A tweet posted by user @salehdotdev has ignited a firestorm on social media after calling out the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) system—India’s most prestigious and competitive exam for entry into top engineering colleges like the IITs.
“JEE didn’t filter for intelligence,” the tweet reads.
“It filtered for:
- Obedience
- Parental pressure
- Memorization
- Sleep deprivation
You weren’t smart. You were trained like a dog.”
Posted on June 22, the tweet has already amassed over 33,000 views, 1,200+ likes, and a flurry of reactions ranging from outrage to agreement.
What’s the Controversy About?
The tweet essentially argues that cracking the JEE exam isn’t necessarily a reflection of intelligence or creativity, but rather of conformity, pressure endurance, and rote learning.
In short: India’s top exam may be rewarding the wrong traits.
While many IIT alumni took offense to the comparison, others shockingly agreed, saying the grueling prep culture drains students of joy and originality.
Social Media Reacts: Division at its Peak
- “This is the realest take I’ve seen. JEE was survival, not brilliance,” commented one user.
- “As someone who studied for 14 hours a day just to keep up, I feel seen,” wrote another.
- On the other side, some users clapped back, saying:
“Don’t belittle the hard work of lakhs who make it. It does take brains.”
“Sleep deprivation doesn’t get you AIR 1. Consistency and aptitude do.”
The Bigger Question: What Are We Really Testing?
This tweet revives an age-old debate:
Are we training problem-solvers, or are we raising machines programmed to score marks?
India’s exam system has long been criticized for being rigid, exhausting, and heavily tilted towards rote memorization. While the JEE syllabus does cover conceptual thinking, the preparation culture surrounding it often crushes creativity, emotional health, and individual growth.
Final Thought: Time for Reform or Just a Rant?
Whether you agree or disagree with Saleh’s tweet, one thing is clear—it’s struck a nerve. In a system that millions see as their only ticket to success, perhaps it’s time to ask: Is cracking the exam the same as being truly educated?
