CBSE vs State Board: Which board is best for JEE Mains

CBSE vs State Board: Which board is best for JEE Mains

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CBSE Class 12th Exam Date:01 Jan' 26 - 14 Feb' 26

Mallika ThaledderUpdated on 04 Mar 2025, 04:44 PM IST

The Joint Entrance Examination- Mains (JEE Mains) is one of the biggest competitive entrance exams that are conducted in India. The National Testing Agency is responsible for conducting the JEE Main exam. It offers admission to top engineering colleges like NITs, IIITs and GFTIs. Choosing the right board and course plays a crucial role as it helps students with their JEE main exam preparation.

This Story also Contains

  1. CBSE Board
  2. State Board
  3. CBSE vs State Board Performance in JEE Main
  4. CBSE vs Maharashtra Board
  5. Conclusion
CBSE vs State Board: Which board is best for JEE Mains
CBSE vs State Board – Which is Best for JEE Mains Preparation?

Many students ask questions like which board is better for preparing for JEE Mains 2025. The most common dilemma is choosing between CBSE and the state board. Below, we have provided a detailed analysis of CBSE vs state board, which board is best for JEE mains.

CBSE Board

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum is specially designed in a way that helps students with preparation for competitive exams like JEE mains, NEET etc. NCERT is highly recommended for JEE Mains preparation.

The CBSE board follows the NCERT books for CBSE classes 11 and 12 in chemistry, physics and mathematics subject. Hence, CBSE is highly recommended for students who want to appear for competitive exams like JEE Mains.

State Board

Most state boards have their own curriculum and do not cover all the topics that are needed for preparing for the JEE Mains examination. Students will have to take extra lessons to catch up, while some might come across language issues. Since many state boards conduct their board exams in their language.

However, if a student is studying under state boards like Tamil Nadu Board and Maharashtra Board that also follow NCERT textbooks, he/she will have more advantages as compared to other state boards that do not follow NCERT.

CBSE vs State Board Performance in JEE Main

Both the CBSE and the state board are good. Many CBSE curriculum and state boards follow the NCERT textbook, which is also followed by the JEE Main 2025 syllabus. Below, we have provided data analysis of CBSE and the state board as per the 2018 report. Students can use it as a reference to check out which board suits them the most.

Board Name

No. of Students Registered

No. of Students Passed

No. of Students Admitted

CBSE

71,403

17,820

6,600

TSBIE

14,559

2,853

1,298

BIEAP

14,017

2,374

998

MSBSHSE

12,983

2,307

853

MPBSE

3,823

469

192

GSEB

3,540

427

121

JAC

710

59

16

CBSE vs Maharashtra Board

Below, we have provided a comparison between the CBSE board and the Maharashtra board using 2018 candidate demographics for student reference.

Board

Students registered %

Students qualifying %

Students admitted %

CBSE Board

43.32

55.71

55.18

Maharashtra Board

7.88

7.21

7.13

CBSE vs Maharashtra Board Data Analysis

As per the 2018 report, the students from the CBSE board have performed better as compared to the Maharashtra board students. The qualifying percentage of CBSE board students is higher than the students who registered for the examination. While the Maha board students’ qualifying percentage has decreased. This shows that students have underperformed in the JEE main examination.

Conclusion

To pass the JEE mains exam, students must be aware of the basic concepts of physics, chemistry and mathematics. As we know, the CBSE board follows the NCERT curriculum, which aligns perfectly with the JEE mains syllabus. It gives CBSE an advantage as compared to the state board.

However, both the CBSE and State board are good. It depends on students, their skills and hard work. The board might give them a bit of an advantage, but in the end, what matters is how a student has prepared for the examination. To pass in the JEE mains, they must build a strong foundation, study and practice every day.

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Questions related to CBSE Class 12th

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CBSE Class 12th ?

Hello,

You can get the Class 11 English Syllabus 2025-26 from the Careers360 website. This resource also provides details about exam dates, previous year papers, exam paper analysis, exam patterns, preparation tips and many more. you search in this site or you can ask question we will provide you the direct link to your query.

LINK: https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-class-11-english-syllabus

Hello,

No, it’s not true that GSEB (Gujarat Board) students get first preference in college admissions.

Your daughter can continue with CBSE, as all recognized boards CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards (like GSEB) which are equally accepted for college admissions across India.

However, state quota seats in Gujarat colleges (like medical or engineering) may give slight preference to GSEB students for state-level counselling, not for all courses.

So, keep her in CBSE unless she plans to apply only under Gujarat state quota. For national-level exams like JEE or NEET, CBSE is equally valid and widely preferred.

Hope it helps.

Hello,

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) releases the previous year's question papers for Class 12.

You can download these CBSE Class 12 previous year question papers from this link : CBSE Class 12 previous year question papers (http://CBSE%20Class%2012%20previous%20year%20question%20papers)

Hope it helps !

Hi dear candidate,

On our official website, you can download the class 12th practice question paper for all the commerce subjects (accountancy, economics, business studies and English) in PDF format with solutions as well.

Kindly refer to the link attached below to download:

CBSE Class 12 Accountancy Question Paper 2025

CBSE Class 12 Economics Sample Paper 2025-26 Out! Download 12th Economics SQP and MS PDF

CBSE Class 12 Business Studies Question Paper 2025

CBSE Class 12 English Sample Papers 2025-26 Out – Download PDF, Marking Scheme

BEST REGARDS

Hello,

Since you have passed 10th and 12th from Delhi and your residency is Delhi, but your domicile is UP, here’s how NEET counselling works:

1. Counselling Eligibility: For UP NEET counselling, your UP domicile makes you eligible, regardless of where your schooling was. You can participate in UP state counselling according to your NEET rank.

2. Delhi Counselling: For Delhi state quota, usually 10th/12th + residency matters. Since your school and residency are in Delhi, you might also be eligible for Delhi state quota, but it depends on specific state rules.

So, having a Delhi Aadhaar will not automatically reject you in UP counselling as long as you have a UP domicile certificate.

Hope you understand.