Are JEE and NEET Really Tough? How It Impacts Students and What Lies Ahead

The country’s two toughest exams- JEE and NEET need no introduction. The high level of competition and the stakes involved in JEE Main and NEET increase the students’ dependency on coaching. The difficulty levels often surpass the school curriculum, which has also led to increasing enrollments in ‘dummy’ schools.

Centre sets up a panel looking at ways to reduce JEE and NEET difficulty levels and align them with the school curriculum

Ideally, the syllabi for both these tests are based on the classes 11th and 12th curriculum. However, the difficulty levels of these exams are unmatched in comparison to the board exams. Let’s explore what makes the exam tough and what lies ahead for the recently formed panel to review the difficulty levels of these exams.

What are the reasons that make JEE and NEET tough?

The JEE Main and NEET exams see a large number of applicants every year. These students compete for very limited seats at prestigious institutes. This is the primary reason that makes JEE and NEET exams competitive and adds to their difficulty levels. While the school curriculum is often found to be theoretically based, these entrances focus on the application of those concepts. In fact, the exam pattern for JEE Advanced is one of the most rigorous ones. Students have to appear for two papers of 3 hours duration each, on a single day, with hardly a gap of 1 or 2 hours, including having to manage lunch. To beat the competition, many students start preparing from as early as the 9th standard, and some even three years before that. The syllabus of the JEE and NEET exams IS also vast, which leaves even 24 hours a day short for the aspirants. These exams not just test your knowledge but patience, focus and dedication. These contribute to making JEE and NEET the toughest exams in India.
👉Recommended Read: JEE Main, NEET UG Difficulty Levels Under Review by Centre; Key Updates Soon

How Does It Impact Students?

The tremendous pressure and constant dedication that these exams demand often affect the students negatively. It adds to their mental stress and may even deteriorate physical health. Increased pressure from the environment around and self-doubt also contribute to burnout, anxiety and tragic cases of suicide. On the plus side, those who prepare for it also find the courage to deal with an extremely stress-inducing environment and learn patience, focus, determination and not to forget, the subject learning that enables them to perform well in other paths.

What Lies Ahead with JEE Main, NEET UG Difficulty Levels Under Review by Centre?

This discussion takes wind as the Union government sets up a panel to review the difficulty levels of JEE and NEET exams and looks at ways of alignment with the classes 11th and 12th curriculum. The members of the panel include the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) chairman, joint secretaries from school education and higher education departments, representatives of IIT Madras, Kanpur,  NIT Trichy, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and principals of schools from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya and a private school. As of now, a decision has yet to be announced, but we can expect the following changes:

• Reduced Coaching Dependency: A fairer structure could help aspirants from diverse backgrounds compete without extra financial pressure.
• Focus on the well-being of students: Less exam stress may reduce cases of academic burnout and improve overall mental health among candidates.
• Balanced Question Papers: Difficulty levels may be reduced to ensure alignment with the school curriculum.