Every engineering student in India hears about two big exams: JEE and GATE. But which one is tougher? This is a common question, especially among those preparing for a long academic journey in engineering.
JEE is the entrance exam for B.Tech and B.E. courses at top colleges like IITs, NITs, and IIITs. It comes right after Class 12 and decides your undergraduate future. On the other hand, GATE is taken after graduation. It is for those who want to pursue M.Tech or get jobs in PSUs like BHEL and ONGC.
Both exams are difficult in their own ways. JEE has tricky questions and heavy competition. GATE needs a deep understanding and covers your full college syllabus. Many students feel confused about which exam is harder and why.
This article breaks it down clearly for you. We compare JEE and GATE in terms of syllabus, difficulty, question types, stress levels, and preparation tips.
Overview of JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Form | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) |
| Purpose | Gateway to B.Tech/B.E. programs at IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other top engineering colleges |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) for JEE Main, IITs for JEE Advanced |
| Frequency | Annually, JEE Main is held twice (January and April), JEE Advanced is held once |
| Duration | 3 hours per exam |
| Mode of Examination | Online (Computer-Based Test) for JEE MainJEE Advanced can be both online and offline |
| Total Number of Papers | 2 (JEE Main, JEE Advanced) |
| Subjects Offered | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (Class 11 and 12 CBSE syllabus) |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions |
| Negative Marking | For MCQs: 1 mark for each wrong answer; 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in NAT (JEE Main) |
| Total Marks for JEE Main | 300 marks (100 marks for each subject) |
| Total Marks for JEE Advanced | 360 marks (2 papers, 180 marks each) |
| Competition | ~11 lakh aspirants annually for JEE Main; top 2.5 lakh candidates eligible for JEE Advanced |
| Eligibility for JEE Advanced | The top 2.5 lakh candidates in JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced |
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is one of the most important exams for engineering students in India. It is the main path to get admission into top engineering colleges like IITs, NITs, and IIITs. JEE is divided into two stages: JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
JEE Main is the first step. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and acts as a screening test. Students who qualify in JEE Main can get into NITs, IIITs, and other central institutes. Also, only the top scorers in JEE Main become eligible to appear for JEE Advanced.
JEE Advanced is the second and final step for students who want to join the IITs. Only the top 2.5 lakh students from JEE Main are allowed to take JEE Advanced. This exam is tougher and more focused on concepts.
The JEE exams test three main subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. These are based on the Class 11 and Class 12 CBSE syllabus. The questions are not always direct. Many problems are based on applications and combinations of multiple concepts.
JEE Main includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical-type questions. Some questions have negative marking. JEE Advanced also includes MCQs, numerical answers, and multi-correct questions. It tests your ability to think deeply and solve problems under pressure.
Every year, around 11 lakh students appear for JEE Main. Out of these, only about 10,000 to 16,000 get a seat in the IITs through JEE Advanced. This shows how competitive the exam is. You need strong basics, quick thinking, and a lot of practice to succeed.
Eligibility Criteria for JEE
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Candidates should have passed or be appearing in the final year of Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. |
| Age Limit | Candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2000 (for JEE Main). The age limit may vary for JEE Advanced. |
| Number of Attempts | JEE Main: Candidates can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years.JEE Advanced: Maximum of two attempts in consecutive years. |
| Nationality | Indian nationals, and foreign nationals can apply for JEE Main. Foreign nationals may also apply for JEE Advanced under a separate category. |
| JEE Main and Advanced Attempts | Candidates are allowed to appear in JEE Main for three consecutive years. JEE Advanced can be attempted twice in consecutive years. |
Overview of GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
The GATE exam is for students who want to go for higher studies like M.Tech or Ph.D. after completing their B.Tech or B.E. It is also used for recruitment in many government-owned companies called Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). These include top companies like ONGC, BHEL, IOCL, and more.
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Form | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering |
| Purpose | Admission to M.Tech/Ph.D. programs at IITs, NITs, IISc, and recruitment in PSUs |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) |
| Frequency | Annually, usually in February |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Mode of Examination | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Total Number of Papers | 30 subjects |
| Subjects Offered | Engineering disciplines such as CS, ME, EE, CE, Chemical Engineering, and more |
| Type of Questions | 1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)2. Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)3. Numerical Answer Type (NAT) |
| Negative Marking | For MCQs only: 1/3 for 1 mark questions and 2/3 for 2 mark questions |
| Marking Scheme for NAT | No negative marking for NATs (Numerical Answer Type questions) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Languages | English |
| General Aptitude Weightage | 15% |
| Technical Subjects Weightage | 85% |
GATE is organized by IITs and IISc on a rotational basis. It is a single paper with questions based on your engineering stream. Students from streams like Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, and many more can apply. GATE offers exams in 30 different subjects.
The GATE paper has three types of questions:
- MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) with one correct answer.
- MSQs (Multiple Select Questions) where more than one option can be correct.
- NATs (Numerical Answer Type) where you have to type a number, often in decimal form.
GATE has negative marking only for MCQs. MSQs and NATs do not have negative marks, but they are tricky and need exact answers. Also, GATE allows the use of a virtual calculator, so students must know how to use it well.
The competition level in GATE is also high. Around 6 to 8 lakh students take the GATE exam every year. However, the number of serious aspirants is lower compared to JEE. GATE needs a deep understanding of concepts you study in college. It focuses more on the core subjects of your stream and how well you can apply that knowledge.
To get admission into top IITs for M.Tech or to get a PSU job, you usually need a GATE score above 650 to 1000, depending on your category and the stream. So, even though fewer people take the GATE exam, the level of difficulty is still very high.
Eligibility Criteria for GATE
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Candidates should have completed or be in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology or equivalent.Other graduates (e.g., in Science, Architecture) can also apply. |
| Age Limit | No age limit. Candidates of any age can apply. |
| Number of Attempts | No limit on the number of attempts. |
| Nationality | Indian Nationals, and also candidates from other countries (like Nepal, Bangladesh, UAE, etc.) |
| Previous Year Qualification | Candidates should have completed or be in the final year of their degree. |
Is Gate Exam Tougher Than IIT JEE?
No, GATE is not tougher than IIT JEE. IIT JEE, especially the Advanced stage, is widely regarded as the toughest exam in India due to its vast syllabus, intense competition, and high difficulty level. GATE is challenging but more specialized and taken after graduation, making JEE tougher overall.
Gate vs IIT JEE: Exam Difficulty Comparison
Many students want to know which exam is tougher: JEE or GATE. The answer depends on several factors. Both exams have different purposes and test different levels of knowledge. In this section, we will compare JEE and GATE based on four key points: syllabus, question complexity, competition, and psychological pressure.
1) Syllabus Depth and Breadth
JEE: JEE focuses on topics from Class 11 and Class 12. The subjects tested are Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The syllabus follows the NCERT books used in most schools under the CBSE board. While the syllabus may seem smaller than GATE, the questions in JEE—especially in JEE Advanced—are not simple. Many questions combine two or more topics. For example, a single question in Physics may include concepts from mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves. This makes JEE Advanced very challenging. Students must be able to apply concepts, not just memorize them.
Also, time is short during the exam. So, students must solve difficult questions quickly and accurately. This adds to the challenge. Even though the syllabus is limited to school-level topics, the way questions are asked makes the exam hard.
GATE: GATE is based on what students study during their four years of engineering. Each branch has a different syllabus. For example, a Computer Science student must prepare subjects like Algorithms, Data Structures, Operating Systems, Databases, and Theory of Computation. A Mechanical Engineering student must study subjects like Thermodynamics, Strength of Materials, and Machine Design.
GATE tests your deep understanding of these subjects. The syllabus is much larger than JEE. Students also have to prepare General Aptitude, which includes English and basic mathematics. Even though GATE focuses on core subjects, the level of understanding required is very high. Memorizing formulas is not enough. Students must understand how to apply them in real-world problems.
So, in terms of syllabus, JEE has more limited topics but tests deeper application of them. GATE covers a broader range of subjects and needs a higher level of understanding.
2) Question Complexity
JEE: JEE questions test your ability to solve problems quickly. JEE Main includes MCQs and numerical-based questions. JEE Advanced has even tougher questions. Some questions have more than one correct answer. These require students to check every option and think carefully.
Also, JEE has negative marking. This means guessing can lead to a lower score. Many questions are tricky and designed to confuse. Students often make small mistakes due to pressure. Even if you know the concept, it is easy to lose marks if you are not careful. The key to solving JEE questions is speed and accuracy.
GATE: GATE also includes MCQs, but it has two other question types: MSQs (Multiple Select Questions) and NATs (Numerical Answer Type). NATs are especially hard because you need to enter exact numbers. There are no options to choose from. These questions test your calculation skills and concept clarity.
MSQs are also tricky because more than one answer can be correct. If you miss even one correct option, you get zero marks. GATE does not give partial marks for MSQs. This makes them risky but important.
In GATE, you also have to solve real-world application problems. These problems are often based on industrial use cases or practical scenarios. So, students must know not just the theory but how it works in real life. You also get a virtual calculator, but it takes time to use. So, you must practice using it in mock tests.
Overall, JEE focuses more on speed and logic, while GATE focuses more on depth and precision.
3) Competition and Success Ratios
JEE: JEE is one of the most competitive exams in India. Every year, over 11 lakh students appear for JEE Main. Only around 2.5 lakh are selected for JEE Advanced. After that, only 10,000 to 16,000 get a seat in an IIT.
This means that only about 1% to 1.5% of students who appear for JEE Main finally get into an IIT. The competition is huge, and even a single mark can change your rank by hundreds or thousands. This makes JEE extremely competitive. You have to be among the best of the best to get into a top IIT.
GATE: In GATE, about 6 to 8 lakh students appear every year. The number of seats for M.Tech programs in IITs is higher than JEE because many students do not opt for M.Tech. Also, top GATE scores are needed only if you want to join a top IIT or get a PSU job.
The success rate in GATE is slightly better. But the exam is still tough because of the depth of knowledge required. To get a PSU job, you often need a GATE score of above 800 to 1000, which only a small percentage of students achieve.
So, JEE has higher competition for fewer seats, while GATE needs very high scores for top opportunities.
4) Psychological Pressure
JEE: JEE creates a lot of pressure, especially because students face it just after school. Many students prepare for 2–3 years, often starting from Class 9 or 10. Coaching centers, parents, and society all have high expectations. There is pressure to get into an IIT at any cost.
This pressure can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Students often compare their ranks with others. The thought of not getting into a good college after years of preparation adds to the mental burden. Also, since most students are 16–18 years old, they may not have the emotional strength to handle failure well.
GATE: GATE also brings pressure, but of a different kind. Most GATE aspirants are in their early 20s. They have already completed or are completing their graduation. Many want to get into IITs for M.Tech or land a government job through PSUs.
Since GATE is often a last chance for a career boost, the pressure is more career-based. Students fear not getting placed or missing out on secure jobs. Also, since GATE has a vast syllabus and tricky questions, the preparation can feel overwhelming.
So, JEE pressure comes from academic expectations at a young age. GATE pressure comes from job and career goals later on.
JEE Score Usage
| Purpose | Details |
| B.Tech Admissions | JEE Main scores are used for admission to B.Tech/B.E. programs at IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other engineering colleges. |
| JEE Advanced Admission | Candidates qualifying JEE Main with top ranks are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced, which is used for IIT admissions. |
| Counselling | Candidates who clear JEE Main can participate in JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) for counselling. |
GATE Score Usage
| Purpose | Details |
| M.Tech Admissions | Accepted by all IITs, NITs, IISc, and several other universities for M.Tech/Ph.D. programs. |
| PSU Recruitment | Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like ONGC, BHEL, IOCL recruit through GATE scores. |
| Research and Ph.D. Opportunities | Some universities and research institutes also use GATE scores for Ph.D. admissions. |
Conclusion
Both JEE and GATE are tough, but they test students in different ways. JEE focuses on speed, accuracy, and strong problem-solving skills based on Class 11 and 12 topics. It is the first big step for students who want to study engineering at IITs or NITs. GATE tests your full knowledge of engineering subjects after graduation. It needs clear concepts, detailed understanding, and strong numerical skills.
JEE has more students and tougher competition for each seat. GATE has fewer test-takers, but the questions are deeper and need more preparation time. The pressure in both exams is high, but the reasons are different. JEE students face pressure just after school. GATE students feel it due to job goals or higher studies.
In the end, neither exam is easy. With the right strategy, hard work, and regular practice, you can succeed in both. Choose your path based on your goals and stay focused.
