When it comes to preparing for engineering entrance exams, two of the most popular and competitive exams in India are JEE and BITSAT. Students often wonder whether BITSAT is easier than JEE, considering that both exams are designed to test the aptitude of students for admissions into top engineering colleges.
In this article, we will compare JEE and BITSAT in terms of difficulty level, exam pattern, syllabus, and other essential aspects to help you make an informed decision.
| Feature | JEE Mains | BITSAT |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) |
| Frequency | Twice a year (usually in January and April) | Once a year (usually in May/June) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Total Marks | 300 | 450 |
| Subjects Covered | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, Logical Reasoning |
| Number of Questions | 90 questions (30 per subject) | 150 questions (50 Physics, 40 Chemistry, 40 Maths, 10 English, 10 Logical Reasoning) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer | +3 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based Test (CBT) | Computer-based Test (CBT) |
| Eligibility | 12th-grade pass with minimum marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics | 12th-grade pass with minimum marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics |
| Qualifying Exam for | IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other central government institutions | BITS Pilani, BITS Goa, BITS Hyderabad |
The difficulty level of both exams largely depends on the individual student’s strengths and weaknesses, but here are some key differences:
JEE Mains
JEE Mains is considered to be one of the most challenging exams in India, primarily because it is the first stage of the JEE Advanced exam, which is required for admissions into IITs. The level of questions is high, and students must have a strong grasp of concepts and problem-solving skills. The syllabus for JEE Mains is based on the NCERT Solutions curriculum, and the difficulty level varies each year, but it is known to be challenging due to the extensive coverage of topics in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
BITSAT
BITSAT is known for being less challenging than JEE Mains in terms of conceptual difficulty, but it has its own set of challenges. The exam emphasizes speed and accuracy, and students are expected to complete the paper in a limited amount of time. The questions in BITSAT tend to be direct, but the difficulty lies in answering all 150 questions within the given time. Moreover, BITSAT also includes English and Logical Reasoning sections, which are not part of JEE Mains, making the exam slightly different in terms of scope.
| Aspect | JEE Mains 2025 | BITSAT 2025 |
| Overall Difficulty | High - Focuses on deep conceptual understanding and complex problem-solving. | Moderate - Conceptually simpler but faster-paced and includes additional sections like English and Logical Reasoning. |
| Subject Difficulty | Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics have higher difficulty, especially in topics like Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Calculus. | Similar topics as JEE Mains, but generally with less emphasis on advanced topics in Physics and Mathematics. |
| Time Pressure | Time pressure is significant, but students can focus mainly on solving complex questions in the core subjects. | High time pressure as students have to balance not only core subjects but also English and Logical Reasoning in the same time frame. |
| Type of Questions | Mostly multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with negative marking, testing conceptual depth and application. | Mostly MCQs with negative marking, but also includes questions from English and Logical Reasoning which require quick thinking and accuracy. |
| Focus on Speed | Speed is important, but accuracy and understanding of concepts take precedence. | Speed is more crucial; students must answer questions quickly and correctly within a fixed time, especially in the English and Logical Reasoning sections. |
| Preparation Strategy | Strong focus on conceptual clarity and solving complex problems. Practice with mock tests and previous year papers is crucial. | Equal emphasis on conceptual knowledge, speed, and accuracy. Regular practice in solving English and Logical Reasoning problems is important. |
| Cut-off Trend | The cut-offs for JEE Mains are generally higher, with the exam being a gateway to IITs, NITs, and other top colleges. | The cut-offs for BITSAT are generally lower than JEE Mains but still competitive, as BITS Pilani is a prestigious institution. |
| Negative Marking | Negative marking in JEE Mains (1 mark for every wrong answer). | Negative marking in BITSAT as well (1 mark for every wrong answer). |
| Total Number of Questions | 90 questions (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) in JEE Mains. | 150 questions (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, Logical Reasoning) in BITSAT. |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
Also Check - JEE Main Eligibility Criteria
| Feature | JEE Mains Exam Pattern | BITSAT Exam Pattern |
| Total Number of Questions | 90 (30 Physics, 30 Chemistry, 30 Mathematics) | 150 (50 Physics, 40 Chemistry, 40 Mathematics, 10 English, 10 Logical Reasoning) |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer | +3 for correct answer, -1 for wrong answer |
| Section-wise Marks | 90 x 4 = 360 marks total | 50 x 3 (Physics) + 40 x 3 (Chemistry) + 40 x 3 (Maths) + 10 x 3 (English) + 10 x 3 (Logical Reasoning) = 450 marks total |
| Negative Marking | Yes (for incorrect answers) | Yes (for incorrect answers) |
| Subject | JEE Mains 2025 Syllabus | BITSAT 2025 Syllabus |
| Physics | Mechanics, Waves and Sound, Electromagnetism, Optics, Thermodynamics, Modern Physics, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, etc. | Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Waves and Sound, Electromagnetism, Optics, Modern Physics, etc. |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Solutions, Surface Chemistry, Electrochemistry, etc. | Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Solutions, Electrochemistry, etc. |
| Mathematics | Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry, Probability, Vectors, 3D Geometry, etc. | Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry, Probability, etc. |
| English | Not included in JEE Mains | Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary, Grammar |
| Logical Reasoning | Not included in JEE Mains | Series Completion, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Analogies, Direction Sense, etc. |
JEE Mains 2025 Syllabus: Focuses entirely on Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. It includes a vast range of topics, particularly in subjects like Mechanics, Electricity, Magnetism, Organic Chemistry, and Calculus, which are essential for students targeting top engineering colleges like IITs and NITs.
BITSAT 2025 Syllabus: Includes all the topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, but with additional sections in English and Logical Reasoning. The English section tests grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension, while the Logical Reasoning section includes puzzles, analogies, and problem-solving tasks, making BITSAT more comprehensive in terms of the skills assessed.
Must See - BITSAT Previous Year Question Paper
Ans: The JEE Mains syllabus mainly covers Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, based on the NCERT curriculum. BITSAT, on the other hand, includes additional sections such as English and Logical Reasoning, alongside Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Ans: While both exams are challenging, BITSAT is generally considered easier in terms of conceptual difficulty but requires faster problem-solving due to its time constraints. The focus on speed and accuracy in BITSAT differentiates it from the conceptual depth tested in JEE Mains.
Ans: In JEE Mains, each correct answer is awarded +4 marks, and each wrong answer deducts -1 mark. In BITSAT, each correct answer gets +3 marks, and -1 mark is deducted for a wrong answer. BITSAT also has a higher number of questions, but each question carries fewer marks compared to JEE Mains.
Ans: JEE Mains consists of 90 questions, divided equally among Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. BITSAT has 150 questions, including sections on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Logical Reasoning.