JEE vs NEET, Which is Difficult, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus
JEE vs NEET, Which is Difficult: JEE and NEET are two of the most important entrance exams in India, designed for students who want to pursue careers in engineering or medicine. The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is conducted for admission into top engineering institutes like IITs and NITs, while the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is held for admission into medical colleges across India.
Both exams test different skills and knowledge areas. JEE focuses more on physics, chemistry, and mathematics, requiring strong problem-solving and analytical thinking. NEET, on the other hand, emphasizes biology, chemistry, and physics, with a strong focus on memory, accuracy, and concept clarity.
Knowing JEE vs NEET, which is more difficult, depends on a student’s strengths, interests, and career goals. This comparison is useful for students, parents, and teachers to make informed decisions. Students can check the JEE vs NEET, which is difficult, along with eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and more, below.
JEE vs NEET, Which is Difficult?
JEE and NEET are two of India’s most competitive entrance exams, but their difficulty level depends on the subjects, preparation style, and the type of challenges they present. Understanding JEE & NEET difficulty comparison UAE helps students choose the right path based on their strengths and interests.
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Difficulty Level of JEE Exams
JEE is considered more difficult by many students. It includes complex subjects like physics, chemistry, and mathematics. The questions, especially in JEE Advanced, are concept-based and need strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
JEE also has a two-level exam structure. Students must first clear JEE Main to qualify for JEE Advanced, which increases the overall difficulty. The success rate is very low, with only around 17,000 seats in IITs for over 15 lakh applicants.
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Difficulty Level of NEET Exam
NEET, on the other hand, is focused on biology, chemistry, and physics. Biology alone carries 50% weightage, and students need to remember a large amount of information. The questions are mostly memory-based and factual.
NEET is held only once a year, and more than 24 lakh students compete for about 90,000 MBBS seats. This makes it highly competitive, even though the question format is generally simpler than JEE.
The difficulty depends on the student’s interests and strengths. Students who are good at maths and logic may find JEE manageable, while those with strong memory and a passion for biology may prefer NEET.
Also Know: JEE Main 2026 Registration For UAE Students
JEE vs NEET Eligibility Criteria
JEE vs NEET Eligibility Criteria is very important for students planning to build a career in engineering or medicine. Both exams have different rules for educational qualification, age limit, and number of attempts. The table below includes a clear JEE vs NEET eligibility criteria comparison.
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JEE vs NEET Eligibility Criteria Comparison |
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Criteria |
JEE Eligibility |
NEET Eligibility |
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Exam Purpose |
Admission to engineering courses (B.Tech/B.E.) |
Admission to medical courses (MBBS/BDS and others) |
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Required Subjects |
Physics, Mathematics, and one of Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Subject |
Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English |
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Educational Qualification |
Passed or appearing in Class 12 with required subjects |
Passed or appearing in Class 12 with required subjects |
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Minimum Marks (PCB) |
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Age Limit |
No upper or lower age limit |
Minimum 17 years as of December 31 of exam year; no upper age limit |
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Number of Attempts |
6 attempts (2 times a year over 3 years) |
Unlimited attempts |
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Special Rules |
Top 2.5 lakh JEE Main scorers can appear for JEE Advanced |
NEET is a single-level exam |
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Eligibility for Foreign Nationals |
Eligible under DASA scheme with 75% in PCM or equivalent CGPA |
Eligible (Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals) |
Also know: How Indian Students In UAE Apply For JEE Main 2026?
JEE vs NEET Exam Pattern
JEE Main, JEE Advanced, and NEET (UG) exams are national-level entrance tests conducted for engineering and medical admissions in India. Each exam follows a different mode, subject combination, and marking scheme suited to its respective stream. The table below compares their key exam pattern features in detail.
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JEE vs NEET Exam Pattern |
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Feature / Parameter |
JEE Main (B.E./B.Tech.) |
JEE Advanced |
NEET (UG) |
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Mode of Examination |
Computer Based Test (CBT) |
Computer Based Test (CBT) |
Pen and Paper Mode (Offline - OMR sheet) |
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Subjects |
Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany + Zoology) |
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Type of Questions |
MCQs + Numerical Value Questions |
MCQs, Numerical, Integer-type, Match the Following |
MCQs with 4 options, single correct answer |
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Total Number of Questions |
75 to be attempted: 25 per subject |
~108 questions (varies each year, across 2 papers) |
180 questions (45 + 45 + 90) |
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Total Marks |
300 |
Varies (~360, depends on the year and paper pattern) |
720 |
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Exam Duration |
3 hours |
6 hours (2 papers of 3 hours each) |
3 hours (180 minutes) |
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Marking Scheme |
+4 for correct, –1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted |
Varies: +4, partial marking, negative marking (per section) |
+4 for correct, –1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted |
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Medium of Exam |
English + 12 Regional Languages |
English & Hindi |
English + 12 Regional Languages |
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Frequency |
Twice a year (usually Jan & April) |
Once a year |
Once a year |
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Paper Structure |
Section A: 20 MCQs; Section B: 5 Numerical each subject |
Paper 1 & 2 both compulsory; Varies yearly |
Single paper; No internal choice |
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Target Courses |
B.E. / B.Tech in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, others |
B.Tech / B.S. in IITs |
MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, BVSc, other medical courses |
Also Know: JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026
JEE vs NEET Syllabus Comparison
Understanding the syllabus is essential before preparing for national entrance exams like JEE and NEET. Both exams are based on the NCERT curriculum for Class 11 and Class 12, but they focus on different subjects and learning approaches.
JEE syllabus covers Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) and focuses on both conceptual knowledge, critical thinking, and problem solving abilities. NEET syllabus covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB), with a strong focus on Biology, testing factual knowledge, memory, and speed in recalling scientific concepts.
The table below provides a detailed comparison between the JEE and NEET syllabus:
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JEE vs NEET Syllabus Comparison |
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Feature |
JEE (Main & Advanced) |
NEET (UG) |
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Core Subjects |
Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) |
Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany + Zoology) (PCB) |
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Subject Weightage |
Equal focus on all three subjects |
Biology has 50% weightage, Physics and Chemistry share the rest |
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Biology Component |
Not included |
Core subject with 90 questions |
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Mathematics Component |
Core subject |
Not included |
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Depth of Syllabus |
High, especially in JEE Advanced |
Moderate, more focused on Biology concepts |
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Focus Areas |
Logical reasoning, numerical problem solving, application |
Conceptual clarity, factual memorization, and time-bound accuracy |
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Physics & Chemistry |
Complex problem-solving with mathematical depth |
Concept-based questions with less mathematical intensity |
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Curriculum Base |
Based on NCERT Class 11 & 12 (CBSE), with advanced additions |
Based on NCERT Class 11 & 12 (CBSE) |
NEET or JEE Which is Easier
NEET mainly evaluates how well you understand Biology, which involves a requirement to have excellent memorization and conceptual appreciation of factual data. JEE, on the other hand, also focuses on Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, but concentrates on logical thinking and ability to solve advanced problems. JEE questions are structured to check more on the depth of conceptual understanding and application. Overall, the easier of the two exams depends on the type of subject you like and the way you prepare to study them.
Also Know: JEE Exam Centres in UAE
Which is Tough JEE Advanced or NEET?
JEE Advanced is commonly known to be more difficult because it focuses more on advanced analysis and conceptual prowess as well as step-wise analytical problems in Maths, Physics, and Chemistry. NEET exam requires both good content retention ability and ability to manage time particularly in Biology which has a huge syllabus.
Whereas the JEE Advanced exam tests your logical reasoning and critical thinking abilities, NEET is all about memorizing and time-constrained correct answers. The relative toughness depends on your skill set and how well you prepare for each exam. The difficulty level of JEE Advanced and NEET varies based on your academic preparation and aptitude.
Also Know: How to Calculate Percentile Score?
JEE vs NEET, Which is Difficult FAQs
Q: Which is easier, JEE or NEET?
Ans: NEET is usually less tough than JEE as it has more direct questions as well as memory related questions. In NEET, mathematics is not included and this is an advantage to many students as it makes it easy to pass the exam.
Q: Is NEET more difficult than IIT?
Ans: No, JEE Advanced for IIT admission is considered more difficult than NEET. It involves deeper concepts, advanced mathematics, and has a much lower success rate.
Q: Which is harder, IIT or MBBS?
Ans: IIT entrance through JEE Advanced is harder to clear due to tough problem-solving and high competition. MBBS is academically challenging, but NEET, the entrance exam, is relatively easier.
Q: Is JEE very tough?
Ans: Yes, JEE is one of the toughest exams in India. JEE Advanced especially requires strong reasoning skills, multi-step problem solving, and has very limited seats.
Q: Is physics the same for NEET and JEE?
Ans: There is an overlap in the Physics syllabus. But JEE Physics is more difficult and math oriented. NEET Physics focuses on concepts and formulae, and also reduces derivations and computations.
