Every year, lakhs of class 12 students appear for the NEET-UG medical entrance exam and the JEE engineering exam, with many relying heavily on private coaching to succeed. A government panel has now determined that the primary hurdle for candidates is not a lack of effort, but a substantial disconnect between school education and the rigorous demands of these competitive tests. According to the committee, both examinations consistently test candidates at a level far exceeding their overall school preparedness.
NEET Physics Emerges as Major Hurdle
Reviewing NEET-UG question papers from 2023, 2024, and 2025, the panel concluded that the examination was consistently tougher than the standard at which most students are trained in school. Physics emerged as a prominent concern across all three years.
As reported by The Economic Times, the committee noted that Physics was comparatively more difficult than Biology. Consequently, a student’s performance in Physics can drastically influence their overall score and rank. This distinction is critical in NEET, where marginal differences of a few marks can lead to major rank shifts.
JEE Follows a Similar Trend
The panel also evaluated 10 shifts of the JEE 2025, conducted on January 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29. A similar pattern was observed, with questions generally surpassing the difficulty level for which most candidates were prepared to perform. The data indicated that the majority of candidates scored towards the lower end, while only a small fraction secured very high marks.
The findings highlight that NEET and JEE increasingly evaluate conceptual understanding, application, and problem-solving skills. The panel observed that these specific skills may not always be developed through regular classroom teaching.
Panel Recommendations for Education Reform
To address this educational divide, the committee suggested bringing NCERT and board curricula closer to the specific requirements of NEET and JEE. The panel also recommended greater alignment among different school boards so that students nationwide share a more similar academic foundation.
Furthermore, the committee proposed a mandatory gap of at least six months between board exams and entrance tests. They also suggested conducting entrance examinations at least twice a year.
These assessments arrive as the Centre considers implementing a free online coaching programme. However, the panel’s broader message emphasizes that reducing the reliance on private coaching will require structural changes in both the school curriculum and the entrance exams themselves.
