JEE vs. NEET vs. CUET: Which Entrance Exam Is Right for You? JEE, NEET, and CUET—all three are entrance exams for class 12 students who opted for science as their career. Many students plan to appear for all three exams but are confused if it is a good option. All three exams have different exam patterns, syllabuses, and criteria. In this article, we will be discussing the key differences between JEE, NEET, and CUET, which exam is a better choice for which student, and if students should appear for all three simultaneously.
JEE vs. NEET vs. CUET
India is well-known for some of the most prestigious educational institutes that conduct several entrance exams for students who have passed 12th and want to continue their studies. Among these prestigious national-level exams, the most opted entrance exams are JEE, NEET, and CUET. The role of entrance exams is very significant, as they decide if you can enroll in your desired college or in any other college.
The students of the science stream who want to pursue further education must know these top entrance exams that they can prepare for. Let’s dive deep into the difference between JEE, NEET, and CUET to decide further which among them is better.
JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)
NTA JEE 2025 is a national-level entrance examination that is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for students who are looking forward to getting admission in different undergraduate programs in the field of engineering and architecture. This examination is an important gateway for students aspiring to enter into some of the top institutions, like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other premier engineering colleges in India.
The JEE Main 2025 exam will mainly be computer-based, thus providing a contemporary and effective assessment. However, an exception is made for the Drawing section of Paper 2, which will be held in a traditional pen-and-paper format. The overall structure of JEE Main 2025 will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s proficiency in subjects such as physics, chemistry, and mathematics for Paper 1 and additional testing for candidates opting for Paper 2 related to architecture and design. The exam is held twice a year (in January and April).
NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the National Eligibility and Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) for providing admission to various undergraduate medical courses in India. NEET is the only MBBS entrance exam in India. It is an offline or paper-pencil-based test (PBT), which is conducted for 180 minutes or three hours. This exam evaluates the candidate’s expertise in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
The NEET PG examination is held for individuals seeking admission to medical MD and MS courses in India. Previously, the NEET PG exam comprised 300 questions, but this was subsequently reduced to 200. This exam is conducted in computer-based mode (CBT) for 3.5 hours and there are 200 multiple-choice questions.
CUET (Common University Entrance Test)
The CUET UG is an entrance exam that is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam is organized to provide admission into central universities and other participant institutions towards very many undergraduate programs, namely arts, commerce, science, and vocational courses. This exam is conducted in computer-based mode (CBT). The time duration depends on the combination of subjects.
CUET is conducted in 13 languages. Paper 1 is divided into 4 sections—Section IA (language), Section IB (other language), Section II (domain-specific subjects), and Section III (general knowledge). The examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) categorized into two sections: Section A, containing 25 general questions, and Section B, including 75 domain-specific knowledge questions.
Which Entrance Exam Is Right for You?
The entrance exam for which you should prepare must be according to your goal in academics. If you want to opt for the engineering field, then you must go for JEE. If you want to pursue your career in medical science, then NEET is the right choice, and if you want to join a central university in any field, then go for CUET. Which entrance exam is a better option for you is totally dependent on your skills, subject interest, and goal in career. If you want to prepare for all three entrance exams, then it is a good but very challenging decision, as the nature of these three exams is very different. You will need a good strategy study plan. Only opt for this decision if you are confident enough to manage all three; otherwise, you can also prepare any two exams together.