The number of engineering aspirants and the demand for admission into prestigious institutions is steadily increasing. As a result, students are gearing up for challenging competitive entrance exams. While JEE Main remains the most popular national-level exam, many students also opt for BITSAT to gain admission to one of the private campuses. JEE Main provides eligibility for admission into NITs, IITs, and GFTIs, while BITSAT offers access to Pilani, Goa & Hyderabad campuses.
Since many students attempt both exams, comparisons are made regarding difficulty level, exam pattern, and syllabus. It is highly recommended that students familiarize themselves with both exams, such as the key differences between JEE Main and BITSAT, before taking them.
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JEE Main 2025 and BITSAT 2025 Exam Dates
Candidates can check exam dates for JEE Main and BITSAT 2025 in the table given below:
| Sessions | JEE Main 2025 | BITSAT 2025 |
| Session 1 | 22-Jan-2025 to 30-Jan-2025 | 26-May-2025 to 30-May-2025 |
| Session 2 | 01-Apr-2025 to 08-Apr-2025 | 22-Jun-2025 to 26-Jun-2025 |
JEE Main vs BITSAT: Which exam is more difficult?
One of the most frequently pondered questions in engineering aspirants is whether JEE Main is more complex or BITSAT. Both these exams are popular choices for study in good institutes in our country and hence have high cutoffs:
JEE Main vs BITSAT – Difficulty Level
| Particulars | JEE Main (Paper 1) | BITSAT |
| Number of Questions to be Attempted | 75 questions | Section A (MCQ) – 60 Questions, Section B (Numerical) – 15 Questions, 130 Questions total (with an additional 12 questions if the paper is completed early) |
| Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Nature of Questions | JEE Main questions are more conceptual. | BITSAT questions are more direct. |
| Speed or Accuracy | More focus on speed and accuracy. | More focus on speed since 130 questions have to be solved in 3 hours. |
| Competition | Higher competition since the exam is attempted by top scorers of the nation. | Lesser competition as compared to JEE Main. |
| Level of Difficulty | Has conceptually based questions and the difficulty level is higher than BITSAT. However, there are fewer questions. | The total number of questions to be solved within 3 hours makes the exam quite difficult, but the questions are not as difficult as JEE Main. |
| Negative Marking | Both exams have negative marking, so students are advised to be cautious while attempting the paper. | Both exams have negative marking, so students should be cautious. |
JEE Main vs BITSAT Exam Pattern
JEE Main and BITSA are conducted online as computer-based exams and are held across various states in the country. As a result, it is crucial for candidates to understand the differences in the patterns of the two exams before taking them:
Difference Between JEE Main and BITSAT Exam Pattern
| Particulars | JEE Main (Paper 1) | BITSAT |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Mode | Computer Based Mode |
| Duration | 3 Hours | 3 Hours |
| Medium | Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, along with Hindi, English, and Gujarati | English |
| Sections | Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English Proficiency, and Logical Reasoning |
| Type of Questions | Section A – Multiple Choice Questions, Section B – Numerical Value Questions | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Number of Questions | 75 | 130 Questions (Additional 12 questions for candidates who attempt all questions before time ends) |
| Marking Scheme | 4 marks for each correct answer, 1 mark deducted for wrong answer in MCQs, no deduction for incorrect numeric value answers | 3 marks for each correct answer, 1 mark deducted for wrong response |
JEE Main vs BITSAT Syllabus
The official syllabus for both JEE Main and BITSAT is based on the 10th and 12th standard curriculum for mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The exams are designed to evaluate the candidate’s understanding and aptitude in these subjects.
To prepare effectively, candidates should review the official syllabus for both exams. Candidates who are thoroughly prepared for JEE Main are likely to be well-equipped for the BITSAT exam. However, BITSAT candidates will need to focus more on understanding the concepts, in addition to material that is covered for JEE Main.
Which Topics in BITSAT Syllabus are NOT available in JEE Main Syllabus?
In addition to mathematics, physics, and chemistry, BITSAT includes an extra section on English Proficiency and Logical Reasoning. This section is designed to assess the candidate’s command of English language as well as their reasoning abilities:
| Section | Units |
| English Proficiency | Grammar: Agreement, Time and Tense, Parallel construction, Relative pronouns, Determiners, Prepositions, Modals, Adjectives, Voice, Transformation, Question tags, Phrasal verbs |
| Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Odd Word, One Word, Jumbled letters, Homophones, Spelling, Contextual meaning, Analogy | |
| Reading Comprehension: Content/ideas, Vocabulary, Referents, Idioms/Phrases, Reconstruction (rewording) | |
| Composition: Rearrangement, Paragraph Unity, Linkers/Connectives | |
| Logical Reasoning | Verbal Reasoning: Analogy, Classification, Series Completion, Logical Deduction, Chart Logic |
| Nonverbal Reasoning: Pattern Perception, Paper Cutting, Figure Matrix, Rule Detection |
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Is BITSAT tougher than Jee? – FAQs
BITSAT is typically easier than JEE Main regarding conceptual depth but requires speed and accuracy due to the large number of questions and short duration. JEE Main emphasizes deeper understanding, application of concepts, and strong problem-solving abilities.
The exam’s difficulty varied from moderate to strenuous. Chemistry was easy, maths was lengthy with tricky questions, physics was mild, and English and logical reasoning were straightforward.
The IIT selection process is more challenging than BITS. To secure admission into IIT, candidates must first clear the JEE Main exam, followed by the JEE Advanced exam.
BITSAT is a 400-mark exam, and scoring 300+ can be challenging. However, focused preparation makes achieving such high marks possible with dedication and strategic study.
A score of 270 on the BITSAT is decent but may not suffice for top branches like Computer Science at BITS Pilani. However, it could secure admission in other branches at BITS Goa or Hyderabad.