MCAT VS NEET – Which One is More Difficult?

Aspiring to become a doctor? Then you must have come across NEET and MCAT. Both of them are medical entrance exams conducted to test whether you have the potential to become a doctor or not!

NEET is a mandatory exam for pursuing a medical profession in India whereas MCAT is an admission test for international colleges in the US, Canada, Australia and the Caribbean Islands. Wondering which one is more difficult to crack?

Find out with this exclusive blog on MCAT vs NEET 2024.

What is NEET?  

Until 2013, NEET – the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test was called the All India Pre-Medical Test. This is the entrance exam that students aspiring to be in the medical field have to undertake to start their education at the UG and PG level in the medical discipline for both medical and dental courses.

Since 2019, the examinations have been supervised by the NTA, i.e. National Testing Agency, which conveys the results to the Directorate General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

However, due to the distinct laws under which they were authorized, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), do not fall under the NEET umbrella.

Features of NEET

Let us learn some important features of NEET Examination from below:

1. NEET evaluates knowledge in biology, physics, chemistry, and English.

2. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions.

3. NEET assesses understanding of concepts in medical and dental fields.

4. It is a mandatory test for admission to medical and dental colleges in India.

5. NEET aims to select candidates based on their academic merit and competence.

Also Read: NEET Books and NEET Eligibility

What is MCAT?

Considered amongst the most prominent medical entrance exams in the world, the Medical College Admission Test [MCAT] is a standardized examination for medical ability testing which is offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges [AAMC].

Further, institutions utilize these exam scores to check the suitability of the candidate with the nature and requirements of the offered programs. While the degrees may vary, MCAT is most widely adopted for admissions into courses after MBBS or other first-cycle medical degrees.

An important fact for prospective candidates is that if you wish to begin medical practice in India after completing your course from abroad, qualifying for the FMGE exam is mandatory.

Features of MCAT

Let us explore and learn important features of MCAT from below:

1. MCAT tests critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

2. It assesses knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology.

3. The MCAT exam includes multiple-choice questions and passages.

4. MCAT measures understanding of scientific concepts and principles.

5. It is a standardized test required for admission to medical schools.

Also Read: Career Options If NEET is not Cleared

MCAT vs NEET  

MCAT and NEET are two important competitive examinations for students, but it is generally observed that peers are not aware of the basic differences between the two. Let us comprehensively learn about the differences.

1. Subject Focus: MCAT: Focuses on biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. NEET: Focuses on biology, physics, and chemistry, with a smaller emphasis on English. 2. Exam Structure: MCAT: Consists of multiple-choice questions and passages. NEET: Also consists of multiple-choice questions but does not include passages. 3. Syllabus Depth: MCAT: Requires a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and principles. NEET: Requires a thorough understanding of core concepts in biology, physics, and chemistry. 4. Test Format: MCAT: Includes sections such as Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior, and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills. NEET: Covers topics in physics, chemistry, and biology, with a focus on subjects relevant to medical and dental fields. 5. Preparation Approach: MCAT: Requires extensive preparation with emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. NEET: Requires a comprehensive study of core subjects with a focus on memorization, understanding concepts, and practising multiple-choice questions.

For the benefit of applicants we have compiled a list of all the details you would need to choose between NEET and MCAT: 

Comparison	NEET	MCAT
Conducting bodies	National Testing Agency [NTA]	The Association of American Medical Colleges [AAMC].
Degree	For MBBS in India	For MD in US, Canada, Australia
Eligibility criteria	For UG courses 1. The candidate should score according to the cut offset by the Medical Council of India (MCI). 2. The candidate should be from the medical stream. For PG courses 1. A valid MBBS degree from a recognized institution by MCI completion of rotatory internship before 31st March 2021. 2. Permanent or provisional medical registration certificate issued by MCI or State Medical Council.	For MD in the US, Canada, Australia
Number of applicants	Approximately 15 lakh students	Approximately 85,000 students
Difficulty level	Tough	Moderate
Chances of passing on first try	About 0.5 – 5 percent	About 50 percent
Number of permissible attempts	No limit	7 times in a lifetime, 4 times in two consecutive years times in a single test year
Frequency in a year	Twice	Thrice
Validity of score	3 years	2-3 years
Application fees	General category – Rs.1500OBC category – Rs. 1400SC/ST – Rs.800	$320 application fees + $115 for international applicant = $435 (Approx. Rs. 30,750)

Also Read: Career Options If NEET is not Cleared

FAQs

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We hope that this blog has helped you in choosing what path you want to take to achieve your goals.

For more information on the exams and help in the admission and application process for NEET or MCAT contact our experts and get guidance throughout the process on Leverage Edu.