NEET vs JEE: Which is Better? Difficulty Level, Differences

NEET vs JEE: One of the most common questions students from the Science stream have after passing the 12th Board exams is ‘NEET vs JEE Which is better?’. JEE and NEET are considered two of the toughest entrance examinations in India. A major factor which differentiates NEET vs JEE Advanced vs JEE Main is the success rate and prospects for candidates. JEE Main will land candidates admission into the top engineering colleges of India, whereas NEET will ensure candidates a seat in a medical college. While both exams are conducted at the national level, the difficulty level of NEET is relatively tougher than JEE Mains but easier than JEE Advanced owing to the limited number of seats and high competition among the students. This article overviews a detailed comparison of NEET vs JEE Which is better? Candidates can check the key differences between the two exams and analyze NEET vs JEE which is tough to make an informed decision.

Latest - Free NEET 2024 Practice Questions with Solutions

NEET vs JEE Which is better?

Students often ask 'NEET vs JEE which is better?' To answer that, JEE Main and NEET are two highly competitive national-level entrance exams that open up numerous opportunities in the field of science. These exams serve as gateways for aspiring students to secure admissions into top-tier colleges and pursue their dreams in the fields of medicine and engineering. Success in NEET or JEE Main not only provides students with the opportunity to secure admissions into top colleges but also opens up a world of possibilities in their chosen fields. Graduates from these institutions often have access to better career prospects, research opportunities, and higher salaries. Additionally, these exams serve as a benchmark for excellence in the field of science and act as a stepping stone towards a successful and fulfilling career.

What is NEET?

NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a national-level entrance examination conducted for candidates aiming for Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees in the medical field, such as MBBS/BDS/MS/MD. Students qualifying for the NEET exam are eligible for admission to various government and private medical colleges in India. The exam is conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The NEET 2024 exam is scheduled to be conducted on May 5, 2024.

What is JEE?

JEE or Joint Entrance Examination is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission of eligible students to the top Engineering colleges in India. JEE Main is conducted by NTA for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Candidates qualifying for the exam and securing a position among the top 2,50,000 rank holders are then considered eligible for JEE Advanced administered by the 7 IITs. The JEE Main 2024 exam for Session 2 starts on April 3, 2024. On the other hand, JEE Advanced 2024 is scheduled for May 26, 2024. 

Also Check - JEE Main 2024 Mathematics Chapter Wise Weightage

NEET vs JEE – Key Differences

While the major difference between NEET vs JEE is undoubtedly the field of study, there are other dissimilarities in terms of the exam pattern, syllabus, frequency, NEET vs JEE eligibility etc. that aspirants must be aware of before they start their preparations. The table below highlights the NEET vs JEE key differences –

Parameters	NEET	JEE Main	JEE Advanced
Name of the Exam	National Eligibility cum Entrance Test	Joint Entrance Examination (Main)	Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced)
Field of Study	Medical	Engineering/Architecture	Engineering/Architecture
Exam Mode	Offline (Pen and Paper-based)	Online (Computer-based Test)	Online (Computer-based Test)
Frequency	Once a year	Twice a year	Once a year
Purpose	Admission to UG and PG level Medical courses in private and government colleges	Admission to UG level Engineering/Architecture courses in 31 NITs, 26 IIITs and 38 GFTIs in India Also serves as the gateway to JEE Advanced	Admission to UG level Engineering/Architecture courses in 23 IITs in India
Subjects	A single paper on Biology, Chemistry, and Physics	Paper 1: Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics Paper 2: Aptitude, Mathematics, Drawing and Planning	Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics
Marks Allotted	720	300	306
Eligibility Criteria	Minimum percentage of marks in 10+2: General - 50% OBC - 45% ST/SC/PWD - 40%	Minimum percentage of marks in 10+2: General - 75% Reserved - 65%	Minimum percentage of marks in 10+2: General - 75% Reserved - 65% Must rank among the top 2,50,000 JEE Main qualifiers

NEET vs JEE Eligibility Criteria

NEET vs JEE eligibility criteria include parameters, such as the candidate’s age limit, educational qualifications, qualifying marks, number of attempts, and so on. Candidates can check the detailed eligibility criteria for both exams in the section below –

Parameters	NEET Eligibility Criteria	JEE Main Eligibility Criteria
Nationality	Must be an Indian citizen Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) are also eligible to apply	Must be an Indian citizen Foreign nationals, NRIs, OCIs, and PIOs are also eligible to apply
Age Limit	Minimum age criteria: 17 years No maximum age limit	No age limit applicable
Educational Qualifications	Candidate must have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for OBC candidates; 40% for SC/ST/PWD candidates)	Candidate must have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 75% aggregate marks (65% for Reserved category candidates)
Number of Attempts	No restrictions within the specified age limit	Twice a year, for 3 consecutive years

Quick Links:

NEET Eligibility Criteria 2024	JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2024	JEE Advanced 2024 Eligibility Criteria

Also Check - 7 Easy Steps to Score 95+ Percentile in JEE Main 2024

NEET vs JEE Syllabus

NEET focuses on a syllabus that encompasses Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, making it more suitable for medical aspirants. On the other hand, JEE covers Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Aptitude, covering a wider range of technical and engineering topics. Candidates intending to appear for either of the two exams must be well-versed with the NEET vs JEE syllabus. The subjects included in the syllabus of JEE and NEET are different except for the Chemistry and Physics sections. However, the topics included in the NEET syllabus, JEE Main syllabus, and JEE Advanced Syllabus 2024 are based on the curriculum of Classes 11 & 12. Students can check the detailed syllabus of NEET vs JEE exams in this section to ace their preparations.

NEET 2024 Syllabus

Here is an overview of the subject-wise NTA NEET Syllabus 2024 PDF –

Subject	Topics from Class 11	Topics from Class 12
Physics	Physical World, Units and Measurement	Electrostatics
	Laws of Motion	Magnetic effects of Current and Magnetism
	Kinematics	Current Electricity
	Work, Energy, and Power	Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents
	The Motion of Systems of Particles and Rigid Body	Electromagnetic Waves
	Thermodynamics	Atoms and Nuclei
	The Behaviour of Perfect Gas and Kinetic Theory	Electronic Devices
	Gravitation	Optics
	Properties of Bulk Matter	Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation
	Oscillations and Waves	-
Chemistry	Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry	Solid State
	Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties	Electrochemistry
	Structure of Atom	Solutions
	Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure	Chemical Kinetics
	Thermodynamics	General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements
	Equilibrium	P Block Elements
	States of Matter: Gases and Liquids	Surface Chemistry
	Redox Reactions	D and F Block Elements
	Hydrogen	Coordination Compounds
	s-Block Elements (Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals)	Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
	Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques	Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
	Some p-Block Elements	Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers
	Hydrocarbons	Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen
	Environmental Chemistry	Biomolecules, Polymers, and Chemistry in Everyday Life
Biology	Structural Organization – Plants and Animals	Genetics and Evolution
	Cell Structure and Function	Biology and Human Welfare
	Diversity in the Living World	Reproduction
	Human Physiology	Ecology and Environment
	Plant Physiology	Biotechnology and Its Applications

Also Check - NEET 2024 Exam Date (May 5): NTA NEET Registration Dates (Feb 9 - March 9), Eligibility Criteria, Preparation Tips

JEE 2024 Syllabus

Check out the complete JEE Main Syllabus 2024 PDF topics for Papers 1 and 2 in this section –

PAPER 1 – PCM
JEE 2024 Physics Syllabus

Subject	Section A	Section B
Physics	Physics and Measurements Kinetic Theory of Gases Thermodynamics Properties of Liquids and Solids Gravitation and Rotational Motion Work, Energy & Power Laws of Motion Oscillations & Waves Alternating Currents and Electromagnetic Induction Radiation and the Dual Nature of Matter Electronic Devices Nuclei and Atoms Electrostatics Current Electricity Electromagnetic Waves Optics Communication Systems Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism Kinematics	Venier Callipers Screw Gauge Simple Pendulum Metre Scale Young's Modulus of Elasticity Ohm's Law Potentiometer Focal Length of Convex & Concave Mirror, Convex Lens Diode Identification

JEE 2024 Chemistry Syllabus

Subject	Physical Chemistry	Inorganic Chemistry	Organic Chemistry
Chemistry	Basic Concepts in Chemistry Molecular Structure & Chemical Bonding The States of Matter Electrochemistry & Redox Reactions Chemical Kinetics Surface Chemistry Equilibrium Atomic Structure Chemical Thermodynamics Solutions	Environmental Chemistry Coordination Compounds Block Elements – f, d Hydrogen Process of Isolation of Metals & General Principles Classification of Elements & Periodicity in Properties S- Block Elements: Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals P-Block Elements	Hydrocarbons Bio-Molecules Polymers Organic Compounds Containing Halogens Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry Characterization of Organic Compounds & Purification Principles Related to Experimental Chemistry Organic Compounds Containing Oxygen, Nitrogen Chemistry in Everyday Life

JEE 2024 Mathematics Syllabus

Subject

Topics

Mathematics

Quadratic Equations & Complex Numbers Determinants & Matrices Permutations & Combinations Series & Sequences Integral Calculus Probability & Statistics Vector Algebra Mathematical Reasoning Sets, Relations & Functions Binomial Theorem & its Simple Applications Mathematical Induction Continuity & Differentiability, Limit Coordinate Geometry 3-Dimensional Geometry Trigonometry Differential Equations

PAPER 2 Architecture & Planning

Paper 2A – B. Arch

Section	Topics
Aptitude	Awareness - persons, buildings, materials, objects Texture related to architecture Visualizing three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings Analytical reasoning, mental ability Three-dimensional perception Transforming three and two-dimensional forms
Drawing	Sketching of scenes and activities from memory of urban, rural landscape

Paper 2A – B. Plan

Section	Topics
General Awareness	General knowledge questions regarding prominent cities Government programs and development issues
Social Sciences	Democracy, Power sharing, Constitution of India Nationalism in India, Idea of Nationalism, Industrialization, Resource and Development, Natural economy, Human settlements Economic development - globalization, economic sector, social exclusion, rural development, colonial cities
Analytical Skills	Comprehension, Map reading skills, graphs and tables Basic concepts of statistics and quantitative reasoning

NEET vs JEE Salary

Annual income serves as a major parameter when it comes to determining NEET vs JEE which is better. Candidates willing to pursue a career in engineering or medicine must be aware of NEET vs JEE salary. The earning potential of a doctor and an engineer from IIT/BITS/NIT can vary widely based on many factors such as specialization, experience, location, and industry. Generally, doctors can earn high salaries, especially if they are specialized in fields such as neurosurgery or cardiology. Similarly, engineers from prestigious institutions like IITs, IIITs and NITs can also command high salaries, particularly in fields such as computer science, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering. It is important to note that individual circumstances can greatly influence earning potential.

NEET vs JEE Salary - Highest Salary for Engineers

In the field of engineering, several specializations tend to have higher earning potential compared to others. For instance, in India, the highest-paid engineering field is Computer Science and Engineering with an average annual salary of up to Rs. 42 lakhs. However, the salaries can vary based on factors such as location, industry, experience, and demand-supply dynamics. Here are a few engineering specializations that often have higher salaries -

Specialization	Highest Salary Package (Approx.)
Computer Science and Engineering	Rs. 42LPA
Software Engineering	Rs. 16LPA
Electrical Engineering	Rs. 8.1LPA
Aerospace Engineering	Rs. 26LPA
Chemical Engineering	Rs. 30LPA
Petroleum Engineering	Rs. 20.4LPA

NEET vs JEE Salary - Highest Salary for Doctors

In the field of medicine, certain specializations tend to have higher salaries compared to others. The highest-paid profession in India is that of a Neurosurgeon with an average annual package of up to Rs. 90 lakhs. Here are some medical specializations that are commonly associated with higher earning potential -

Specialization	Highest Salary Package (Approx.)
Neurosurgery	Rs. 90LPA
Orthopedic Surgery	Rs. 42LPA
Cardiology	Rs. 50LPA
Radiology	Rs. 48LPA
Anesthesiology	Rs. 24LPA

NEET vs JEE - Competition Level

In terms of NEET vs JEE competitiveness, NEET exam has more competition than JEE Main owing to the number of candidates appearing for the exams. The aspirants of the NEET exam are higher than JEE largely because of the higher number of NEET droppers than the JEE ones. Moreover, the number of medical seats in government colleges is less compared to the number of engineering seats.

NEET vs JEE - Seat Intake 

In terms of NEET vs JEE seat intake, the number of MBBS and BDS seats offered via NEET is higher than the total number of seats for JEE qualifiers across IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs along with engineering seats via States’ CETs. There are a total of 91,927 MBBS seats across 612 colleges and 26,773 BDS seats in 313 colleges. As per the JoSAA seat matrix, the total seats in IITs are 17385, while the number of seats in IIITs and NITs is 7746 and 23954 respectively.

NEET vs JEE - Number of Attempts

The NEET examination takes place annually, whereas the IIT JEE examination consists of two stages. The first stage, JEE Mains is conducted twice a year, while the second stage, JEE Advanced, is conducted once. There is no restriction on the number of attempts for NEET, but JEE Mains can be attempted for a maximum of three years, and JEE Advanced can be attempted for a maximum of two years.

NEET vs JEE - Success Rate

The success rate of the NEET exam is around 7-8% for total candidates qualified against the number of seats. In NEET 2023, out of the 20,38,596 candidates who appeared for NEET, 11,45,976 qualified the exam. The success rate of IIT JEE is approximately 25-30 %, meaning nearly 25 to 30 candidates out of 100 students appearing for the JEE Advanced exam crack it.

Are JEE Main Questions Repeated in NEET?

When a candidate is attempting both papers, there is a common question that arises in their mind: Are JEE Main questions asked in NEET? As it is known that both papers have Chemistry and Physics as their common subjects, hence that question is only natural to come to one’s mind. Though the subject and even the course that one has to study can align together, the difficulty level differs.

If one is preparing for the JEE Main exam, it will act as a support for the preparation of NEET and visa versa. But candidates shouldn't assume that enough JEE Main questions will be repeated in NEET as it might lead to unfavourable outcomes. Candidates will have to prepare for both exams so that they both will help the other paper with supportive and complementary topics and help solve the papers speedily.

Preparation Tips for NEET and JEE Exams 

If candidates want to understand how to prepare for competitive exams, they must note that proper planning and unwavering focus are important. Some of the tips to help candidates prepare for the NEET and JEE exams have been mentioned below.

• Devise a study plan: Before beginning your studies, make sure to chalk out a study plan which outlines the topics you need to study, the time you need to allot on each subject, and the prescribed dates of the exams. This will assist you stay organized and motivated to study. 

• Manage your time effectively: Time management is of utmost significance for scoring good marks in any exam. Ensure to create a time-table which enables you to study for a specific number of hours every day, and also provides you time to take breaks and relax. 

• Familiarize yourself with the exam formats: Ensure that you habituate yourself with the exam formats and the topics which are covered. Devote necessary time going through the previous year's question papers and practice papers to develop a clear understanding of how the exam is structured. 

• Find a dedicated study group: Find a group of like-minded fellow candidates who are also preparing for the exams. This will enable you to stay motivated, share ideas and resources, and even get assistance when required. 

• Revise religiously: The key ingredient for achieving success in any exam is practice. Ensure to practice as many questions as you can and pay attention to the topics that you find to be difficult. 

Quick Links:

NEET Exam Pattern 2024	NTA JEE Main Exam Pattern 2024	JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 2024

NEET vs JEE - College Options

For students wondering NEET vs JEE which is better in terms of admission prospects, it must be stated that both NEET and JEE exams are gateways to the top government and private colleges of the country.  Hence, candidates must understand the NEET vs JEE college options available after qualifying for these exams. 

If you prefer to appear for JEE, then based on the paper you appeared on any stage you cleared you can have the following college options:

• After qualifying JEE Main: You can apply for admission into NITs, IIITs, DTU, NSUT, and other top colleges. 

• After qualifying JEE Main Paper 2: You can apply to SPAs across the country for a Bachelor of Planning.

• After qualifying JEE Advanced: You can apply for admission into the top IITs such as IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, and IIT Kharagpur.

On the other hand, if you appear for NEET, then you can apply for admission into the top medical and dental colleges such as:

• Top All India Medical Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) colleges across the country

• JIPMER Puducherry, GMCH, UCMS Delhi and Armed Forces Medical College

The college fee is usually higher for the majority of the medical colleges than the engineering colleges thus limiting options for candidates after NEET.

NEET vs JEE - Career Opportunities

While determining NEET vs JEE which is better, one thing that all aspirants must take into consideration is career opportunities and scope of growth. Career prospects are based on the course which you selected at the time of your graduation. After qualifying for NEET or JEE, the candidates are generally asked to take admission into the college and course of their choice which largely determines their career. 

Career Opportunities after JEE

• Candidates can take up BTech, B.E., or B Planning courses of four-year duration

• Candidates can become electrical engineers, computer engineers, mechanical engineers, or civil engineers depending on their chosen discipline

•  Pursuing engineering will enable candidates to work in the ever-growing field of technology such as AI, Machine learning, and robotics.

• Candidates can work in top organizations such as TCS, DRDO, and ISRO after selecting this field. 

Career Opportunities after NEET

• Based upon their preference, candidates might select an MBBS of five and half years duration or BDS/BPT of four and half years duration.

• Candidates can become gynaecologists, surgeons, ayurvedic doctors, orthopaedics, or dentists based on their course.

• A medicine career requires higher specialization for which candidates might have to appear for NEET PG or NEET MDS

• Candidates can find employment in top government and private hospitals of the country and appear in top examinations like UPSC CMS.

NEET vs JEE Which is Tough?

Both NEET and JEE exams present their own unique challenges in terms of NEET vs JEE Advanced vs JEE Mains difficulty level. Going by the detailed JEE vs NEET syllabus, both exams can be labelled as difficult to crack. When it comes to the marking scheme, NEET implements a negative marking system, where incorrect answers result in a deduction of marks. Conversely, JEE does not have a negative marking scheme. Moreover, the limited availability of seats and the increasing number of applicants each year make it all the more challenging for the students. Statistically, the number of seats offered at medical institutes is far less than those available at engineering colleges in India. Keeping these in mind and going by the previous year’s NEET vs JEE exam analysis, NEET is slightly tougher than JEE Mains. However, when it comes to NEE vs JEE Advanced, students may find NEET easier to qualify owing to the complex question pattern and high competitiveness among peers to get into the top IITs.  

Students can refer to the table below to understand the NEET vs JEE which is tough. We have highlighted the exams in terms of difficulty level in the highest to the lowest order –

Exam Name	Difficulty Level
JEE Advanced	Most difficult
NEET	Moderately difficult
JEE Mains	Least difficult

Students, who are still not sure about NEET vs JEE which is better, may intend to appear for both entrance exams anticipating the increased chances of selection. However, in such cases, one should know that the questions in JEE are sometimes repeated in NEET. This is true for the common sections viz. Chemistry and Physics. Therefore, if you are preparing for both, make sure you go through the syllabus and the important topics thoroughly. Solving previous year’s questions and sample papers can also help comprehend the NEET vs JEE paper pattern better.

We hope this article on ‘NEET vs JEE Which is better’ has helped address your queries. Check out more relevant posts on JEE Main 2024 Preparation Tips and the best books for NEET 2024 preparation.

Related Links

How to Prepare Maths for JEE Mains 2024 - Expert Advice and Preparation Tips	How to Prepare for JEE Main 2024 - A Complete Guide
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