NEET VS JEE- Difference Between NEET and IIT JEE

Edited By Ramraj Saini | Updated on Aug 10, 2023 10:54 AM IST

As you come closer to finishing your school days, an important choice lies ahead – finding the right path for your future career. If you're a science student in India, you might face a decision: should you go for NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) for medical courses or JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) for engineering courses? You have to pick between NEET and JEE – it's a bit like solving a puzzle. Picture yourself at a crossroads, with two paths leading to exciting and rewarding places. Think of NEET and JEE as two main doors that open into a world of science and learning. Each door offers different chances for your future.

This Story also Contains

What is JEE Mains?
What is NEET?
Differences Between JEE Main And NEET
NEET Vs JEE: Which is Tough?
Difficulty Analysis: Subject And Topic Wise
Future Prospects Of NEET vs. JEE
Time Required For Course Completion
Package And Job Availability
Previous Year’s Statistics
Impact On Society

NEET VS JEE- Difference Between NEET and IIT JEE

Both NEET and JEE are important exams that students like you take after finishing 12th grade. These exams help you step into higher education, where you can learn more about subjects that really interest you. NEET is like a door that leads to becoming a doctor and helping people stay healthy. On the other hand, JEE opens doors for those who love engineering and technology.

Think of these exams as keys that can open doors to your dreams. But how do you choose the right key? It's not always easy, and that's why we're here to help. We want to explain the differences between NEET and JEE so that you can pick the right choice for you. This choice involves thinking about what you're good at, what interests you, and what you want to be in the future. In this article, we will explore the key areas of consideration to help you make an informed decision and understand the future prospects of NEET versus JEE.

What is JEE Mains?

Joint Entrance Examination Mains, or JEE Mains, is a national-level test that paves the way for admission into prestigious engineering institutions across India like IITs, NITs, and IITs. Managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA), this computer-based exam assesses your knowledge of three core subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. It's essential to note that JEE Mains acts as the initial step toward the JEE Advanced exam.
Also Read| How to Prepare for JEE Main at Home

What is NEET?

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a nationwide examination designed for those aspiring to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate medical programs (MBBS, MD, MS) and dental courses (BDS, MDS) in India's government or private institutions. Administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET evaluates your proficiency in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Differences Between JEE Main And NEET

Here's a simplified comparison between JEE Mains and NEET presented in a tabular format:

Basis	JEE (Mains)	NEET
Abbreviation	Joint Entrance Examination Mains	National Eligibility cum Entrance Test
Type	Computer based test	Pen and paper-based
Subjects/Skills	Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (Paper 1) Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing, and Planning (Paper 2)	Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
Usage	Admission to undergraduate Engineering and architecture courses in 31 NITs, 23 IITs, and other colleges. Also a preliminary selection for JEE Advanced.	Admission to undergraduate Medical courses in government and private colleges. Qualifying it is mandatory for pursuing the same abroad.
Frequency	Twice a year	Once a year
Eligibility Age	Within 3 years of passing class 12th	Applicant must be at least 17 years old (if more than 25 years old, then subject to the Supreme Court's orders)
Languages	Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Urdu, and Telugu.	Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu
12th Class Cutoff for Eligibility	General - 75% Reserved - 65%	General - 50% OBC - 45% SC/ST/PWD - 40%

NEET Vs JEE: Which is Tough?

Comparing the difficulty of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is subjective and can depend on individual strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Both exams are highly competitive and require dedicated preparation. Student can find difficulty analysis below.

Difficulty Analysis: Subject And Topic Wise

Here students can find more detailed subject-wise difficulty analysis for both JEE and NEET.

JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)

Subject	Topic	Difficulty Level	Description
Physics	Mechanics	Moderately Difficult	Involves complex problem-solving and application of principles in various scenarios. Requires strong understanding of concepts like Newton's laws, kinematics, and circular motion.
Physics	Electromagnetism	Moderately Difficult	Covers electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, and their applications. Requires grasp of concepts like Gauss's law, Faraday's law, and Maxwell's equations.
Physics	Modern Physics	Moderately Difficult	Focuses on quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics. Requires understanding of concepts like photoelectric effect, dual nature of matter, and radioactive decay.
Physics	Thermodynamics	Moderately Difficult	Involves understanding of heat, work, and energy transfer in various processes. Requires grasp of laws like the laws of thermodynamics, entropy, and heat engines.
Physics	Optics	Moderately Difficult	Encompasses wave optics, ray optics, and optical instruments. Requires understanding of phenomena like interference, diffraction, and refraction in various optical systems.
Chemistry	Physical Chemistry	Moderately Difficult	Involves concepts of chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics. Requires understanding of topics like gas laws, electrochemistry, and solutions.
Chemistry	Organic Chemistry	Moderately Difficult	Covers reactions and properties of organic compounds. Requires memorization of reaction mechanisms, functional groups, and stereochemistry. Involves critical thinking in synthesis.
Chemistry	Inorganic Chemistry	Moderately Difficult	Focuses on elements, periodic table, coordination compounds, and metallurgy. Requires understanding of concepts like chemical bonding, coordination numbers, and redox reactions.
Mathematics	Algebra	Difficult	Includes complex algebraic expressions, inequalities, and sequences/series. Requires proficiency in factorization, manipulation of expressions, and solving equations.
Mathematics	Calculus	Difficult	Covers differential and integral calculus, limits, continuity, and differentiability. Requires strong grasp of concepts like differentiation, integration, and applications of calculus.
Mathematics	Coordinate Geometry	Moderately Difficult	Encompasses various coordinate systems, lines, conic sections, and transformations. Requires understanding of equations of lines, circles, parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas.
Mathematics	Trigonometry	Moderately Difficult	Focuses on trigonometric functions, equations, and identities. Requires understanding of trigonometric properties and solving complex trigonometric equations.

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)

Subject	Topic	Difficulty Level	Description
Physics	Mechanics	Moderately Difficult	Involves application of Newtonian mechanics to various scenarios. Requires understanding of kinematics, dynamics, and circular motion.
Physics	Thermodynamics	Moderately Difficult	Focuses on heat, work, and energy transfer in different processes. Requires understanding of laws of thermodynamics, entropy, and heat engines.
Physics	Optics	Moderately Difficult	Covers wave optics, ray optics, and optical instruments. Requires understanding of phenomena like reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
Physics	Modern Physics	Moderately Difficult	Encompasses concepts of quantum mechanics and atomic physics. Requires understanding of photoelectric effect, atomic models, and radioactivity.
Physics	Electromagnetism	Moderately Difficult	Focuses on electromagnetic fields and electromagnetic waves. Requires understanding of Gauss's law, Faraday's law, and electromagnetic induction.
Chemistry	Physical Chemistry	Moderately Difficult	Involves principles of chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics. Requires understanding of topics like chemical reactions, equilibrium constants, and reaction rates.
Chemistry	Organic Chemistry	Moderately Difficult	Covers reactions and properties of organic compounds. Requires understanding of functional groups, reaction mechanisms, and stereochemistry. Involves critical thinking in synthesis.
Chemistry	Inorganic Chemistry	Moderately Difficult	Encompasses elements, periodic table, coordination compounds, and metallurgy. Requires understanding of chemical bonding, periodic trends, and properties of elements.
Biology	Zoology	Moderately Difficult	Covers animal diversity, physiology, and reproduction. Requires understanding of various animal systems, their functions, and adaptations.
Biology	Botany	Moderately Difficult	Focuses on plant diversity, anatomy, and physiology. Requires understanding of plant tissues, growth, and reproduction, along with knowledge of plant families and adaptations.
Biology	Human Physiology	Moderately Difficult	Encompasses human body systems and their functions. Requires understanding of processes like digestion, respiration, circulation, and nervous coordination.
Biology	Genetics and Evolution	Moderately Difficult	Covers principles of genetics, inheritance, and evolutionary biology. Requires understanding of Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics, and theories of evolution.
Biology	Ecology	Moderately Difficult	Focuses on interactions between organisms and their environments. Requires understanding of ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, and ecological relationships.

Remember that while this analysis provides a general overview of difficulty levels, individual perceptions of difficulty can vary. It's essential to thoroughly study all topics and practice with various types of questions to prepare effectively for these exams.

Let's discuss the previous year's questions to get a deeper understanding.

Question:

A particle of mass m is moving in a plane with velocity U. It collides elastically with another particle of mass 2m at rest. After a collision, the particles move in directions making angles of 30° and 60° with the initial direction of motion of the first particle. The ratio of the kinetic energies of the two particles after a collision is:

1691487854048

1/2 b) 1/4 c) 1/6 d) 2

Solution:

Conserving the momentum

The initial momentum of the particle ‘mU’ which will be conserved as there will be no external force acting on the system (considering both particles as one system).

Momentum after a collision:

Total momentum in the initial direction of motion

mU = 2mucos30 + mvcos60

total momuntam in verticle direction will be zero.

2mu sin 30 = mv sin 60

u = √3 v

Conserving the total energy

Initial energy = final energy

(1/2)mU²= (1/2)2mu² + (1/2)mv²

Ration of kinetic energy after collision = {(1/2) m v²}/{(1/2) 2m u²}

= {(1/2) m v²}/{(1/2) 2m (√3 v)²} = 1/6

Hence, the ratio will be 1/6 and option c) 1/6 is correct.

Question:

Two objects of mass 10 kg and 20 kg respectively are connected to the two ends of a rigid rod of length 10 m with negligible mass. The rod is free to rotate in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis passing through the midpoint of the rod. The two objects are released from rest when the rod is horizontal. The distance of the center of mass of the system from the initial position of mass 10 kg:

5 m b) 10/3 m c) 20/3 m d) 20 m

Solution:

Center of mass of two body system

Xcm= (m1x1+ m2x2)/(m1 + m2)

Xcm= (10x0 + 20x10)/30

Xcm = 20/3m form the mass 10kg

Hence, option c) 20/3 is correct.

Difference between JEE and NEET: This is only one question but when we do an analysis of the previous year's questions of JEE and NEET we can observe that in NEET most of the time formula based questions are being asked but in JEE concepts and more analytical understanding based questions are being asked. Therefore, if you are more interested in concepts, a logical and analytical understanding of the concepts then can go for JEE.

The path to becoming a doctor and Engineer required several steps that are represented in a simplified format.

Step	Doctor Path	Engineer Path
1.	High School Education (10+2): Complete high school with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.	High School Education (10+2): Complete high school with Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics).
2.	Entrance Exams: Clear medical entrance exams like NEET.	JEE Exams: Clear the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main and JEE Advanced).
3.	Undergraduate Course: Enroll in an MBBS program. 5.5 years including internship	Undergraduate Course: Enroll in a B.Tech/B.E. program. 4 years
4.	Specialization and Branch: Choose a medical specialization (MD/MS/DNB). Entrance Exam: NEET PG (for MS/MD)	Specialization and Branch: Choose an engineering branch (Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Science, etc.).
5.	Internship: Complete a rotating internship.	Internships and Projects: Gain practical experience through internships and projects.
6.	Higher Specialization (Optional): Pursue super-specialization (DM/MCh). Entrance Exam: NEET SS	Campus Placements or Higher Studies: Choose between placements or higher studies (M.Tech/MS).
7.	Registration and Licensing: Register with the medical council.	Master's Degree (Optional): Consider pursuing a Master's degree for advanced knowledge.
8.	Work Experience: Gain clinical experience.	Work Experience: Gain professional experience in the engineering field.

Path to becoming a doctor involves MBBS, specialization through NEET PG, and NEET SS because doctors do maintenance of most complicated machines as humans. On the other hand, engineers after B.tech can work in the private and government sectors focusing on designing and maintaining various machines and systems that drive innovation and technology.

Future Prospects Of NEET vs. JEE

Once you understand your strengths, it's crucial to consider the future prospects of NEET and JEE.

NEET: After clearing NEET, students can pursue a variety of medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, Ayurveda, or other allied health sciences. The medical field offers diverse opportunities and is highly rewarding for those passionate about serving humanity.

JEE: On the other hand, JEE opens the doors to various engineering disciplines. While engineering offers exciting prospects in technology and innovation, students may have to choose a specific field and might not have the same diversity of career options as medical graduates.

Time Required For Course Completion

The duration of the course is an important factor to consider while making your decision.

NEET: Medical courses, like MBBS, usually require more years of study compared to engineering. An MBBS program typically spans around five and a half years, including an internship.

JEE: Engineering programs are generally shorter, lasting four years for a Bachelor's degree. However, some specialised branches may require additional years of study.

The syllabus for NEET and JEE is quite different. NEET focuses more on Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. In Biology, you need to memorise facts about organisms, cells, and processes. For Chemistry and Physics, understanding concepts and their applications is crucial.

On the other hand, JEE emphasises Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Unlike NEET, JEE's Math section involves more complex problem-solving, requiring strong logical and mathematical skills. In Physics and Chemistry, a deep understanding of theories and principles is essential for solving challenging problems.
Also read| High Paying Professions

Package And Job Availability

Salary prospects and job availability are also crucial considerations.

NEET: The medical profession, especially for MBBS graduates, often offers lucrative job opportunities. Doctors are in demand, and their services are vital in society.

JEE: Engineers are also highly sought after in various industries, but the salary range might vary depending on the specialisation and demand in the market.

Find a comparison of salaries here.

Aspect	Doctor	Engineer
Entry Level	Rs. 6.3 Lakhs per year	Rs. 4.4 Lakhs per year
Mid Level	Rs. 8.0 Lakhs per year	Rs. 5.1 Lakhs per year
Senior Level	Rs. 10.5 Lakhs per year	Rs. 7.7 Lakhs per year
Benefits	Job stability, Respect in society, Helping people's health	Opportunities for innovation, Diverse career paths
Growth Opportunities	Specialisations, Private practice, Research, Academia	Managerial roles, Leadership, Entrepreneurship
Government Job Availability	Medical professionals can work in government hospitals, clinics, and research institutions.	Engineers can secure jobs in government sectors such as public works, defence, and technology.

These figures provide an overview of the average salaries for engineers and doctors at different stages of their careers, according to the data from Ambition Box. Keep in mind that individual earnings can vary based on various factors including specialisation, location, and skills.
Also Read | Career in Medicine

Previous Year’s Statistics

Year	Exam	Students Appeared
2023	JEE	January - 8,23,967 April - 8,83,367
2023	NEET	20,38,596
2022	JEE	June - 7,69,604 July - 5,40,242
2022	NEET	17,64,571
2021	JEE	February - 6,21,033 March - 5,56,248 July - 5,43,553 August - 4,81,419
2021	NEET	15,44,275

Impact On Society

Both doctors and engineers have a significant impact on society in different ways.

Doctors: They play a vital role in saving lives, improving health, and providing medical care to communities.

Engineers: They contribute to technological advancements, infrastructure development, and solving societal problems through innovation.

By now, you should have a clear idea about NEET and JEE. This will help you choose what's right for you, considering what you're good at and what you want to achieve.