In a development that has startled the education and tech communities alike, OpenAI’s latest model, ChatGPT o3, has achieved what most human aspirants spend years preparing for. The AI scored a whopping 327 out of 360 in a full-length mock test of the JEE Advanced 2025 exam—translating to an All India Rank of 4, if compared with real-world data. This jaw-dropping feat was shared online by Anushka Aashvi, an IIT Kharagpur engineer and educator who conducted the experiment under tightly controlled conditions.
Inside the Mock Test Challenge
The test administered to ChatGPT was not a casual run. Aashvi made sure to simulate the real JEE Advanced experience as closely as possible. Each of the paper’s 57 questions was fed into a fresh ChatGPT session, meaning the AI had no memory of previous responses—just like a student starting every question with a clean slate. Moreover, it wasn’t allowed to use web browsing, code execution, or any external plugins. The model was simply asked to “act like a JEE aspirant” and solve the question in front of it, without re-attempts or hints.
Cracking One of the World’s Toughest Exams
For context, JEE Advanced is often considered one of the most rigorous engineering entrance exams globally. Each year, nearly 1.5 million students take JEE Mains, but only about 17,000 manage to secure a seat via the Advanced stage at the IITs. That makes ChatGPT’s AIR 4 simulation not just impressive—it’s practically unheard of.
ChatGPT o3 excelled particularly in Mathematics and Chemistry, scoring full marks in both subjects during the Phase II paper. Its performance in Physics was slightly behind, with minor losses attributed to its difficulty in interpreting graphical data and visual instruments, like the Vernier scale. In fact, one such question took the AI nearly 10 minutes to process, only for it to arrive at an incorrect answer. Nonetheless, the overall score stood at 327 out of 360—a number that places it comfortably in the top five if compared with 2024’s real JEE results.
A Leap Ahead of GPT-4
Earlier models of ChatGPT, including GPT-4, had attempted similar academic tasks with far less success. They typically landed somewhere in the 10,000+ rank range. The leap in reasoning, deduction, and subject-specific understanding demonstrated by ChatGPT o3 is evidence of just how rapidly AI is evolving. The model’s ability to comprehend complex multi-concept problems, particularly in integral calculus and physical chemistry, has even drawn praise from coaching veterans and academic mentors.
The Big Question: Is This the Future of Learning?
This breakthrough raises fundamental questions about the future of learning and competitive exam preparation. If an AI can not only understand but ace one of India’s most demanding academic challenges, does that redefine the role of tutoring, coaching centers, and even traditional education?
Many educators believe that while AI models like ChatGPT offer phenomenal recall and logic, they still lack human intuition, creativity, and contextual sensitivity. For instance, interpreting ambiguous graphs, understanding hands-on experiments, or learning from real-world mistakes are areas where students still hold the edge. However, the potential of AI as a support system for learners is immense. Imagine every student having a personalized mentor capable of answering doubts, explaining concepts in real-time, and offering tailored mock tests.
Voices from the Ground
Following the viral post, reactions have poured in across tech and education circles. While some marvel at the progress of generative AI, others remain cautious. “It’s an achievement for sure,” said a former IIT-JEE paper setter on X, “but it doesn’t mean AI has become a better student than humans. It just means it can be trained to excel within structured boundaries.”
At the same time, stories of human triumph continue to dominate headlines. Rajit Gupta, this year’s JEE Advanced topper from Kota, credits his mother’s guidance for his success. Meanwhile, inspiring tales of grit—like that of a cancer survivor’s son who secured AIR 94—show that emotional resilience and personal motivation still shape real success.
