Home Articles VITEEE vs JEE Main – Which Engineering Entrance Exam is Better?

VITEEE vs JEE Main – Which Engineering Entrance Exam is Better?

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Reshmi Das
Reshmi Das
VITEEE vs JEE Main – Which Engineering Entrance Exam is Better?

Introduction – VITEEE vs JEE Main

Engineering remains one of India's most sought-after career options, attracting lakhs of students annually who hope to secure entry into best-class colleges and build the foundation for profitable technology and innovation-driven careers. Of the numerous engineering entrance exams, VITEEE vs JEE Main is one where comparison usually takes place to identify the best means for students according to their aptitude, interest, and career ambitions.

Although both VITEEE and JEE Main are computer-based entrance tests, they cater to different colleges and differ in their format. JEE Main is an all-India test that invites candidates to the nation's top colleges like NITs, IIITs, and is the entrance test for JEE Advanced admission which is compulsory for admission to IITs.

VITEEE vs JEE Main – Exam Overview

Let us discuss a comparison of the two major engineering entrance exams in detail:

Feature

VITEEE

JEE Main

Full Form

VIT Engineering Entrance Exam

Joint Entrance Examination (Main)

Conducting Body

VIT University (Vellore)

National Testing Agency (NTA), Government of India

Frequency

Once a year (generally April–May)

Twice a year (January and April sessions)

Level

University-level (for admission to VIT campuses)

National-level (for admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs & eligibility for IITs)

Mode

Online (Computer-Based Test)

Online (Computer-Based Test for both sessions)

VITEEE vs JEE Main – Eligibility Criteria

It is essential that candidates understand the eligibility criteria for every exam before applying. Here is a comparison of VITEEE vs JEE Main minimum requirements:

Criteria

VITEEE

JEE Main

Age Limit

Should be born on or after 1 July 2003

No age limit for NITs/IIITs; for IITs (via JEE Advanced), general category students must be ≤25 years

Qualifying Exam

Passed 10+2 or equivalent

Passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board

Minimum Marks Required

Minimum 60% in PCM/PCB (50% for SC/ST or J&K/Northeast candidates)

No minimum marks for JEE Main; 75% in 12th or top 20 percentile for IITs via JEE Advanced

Subjects Required

Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology (for Bio streams)

Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics

VITEEE vs JEE Main – Exam Pattern

Both VITEEE and JEE Main are online examinations but differ in structure, type of questions, and evaluation. The comparison is shown below:

Component

VITEEE

JEE Main

Duration

2 hours 30 minutes

3 hours

No. of Questions

125 questions

90 questions (Students must attempt 75: 25 each in Physics, Chemistry & Math)

Subjects

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology, Aptitude, English

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

Type of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

MCQs + Numerical Value Type Questions

Marking Scheme

+1 for each correct answer; no negative marking

+4 for correct MCQ; -1 for incorrect MCQ; no negative marking for numerical value questions

VITEEE vs JEE Main – Syllabus

The VITEEE and JEE Main syllabus is mainly taken from the NCERT Class 11 and 12, with focus on mainstream topics in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. But whereas VITEEE includes additional sections such as English comprehension and Aptitude, and also offers Biology students the opportunity to opt for a few bio-streams, JEE Main strictly follows PCM and requires conceptual understanding, particularly in Maths and Physics.

Both the exams are NCERT concept-based, but JEE Main may also consist of some more difficult or application-type questions than NCERT basic level.

VITEEE vs JEE Main – Difficulty Level

Comparing the level of difficulty in VITEEE vs JEE Main, the latter is far more challenging when it comes to national-level competition and the fact that it is a stepping stone to prestigious colleges like NITs, IIITs, and IITs (through JEE Advanced). The questions posed in JEE Main are put to test higher-order thinking, problem-solving, and management of time, which in turn tend to require prolonged practice and insight.

Contrarily, VITEEE is comparatively on the moderate side in terms of difficulty and is more speed and accuracy-based on a wider field of subjects, including English and aptitude. The fact that there is no negative marking in VITEEE means students can try all questions, making it less punishing.

Following trends:

  • VITEEE has about 2–2.5 lakh applicants every year for fewer seats available at VIT campuses.
  • JEE Main attracts more than 10 lakh registrations annually, with the top 2.5 lakh qualifiers for JEE Advanced, for only ~17,000 IIT seats.

VITEEE vs JEE Main – Admission Scope

In college admissions, VITEEE and JEE Main offer entry into very distinct sets of institutions:

VITEEE is accepted only by the Vellore Institute of Technology and its four campuses:

  1. VIT Vellore
  2. VIT Chennai
  3. VIT Bhopal
  4. VIT-AP (Amaravati)

JEE Main scores are accepted by many government and private colleges including:

  • 31 NITs (National Institutes of Technology)
  • 26 IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology)
  • 33 GFTIs (Government Funded Technical Institutes)

VITEEE vs JEE Main – Seat Intake & Selection

The seats available and the method of selection are significantly different for every examination.

 

Criteria

VITEEE

JEE Main

Total Seat Intake

Approx. 6,000–7,000 seats across VIT campuses (Vellore, Chennai, Bhopal, AP)

Over 50,000+ seats across NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs

Selection Process

Based on normalized VITEEE score and internal ranking

Based on percentile score; All India Rank (AIR) used for JoSAA and CSAB counseling

Counseling Authority

VIT conducts its own centralized online counseling process

JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) and CSAB (Central Seat Allocation Board) manage the counseling

VITEEE vs JEE Main – What Exam to Opt For?

Selecting between JEE Main and VITEEE depends on several parameters such as choice of profession, academic interest, college culture inclination, and competitiveness tolerance:

Choose JEE Main if:

  • You wish to take admission in top government engineering colleges like NITs, IIITs, or desire to pursue IITs through JEE Advanced.
  • You have high competitiveness tolerance and are able to take a strong syllabus.
  • You have a preference for a country-level certification and larger course sets.

Choose VITEEE if:

  • You’re focused on getting into one of the VIT campuses, which offer strong infrastructure, placements, and global exposure.
  • You want a less competitive, university-specific exam that doesn't include negative marking.
  • You are more confident in handling a broader section pattern (including English & Aptitude).
  • You can take both exams to keep your options open. Many students appear for both to maximize admission chances based on performance.

Conclusion – VITEEE vs JEE Main

In short, both VITEEE and JEE Main offer unique channels for a fine engineering education in India. JEE Main is ideal for students aiming for NITs, IIITs, and IITs with adequate preparation and national-level aspirations. VITEEE, on the other hand, is ideal for students requiring a specialty, low-competitive admission route to VIT's recognized campuses.

Students must assess their college skills, research work study habits, long-term goals, and perfect college environments before making a final decision. Taking both tests also is a smart strategy, keeping doors open for your engineering future.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try VITEEE and JEE Main in the same year?

Yes, you can attempt both exams. Their exam dates never coincide so that both private and government engineering colleges are available to students.

Which one is easier: VITEEE or JEE Main?

VITEEE is mostly easier than JEE Main since VITEEE contains medium-level questions, no negative marking, and fewer numbers of students.

Does VIT accept the JEE Main score?

No, VIT does not accept JEE Main scores for admission. Admission to all the B.Tech courses is only through VITEEE.

Is JEE Main necessary for engineering admission in India?

Not necessarily. Although JEE Main offers admission to the top public institutions, many other reliable private universities like VIT, SRM, and BITS conduct their own entrance exams.

How many times I can attempt VITEEE and JEE Main?

VITEEE can be attempted once in a year. JEE Main can be attempted twice a year, and 6 times within 3 years of passing 12th.

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