NEET-JEE exams outpace school curriculum, government panel flags major mismatch

A government panel has found that NEET-UG and JEE are testing students beyond their preparedness, with NEET Physics a key concern. It has called for aligning school curricula with entrance exams and allowing more time between boards and tests to reduce coaching dependence.NEET-JEE exams outpace school curriculum, government panel flags major mismatch (Image: PTI)For millions of students preparing for NEET-UG and JEE, the biggest hurdle may not be a lack of effort but a disconnect between what schools teach and what entrance exams demand. A government panel has found that both examinations are testing students at a level significantly higher than their preparedness, with NEET Physics emerging as a particular concern.The finding comes as the Centre considers a free online coaching programme for students, with the draft report suggesting that reducing dependence on private coaching will require changes not only in exam preparation but also in school education and entrance-test design.NEET PAPER FOUND TOO DIFFICULTThe committee examined NEET-UG question papers from 2023, 2024 and 2025 and found that the overall difficulty was consistently higher than the ability level of the candidates taking the examination.Physics emerged as the biggest concern. The subject was assessed as being particularly difficult in all three years, with the gap between the level of the paper and students' preparedness described as especially wide. The report observed that the average NEET paper was tougher than the average candidate. With Physics becoming relatively more difficult compared with Biology, performance in individual subjects can have a disproportionate impact on a student's overall score and rank.This becomes significant in a highly competitive examination where thousands of candidates can be separated by only a few marks. When a large majority of students perform below the level demanded by the paper, even small differences in scores can translate into major changes in rankings.JEE ALSO SHOWS PREPAREDNESS GAP The committee's analysis of JEE 2025 reached a similar conclusion.Question papers from ten shifts conducted on January 22, 23, 24, 28 and 29 were examined to compare the difficulty of the questions with the preparedness of the candidates.Across all the shifts studied, the difficulty level was found to be higher than the level at which most candidates were prepared to perform. Student scores were largely concentrated towards the lower end of the distribution, while only a small proportion of candidates managed to secure very high marks.The findings suggest that the challenge is not limited to a particular paper or shift but reflects a wider disconnect between classroom learning and the demands of competitive examinations.SCHOOL LEARNING AND ENTRANCE EXAMS PULL IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONSThe report identifies what it describes as a substantial gap between the knowledge and competencies developed through the existing school curriculum and those assessed in entrance examinations.Competitive exams increasingly place emphasis on conceptual clarity, application of knowledge, higher-order thinking and complex problem-solving. According to the panel, these demands can go beyond the level of routine instruction students receive in schools.As a result, students who want to compete successfully in NEET or JEE often require additional preparation outside the formal education system. This has helped create a strong dependence on specialised coaching institutes.NCERT, BOARDS AND ENTRANCE EXAMS NEED ALIGNMENTThe committee has recommended greater alignment between NCERT and board curricula and the requirements for entrance examinations such as JEE and NEET.It has also called for greater harmonisation of school curricula across different boards so that students from different parts of the country have a more comparable academic foundation before appearing for national-level entrance tests.The underlying objective is to ensure that students can prepare for competitive examinations through their regular schooling instead of having to rely heavily on external coaching.MORE TIME BETWEEN BOARDS AND ENTRANCE TESTSThe panel has also proposed creating a gap of at least six months between school board examinations and entrance tests.It has further been suggested that entrance examinations should be held at least twice a year. Such a system could reduce pressure on students and provide them with greater flexibility in preparing and appearing for the exams.THE LARGER ISSUEThe draft report's central message is that the coaching problem cannot be addressed simply by providing students with another preparation platform. If school education and entrance examinations continue to operate at substantially different levels, students are likely to keep seeking specialised coaching to bridge the gap.Conclusion: Bringing school curricula and entrance exams closer together could be the more fundamental answer to India's coaching dependence, ensuring that students are prepared for competitive tests through classroom learning rather than being pushed towards expensive external coaching.- EndsPublished By: Apoorva AnandPublished On: Aug 27, 2026 09:15 IST