NTA, New Delhi: Every year, millions of students appear for India’s most competitive entrance exams — IIT–JEE for engineering and NEET UG for medical courses. Both tests are national-level, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), and serve as gateways to prestigious institutions such as IITs, NITs, AIIMS, and other top colleges.
But for aspirants and parents alike, the big question remains:
“Which is tougher — IIT-JEE or NEET?”
This article explains both exams’ structure, competition level, subject difficulty, and preparation demands to answer this ongoing debate.
IIT-JEE vs NEET: Exam Structure Comparison
| Criteria | IIT-JEE | NEET-UG |
| Purpose | Admission to IIT | Admission to Medical (MBBS/BDS/AYUSH) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| No. of Questions | 90 questions (30 per subject) in Jee Mains and 108 questions in Jee Advanced | 180 questions (45 in Physics & Chemistry each and 90 in Biology) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong |
| Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Language Options | 13 languages | 13 languages |
| Attempts per Year | 2 sessions (Jan & Apr) | 1 session |
Subject Difficulty
- Physics: Both exams include Physics, but in JEE, the questions are more conceptual and numerical-heavy. NEET focuses more on direct application and factual recall.
- Chemistry: NEET Chemistry leans toward NCERT theory, while JEE Chemistry includes in-depth reactions and problem-solving.
- Biology vs Mathematics: This is the most defining difference.
- NEET has Biology, which is vast in content but memory-based.
- JEE has Mathematics, which is logical, formula-based, and often considered the most time-consuming subject of any entrance exam.
Mathematics makes JEE tougher in terms of logic, while Biology makes NEET tougher in terms of volume.
IIT-JEE vs NEET: Competition Level (2024)
| Particulars | IIT-JEE | NEET |
| Total Applicants | ~12 lakh | ~24 lakh |
| Seats Available | ~17,760 | ~90,000 (MBBS + BDS) |
| Selection Ratio | ~1.48% | ~3.75% |
Note: NEET has a larger pool of applicants, but JEE filters out a smaller percentage into IITs, making the JEE Advanced stage even more competitive.
Preparation Approach
- JEE aspirants often begin preparation as early as Class 9–10, enrolling in specialized coaching programs.
- NEET aspirants, too, face high pressure — especially with the memorization-heavy syllabus in Biology and increasing competition.
The mental pressure, daily study hours, coaching dependence, and mock test stress are intense in both cases.
“IIT-JEE demands analytical thinking and strong mathematical skills. NEET, on the other hand, tests a student’s memorization and conceptual understanding in Biology. Both are tough in their own ways, depending on a student’s aptitude,”
— Dr. Ram Narain Singh, Patna based JEE & NEET expert, Former IITian (IIT Kharagpur)
IIT-Jee or NEET, which exam is tougher?
- If you’re strong in logical reasoning and math, JEE may feel more natural but challenging.
- If you’re comfortable with memorization and biology, NEET could be a better fit — though the high competition makes it equally grueling.
Ultimately, toughness is subjective — based on a student’s interests, strengths, and learning style.
