The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test or NEET has become one of the most talked about topics in Indian households in recent times, especially given the current scenario. From alleged irregularities and paper leaks to CBI arrests, the NEET case has been making headlines continuously.
But, in this article, we will not talk about the flaws. Rather, our focus will be on what NEET is and how it is different from the equally popular Joint Entrance Examination.
Considered to be one of the most prestigious entrance exams for medical aspirants, the NEET exam was introduced in 2013 to replace the erstwhile All India Pre-Medical Test or AIPMT.
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While JEE is another important entrance exam for those who aspire to get admission in the top engineering educational institutes of the country.
According to experts, despite being important entrance exams, both NEET and JEE differ significantly in focus and reach.
Exam Pattern:
Dr Arijit Tomar, Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering at Noida International University (NIU), said that NEET and JEE are national level exams, both serve different purposes and have different formats.
“NEET is used for admission to undergraduate medical programmes (MBBS/BDS), which comprises of physics, chemistry and biology (botany and zoology). It consists of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), 180 of which have to be completed within 3 hours and 20 minutes. Each correct answer is awarded four marks, while each wrong answer deducts one mark,” Tomar explained.
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He said JEE focuses on admission to undergraduate engineering programmes (B.Tech/B.E) and is divided into two stages – JEE Main and JEE Advanced. JEE Main consists of 90 questions (30 from each subject: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics), and is conducted for three hours, while JEE Advanced consists of different types of questions including MCQs, numerical value questions and matching type, consisting of two three-hour papers.
area of study:
Tomar said that NEET focuses on medical courses with biological emphasis, while JEE focuses on engineering degrees with mathematical emphasis. “While NEET is a single exam, JEE has two stages (main and advanced), with JEE Advanced being significantly tougher due to its complex and varied question pattern. Additionally, NEET exclusively uses MCQs, while JEE includes a combination of MCQs, numerical value-based questions, and matching types, which reflects a higher level of complexity and variety in the JEE exam,” Tomar explained.
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topics covered:
Tomar further added that NEET addresses the vast range of medical courses, which require a comprehensive understanding of biological sciences, which is different from the mathematical and analytical skills assessed in the JEE. “The exam models cater to different types of aptitude and knowledge bases – NEET primarily involves a single-stage test with MCQs, while JEE involves a two-stage process (main and advanced) with different question formats to assess in-depth analytical and problem-solving skills,” he added.
The weightage of subjects and scope of syllabus in NEET and JEE are inherently different, making it impossible to adopt a single exam model for all. Each exam is tailored to meet the specific needs of its region, ensuring a fair assessment of the readiness of candidates for their respective professional courses.
Is it possible to replicate the JEE exam model for NEET?
According to Gaurav Tyagi, founder of Career Expert, NEET and JEE play different roles in determining the academic path followed by candidates aspiring to become doctors and engineers. However, despite being different, Tyagi feels that the JEE model offers important insights that can improve NEET.
He said, “JEE’s focus on problem solving could outperform NEET by introducing complex scenarios that assess not just memory but also critical thinking and the application of medical knowledge in a real-world setting. Fairness of the exam could be ensured by instituting a multi-session format similar to JEE, which would reduce annual variation in difficulty.”
“Furthermore, implementing an adaptive testing strategy in NEET can optimise the assessment and identify applicants who have both theoretical understanding and practical aptitude for medicine,” Tyagi added.
Tyagi further said that due priority must be given to the development of future healthcare leaders, regularity and fairness in adapting the JEE model for NEET, as it must meet the special needs of medical education.
He added, “Through the incorporation of these strategic reforms, NEET has the potential to evolve into a more comprehensive assessment tool that, in addition to assessing academic merit, fosters the next wave of skilled and compassionate medical professionals.”
While Dr Ajit Tomar said that copying the NEET exam model for JEE or vice versa is impractical due to the fundamental differences in the nature and scope of these exams. He explained, “NEET is designed for medical aspirants and focuses on physics and chemistry as well as biology, covering a wide range of subjects required for medical studies. In contrast, JEE focuses on engineering aspirants, with emphasis on physics and chemistry as well as mathematics.”
He said the NEET syllabus is based on the NCERT syllabus for classes 11 and 12, with a focus on key ideas and applications for the study of medicine and dentistry. “Obtaining high NEET scores makes it easier to get admission to top colleges across the country that offer MBBS, BDS and other related medical programmes,” Tomar said.
In contrast, JEE Main tests candidates in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry with a combination of multiple choice and numerical answer questions. JEE Advanced takes a more in-depth and advanced approach to explore these subjects in greater detail, Tomar said.
However, Tomar said there are some valuable aspects of the JEE model that can help NEET applicants, even though the exams are for different fields and evaluate different skills. Following are the points suggested by Tomar:
- It is important to understand the basic difference between the JEE and NEET. The JEE covers all of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, with a focus on logical thinking and problem-solving skills. The NEET, on the other hand, focuses on Biology, Chemistry and Physics, while focusing on conceptual knowledge and how it applies to medical conditions. This difference draws attention to the different skill sets tested in each exam.
- The JEE model has an important feature that could be applied to NEET as well: it adds problem-solving abilities. JEE questions often require complex problem-solving techniques, testing candidates’ ability to apply what they have learned to everyday situations. Similar questions could be added to NEET to increase its rigor and encourage candidates to do more than just memorize information. Doing so also helps them critically evaluate and integrate information, an essential skill for medical education and practice.
- Another possible change is to use a multi-session exam format for NEET, like JEE Main and Advanced papers. This strategy could reduce the effects of annual variation in question paper difficulty, providing independence and uniformity in assessment.
