Shiksha Poll Asks 'Why JEE Advanced? - Here's What Aspirants Had to Say

Passion to pursue engineering is the most important factor that leads aspirants to participate in JEE Advanced exam. While good career prospects and the reputation of an IIT also play a major role. Additionally, many candidates also pursue this exam under family expectations. Know here what motivates candidates to tackle JEE Advanced, one of the toughest exams.

Why should you take JEE Advanced?

Why JEE Advanced and IIT: A poll was run by shiksha.com that aimed to understand why candidates go through IIT JEE Advanced, one of the toughest entrance exams in world. Although, one obvious answer is to get into one of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), but what are some other reasons? Last year, out of 1,80,422 candidates who appeared for the exam, 26.7% qualified and 9.81% were allotted seats across 23 IITs. Additionally, the selection rate last year was 30.1%.

With such a low success rate in the IITs, one might imagine why so many candidates gravitate towards the JEE Advanced. Aspirants invest year after year to prepare for JEE Advanced for IIT admission. With Shiksha poll results now available, we have some of the most important reasons why a student aims to crack JEE Advanced, a beast of an exam and why IIT admission is so important despite the tough selection process. JEE Advanced 2026 will be held on May 17, 2026.

Shiksha Poll: What motivates you to tackle JEE Advanced, one of the toughest exams?

When asked “What motivates you to tackle JEE Advanced, one of the toughest exams?”, the following options were provided:

• Good career prospects
• Reputation of an IIT
• Family expectations
• Interest in engineering
• Others

The poll result indicated that interest in engineering is the highest motivator for the candidates to pursue JEE Advanced exam.

What motivates you to tackle JEE Advanced, one of the toughest exams?

What the poll result indicate?

Primary Motivation: The majority of aspirants (27%) take JEE Advanced due to a genuine interest in the field.

Career and Prestige: 25% of candidates take the exam for the brand of IIT and the good career prospect associated with the IIT brand.

Family Expectations: 10% of the candidates take the exam due to expectation of their family.

Minority Influence: 14% of candidates said they have other reasons to take the exam.

Is Cracking JEE Advanced and Chasing After an IIT Seat Worth It?

Cracking JEE Advanced and securing a seat in an IIT is a difficult job, but is it worth it? Check the advantages of challenges of pursuing the JEE Advanced exam:

Advantages

• Prestige and recognition
• World-class education
• Career support and opportunities
• Great alumni connection
• All round growth

Challenges

• Impeccable pressure and stress
• Very demanding
• High dedication required
• Many sacrifices are needed to be made
• Balancing hobbies and extracurriculars is difficult

Alternatives of IIT JEE Advanced

Attending other prestigious engineering colleges, starting your own business, or exploring new fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and design are just some of the alternative options available to IIT JEE Advanced. Cajndidates can also look out for some of the private colleges tht intake admission without JEE Advanced. Among the most well-known private engineering colleges are BITS Pilani, VIT University, Amrita University, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, and Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT). Each of these college hold its own entrance exam for admission into BTech/BE/Integrated BTech programs.

Also Read: Private Engineering Entrance Exams in India

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