JEST vs IIT JAM vs GATE: Which Exam Is Best for Research Careers?
Choosing between the JEST exam, IIT JAM, and GATE depends on the individual's long-term goal. Reading this Shiksha Article will help you make the best decision for yourself. Below is a practical, research-focused comparison.
IIT JAM vs GATE vs JEST: Which is best? Check out the key differences for IIT JAM, GATE, and JEST for all postgraduate entrance exams. IIT JAM targets MSc (BSc level) in IITs/IISc; GATE targets M Tech/PhD courses. JEST targets PhD in research institutes (IISc, IISERs, TIFR) with a great difficulty level.
- IIT JAM vs GATE vs JEST: Access To Great Careers for MSc Aspirants
- IIT JAM vs GATE: which is tougher?
- IIT JAM vs JEST
- IIT JAM vs GATE
- IIT JAM vs GATE vs JEST Eligibility Criteria
IIT JAM vs GATE vs JEST: Access To Great Careers for MSc Aspirants
The JEST exam is great for research careers because it's a gateway to PhD/Integrated programs at renowned Indian Institutes (IISc, TIFR, NISER, CMI) in physics, TCS (Theoretical Computer Science), etc. This offers great access to top research, scholarships, and strong career prospects in academia and industry.
IIT JAM exam is great for your career because it's a gateway to renowned MSc, M Tech, and PhD programs at top Indian institutions. This offers great education, builds strong foundation skills, and has a diverse range of high-paying career options in the private and government sectors.
The GATE exam is one of the prestigious exams that opens many opportunities in India, which offers entry in top M Tech and PhD programs. It opens employment opportunities in public sector undertakings (PSUs) like HAL, IOCL, BARC.
IIT JAM vs GATE: which is tougher?
A common question arises every time: IIT JAM vs GATE, which is tougher? GATE is considered tough for engineering graduates because it tests deeper, graduate-level engineering concepts across many branches. On the other hand, IIT JAM focuses on BSc science fundamentals and problem-solving for MSc streams, so the difficulty of the exam depends on the specific domain. For proper research aptitude in physics or theoretical CS, JEST demands strong research-oriented thinking and conceptual depth.
IIT JAM vs JEST
Here we will analyse IIT JAM vs JEST on the basis of a criterion where from its full form to its marking scheme, we will have a proper analysis.
| Specifications |
IIT JAM |
JEST |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form |
Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Admission Test for Masters |
Joint Entrance Screening Test |
| Conducting Body (2026) |
IIT Bombay |
Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST), Thiruvanthapuram |
| Mode of Examination |
Computer Based Test |
Offline |
| Duration of the Exam |
3 hours |
3 hours |
| Exam Fees |
INR 18,00 (General/OBC), INR 900 (SC/ST/Female/PwD) |
INR 800 (General Male), INR 400 (SC/ST/Female) |
| Marking Scheme |
+1/+2; Negative marking -0.33/0.66 |
+1/+3; Negative Marking -0.33/-1 |
| Number of Questions |
60 |
50 |
| Frequency of the Exam |
Annually |
Annually |
IIT JAM vs GATE
Here is the analysis of IIT JAM vs GATE:
| Features | IIT JAM | GATE |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Objective | M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D. Programme at IIT/IISc | M.Tech and PhD Admission and PSU Employment Opportunities in Engineering and Science |
| Focus | Core sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, etc.) | Applied Engineering & Science Principles |
| Subjects | 7 Subjects (Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biotechnology and many more) | 30 Subjects |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate | High |
| Score Validity | 1 Years | 3 Years |
| Exam Pattern | MCQs, MSQs, NAT ( 3 hours) | MCQs, NAT ( 3 hours) |
IIT JAM vs GATE vs JEST Eligibility Criteria
IIT JAM
BSc or equivalent degree in Science with a minimum of 55% marks, and for SC, ST, PwD students, must score 50% marks. It focuses on MSc & Integrated PhD in Sciences at IITs/IISc.
GATE: (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
BSc degree in Engineering/Technology/Architecture or a Master's in Science. It focuses on M.Tech admissions & PSU recruitment, among other things.
JEST: (Jest Entrance Screening Test)
BSc in Physics or related fields for many programs, and specialized institutes accept diverse backgrounds. It focuses on PhD programs in Physics/Theoretical Sciences, such as TIFR and IISc.
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