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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
60 MCQ-based + 30 questions with answers in numerical value

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
For Non-MCQs: +4 for each correct answer and no negative marking for incorrect answers

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
  • Awareness of persons, places, buildings, materials.
  • Objects, texture related to architecture and build—environment.
  • Visualising three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings.
  • Visualising different sides of three-dimensional objects.
  • Analytical reasoning mental ability (visual, numerical and verbal)

Part 2B

  • Three-dimensional perception: Understanding and appreciation of scale and proportion of objects
  • Building forms and elements
  • Colour texture, harmony and contrast
  • Design and drawing of geometrical or abstract shapes and patterns in pencil.
  • Transformation of forms
  • Both 2D and 3D union
  • Subtraction
  • Rotation
  • Development of surfaces and volumes
  • Generation of plan
  • Elevations and 3D views of objects
  • Creating 2D and 3D compositions using given shapes and forms

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.

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