided into two papers, as discussed below:
Paper 1: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
| Physics |
Chemistry |
Mathematics |
|
Physics and Measurement |
Basic Concepts in Chemistry |
Sets, Relations, and Functions |
|
Thermodynamics |
States of Matter |
Complex Numbers |
|
Kinematics |
Chemical Bonding |
Determinant |
|
Rotational Motion |
Atomic Structure |
Quadratic Equations |
|
Gravitation |
Molecular Structure |
Matrices |
|
Work and Energy |
Solutions |
Permutations Combinations |
|
Power |
Redox Reactions |
Mathematical Induction |
|
Properties of Solids and Liquids |
Chemical Thermodynamics |
Sequence Series |
|
Laws of Motion |
Equilibrium |
Binomial Theorem |
|
Electronic Devices |
Electrochemistry |
Limits and Continuity |
|
Oscillations |
Surface Chemistry |
Differentiability |
|
Waves |
Chemical Kinetics |
Statistics |
|
Current Electricity |
Polymers |
Differential Equations |
|
Electromagnetic Waves |
Principles of Practical Chemistry |
Integral Calculus |
|
Communication Systems |
Organic Compounds – Characterisation and Purification |
Trigonometry |
|
Electromagnetic Induction |
Oxygen, Halogens, and Nitrogen Organic Compounds |
Vector Algebra |
|
Magnetism |
Hydrocarbons |
Coordinate Geometry |
|
Alternating Currents |
Biomolecules |
Mathematical Reasoning |
|
Magnetic Effects of Current |
Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry |
3D Geometry |
|
Kinetic Theory of Gases |
Chemistry in Everyday Life |
Probability |
|
Dual Nature of Matter |
Hydrogen |
|
|
Radiation |
Classification of Elements |
|
|
Atoms |
Periodicity |
|
|
Optics |
Alkali metals |
|
|
Physics and Measurement |
Group 13 to Group 18 Elements |
|
|
|
Alkaline Earth Metals |
|
|
|
D and f Block Elements |
|
|
|
Coordination Compounds |
|
|
|
Environmental Chemistry |
|
|
|
Isolation of Metals |
|
Paper 2: Aptitude, Drawing and Planning
| Part 2A |
|
|
Part 2B |
|
NEET vs. JEE: Scope
NEET offers aspiring medical professionals in the fields of healthcare and allied services. Students can pursue careers as doctors, surgeons, dentists, or engage in research and other medical-related fields. The scope of NEET extends to a wide range of specialisations, opening doors to diverse career opportunities in both government and private healthcare institutions.
JEE, on the other hand, caters to the field of engineering and technology, preparing students for careers in areas such as computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and many more. The scope of JEE encompasses not only traditional engineering disciplines but also emerging fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and robotics.
NEET vs. JEE: Which one is harder?
The aggregate number of seats for engineering aspirants in prestigious institutions is substantially higher than the combined total of MBBS and BDS seats available through the NEET. There is an availability of 24 lakh engineering seats across the country, while the number of MBBS and BDS seats is a mere 1 lakh and 18 thousand. However, NEET, despite having a smaller pool of seats, witnesses even more rigorous competition due to the greater number of candidates appearing for the exams. This is partly attributed to the higher number of NEET repeaters, or "droppers," compared to JEE pursuers. Furthermore, the challenge presented by JEE Advanced, the gateway to IITs, is often perceived as more formidable than NEET. The reason behind this perception is the elevated level of difficulty in JEE questions, which require a deep understanding of core scientific concepts and problem-solving abilities. In contrast, NEET requires the memorisation of vast biological and medical content, with a need to tackle a greater number of questions within a limited time frame.
Summing Up
The two entrance examinations, JEE and NEET, differ based on their career prospects and exam patterns. JEE is for those aiming for an engineering career, while NEET acts like a gateway to the medical field. Due to the limited number of seats, NEET is generally considered slightly more competitive than JEE. Although the syllabus of both exams includes subjects like physics and chemistry, aspirants should have a solid understanding of both subjects. Ultimately, the choice between two exams depends on your individual interests, career aspirations, interests, and expertise. However, if students are unsure about which career path to take after 12th grade, they can choose subject combinations of both mathematics and biology. Including these two subjects in the higher secondary can help students prepare for both exams simultaneously.