- By Sarju Saran Tiwari
- Mon, 07 Apr 2025 05:32 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
JEE vs NEET Detailed Analysis: A Complete Breakdown of India’s Toughest Exams: Every year, millions of students in India appear for JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)—the two most competitive exams for engineering and medical aspirants. While both require intense preparation, students often debate: Which is tougher—JEE or NEET?
The answer isn’t straightforward. JEE (Main & Advanced) tests Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, while NEET focuses on Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. The syllabus, competition level, and exam patterns differ significantly. This blog will compare exam conducting bodies, frequency, syllabus, difficulty, and success rates to help you decide which exam is more challenging.
Who Conducts JEE & NEET? How Many Times Are They Held?
Exam | Conducting Body | Frequency |
JEE Main | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Twice a year (Jan & Apr) |
JEE Advanced | IITs (Rotating Basis) | Once a year (After JEE Main) |
NEET | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Once a year (May) |
JEE Main is held twice, with the best score considered for rankings.
JEE Advanced (for IITs) is once a year, only for top JEE Main qualifiers.
NEET is conducted once, with no retest option in the same year.
Exam Pattern And Syllabus Comparison:
Parameter | JEE (Main & Advanced) | NEET |
Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Maths | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
Total Questions | 90 (JEE Main) | 180 |
Exam Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
Marking Scheme | +4 / -1 (MCQs) | +4 / -1 (All MCQs) |
Difficulty Level | Concept-heavy, Math-intensive | Fact-based, Biology-heavy |
JEE Advanced has tougher questions, including numerical-based and paragraph-type problems.
NEET is more memory-based, with Biology (Botany & Zoology) carrying 50% weightage.
Difficulty Level: JEE vs NEET
Why JEE is Considered Tougher?
✔ Maths Complexity – JEE tests advanced calculus, algebra, and trigonometry, which many find harder than Biology.
✔ Higher Competition – Over 12 lakh students compete for 10,000-16,000 IIT seats.
✔ Two-Tier Exam – Clearing JEE Main (top 2.5 lakh) is needed to attempt JEE Advanced.
Why NEET is Challenging Too?
✔ Biology Volume – NEET requires memorizing huge Biology syllabus (90 questions).
✔ Fewer Seats – Only 90,000 MBBS seats for 18+ lakh aspirants.
✔ Negative Marking – One mistake can cost a medical seat due to high competition.
Success Rate And Competition:
Exam | Total Applicants (2024) | Qualified Candidates | Success Rate |
JEE Main | ~12 lakh | ~2.5 lakh (for JEE Advanced) | ~20% |
JEE Advanced | ~2.5 lakh | ~10,000-16,000 (IIT seats) | ~0.8% |
NEET | ~24 lakh | ~9-10 lakh (eligible) | ~40% |
JEE Advanced has the lowest success rate (0.8%), making it India’s toughest exam.
NEET has more qualifiers, but competition for top govt. colleges (AIIMS, JIPMER) is extreme.
Which is Tougher? Final Conclusion
JEE (Advanced) is tougher than NEET due to:
✔ Complex Maths & problem-solving
✔ Two-stage elimination (Main → Advanced)
✔ Extremely low IIT selection rate (0.8%)
However, NEET is harder for Biology-haters due to:
✔ Vast syllabus (Botany + Zoology)
✔ High competition for limited MBBS seats
Which Exam Should You Choose?
Choose JEE if: You love Maths, logical problems, and dream of IITs/Top NITs.
Choose NEET if: You enjoy Biology, memorization, and aim for MBBS/AIIMS.
Final Thought: Both exams are tough, but JEE Advanced is mathematically harder, while NEET is more memory-intensive. Success depends on your strengths, preparation, and perseverance.
What’s Your Opinion?
Which exam do you think is tougher—JEE or NEET? Share your views in the comments!
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