Difference Between NEET and JEE Mains Exams (2025 Guide)

Choosing the right entrance exam after Class 12 can shape your future. In India, two major competitive exams dominate the career paths for science stream students: NEET for medical aspirants and JEE Mains for engineering aspirants. Let’s break down their differences so you can make the right decision in 2025.

“If Biology fascinates you, go for NEET. If you love solving equations and building things, JEE Mains is your path.” – Sanjeev Kumar

1. Exam Overview

Criteria	NEET	JEE Mains
Field	Medical	Engineering
Conducted By	NTA	NTA
Courses Offered	MBBS, BDS, AYUSH	B.E., B.Tech., B.Arch.

2. Subjects & Syllabus

Criteria	NEET	JEE Mains
Subjects	Physics, Chemistry, Biology	Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
Level	NCERT 11th & 12th (PCB)	NCERT 11th & 12th (PCM)

3. Exam Pattern & Duration

Aspect	NEET	JEE Mains
Total Questions	200 (180 to attempt)	90 (75 to attempt)
Marking Scheme	+4 correct, -1 wrong	+4 correct, -1 wrong
Duration	3 hrs 20 min	3 hrs
Mode	Offline (Pen-paper)	Online (Computer-based)

4. Career Opportunities

NEET: Doctor, Surgeon, Medical Officer, Researcher
JEE Mains: Engineer, Developer, Data Scientist, Entrepreneur

5. Popular Colleges

NEET: AIIMS, JIPMER, AFMC, State Medical Colleges
JEE Mains: NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IITs via JEE Advanced

6. Final Thoughts

Whether you're aiming for a stethoscope or a circuit board, both NEET and JEE Mains are respected gateways to brilliant careers. Identify your passion, play to your strengths, and prepare with dedication. And if Physics is your hurdle — don't worry, Physics Navigator is here to guide you!

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